Webinars
Keeping your attendees' attention during a meeting or event is a top priority. But how do you keep them engaged? Learn how from leadership expert and Connect Marketplace speaker Ava Diamond during our next webinar, Thursday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. EST. She’ll discuss the top ways to create extreme engagement
Ava Diamond
Past Webinars
Influencer Marketing: The Best Event Strategy You Are Not Using
Credit pending approval from the EIC
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Research has shown that traditional marketing tactics aren't working, so people aren't listening to you. What they ARE listening to is what the leaders of their tribe, the Influencers, have to say. Event Influencer Marketing is the best-kept secret weapon, a low hanging fruit that fits neatly in your existing event marketing campaign. Learn the difference between macro and nano influencers and how to identify if they are the right fit for your event. Gain knowledge from the insights of several case studies and see how your event can take advantage of low-risk, high-reward IM campaigns.
Learning Objectives:
1. Engage their event community to grow their event.
2. Apply strategies tailored specifically for events.
3. Conduct an influencer marketing campaign that delivers exceptional ROI.
Learning Objectives:
1. Engage their event community to grow their event.
2. Apply strategies tailored specifically for events.
3. Conduct an influencer marketing campaign that delivers exceptional ROI.
Rachel Stephan is a creative thinker, idea generator, and an event industry speaker on topics that cover event marketing, social media and digital events. What drives Rachel is empowering associations, profit and nonprofit organizations as well as meeting planners to build attendance and grow members’ engagement.
Rachel channels nearly 25 years’ of creative advertising experience, social media, web and mobile technology to create, brand and promote engaging, successful event marketing campaigns for national and international conferences and trade shows. She holds an impressive track record of breaking event attendance and over 410 successful event marketing campaigns for national or international conferences and trade shows, both public and trade sector. Her creative campaign for the Ontario Hospital Association got first-place wins in multiple categories at The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ Art of the Show Competition.
She recently launched snöball, an event influencer marketing platform. snöball was a Top 5 finalist at the 2017 IMEX Pitch as well as an IBTM World 2017 Tech Watch Award finalist and winner of the Best use of PR. She is fluent in three languages and holds a master’s degree in Advertising and Graphic Arts and a Digital Event Strategist certification.
Rachel channels nearly 25 years’ of creative advertising experience, social media, web and mobile technology to create, brand and promote engaging, successful event marketing campaigns for national and international conferences and trade shows. She holds an impressive track record of breaking event attendance and over 410 successful event marketing campaigns for national or international conferences and trade shows, both public and trade sector. Her creative campaign for the Ontario Hospital Association got first-place wins in multiple categories at The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ Art of the Show Competition.
She recently launched snöball, an event influencer marketing platform. snöball was a Top 5 finalist at the 2017 IMEX Pitch as well as an IBTM World 2017 Tech Watch Award finalist and winner of the Best use of PR. She is fluent in three languages and holds a master’s degree in Advertising and Graphic Arts and a Digital Event Strategist certification.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Venue Contracts: Maximizing Your Choice of an Audiovisual Provider
Credit Approved for CMP-IS Domain C: Risk Management
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How would you handle an unanticipated budget increase of $40,000 because the venue’s contract had fine print that dictated your client had to use the in-house preferred supplier for all breakout rooms? This webinar outlines the “Buyer’s Right to Freedom of Choice” clause developed by the Exhibition Services & Contractors Association and lays out the 11 points of consideration for building maximum flexibility for choosing third party suppliers to service your events.
The webinar specifically addresses choosing your audiovisual provider and reinforces that having maximum flexibility in choosing an AV supplier begins before the venue contract is signed! Being able to work with your own preferred AV supplier begins with negotiating solid and comprehensive language into the venue contract.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the 11 considerations of the “Buyer’s Right to Freedom of Choice.”
2. Discuss current industry practices that are inhibiting the choice of third party suppliers.
3. Learn how to apply the 11 considerations to ensure maximum flexibility in choosing an AV provider.
The webinar specifically addresses choosing your audiovisual provider and reinforces that having maximum flexibility in choosing an AV supplier begins before the venue contract is signed! Being able to work with your own preferred AV supplier begins with negotiating solid and comprehensive language into the venue contract.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the 11 considerations of the “Buyer’s Right to Freedom of Choice.”
2. Discuss current industry practices that are inhibiting the choice of third party suppliers.
3. Learn how to apply the 11 considerations to ensure maximum flexibility in choosing an AV provider.
Heather Reid is founder and president of Planner Protect Inc., a consulting agency dedicated to reviewing and negotiating balanced event contracts. To date, Heather and Planner Protect have saved clients in the events industry more than $8.5 million in real costs and reduced risk. With more than 25 years’ experience as an independent event planner, Heather helps event hosts and industry professionals negotiate balanced contracts. Planners, venue representatives and corporate events teams all recognize Heather as a trusted and knowledgeable expert in her field.
She has received awards for her thought leadership and commitment to the field including a Smart Women in Meetings award in the “Innovator” category, and the Meetings & Incentive Travel Canada’s Hall of Fame award – also in the “Innovator” category. She believes passionately in educating event hosts and has delivered numerous presentations to North American meetings industry groups. Through educational videos, webinars and training workshops, Planner Protect reaches thousands of event professionals every year. Heather is passionate about elevating event professionals’ contract expertise to protect their event finances, preserve their reputations and produce successful events.
She has received awards for her thought leadership and commitment to the field including a Smart Women in Meetings award in the “Innovator” category, and the Meetings & Incentive Travel Canada’s Hall of Fame award – also in the “Innovator” category. She believes passionately in educating event hosts and has delivered numerous presentations to North American meetings industry groups. Through educational videos, webinars and training workshops, Planner Protect reaches thousands of event professionals every year. Heather is passionate about elevating event professionals’ contract expertise to protect their event finances, preserve their reputations and produce successful events.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Room Block Poaching, Deceptive Practices and Consumer Fraud
Credit Approved for CMP-IS Domain C: Risk Management
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Join us for the launch of new study findings from the EIC, in collaboration with IAEE and SISO, on the extent of deceptive practices, consumer fraud and scams affecting the events industry, with an emphasis on attendance list scams and room block poaching and piracy.
Meetings and exhibitions continue to be impacted by room block poaching. Today, poaching is increasingly extending beyond room blocks into exhibitor services, audiovisual, sponsorships and more. Poachers are businesses that actively seek to deceive, recruit or divert event participants—primarily attendees and exhibitors—away from official room blocks and other offerings and into unauthorized vendors. These businesses use a range of techniques to approach attendees and gain their business.
Learning objectives:
1.From Events Industry Council research, gain powerful insight into the industry-wide effects of poaching on our industry, who is affected and how.
2. Be the first to hear 2019 study results on attendance list scams in the events industry.
3. Learn about practical solutions for addressing room block poaching and attendance list scams.
4. Understand how these scams affect privacy compliance.
Meetings and exhibitions continue to be impacted by room block poaching. Today, poaching is increasingly extending beyond room blocks into exhibitor services, audiovisual, sponsorships and more. Poachers are businesses that actively seek to deceive, recruit or divert event participants—primarily attendees and exhibitors—away from official room blocks and other offerings and into unauthorized vendors. These businesses use a range of techniques to approach attendees and gain their business.
Learning objectives:
1.From Events Industry Council research, gain powerful insight into the industry-wide effects of poaching on our industry, who is affected and how.
2. Be the first to hear 2019 study results on attendance list scams in the events industry.
3. Learn about practical solutions for addressing room block poaching and attendance list scams.
4. Understand how these scams affect privacy compliance.
With decades of experience as a provider of entertainment and event management services, Michael shares a wealth of knowledge gained through his career in the business events industry. His company, EventGenuity, LLC, produces business events throughout North America.
Michael is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and learning institutions, speaking on what’s now and what’s next in meetings and events. He has published articles in Meetings and Conventions, Convene, Meeting Mentor magazine, Connect magazine, Plan-It Tennessee, The Meeting Professional, Meetings Focus and Successful Meetings magazines and as a guest columnist for The Tennessean and Nashville Business Journal. Michael was recently awarded the MPI RISE Award for Meetings Industry Leadership and was recognized for Lifetime Achievement by MPI Tennessee. venues worldwide, negotiate rates and review contracts at no cost to her client.
Michael is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and learning institutions, speaking on what’s now and what’s next in meetings and events. He has published articles in Meetings and Conventions, Convene, Meeting Mentor magazine, Connect magazine, Plan-It Tennessee, The Meeting Professional, Meetings Focus and Successful Meetings magazines and as a guest columnist for The Tennessean and Nashville Business Journal. Michael was recently awarded the MPI RISE Award for Meetings Industry Leadership and was recognized for Lifetime Achievement by MPI Tennessee. venues worldwide, negotiate rates and review contracts at no cost to her client.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session
RFP Doesn't Have to Mean Really Frustrating Process
Credit Approved for CMP-IS Domain B: Project Management
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We made the RFP process what it is, so why can’t we help fix it, too? It doesn’t have to be a Really Frustrating Process—does it?
Near the top of many industry peoples’ lists of things that keep them up at night—whether they are a meeting professional/buyer or a vendor/seller—is the RFP process and its many components. Join the discussion and roll your sleeves up with your peers on both sides of the buyer/seller coin as we tackle some of the stickiest RFP issues and ideas on what to do about them. Gary Hernbroth, of Training for Winners, will be the thought leader and provocateur as he discusses the RFP process to help everyone do better business—together.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants from both sides of the buying-selling equation will gain first-hand exposure to what the other side feels are the most important elements to the improvement of the RFP process.
2. Learn which elements work to bog RFP processes down and what can be done to improve them.
3. Gain best-practice ideas on making your own RFP process better.
Near the top of many industry peoples’ lists of things that keep them up at night—whether they are a meeting professional/buyer or a vendor/seller—is the RFP process and its many components. Join the discussion and roll your sleeves up with your peers on both sides of the buyer/seller coin as we tackle some of the stickiest RFP issues and ideas on what to do about them. Gary Hernbroth, of Training for Winners, will be the thought leader and provocateur as he discusses the RFP process to help everyone do better business—together.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants from both sides of the buying-selling equation will gain first-hand exposure to what the other side feels are the most important elements to the improvement of the RFP process.
2. Learn which elements work to bog RFP processes down and what can be done to improve them.
3. Gain best-practice ideas on making your own RFP process better.
Gary Hernbroth is an engaging, impactful professional speaker, trainer and business coach who inspires his audiences and clients to achieve greater success. Various clients have nicknamed Gary their strength and conditioning coach based on the measurable results he helps create for them.
Gary founded Training for Winners in 1995 after 18 years in the hospitality and meetings business in sales, marketing and operations management. He partners with clients from various industries such as national and regional associations, hospitality businesses (hotels, resorts, convention facilities and CVBs/DMOs), club management, small businesses and Fortune 1000 companies. His meetings industry speaking experience includes MPI, ASAE, HSMAI, PCMA, CMAA and IAVM. His executive coaching program was highlighted in Selling Power Magazine. He is a frequent print and online author and is completing work on his first book.
He is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University and currently serves on its Alumni Board of Directors, where he mentors students as they prepare to enter the workplace. To connect with Gary, you can reach him at gary@trainingforwinners.com or 925-736-9392.
Gary founded Training for Winners in 1995 after 18 years in the hospitality and meetings business in sales, marketing and operations management. He partners with clients from various industries such as national and regional associations, hospitality businesses (hotels, resorts, convention facilities and CVBs/DMOs), club management, small businesses and Fortune 1000 companies. His meetings industry speaking experience includes MPI, ASAE, HSMAI, PCMA, CMAA and IAVM. His executive coaching program was highlighted in Selling Power Magazine. He is a frequent print and online author and is completing work on his first book.
He is a graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University and currently serves on its Alumni Board of Directors, where he mentors students as they prepare to enter the workplace. To connect with Gary, you can reach him at gary@trainingforwinners.com or 925-736-9392.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session
Strategies in Self Care for Event Professionals: Take a Break BEFORE You Break
Credits pending approval from EIC
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As an event professional, you take care of everyone—your client, your sponsors, your vendors and your attendees. When you do you take care of yourself? Event planning is a stressful career, and if you don't take time to care for yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else. Join this interactive and fun webinar with the self-care expert Breeda Miller. You will learn how to take a break BEFORE you break so you can serve your clients and not lose yourself in the process.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will learn ways to anticipate and respond to stressful situations.
2. Participants will understand and act upon techniques to increase self-care practices.
3. Participants will develop skills to increase the use of humor as a coping mechanism in stressful situations.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will learn ways to anticipate and respond to stressful situations.
2. Participants will understand and act upon techniques to increase self-care practices.
3. Participants will develop skills to increase the use of humor as a coping mechanism in stressful situations.
Breeda Miller works with organizations to support professional and family caregivers to be healthier and more productive. Her self-care strategies help caregivers care better for others, reduce stress and burnout. Breeda is a caregiver with a voice and message that resonates with audiences worldwide. She cared for her mother for eight years including hospice care. Her focus on self-care seamlessly connects with Wellness and Work/Life Balance needs. As an award-winning author and speaker, Breeda brings humor and the power of story to create a lasting impact.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
As a meeting or event professional, you want to foster inclusion for employees, members, volunteers and participants. What is legally or culturally expected varies state to state, and it is fiscally responsible to improve event practices to meet these expectations. This program will teach meeting and event professionals how to keep attendees feeling safe, welcome and included as well as how to implement free to cheap elements to foster an inclusive environment and meet expectations before accidentally excluding others.
Learning Objectives:
1. Know what you don’t know to manage rise and unexpected exclusionary
actions.
2. Utilize existing tools, resources and spaces without having to spend any of
your limited budget to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging to increase
retention.
3. Develop new questions to address invisible needs.
Learning Objectives:
1. Know what you don’t know to manage rise and unexpected exclusionary
actions.
2. Utilize existing tools, resources and spaces without having to spend any of
your limited budget to foster inclusivity and a sense of belonging to increase
retention.
3. Develop new questions to address invisible needs.
Jessica Pettitt, M.Ed., pulls together her stand-up comedy years with 15+ years of diversity training in a wide range of organizations to serve groups to move from abstract fears to actionable habits that lead to teams that want to work together. With a sense of belonging and understanding, colleagues take more risks with their idealization, conserve precious resources through collaboration, and maintain real connections with clients over time.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Insider’s Guide to Banquet Menu Strategies to Stretch Your Budget
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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Catering is often the largest part of a master account, but many planners accept inflated prices, unrealistic minimums, setup fees and other charges without negotiation. This session will help planners see where the profit centers are and where there are more leverage and latitude in negotiating group catering. The webinar will discuss the profit and loss statement in catering, and with that insider knowledge, planners will learn how to maximize their budget.
Learning Objectives:
1. You’ll learn how to trace hotels expenses through food cost, beverage cost, setup staff and culinary personnel.
2. Learn how to negotiate specific monetary areas like room rentals, setup fees, bartender fees, service charges and many other areas to immediately improve your negotiations and maximize your meeting’s ROI.
3. Know how to negotiate value-added items that hotels can extend to you, including upgraded linen, menus, props, themes and other areas to deliver an exceptional event at little or no increased cost.
Learning Objectives:
1. You’ll learn how to trace hotels expenses through food cost, beverage cost, setup staff and culinary personnel.
2. Learn how to negotiate specific monetary areas like room rentals, setup fees, bartender fees, service charges and many other areas to immediately improve your negotiations and maximize your meeting’s ROI.
3. Know how to negotiate value-added items that hotels can extend to you, including upgraded linen, menus, props, themes and other areas to deliver an exceptional event at little or no increased cost.
Tom Pasha has been recognized as one of the top event planners in the planning industry. Starting in hotel operations positions as a caddy, bellman, bartender and cook, Tom began his management career as a Hyatt management trainee in Chicago. He held sales management positions throughout the Hyatt organization, working in 12 Hyatt hotels over 20 years. Tom was director of sales at Hyatt hotels in Greenville, San Antonio and Chicago O’Hare, and as director of sales, he started the National Sales Office for Hyatt hotels in Omaha. He won sales manager of the year, sales director of the year and the Donald M. Pritzker Award for Excellence.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Tom’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Tom’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
An interactive presentation, contextualizing sustainability within the meetings and events industry, this webinar will chart the development of sustainable events from early iterations to the multitude of issues and challenges faced today. Opportunities are just as plentiful, so we will expand on these, propose ideas and show how to build a business case, culminating in seven simple steps to getting executive buy-in. We conclude with 15 quick wins that will ensure a constructive outcome for all.
Learning Objectives:
1. Get woke to the issues facing our world today.
2. Get inspiring ideas for kick-starting positive change.
3. Learn seven steps to getting executive approval and 15 things you can do now.
Learning Objectives:
1. Get woke to the issues facing our world today.
2. Get inspiring ideas for kick-starting positive change.
3. Learn seven steps to getting executive approval and 15 things you can do now.
Tom Lambregts is the marketing manager for BCD Meetings & Events. Previously at Grass Roots, he produced and co-edited the award-winning Meetings Industry Report. Starting his career at Clarion Events, he then went on to become head of marketing at Earls Court and Olympia London where he directed and delivered the award-winning rebranding of the venues. Tom specializes in digital and content-led marketing and maintains a keen interest in music and reading.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
We are seeing a common and alarming trend that hotels are charging exorbitant amounts to use their Wi-Fi for your events. Sometimes this number can be well into the thousands, but you have options and you don’t always need to layout $30,000 to have event Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi fees are negotiable and there are ways to cut costs! Will Curran is going to guide you through how to save on hotel Wi-Fi. From simple steps to negotiation tips, he lays it all out there. After the webinar, you’ll be on your way to breaking through the costs and saving money on your hotel event Wi-Fi.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn the technical specifications to look at when it comes to Wi-Fi.
2. Learn how to negotiate Wi-Fi costs within conference centers and hotels.
3. Learn the tips to make your Wi-Fi safe and secure.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn the technical specifications to look at when it comes to Wi-Fi.
2. Learn how to negotiate Wi-Fi costs within conference centers and hotels.
3. Learn the tips to make your Wi-Fi safe and secure.
As founder of Endless Events, Will Curran has been named one of the 40 under 40 event industry leaders, 35 entrepreneurs under the age of 35 and Inc Magazine’s Coolest College Start-Up all before graduating college. Will has been producing events since high school when he started his first company and has now worked in production of large event clients, such as Emerald City Comicon, Anheuser-Busch, Color Run, Morton Salt and Uber. His team’s mission is to simplify the event planning process by creating the equation for an event’s perfect solution. They also relentlessly seek to be the name in customer service in the events industry. From event logistics to business development to technical production, Curran has a diverse background in growing events and companies to the next level.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
7 Trends Shaping Experiential Events
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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We can all agree it’s more fun to participate than to only watch, so why would we ask attendees to stay attendees when they could become participants in the action?
In this webinar, we’ll examine strategies, approaches and technologies that can be deployed to help meet business, brand, sales and marketing objectives for your events, while building stronger relationships with your audiences.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the differences between events and experiences.
2. Get basic strategic principles, from portfolio planning to measurement and optimization.
3. Explore experience design methodologies, including security, experience platform development and journey mapping.
4. What major brands are doing to drive engagement and become more memorable.
5. How to personalize experiences at scale.
In this webinar, we’ll examine strategies, approaches and technologies that can be deployed to help meet business, brand, sales and marketing objectives for your events, while building stronger relationships with your audiences.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the differences between events and experiences.
2. Get basic strategic principles, from portfolio planning to measurement and optimization.
3. Explore experience design methodologies, including security, experience platform development and journey mapping.
4. What major brands are doing to drive engagement and become more memorable.
5. How to personalize experiences at scale.
A lover of automation, ice sculptures and pie, Lindsay joined Pathable Event Apps in 2016, aiming to bridge the gap between events and technology for associations, corporations and nonprofits. She started her career as an events manager and marketing consultant at an independent events company, Nifty Method, nearly 20 years ago. Along the way, she got her CMP, worked with companies like Ford Motor Company, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Sirius XM and the Nonprofit Technology Network, and realized she could never go to a concert again without asking herself, “How does that rigging attach to that floating stage?”
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Sometimes little errors can cause big problems. Lisa Sommer Devlin, an attorney who has represented hotels regarding event contracts for over 25 years, will highlight some of the most common contract mistakes that she sees in her practice and gives you tips on how to avoid legal disputes.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn common contracting mistakes that are most likely to lead
to disputes.
2. Learn negotiation tips to help you get a better contract.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn common contracting mistakes that are most likely to lead
to disputes.
2. Learn negotiation tips to help you get a better contract.
Lisa Sommer Devlin's legal practice has concentrated in hospitality law for 25 years. She drafts standardized contracts, provides legal training and handles meeting related litigation for chain and independent hotels. Meeting News magazine named her one of the 25 most influential people in the meeting industry in 2002 and 2006, saying: “More than anyone else, she is the legal voice for the industry.” She speaks at countless industry events and was named a 2012 “Best in Class” speaker by PCMA.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
10 Steps to Planning a Hybrid Meeting
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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Extending your event to the online world can often seem like a daunting task. Despite concerns around technology platforms and on-site participation, hybrid events provide unique opportunities to extend your event reach across multiple geographies and time zones. By understanding the 10 key steps, you can set a good foundation for a successful hybrid event that extends your event’s audience reach.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding the process for building your own hybrid event plan.
2. How to set a good foundation for a hybrid event that both complements and extends your live event.
3. How to set a framework for measuring success.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding the process for building your own hybrid event plan.
2. How to set a good foundation for a hybrid event that both complements and extends your live event.
3. How to set a framework for measuring success.
Mahoganey Jones is versatile, results-oriented certified meeting professional and digital event strategist with proven skills and track record in all aspects of meeting management. Specializing in associations and medical meetings, she produces exceptionally planned and revenue generating educational events.
As an entrepreneur herself with hundreds of events under her belt, Mahoganey is passionate about bringing event ideas to life and building a stage for others to showcase their brands and expertise. By taking care of the details and breathing personality and life into each event, Mahoganey is able to produce an experience that is a direct reflection of her clients.
Her event-planning career began with hospital fundraisers, university brand awareness campaigns and even weddings. She quickly learned that all events begin with a purpose and need more than a pretty logo to be successful. Events are opportunities to generate positive buzz about your brand and should be produced with that goal in mind. Mahoganey’s motto is do what you love and to love what you do. This motto can be seen in the attention to detail and drive she has to ensuring every event is a success.
As an entrepreneur herself with hundreds of events under her belt, Mahoganey is passionate about bringing event ideas to life and building a stage for others to showcase their brands and expertise. By taking care of the details and breathing personality and life into each event, Mahoganey is able to produce an experience that is a direct reflection of her clients.
Her event-planning career began with hospital fundraisers, university brand awareness campaigns and even weddings. She quickly learned that all events begin with a purpose and need more than a pretty logo to be successful. Events are opportunities to generate positive buzz about your brand and should be produced with that goal in mind. Mahoganey’s motto is do what you love and to love what you do. This motto can be seen in the attention to detail and drive she has to ensuring every event is a success.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
In today's connected world, it's hard to imagine a time when access to the internet wasn't within the palm of everyone’s hand. From registration through on-site interactivity, we are all connected to the cloud.
From registration through on-site interactivity, we are all connected to the cloud. Is the hotel Wi‐Fi network in your room and meeting space secure? Are your registration and computer lab devices protected? Creating a cyber‐safe environment is crucial, not only because of attendees' expectations but also because every phone, tablet and laptop is an entry point for potential harm to planners, delegates and their events.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the targets of attackers.
2. Understand the types of attacks that we currently face individually and at business events.
3. Explore approaches to reduce cyber risk.
From registration through on-site interactivity, we are all connected to the cloud. Is the hotel Wi‐Fi network in your room and meeting space secure? Are your registration and computer lab devices protected? Creating a cyber‐safe environment is crucial, not only because of attendees' expectations but also because every phone, tablet and laptop is an entry point for potential harm to planners, delegates and their events.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the targets of attackers.
2. Understand the types of attacks that we currently face individually and at business events.
3. Explore approaches to reduce cyber risk.
With decades of experience as a provider of entertainment and event management services, Michael shares a wealth of knowledge gained through his career in the business events industry. His company, EventGenuity, LLC, produces business events throughout North America.
Michael is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and learning institutions, speaking on what’s now and what’s next in meetings and events. He has published articles in Meetings and Conventions, Convene, Meeting Mentor magazine, Connect magazine, Plan-It Tennessee, The Meeting Professional, Meetings Focus and Successful Meetings magazines and as a guest columnist for The Tennessean and Nashville Business Journal. Michael was recently awarded the MPI RISE Award for Meetings Industry Leadership and was recognized for Lifetime Achievement by MPI Tennessee.
Michael is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and learning institutions, speaking on what’s now and what’s next in meetings and events. He has published articles in Meetings and Conventions, Convene, Meeting Mentor magazine, Connect magazine, Plan-It Tennessee, The Meeting Professional, Meetings Focus and Successful Meetings magazines and as a guest columnist for The Tennessean and Nashville Business Journal. Michael was recently awarded the MPI RISE Award for Meetings Industry Leadership and was recognized for Lifetime Achievement by MPI Tennessee.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Are you the missing link to a successful meeting and event risk management plan? This program explores the role of meeting/event planners and venue operators in the risk management identification, response and recovery process. A thorough review of a complex meeting/event industry case study will act as a guide.
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognition of role in the risk management process.
2. General understanding of hazard indicators.
3. Response process for major and catastrophic failures.
Learning Objectives:
1. Recognition of role in the risk management process.
2. General understanding of hazard indicators.
3. Response process for major and catastrophic failures.
Brian D. Avery is a life safety speaker, professor, expert witness and author who specializes in protecting the people that comprise the events, tourism and attractions industries. Brian’s career spans 25 plus years and his background is comprised of three areas of expertise: risk and safety management, event design and execution and education.
Brian is an advocate for safety and communicating the importance of improving personal safety and organizational awareness. Direct from the pages of Brian’s reports, his experience, and research, Brian shares the lessons learned from tragic, yet avoidable incidents and hazards that he has investigated worldwide… all in an effort of prevention and progress.
Brian is an advocate for safety and communicating the importance of improving personal safety and organizational awareness. Direct from the pages of Brian’s reports, his experience, and research, Brian shares the lessons learned from tragic, yet avoidable incidents and hazards that he has investigated worldwide… all in an effort of prevention and progress.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Discover strategic body language so you can uncover secrets hidden in plain view and hear “yes!” more easily and more often during interviews, networking events, sales meetings and negotiations. In this fast-paced, interactive program, Traci teaches lie, fraud and identity theft detection she’s used to get to the truth in billion-dollar business deals, crimes and politics. You will laugh, learn and win in this eye-opening game show-style keynote.
Learning Objectives:
1. How to read body language.
2. How to get people to like you using only body language.
3. What message is hidden in a handshake?
4. How to uncover deep truths.
5. How to detect lies.
Learning Objectives:
1. How to read body language.
2. How to get people to like you using only body language.
3. What message is hidden in a handshake?
4. How to uncover deep truths.
5. How to detect lies.
What do Lance Armstrong, Chris Christie and Vladimir Putin have in common? Traci Brown’s revealed their secrets to the world. She’s told the world what they’re not saying. NBC, CBS and Fox have asked this body language expert to reveal secrets hidden in plain sight. Traci is not only a master lie detector, but she’s a persuasion expert. Her persuasion system landed her a lucrative product deal with Kevin Harrington, a Shark from ABC’s hit TV show Shark Tank, and took her on a wild ride to the big-time consumer markets of TV shopping channels, infomercials and beyond.
She is the past president of the National Speaker’s Association Colorado chapter and the author of four books including her latest, “How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft.” She is a three-time U.S. Collegiate Cycling Champion and former member of Team USA. She holds a business degree from the University of Colorado and is a certified master practitioner of neuro linguistics, hypnosis and Hawaiian Huna.
She is the past president of the National Speaker’s Association Colorado chapter and the author of four books including her latest, “How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft.” She is a three-time U.S. Collegiate Cycling Champion and former member of Team USA. She holds a business degree from the University of Colorado and is a certified master practitioner of neuro linguistics, hypnosis and Hawaiian Huna.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How to Negotiate AV Prices for Events
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
More Info
Having great audiovisual is expected at events, but the prices can sometimes be unexpected. As more planners look for high-quality AV for their meetings, negotiating the right price is sometimes the deciding factor for them when it comes to booking a hotel or convention center. This webinar will show planners how to negotiate AV prices and prepare them with the best tips for successful and cost-effective events.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn the AV lingo to get the right answers.
2. Understand pricing and quotes.
3. Learn the power to make the right decisions and be in more
control.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn the AV lingo to get the right answers.
2. Understand pricing and quotes.
3. Learn the power to make the right decisions and be in more
control.
As founder of Endless Events, Will Curran has been named one of the 40 under 40 event industry leaders, 35 entrepreneurs under the age of 35 and Inc Magazine’s Coolest College Start-Up all before graduating college. Will has been producing events since high school when he started his first company and has now worked in the production of large event clients, such as Emerald City Comicon, Anheuser-Busch, Color Run, Morton Salt and Uber. His team’s mission is to simplify the event planning process by creating the equation for an event’s perfect solution. They also relentlessly seek to be the name in customer service in the events industry. From event logistics to business development to technical production, Curran has a diverse background in growing events and companies to the next level.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How to Develop a Learning Strategy That Creates Value
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning
More Info
Agile organizations and individuals who can adapt easily to a changing environment learn and perform better. Yet, only about 20 percent of organizations have a learning strategy—and less than 5 percent of those keep it up to date. This webinar makes the business case for developing your learning function for a competitive advantage and shows you how to implement it.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the business case for learning as a competitive advantage.
2. Outline the critical steps in developing a comprehensive learning strategy.
3. Identify sustainable best practices.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the business case for learning as a competitive advantage.
2. Outline the critical steps in developing a comprehensive learning strategy.
3. Identify sustainable best practices.
John Nawn is the founder/CEO of The Perfect Meeting, which designs formal and informal learning and content strategies that help organizations grow revenues and increase market share. John has served as chief learning officer for several multinational corporations and associations across different industries. Unlike most learning professionals, John specializes in monetizing learning. His learning programs have generated over $200 million in revenues and cost savings.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How are you keeping up with the technological advancements that impact the meetings industry? Do you find that you’re barely able to keep pace with the latest developments? This webinar reviews what’s new and way cool in technology in this fun, fast-paced look at what’s here for us to use now, and what’s coming in the near future, including the latest information
about virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and other important tech trends.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the five pillars of business disruption.
2. Understand how to evaluate which technologies you should be using today.
3. Recognize how new technologies such as mixed reality and artificial intelligence reality can impact the hospitality industry.
about virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and other important tech trends.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the five pillars of business disruption.
2. Understand how to evaluate which technologies you should be using today.
3. Recognize how new technologies such as mixed reality and artificial intelligence reality can impact the hospitality industry.
James Spellos is the president of Meeting U., a company specializing in helping people become more productive and comfortable with technology.
Jim is certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist. He delivers over 150 seminars annually on how to use technology more efficiently. Jim is an adjunct faculty member at New York University, teaching in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies since 1990. He has been honored with both its Award for Teaching Excellence and its Outstanding Service Award. Jim was also named one of the hospitality industry’s trendsetters in 2015 for his technology education.
In 2014, Jim joined the Board of Directors for Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty, anti-hunger think tank, which supports over 43,000 agencies in North America. Jim co-created for them their Whole Earth Calculator app, which helps organizations identify the quantity of food donated and carbon footprint reduced by an organization helping to recover excess food from events.
Jim is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, playing guitar, keyboard and singing for the New York City rock band Contraband. They released their first CD, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” in late 2008 and is perpetually in the recording studio working on their next project.
Jim is certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist. He delivers over 150 seminars annually on how to use technology more efficiently. Jim is an adjunct faculty member at New York University, teaching in the School of Professional and Continuing Studies since 1990. He has been honored with both its Award for Teaching Excellence and its Outstanding Service Award. Jim was also named one of the hospitality industry’s trendsetters in 2015 for his technology education.
In 2014, Jim joined the Board of Directors for Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty, anti-hunger think tank, which supports over 43,000 agencies in North America. Jim co-created for them their Whole Earth Calculator app, which helps organizations identify the quantity of food donated and carbon footprint reduced by an organization helping to recover excess food from events.
Jim is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, playing guitar, keyboard and singing for the New York City rock band Contraband. They released their first CD, “Welcome to the Neighborhood” in late 2008 and is perpetually in the recording studio working on their next project.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Difficult people are everywhere. Don’t believe it? Just look in the mirror. We all come from different backgrounds and possess different values, perspectives and opinions. This webinar explores how we can gain a mutually shared model with others. We will learn about communication styles and how best to listen and speak to those who appear to be critical and confrontational.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn to look at teams/difficult people/situations through a new lens.
2. Develop an awareness and sensitivity to varying opinions.
3. Gain perspectives, techniques and tools for effective communication.
*This webinar was rescheduled from February 2018.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn to look at teams/difficult people/situations through a new lens.
2. Develop an awareness and sensitivity to varying opinions.
3. Gain perspectives, techniques and tools for effective communication.
*This webinar was rescheduled from February 2018.
Darrell Hammond completed a degree in business management after earning an athletic scholarship. After college, he continued playing basketball and traveled around the world, playing exhibition basketball, keynote speaking and providing custom training. A silver medalist for Team USA, he has experience on a variety of high-performing teams, on and off of the court.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Banquets and Catering: An Insider’s Approach to Food and Beverage
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
More Info
Have you ever wondered how can hotels charge $120 or more for a gallon of coffee? With only 20 cups in a gallon, that's almost $8 per cup for banquet coffee.
Many times, a convention's catering expenses can be more than half of the master account, and planners frequently do not attempt to negotiate what can be a huge expense. In this session, we will explore actual food and beverage costs, compared to their pricing; we'll see the markups and fees that the industry has developed and see what the true costs are. You'll learn how to negotiate catering pricing, service charges and fees to deliver immediate savings to your company or organization. Finally, you'll see ways to ensure your banquet charges are accurate and posted correctly, from the BEO to the final invoice.
Learning Objectives:
1. You will learn the actual cost and markup percentages in banquets and catering to see where
the most negotiable areas are.
2. You will learn to negotiate pricing, service charges and fees to maximize your budgets while
maintaining a high-quality event.
3. You’ll learn what value-added items and upgrades can be negotiated and contracted to
further extend your budget.
Many times, a convention's catering expenses can be more than half of the master account, and planners frequently do not attempt to negotiate what can be a huge expense. In this session, we will explore actual food and beverage costs, compared to their pricing; we'll see the markups and fees that the industry has developed and see what the true costs are. You'll learn how to negotiate catering pricing, service charges and fees to deliver immediate savings to your company or organization. Finally, you'll see ways to ensure your banquet charges are accurate and posted correctly, from the BEO to the final invoice.
Learning Objectives:
1. You will learn the actual cost and markup percentages in banquets and catering to see where
the most negotiable areas are.
2. You will learn to negotiate pricing, service charges and fees to maximize your budgets while
maintaining a high-quality event.
3. You’ll learn what value-added items and upgrades can be negotiated and contracted to
further extend your budget.
Tom Pasha has been recognized as one of the top event planners in the planning industry. Starting in hotel operations positions as a caddy, bellman, bartender and cook, Tom began his management career as a Hyatt management trainee in Chicago. He held sales management positions throughout the Hyatt organization, working in 12 Hyatt hotels over 20 years. Tom was director of sales at Hyatt hotels in Greenville, San Antonio and Chicago O’Hare, and as director of sales, he started the National Sales Office for Hyatt hotels in Omaha. He won sales manager of the year, sales director of the year and the Donald M. Pritzker Award for Excellence.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Pasha’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Pasha’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
**Due to technical difficulties, this webinar is being rescheduled.
Difficult people are everywhere. Don’t believe it? Just look in the mirror. We all come from different backgrounds and possess different values, perspectives and opinions. This webinar explores how we can gain a mutually shared model with others. We will learn about communication styles and how best to listen and speak to those who appear to be critical and confrontational.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to look at teams/difficult people/situations through a new lens
- Develop an awareness and sensitivity to varying opinions
- Gain perspectives, techniques and tools for effective communication
Difficult people are everywhere. Don’t believe it? Just look in the mirror. We all come from different backgrounds and possess different values, perspectives and opinions. This webinar explores how we can gain a mutually shared model with others. We will learn about communication styles and how best to listen and speak to those who appear to be critical and confrontational.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to look at teams/difficult people/situations through a new lens
- Develop an awareness and sensitivity to varying opinions
- Gain perspectives, techniques and tools for effective communication
Darrell Hammond completed a degree in business management after earning an athletic scholarship. After college, he continued playing basketball and traveled around the world, playing exhibition basketball, keynote speaking and providing custom training. A silver medalist for Team USA, he has experience on a variety of high-performing teams on and off of the court.
His 30-year career in human resources led to many years in increasingly responsible executive positions. He has over 15 years experience as a master trainer and executive coach. Advisor and consultant to boards, executives, teams, corporations, numerous government agencies, elected officials and nonprofit leadership teams, Hammond has expertise and passion for teambuilding, leadership and organizational effectiveness. He is known for his energy, humor, analogies and straight-talking style.
His 30-year career in human resources led to many years in increasingly responsible executive positions. He has over 15 years experience as a master trainer and executive coach. Advisor and consultant to boards, executives, teams, corporations, numerous government agencies, elected officials and nonprofit leadership teams, Hammond has expertise and passion for teambuilding, leadership and organizational effectiveness. He is known for his energy, humor, analogies and straight-talking style.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Debi Tengler, chief relations officer for Arrow Child & Family Ministries, is at the forefront to combat sex trafficking. Learn how the events industry can help as Tengler gives actionable ways planners can assist in fighting this national crisis.
“Nearly 21 million victims are currently trapped in modern-day slavery, according to estimates by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The travel and tourism industry is in a unique position to address the problem, as trafficking commonly occurs on airplanes, trains and buses when victims are transported from city to city or from country to country. Much of the activity takes place at hotels and to young people, who are particularly vulnerable,” said Forbes, Sept. 30, 2017. The United States and domestic born children are not exempt. Sex trafficking is a $32 billion industry, second only to drug money. Sadly, recruiting of victims today often takes place at a local high school.
The travel and tourism industry is setting forth efforts to impact these numbers, as almost 90 percent of these victimization acts take place in a hotel or motel. Training and awareness campaigns for hotel staff, event planners and corporate sponsors have the potential to bring forth unified efforts to bring to light these atrocities and clearly enforce that child sex trafficking will not be tolerated.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.
- Learn what to do when you suspect a child is being sex trafficked.
- Learn how to best protect your events from being a trafficking hub.
“Nearly 21 million victims are currently trapped in modern-day slavery, according to estimates by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The travel and tourism industry is in a unique position to address the problem, as trafficking commonly occurs on airplanes, trains and buses when victims are transported from city to city or from country to country. Much of the activity takes place at hotels and to young people, who are particularly vulnerable,” said Forbes, Sept. 30, 2017. The United States and domestic born children are not exempt. Sex trafficking is a $32 billion industry, second only to drug money. Sadly, recruiting of victims today often takes place at a local high school.
The travel and tourism industry is setting forth efforts to impact these numbers, as almost 90 percent of these victimization acts take place in a hotel or motel. Training and awareness campaigns for hotel staff, event planners and corporate sponsors have the potential to bring forth unified efforts to bring to light these atrocities and clearly enforce that child sex trafficking will not be tolerated.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.
- Learn what to do when you suspect a child is being sex trafficked.
- Learn how to best protect your events from being a trafficking hub.
Debi Tengler is an honors graduate of the College of Biblical Studies, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical studies with an emphasis on Biblical counseling. She is also a licensed and ordained minister with World Ministry Fellowship.
Her career also exemplifies her belief that “With God, ALL things are possible.” Tengler has gone from event planning, where she coordinated picnics of fifty people to multiday motivational seminars in the Astrodome with 15,000, and then on to helping birth and lead the Alpha Houston office, an evangelism outreach ministry and the first regional office in the United States. Tengler now serves as the Chief Relations Officer, overseeing development, marketing, and church and community relations, of the premier child placement agency Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
When the opportunity arose to assist Arrow with its development needs, she knew it was the right fit, as the basis and core of Arrow aligns with Tengler’s heart. Her Christian counseling background and great desire to inspire hope perfectly converge with Arrow’s heart of helping children and families in crisis, further confirming that Arrow is the place for her to serve.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries is a Christian provider of child welfare and education services for abused and neglected children and at-risk families. Through the engagement of both government and the local church, Arrow provides an array of services, including foster care, adoption, child sex trafficking rehabilitation and specialized education. All programs and services advance the well-being of children, families and communities while promoting Christian responsibility and a commitment to strengthen family life.
Her career also exemplifies her belief that “With God, ALL things are possible.” Tengler has gone from event planning, where she coordinated picnics of fifty people to multiday motivational seminars in the Astrodome with 15,000, and then on to helping birth and lead the Alpha Houston office, an evangelism outreach ministry and the first regional office in the United States. Tengler now serves as the Chief Relations Officer, overseeing development, marketing, and church and community relations, of the premier child placement agency Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
When the opportunity arose to assist Arrow with its development needs, she knew it was the right fit, as the basis and core of Arrow aligns with Tengler’s heart. Her Christian counseling background and great desire to inspire hope perfectly converge with Arrow’s heart of helping children and families in crisis, further confirming that Arrow is the place for her to serve.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries is a Christian provider of child welfare and education services for abused and neglected children and at-risk families. Through the engagement of both government and the local church, Arrow provides an array of services, including foster care, adoption, child sex trafficking rehabilitation and specialized education. All programs and services advance the well-being of children, families and communities while promoting Christian responsibility and a commitment to strengthen family life.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
In a time when most professionals are completely plugged into their mobile devices, event professionals are challenged to capture and hold attendees' attention at events. In this webinar, Technology Strategist Crystal Washington will provide you with 30 apps that will keep your attendees engaged and provide ROI for vendors.
Learning Objectives:
- Uncover fun apps to reinforce learning.
- Leverage tools for superior communication during events.
- Generate future marketing from attendees.
- Get even shy attendees into the marketing spirit!
Learning Objectives:
- Uncover fun apps to reinforce learning.
- Leverage tools for superior communication during events.
- Generate future marketing from attendees.
- Get even shy attendees into the marketing spirit!
Crystal Washington works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity. She is known as the “technology translator.” Infusing humor, she shares only the practical applications of social media, apps and the web. Crystal’s clients comprise Fortune 500 companies, including Google, Microsoft and General Electric. As a sought-after keynote speaker, she has educated and entertained audiences across North America, Africa and Europe. She regularly appears on major television networks and in business publications for her expertise. Crystal is the author of the books “One Tech Action” and “The Social Media Why”. Outside of technology, Crystal considers herself to be a travel fanatic and afro-puff aficionado.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
*** Due to technical difficulties, this webinar is rescheduled for 2018.
Debi Tengler, chief relations officer for Arrow Child & Family Ministries, is at the forefront to combat sex trafficking. Learn how the events industry can help as Tengler gives actionable ways planners can assist in fighting this national crisis.
“Nearly 21 million victims are currently trapped in modern-day slavery, according to estimates by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The travel and tourism industry is in a unique position to address the problem, as trafficking commonly occurs on airplanes, trains and buses when victims are transported from city to city or from country to country. Much of the activity takes place at hotels and to young people, who are particularly vulnerable,” said Forbes, Sept. 30, 2017. The United States and domestic born children are not exempt. Sex trafficking is a $32 billion industry, second only to drug money. Sadly, recruiting of victims today often takes place at a local high school.
The travel and tourism industry is setting forth efforts to impact these numbers, as almost 90 percent of these victimization acts take place in a hotel or motel. Training and awareness campaigns for hotel staff, event planners and corporate sponsors have the potential to bring forth unified efforts to bring to light these atrocities and clearly enforce that child sex trafficking will not be tolerated.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.
- Learn what to do when you suspect a child being sex trafficked.
- Learn how to best protect your events being a trafficking hub.
Debi Tengler, chief relations officer for Arrow Child & Family Ministries, is at the forefront to combat sex trafficking. Learn how the events industry can help as Tengler gives actionable ways planners can assist in fighting this national crisis.
“Nearly 21 million victims are currently trapped in modern-day slavery, according to estimates by the International Labour Organization, a United Nations agency. The travel and tourism industry is in a unique position to address the problem, as trafficking commonly occurs on airplanes, trains and buses when victims are transported from city to city or from country to country. Much of the activity takes place at hotels and to young people, who are particularly vulnerable,” said Forbes, Sept. 30, 2017. The United States and domestic born children are not exempt. Sex trafficking is a $32 billion industry, second only to drug money. Sadly, recruiting of victims today often takes place at a local high school.
The travel and tourism industry is setting forth efforts to impact these numbers, as almost 90 percent of these victimization acts take place in a hotel or motel. Training and awareness campaigns for hotel staff, event planners and corporate sponsors have the potential to bring forth unified efforts to bring to light these atrocities and clearly enforce that child sex trafficking will not be tolerated.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to recognize the signs of sex trafficking.
- Learn what to do when you suspect a child being sex trafficked.
- Learn how to best protect your events being a trafficking hub.
Debi Tengler is an honors graduate of the College of Biblical Studies, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical studies with an emphasis on Biblical counseling. She is also a licensed and ordained minister with World Ministry Fellowship.
Her career also exemplifies her belief that “With God, ALL things are possible.” Tengler has gone from event planning, where she coordinated picnics of fifty people to multiday motivational seminars in the Astrodome with 15,000, and then on to helping birth and lead the Alpha Houston office, an evangelism outreach ministry and the first regional office in the United States. Tengler now serves as the Chief Relations Officer, overseeing development, marketing, and church and community relations, of the premier child placement agency Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
When the opportunity arose to assist Arrow with its development needs, she knew it was the right fit, as the basis and core of Arrow aligns with Tengler’s heart. Her Christian counseling background and great desire to inspire hope perfectly converge with Arrow’s heart of helping children and families in crisis, further confirming that Arrow is the place for her to serve.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries is a Christian provider of child welfare and education services for abused and neglected children and at-risk families. Through the engagement of both government and the local church, Arrow provides an array of services, including foster care, adoption, child sex trafficking rehabilitation and specialized education. All programs and services advance the well-being of children, families and communities while promoting Christian responsibility and a commitment to strengthen family life.
Her career also exemplifies her belief that “With God, ALL things are possible.” Tengler has gone from event planning, where she coordinated picnics of fifty people to multiday motivational seminars in the Astrodome with 15,000, and then on to helping birth and lead the Alpha Houston office, an evangelism outreach ministry and the first regional office in the United States. Tengler now serves as the Chief Relations Officer, overseeing development, marketing, and church and community relations, of the premier child placement agency Arrow Child & Family Ministries.
When the opportunity arose to assist Arrow with its development needs, she knew it was the right fit, as the basis and core of Arrow aligns with Tengler’s heart. Her Christian counseling background and great desire to inspire hope perfectly converge with Arrow’s heart of helping children and families in crisis, further confirming that Arrow is the place for her to serve.
Arrow Child & Family Ministries is a Christian provider of child welfare and education services for abused and neglected children and at-risk families. Through the engagement of both government and the local church, Arrow provides an array of services, including foster care, adoption, child sex trafficking rehabilitation and specialized education. All programs and services advance the well-being of children, families and communities while promoting Christian responsibility and a commitment to strengthen family life.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Advanced Hotel Negotiations, From the Hotel Side
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain H: Site Management
More Info
To be a more effective negotiator, meeting planners will learn how hotels evaluate their businesses and manage their inventory of spaces, rates and dates. Room rates, meeting space usage, catering and even spa and golf sales are all critical areas that hotels evaluate. Hotels rooms are 80 percent profit, and catering is 30 percent profit, so meeting planners can use their businesses to leverage a better deal. With "hotel-insider" knowledge, meeting planners can have hotels compete with one another to book their group. Planners will learn the top five areas they can negotiate now to stretch their master accounts, and how to manage their catering expenses.
It's a fact-packed and fast-moving session that will train planners the same way hotel managers are trained.
Learning Objectives
1. By learning the income and profit center of a hotel, meeting planners will be more professional
at negotiating.
2. Meeting planners will receive the Top 5 Items to Negotiate Immediately to Reduce Your Master
Account.
3. Planners will learn how to make their businesses more attractive to hotels, so hotels will
consistently compete for their groups.
It's a fact-packed and fast-moving session that will train planners the same way hotel managers are trained.
Learning Objectives
1. By learning the income and profit center of a hotel, meeting planners will be more professional
at negotiating.
2. Meeting planners will receive the Top 5 Items to Negotiate Immediately to Reduce Your Master
Account.
3. Planners will learn how to make their businesses more attractive to hotels, so hotels will
consistently compete for their groups.
Tom Pasha has been recognized as one of the top event planners in the planning industry. Starting in hotel operations positions as a caddy, bellman, bartender and cook, Tom began his management career as a Hyatt management trainee in Chicago. He held sales management positions throughout the Hyatt organization, working in 12 Hyatt hotels over 20 years. Tom was director of sales at Hyatt hotels in Greenville, San Antonio and Chicago O’Hare, and as director of sales, he started the National Sales Office for Hyatt hotels in Omaha. He won sales manager of the year, sales director of the year and the Donald M. Pritzker Award for Excellence.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Pasha’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Tom went into meeting planning and founded CONTACT Planning, a national meeting planning company with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Pasha’s company books over 100,000 room nights annually, working with corporate and association clients.
In addition to his planning responsibilities, Pasha teaches “Meeting Planning Mastermind,” a two-day class that focuses on teaching meeting planners every aspect of a hotel that delivers 15 hours of continuing education credit.
Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How to Minimize the Crisis in Crisis Management
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain C: Risk Management
More Info
In today’s world, an incident can become a crisis faster than we can imagine. Learn how to properly plan and prepare for emergencies from association industry attorney Naomi R. Angel. Find out what legal issues can arise during a crisis and learn how to manage the risk of liability through contract language, indemnification and insurance. Gain the knowledge you’ll need to anticipate the ramifications of the crisis and develop a tangible response plan to manage it.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize the importance of good contract language to handle a crisis situation.
2. Understand how to mitigate risk through avoidance, assumption, transfer, management and insurance.
3. Develop a crisis response plan, communication plan and recovery/ business continuity plan.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize the importance of good contract language to handle a crisis situation.
2. Understand how to mitigate risk through avoidance, assumption, transfer, management and insurance.
3. Develop a crisis response plan, communication plan and recovery/ business continuity plan.
Naomi R. Angel is a partner with Howe & Hutton, Ltd., a law firm that specializes in the representation of individuals, firms and organizations in the travel, tourism, hospitality, incentive and meetings industries, as well as nonprofit organizations, including trade associations, professional societies and other related organizations.
Angel works with individuals and organizations in the meetings, travel and hospitality industries, including corporate and independent planners. Additionally, she serves as general counsel to national and international trade associations of manufacturers, suppliers and professionals, providing guidance in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property, standards development, certification and accreditation, governance, contracts, international business and organizational issues, product liability, and risk management.
Angel has appeared before federal and state agencies and worked with national research laboratories, advocating positions on behalf of client associations. She is a trained mediator with extensive commercial litigation experience at state and federal levels and is admitted to practice before Illinois Supreme Court; the Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th and Federal Circuits.
Angel is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and serves on ASAE’s Associations Now Law and Policy Committee; the Association Forum of Chicagoland; and The Chicago Bar Association, where she was chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Trade and Professional Association Committee. Angel is a graduate of UCLA and DePaul University College of Law.
Angel works with individuals and organizations in the meetings, travel and hospitality industries, including corporate and independent planners. Additionally, she serves as general counsel to national and international trade associations of manufacturers, suppliers and professionals, providing guidance in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property, standards development, certification and accreditation, governance, contracts, international business and organizational issues, product liability, and risk management.
Angel has appeared before federal and state agencies and worked with national research laboratories, advocating positions on behalf of client associations. She is a trained mediator with extensive commercial litigation experience at state and federal levels and is admitted to practice before Illinois Supreme Court; the Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th and Federal Circuits.
Angel is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and serves on ASAE’s Associations Now Law and Policy Committee; the Association Forum of Chicagoland; and The Chicago Bar Association, where she was chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Trade and Professional Association Committee. Angel is a graduate of UCLA and DePaul University College of Law.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Data and Engaged Customers: The True Value of Social Media Sponsorships
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management
More Info
Sponsorships are only as valuable as the data generated and the meaningful relationships built with prospective customers. Collecting social media sponsorship data and engaging attendees are value-adds for any sponsor. Join this webinar to learn how to leverage your social media to sell more valuable sponsorships.
Learning Objectives
- Learn how to collect data through each social media channel and the use of third-party tools.
- Create engaging social media campaigns that build relationships between sponsors and attendees.
- Discover how to value your own social media sponsorships.
Learning Objectives
- Learn how to collect data through each social media channel and the use of third-party tools.
- Create engaging social media campaigns that build relationships between sponsors and attendees.
- Discover how to value your own social media sponsorships.
Alex Plaxen, president and founder of Little Bird Told Media, began his career in events while studying at The George Washington University. While studying, he worked with the Capitol Concerts events team producing mega events in Washington, D.C. He also worked with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and RedPeg Marketing.
After graduating with a master's degree in tourism administration, Plaxen was the director of marketing for EventRebels. In fall 2015, he left EventRebels to start his own company, Little Bird Told Media, a consulting firm focused on social media strategy and implementation for conferences. He has been recognized as a top social media influencer at Inbound 2015 and 2016, Dreamforce 2015 and MPI WEC 2016.
In addition to his industry work, Plaxen has been an active member of PCMA and MPI. He currently sits on the Potomac Chapter of MPI's Board of Directors. He has been honored locally and internationally as an emerging leader in the events industry and was recognized as a Connect Association 40 under 40 in 2017.
After graduating with a master's degree in tourism administration, Plaxen was the director of marketing for EventRebels. In fall 2015, he left EventRebels to start his own company, Little Bird Told Media, a consulting firm focused on social media strategy and implementation for conferences. He has been recognized as a top social media influencer at Inbound 2015 and 2016, Dreamforce 2015 and MPI WEC 2016.
In addition to his industry work, Plaxen has been an active member of PCMA and MPI. He currently sits on the Potomac Chapter of MPI's Board of Directors. He has been honored locally and internationally as an emerging leader in the events industry and was recognized as a Connect Association 40 under 40 in 2017.
**Please contact the editor with any questions about this session.
How DO They Do That: Secret Tech Weapons for Event Professionals
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management
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What if you could schedule a meeting time without sending three dozen back-and-forth emails? Or automate the little tasks that keep you from your real work? Or pass off annoying projects to someone else without breaking the bank? What if you could pull all this off straight from your mobile device and without an IT degree?
Join Your Nerdy Best Friend, aka author Beth Ziesenis, to discover how to use free and low-cost technology tools you never knew existed. Find resources that will help you work more efficiently with your teams, create professional-level graphics and wow your colleagues. This high-energy session will give you 30-plus tools that will leave people asking, “How DO they do that?”
Learning Objectives
1. Understand how technology fits into every part of your day.
2. Learn about technology systems streamlining projects and tasks.
3. Discover dozens of free and low-cost apps and online tools that put the ideas from the conference into action.
Join Your Nerdy Best Friend, aka author Beth Ziesenis, to discover how to use free and low-cost technology tools you never knew existed. Find resources that will help you work more efficiently with your teams, create professional-level graphics and wow your colleagues. This high-energy session will give you 30-plus tools that will leave people asking, “How DO they do that?”
Learning Objectives
1. Understand how technology fits into every part of your day.
2. Learn about technology systems streamlining projects and tasks.
3. Discover dozens of free and low-cost apps and online tools that put the ideas from the conference into action.
Meet Your New Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Ziesenis—author, speaker and nerd. Although the only real trophy she ever won was for making perfect french fries at McDonald’s in high school, Ziesenis has been featured on best speaker lists by several industry publications. Since her first Commodore 64 computer, Ziesenis has made a verb out of the word “nerd.” She helps computer users all over the country filter through thousands of apps, gadgets, widgets and doodads to find the perfect free and low-cost technology tools for business and personal use. She does this through presentations and penning books like her latest, “Nerd Know-How: The 27+ Best Apps for Work and How to Use ‘Em,” available on Amazon.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Design Thinking Your Way Into the Best Conference Experiences
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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Wildly successful companies like Apple, Steelcase and GE use Design Thinking (DT) and Experience Design (XD) to meet customers’ needs and improve experiences—all while improving profit margins. Organizations successfully using these human-centered processes are:
- Empathizing with customers to deliver stellar experiences
- Accurately defining member problems to create better solutions
- Using prototypes and pilots to create new services and limit waste of scarce resources
- Turning failures into strategic advantages
Your organization can do the same. In this webinar, come dig into the innovation sandbox and learn how two association executives improved member and staff engagement using DT and XD, while simultaneously growing revenues and margins by millions of dollars—all without depleting capital reserves or requiring a sophisticated research and development team.
- Empathizing with customers to deliver stellar experiences
- Accurately defining member problems to create better solutions
- Using prototypes and pilots to create new services and limit waste of scarce resources
- Turning failures into strategic advantages
Your organization can do the same. In this webinar, come dig into the innovation sandbox and learn how two association executives improved member and staff engagement using DT and XD, while simultaneously growing revenues and margins by millions of dollars—all without depleting capital reserves or requiring a sophisticated research and development team.
During his 20-plus-year career building high-performing marketing and biz development teams at variety of nonprofit and for-profit companies, Keith Chamberlain has found best successes come from aggregating teams and resources, while simultaneously building collaborative relationships. Chamberlain is also president of KEROSENE Marketing, a consultancy providing strategic marketing services to organizations.
The original bad boy of ops, Garth Jordan is an energized and insightful leader-of-leaders. He guides teams through thick and thin, bringing out the best in people and ensuring organizations reach their full potential. Jordan serves as senior vice president of corporate strategy at Healthcare Financial Management Association, where he has brought design thinking and experience design to the forefront of the organization's strategic planning and execution.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How to Turn Your General Session Into a Polished Production
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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Anyone can add projection screens, use a sound system and put up a stage wash. But if you wish to polish your general session and make a notable difference in quality and professionalism, this session will teach you what you need to know. Learn production company tips from one of the best in the industry. You don’t need to be a technical person for this session, but you will definitely learn what to ask for and why it will make a difference. The best part? Many of these secrets won’t cause you to blow your budget.
Learning Objectives
1. Discover how to play the right walk-in music to set a certain mood or energy.
2. Explore music licensing, voice-of-god announcements, music beds for transitions between speakers and more.
3. Learn how to create a “run of show” that includes presenter and speaker information, stage setup, presentation details and timing.
Learning Objectives
1. Discover how to play the right walk-in music to set a certain mood or energy.
2. Explore music licensing, voice-of-god announcements, music beds for transitions between speakers and more.
3. Learn how to create a “run of show” that includes presenter and speaker information, stage setup, presentation details and timing.
Scott Frankel is president of Animatic Media, a full-service event production company, and a leader and speaker at many industry events. Frankel founded Animatic in 1996 with the idea of offering agency-style service without the agency price tag. Frankel and his team have produced thousands of events for clients of all sizes, from Fortune 500 conferences with thousands of attendees to smaller road shows. Frankel insists on perfection and is an innovator in the event technology business. In 2010 he started Conference-On-Demand, a leading platform for on-demand conference video, and recently launched MeetingLeader.com, a content management, web registration and audience response web platform for corporate event planners.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
How to Maximize Networking Opportunities
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management
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Building strong relationships and friendships is crucial to our success. Belonging to a community like the meetings industry gives us a sense of identity, and helps us understand who we are and feel part of something larger than ourselves. Join this session to learn how to make the most of networking opportunities at industry events.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to better prepare for networking events.
2. Discover keys that will help you overcome the fear of entering a large room and initiating conversation.
3. Explore fresh tips you can use when following up with new people you meet.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to better prepare for networking events.
2. Discover keys that will help you overcome the fear of entering a large room and initiating conversation.
3. Explore fresh tips you can use when following up with new people you meet.
Michael J. Lyons is an author, professional speaker, actor, entrepreneur and former hospitality industry executive. Lyons spent more than 40 years in senior-level management roles in the meetings/travel industry, including stints with CIGNA, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Global Events Partners and EGR International. Before going out on his own in 2014, he was exhibition director of IBTM America, a premier trade show organized by Reed Exhibitions—the world's largest trade show management company—based in London.
As a prolific and experienced professional speaker, Lyons delivers talks in the U.S. and abroad on how to achieve goals, pursue your passion and enhance your personal brand, among other topics. His easygoing style and humorous anecdotes, coupled with fun exercises and interactive group involvement, keep audiences engaged throughout his presentations. In 2017, Lyons released his book "Set Yourself Free: Daydream it... Believe it... Achieve it!" to widespread acclaim.
As a prolific and experienced professional speaker, Lyons delivers talks in the U.S. and abroad on how to achieve goals, pursue your passion and enhance your personal brand, among other topics. His easygoing style and humorous anecdotes, coupled with fun exercises and interactive group involvement, keep audiences engaged throughout his presentations. In 2017, Lyons released his book "Set Yourself Free: Daydream it... Believe it... Achieve it!" to widespread acclaim.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Leverage Meeting and Spend Data for Maximum Success
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain D: Financial Management
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Information is power, especially when it comes to consolidating meeting activity and spend data to enhance negotiations and deliver ROI. Meetings are big investments, and stakeholder expectations for measurable, value-based outcomes are at an all-time high.
Additionally, the implementation of Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) standards by corporate and association planners has made it essential to track and access key meeting and spend data at all phases of a meeting’s life cycle.
In this high impact webinar, attendees will examine a variety of topics that drive the process to track and leverage data to ensure strategic negotiations, cost savings, contract risk mitigation, added meeting value and ROI.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand trends validating the need for a spend data management process.
2. Examine the umbrella of meeting data categories to track and incorporate into an action plan.
3. Learn how to utilize data to assure value-based outcomes.
4. Discover specific metrics to define, measure and report success.
5. Review methods to break down data in silos and strategies to drive maximum value.
6. Discuss methods to communicate real meeting value to managers and stakeholders.
Additionally, the implementation of Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) standards by corporate and association planners has made it essential to track and access key meeting and spend data at all phases of a meeting’s life cycle.
In this high impact webinar, attendees will examine a variety of topics that drive the process to track and leverage data to ensure strategic negotiations, cost savings, contract risk mitigation, added meeting value and ROI.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand trends validating the need for a spend data management process.
2. Examine the umbrella of meeting data categories to track and incorporate into an action plan.
3. Learn how to utilize data to assure value-based outcomes.
4. Discover specific metrics to define, measure and report success.
5. Review methods to break down data in silos and strategies to drive maximum value.
6. Discuss methods to communicate real meeting value to managers and stakeholders.
Robyn Mietkiewicz, CMP, CMM, is senior director of global meeting services at Meeting Sites Resource. MSR is a global strategic meeting management solutions organization with a 23-year track record of meetings excellence. This includes global hotel sourcing, custom contract negotiations, meeting project management and SMM consulting.
Mietkiewicz contributes articles to trade publications and speaks at many industry events. She also presents custom strategic education for planning and procurement teams. Mietkiewicz has served on many hotel and CVB advisory boards, is a past president of the MPI Orange County Chapter and was recognized as the 2014 MPI RISE Award–Member of the Year.
Mietkiewicz contributes articles to trade publications and speaks at many industry events. She also presents custom strategic education for planning and procurement teams. Mietkiewicz has served on many hotel and CVB advisory boards, is a past president of the MPI Orange County Chapter and was recognized as the 2014 MPI RISE Award–Member of the Year.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
One Man Can’t Expand: How to Build, Train and Maintain a Team of Reliable Volunteers
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources
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Are you struggling to grow your event? Do you need help getting things done? Without volunteers, many highly driven professionals routinely find themselves plagued by projects, missing crucial deadlines and struggling to tackle their never-ending to-do lists. Escape feeling overworked and overwhelmed by building a budget-friendly team of skilled, reliable and loyal volunteers.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn the seven secrets to building a team of lifelong volunteers.
2. Identify the costly mistakes planners can make when managing volunteers and learn how to avoid them.
3. Discover five critical responsibilities every volunteer team leader must know.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn the seven secrets to building a team of lifelong volunteers.
2. Identify the costly mistakes planners can make when managing volunteers and learn how to avoid them.
3. Discover five critical responsibilities every volunteer team leader must know.
Janice Anderson uses her corporate background in communications, marketing and public relations to equip leaders with a strategic approach to organizational growth and expansion. Anderson has supported hundreds of leaders from myriad arenas. Her clients include pastors, ministry leaders, corporate and nonprofit leaders, C-level executives and entrepreneurs. She helps leaders identify and overcome the growth barriers in organizations by implementing strategies that allow them to build, brand and expand their visions.
Anderson and her team have created powerful mentoring, coaching and consulting programs, workshops and products that equip leaders with the tools necessary to increase their influence, impact and income without compromising their message or their mission. Meet Anderson at moruwa.com.
Anderson and her team have created powerful mentoring, coaching and consulting programs, workshops and products that equip leaders with the tools necessary to increase their influence, impact and income without compromising their message or their mission. Meet Anderson at moruwa.com.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Harnessing Social Media to Tap Into Diversity Thought Leaders
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain I: Marketing
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Social media communities are rich with diversity and inclusion thought leaders. Twitter and LinkedIn are key tools meeting planners can leverage to source events. This workshop will focus on the process of mining social media sites for value-added resources. You will also learn how to create and manage your own social media presence.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn the key components of an effective social media strategy for both your personal and your event’s brand.
2. Find tools to minimize the time you spend managing social media presence.
3. Utilize techniques to find credible diversity experts you can leverage or partner with at your events.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn the key components of an effective social media strategy for both your personal and your event’s brand.
2. Find tools to minimize the time you spend managing social media presence.
3. Utilize techniques to find credible diversity experts you can leverage or partner with at your events.
Simone Morris is president and founder of Simone Morris Enterprises LLC. Her company offers employee engagement consulting, leadership training, career management coaching and speaking services. She is an award-winning diversity and inclusion leader who has been recognized by Diversity Best Practices, DiversityMBA and Diageo.
Morris previously spent two decades in corporate America. She has extensive leadership experience and holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut. She also holds the Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation, as well as the certified Project Management Professional distinction from the Project Management Institute. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the American Management Association.
Morris previously spent two decades in corporate America. She has extensive leadership experience and holds an MBA from the University of Connecticut. She also holds the Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coaching Federation, as well as the certified Project Management Professional distinction from the Project Management Institute. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member for the American Management Association.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
The RFP process used to be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Then came technology to make things simpler. Your work might be simpler, but is it streamlined and strategic? Or are you sending RFPs out to see what will stick? This session will show you how to get back to strategically targeting RFPs while using some newer tools as well.
Learning Objectives
1. Review elements for targeted site searches and RFPs.
2. Name three ways CVBs can assist with your RFP process.
3. Gain insights on how RFPs are evaluated and how yours can rise to the top.
Learning Objectives
1. Review elements for targeted site searches and RFPs.
2. Name three ways CVBs can assist with your RFP process.
3. Gain insights on how RFPs are evaluated and how yours can rise to the top.
Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM, is chief solution strategist at MEETing Needs, LLC. She began her career in the meetings industry on the corporate side, handling customer events and sales meetings at both Sprint and GE Capital. She then ventured out on her own and never looked back.
Passionate about meetings and education, Browning seeks to share her knowledge and experience with others by leading prep classes for CMP certification, speaking to planners about how to improve their meetings to engage and inspire audiences, and helping clients design and execute impactful events.
Passionate about meetings and education, Browning seeks to share her knowledge and experience with others by leading prep classes for CMP certification, speaking to planners about how to improve their meetings to engage and inspire audiences, and helping clients design and execute impactful events.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Why Manners Matter: A Discussion on International Etiquette
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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As global business continues to expand, understanding the cultural dynamics of a country can be helpful in providing insight for why people act the way they do and the appropriate way you should act while in another country or working with individuals from other countries.
Etiquette is all about human social behavior. Each country has a “code of behavior,” which covers right and wrong, improper and respectful ways to act and behave. Passed down by generations, this code is based on basic cultural values and beliefs. Respecting and acknowledging these cultural customs can advance individual business success in working with these cultures.
This sessions reviews proper behavior in everyday situations from dining to gift giving to basic manners and daily cultural taboos. Resource tools will be available.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the importance of learning about other cultures and their “code of behavior.”
2. Position yourself for greater success in international business meetings by ensuring a proper first impression.
3. Gain resources for further research and reference tools when working with other cultures.
Etiquette is all about human social behavior. Each country has a “code of behavior,” which covers right and wrong, improper and respectful ways to act and behave. Passed down by generations, this code is based on basic cultural values and beliefs. Respecting and acknowledging these cultural customs can advance individual business success in working with these cultures.
This sessions reviews proper behavior in everyday situations from dining to gift giving to basic manners and daily cultural taboos. Resource tools will be available.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the importance of learning about other cultures and their “code of behavior.”
2. Position yourself for greater success in international business meetings by ensuring a proper first impression.
3. Gain resources for further research and reference tools when working with other cultures.
Larissa J. Schultz, CMP, MHA, is an advocate of continuing to grow through learning and forward momentum. She has been actively involved in the meeting management industry for more than 19 years and is the founder and owner of LJS Meeting Strategies, a meeting management, training and consulting company based in Los Angeles. Her background and experience as a meeting planner includes working with corporations and associations planning both domestic and international conferences and meetings.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Hollywood Producer Shares His Secrets for Innovative & Impeccable AV at Events
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
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This high-energy, highly visual session follows Hollywood event producer Austin Johnston—owner of AKJOHNSTON Group—who will share tips, advice and case studies of new ideas, advanced technology and flawless executions with cutting-edge design. Learn the simplest of suggestions and ideas for conferences or complex subjects like projection mapping and digital art experiences. This session will be formatted with edited video for a high-energy flow through various ideas and studies and will open up for a live Q&A.
Learning Objectives
1. Discover actionable and innovative solutions for common technology needs.
2. Explore design elements and inspirations to build engaging shows for your clients.
3. Have fun while interacting with case studies and receive world-class advice.
Learning Objectives
1. Discover actionable and innovative solutions for common technology needs.
2. Explore design elements and inspirations to build engaging shows for your clients.
3. Have fun while interacting with case studies and receive world-class advice.
At 17, Austin Johnston started an event lighting company and scaled it into his first business, X Events, which he then left to work for an enormous theme park lighting company. He started design, management and production company AKJohnston Group in 2008, and despite launching during the Great Recession, his company has grown 300 percent every year for the last eight years. Part of that success may be attributed to having technical production and custom fabrication capabilities under one roof. He manages a talented team of designers and engineers who push the envelope when it comes to design and materials, and meld them both with out-there technology. Though based in Orange County, California, Johnston has worked in seven countries and 20 states for the likes of Gucci, Keurig, Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Vitaminwater.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
In our litigious society, anyone can be sued for anything—even good things! In this unique and informative session, participants will consider scenarios highlighting the liability issues associated with integrating social responsibility into the meetings industry. We will discuss the parameters of food donation laws and explore the realities and myths of Good Samaritan laws, including the less well-known “Bad Samaritan” laws. Find out who is really protected under the Volunteer Protection Act. You can and should do good things… but you should also protect yourself and your organization along the way.
Learning Objectives
1. Develop effective food donation policies and programs.
2. Communicate the limitations of personal risk to potential volunteers.
3. Evaluate the risk and responsibility for rendering aid (or failing to render aid) to those in need.
Learning Objectives
1. Develop effective food donation policies and programs.
2. Communicate the limitations of personal risk to potential volunteers.
3. Evaluate the risk and responsibility for rendering aid (or failing to render aid) to those in need.
Tyra Hilliard is a speaker, writer and coach, as well as a professor of business, hospitality and event management. She has been honored for her professional achievement as an educator and uses her diverse and unique background to reach learners young and old, from college freshmen to seasoned professionals.
Tyra is one of the only people in the world with a law degree, a Ph.D. in hospitality and a CMP. Her industry experience includes working as an attorney, a meeting planner, a catering manager and a CVB sales manager.
Tyra is one of the only people in the world with a law degree, a Ph.D. in hospitality and a CMP. Her industry experience includes working as an attorney, a meeting planner, a catering manager and a CVB sales manager.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Social Media: The Fine Line Between Professional and Personal
1 hour toward CMP-IS Domain I: Marketing
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As more people embrace social media, our need to draw a line between professional and personal lives becomes even more important. This session will explore our abilities to persuade and delve into how personal and professional influences can be used for good or evil.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand our need for social media.
2. Navigate the seas of social media at work and its best practices.
3. Use social media to influence your professional relationships and develop your personal brand.
4. Draw the line between personal and professional.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand our need for social media.
2. Navigate the seas of social media at work and its best practices.
3. Use social media to influence your professional relationships and develop your personal brand.
4. Draw the line between personal and professional.
Jared Beard has been a super nerd from the minute he and his evil twin brother hacked away at the innards of their Commodore 64. With more than 20 years as a youth leader, educator, paradigm shifter and IT mega-geek, Beard has been at the bleeding edge of all the good and bad the Internet has offered. As a Web/media business owner, information technology director and instructor in MBA and MSIS programs at Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Beard entertains and challenges audiences while sneaking in just enough theory and real-world knowledge to help planners hash out their next steps into this brave new world.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Balance Your Wheel of Influence: 8 Attributes of Successful Leaders
1 clock hour toward CMP-IS Domain J: Professionalism
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Everyone can be a leader, regardless of his or her position. Whether you’re executive director, manager or a volunteer, leadership is about influence. How much influence do you have? To be an effective leader, you must be able to influence yourself—through evaluating and managing your own behaviors and habits—before you can influence others and ultimately your organization or community. After conducting 9,000 individual executive coaching sessions and dozens of strategic planning meetings with associations, businesses and boards of directors, Dean Savoca has compiled eight essential attributes of successful leaders into one dynamic program based on his Wheel of Influence, which challenges and benefits leaders of every level of experience and organization size.
Learning Objectives
1. Discover eight attributes of successful leaders.
2. Create your own Wheel of Influence to guide professional development and leadership growth.
3. Pinpoint a specific area to work to balance your Wheel and achieve a higher level of influence.
*Download the materials you’ll need for this session, here: http://bit.ly/1ooOSgA
Learning Objectives
1. Discover eight attributes of successful leaders.
2. Create your own Wheel of Influence to guide professional development and leadership growth.
3. Pinpoint a specific area to work to balance your Wheel and achieve a higher level of influence.
*Download the materials you’ll need for this session, here: http://bit.ly/1ooOSgA
Dean Savoca, M.Ed., BCC, spent his early career in the hospitality industry as a travel director and account manager for Maritz for nine years, and as a general manager of a Colorado-based destination management company. Now a performance management and results expert, Dean works at the company and association level as a keynote speaker and conference facilitator; at the team and department level as a management and sales trainer; and at the individual executive level as a coach. Whatever the format, Dean guides people through processes that focuses their attention on core issues and rallies them to action. The result is a better bottom line that’s boosted by improved performance, higher productivity and more cohesive teamwork.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
Creating Amazing F&B Experiences on a Limited Budget
1 clock hour toward CMP-IS Domain D: Financial Management
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The food and beverage served at events can either amaze your attendees or leave a bad taste in their mouths. With limited budgets, higher food costs and a greater need for personalization, it’s important now more than ever to work effectively with catering managers and chefs to create added value, even on a limited budget. Learn new ways to tantalize attendees with creative menus and food service methods.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to be creative while keeping costs low.
2. Identify creative food service methods.
3. Communicate with caterers and chefs to stretch their budgets effectively.
4. Personalize meals without fret.
Learning Objectives
1. Learn how to be creative while keeping costs low.
2. Identify creative food service methods.
3. Communicate with caterers and chefs to stretch their budgets effectively.
4. Personalize meals without fret.
A speaker, consultant and hospitality and events industry trainer, Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC, is president and chief connecting officer of Thrive! Meetings & Events. Her firm specializes in educating the meetings industry to reduce risk, maximize budgets and improve customer experiences through safe, delicious and healthy F&B, specifically with special dietary needs.
Based in Atlanta, Stuckrath serves on the Slow Food Atlanta board of directors and recently chaired the FARE Walk for Food Allergy Atlanta and the 2015 Allie Awards.
Stuckrath has been named one of the top 25 women in the meetings industry and a 2014 meetings trendsetter. She also has won awards for best corporate/association event and best public fair or festival.
Based in Atlanta, Stuckrath serves on the Slow Food Atlanta board of directors and recently chaired the FARE Walk for Food Allergy Atlanta and the 2015 Allie Awards.
Stuckrath has been named one of the top 25 women in the meetings industry and a 2014 meetings trendsetter. She also has won awards for best corporate/association event and best public fair or festival.
**Please contact Camille Moore with any questions about this session.
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