BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Tips & Information You Can Put to Immediate Use
Pick one session from each group. Plus, Susan O'Malley's keynote presentation at Noon.
Note: Advance session selection is not required.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Session Descriptions
"An Equation for Success: Show Managers + Exhibitors + ROI Tool Kit = Success"
Sponsored by CEIR
Attend this dynamic, interactive session and learn how show managers can use this simple on-line tool to demonstrate to exhibitors how they can be successful. Funded by a grant from the PCMA Educational Foundation to the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, the ROI Toolkit will help show managers and exhibit sales personnel in demonstrating value to current and prospective exhibitors. Research from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research reveals that 60 percent of trade show leads are NOT followed up on. Industry expert Sam Lippman will demonstrate how show managers can use the new, online, ROI Tool Kit to help their exhibitors be successful. This session will benefit both show managers and sales professionals in understanding the value of partnering with their exhibitors to assure success.
Learning objectives:
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Learn how to leverage data on their event, along with industry research, in the selling process
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Learn the importance of partnering with exhibitors for success
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Learn how to use the ROI Tool Kit to work with exhibitors to:
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Evaluate show potential and value – is exhibiting justified?
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Plan to maximize potential and ROI – what level of investment is required and justified?
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Measure reach of exhibit and potential for ROI
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Presenter: Sam Lippman, President and Founder, Integrated Show Management & Marketing (ISM)
"Best Practices for Negotiating and Managing Contract Provisions in Today’s Difficult Economic Times"
Sponsored by ASAE
In today’s difficult economic climate, organizations must reevaluate their approach toward negotiating and managing their meetings contracts. Emphasis must be placed on not only economic items such as protecting room rates and managing attrition fees but also on other important legal issues such as force majeure, indemnification and insurance. Join hospitality industry attorney Barbara Dunn of Howe & Hutton, Ltd. as she facilitates an open discussion on negotiation strategies for success in today’s marketplace as well as the key legal issues which should be addressed in every contract. Come prepared to share your questions and negotiation experiences.
Session learner outcomes:
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Identify techniques to use during the negotiation phase to ensure the best position for your organization
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Describe each party’s position on various critical issues and the techniques that can be employed to reach resolution
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Understand key legal issues to address in all contacts and how to get them included in the contract.
Presenter: Barbara F. Dunn, Esq., Attorney and Partner, Howe & Hutton
"DMO Green Perspective: How One Bureau Can Make a Difference" - DMO Track
Sponsored by Visit Charlotte
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the meeting industry is the second leading waste producer behind the construction industry. A single five-day conference for 2,500 attendees will use 90,000 cans or bottles. When not recycled, each bottle takes up to 450 years to decompose. The average conference attendee uses 864 gallons of water, equating to more than 8,266,500 gallons each year.
With this in mind, Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, and Mary Tribble, CSEP, president of Tribble Creative Group, co-founded the Charlotte Green Team. Launched in July 2007, their first meeting convened more than 30 individuals representing major corporations, the city and county, nonprofit organizations, convention and event facilities, and other hospitality related organizations connected to the Charlotte region. Operating now for more than a year, the green alliance has the traction of 80 members, including the CRVA, Charlotte Convention Center (CCC), the Charlotte Area Hotel Association, and the Greater Charlotte Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, and can show quantifiable results for the Charlotte meetings industry.
Join Tim Newman as he shares the story of the Charlotte Green Team. Find out how they brought key parties together, what’s next for Charlotte, and what you can be doing in your own destination to obtain similar results.
Presenter: Tim Newman, Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
"Increasing Accessibility at Meetings"
Sponsored by SGMP
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. As the population ages, this issue continues to take on greater relevance.
This session will provide an overview of the ADA and Title III, which address public accommodations. One professional associations approach to accessibility will be reviewed. Areas covered will include: ADA checklists, site visits, and dissemination of information to registrants. Accessibility requirements of convention centers, hotels, and local transportation will be discussed.
At the conclusion of the session the attendee will be able to:
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Provide an overview of the ADA and Title III
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Have an appreciation for what persons with disabilities are requesting.
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Conduct an accessibility assessment of a convention center, hotel, and surrounding area.
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Know what materials to provide to registrants and in what format.
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Know how to handle individual requests for accommodations.
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Identify resources for future use.
Presenter: Frank E. Gainer, Conference Program Manager, American Occupational Therapy Association
"Meeting Expectations with Greater Integration & Multi-Channel Marketing Programs"
Sponsored by MPI
Never before have there been so many technology-based tools and strategies available to meeting planners. Never before has there been so much confusion and consternation on where, when, what, and how to use them. Compounding the challenge is the disparities between what “IT and Operations” leaders feel are appropriate, and what you need at your fingertips today.
In this session, David LaPlante, CEO of online brand marketing and messaging technology company, Twelve Horses will share with you stories and strategies of how to “sell technology” to your management and what strategies are having a meaningful and competitive impact today.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
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Comprehensive solutions for integrating and automating.
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What new technologies successful and leading meeting planners are relying on.
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How to sell the adoption of new technology to your management.
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Avoiding common pitfalls of implementing new technology.
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Proven strategies for building a better online collaboration.
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Leveraging latent and persistent online conversations to drive greater attendance and interaction.
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Deriving new revenue streams for your events with new technologies.
Presenter: David LaPlante, Chief Executive Officer, Twelve Horses
"Focus on Asia: Mitigating Risks in the Age of Uncertainty"
Sponsored by Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau
Planning or considering a meeting in a foreign land? Get tips for managing risks in key areas that are critical in international meeting planning; such as currencies, security, contracts, and budget planning.
Presenters: Terrance Barkan, CAE, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, GLOBALSTRAT; Don Knezek, Ph.D., CAE, Chief Executive Officer, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); and Wen Ee Lim, Area Director, Eastern U.S. and South America, Singapore Tourism Board
"The New Form 990: What Every DMO & Association Executive Needs to Know" - DMO Track
Sponsored by DMAI
Avoid the potential pitfalls of the revised 990's expanded disclosure requirements. Attend this session and arm yourself with practical and simple solutions to present your DMO or association in the best light possible. CEOs, CFOs, and senior finance professionals are invited to learn from the experts as they clear the confusion and provide attendees with tools to ensure their filings stand up to even the toughest scrutiny.
Presenters: Jerald Jacobs, Partner, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Drew Smith, Principal, LarsonAllen LLP
"Putting Some Razzle-Dazzle in Your Meetings"
Sponsored by PCI
In tough economic times, it's vital to give conference attendees an experience they can't duplicate anywhere else. Great content is important—but so is great delivery. You can take advantage of the principles used by performing artists, directors, and producers to engage audiences and boost the appeal and value of your general sessions—sometimes with little or no additional expense. Learn the five E's of creating a memorable meeting experience and see some great examples of razzle-dazzle in action in an energetic and inspirational presentation by a 23-year veteran producer of corporate and association events.
Presenter: Sam Del Brocco, President & Chief Executive Officer, PCI Communications Inc.
"¿Que Pasa? What's Up in Latin America?"
Sponsored by Mexico Tourism Board
There are many reasons to consider hosting your international meeting in Latin America. However, for many planners, much of Latin America is not very well known. In this session, we will highlight some of the benefits and guidelines to be used when Latin America is being considered for your program. Join site selection experts during this interactive discussion of the where, how, and when of the selection process.
Session learner outcomes:
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Discover how to choose a city and country which is well developed with sufficient infrastructure for your programs. We will discuss a quick checklist and grid to be adapted for your needs.
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Identify methods for choosing the best hotel or meeting location for your group.
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Learn how to incorporate local food, beverage, and customs into your program and maintain your primary objectives.
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Understand the important issues related to climate, time zones, transportation, and security.
Presenters: Agnes Canonica, CMP, CMM, Regional Manager - Latin America, Meetings & Incentives; and Jim Skiba, CMP, Founder and Director, World Incentive Nexus
"Why You Can’t Afford Not to Go Green in 2009"
Sponsored by PCMA
2009 is shaping up to be a challenging year for meeting planners and industry suppliers. Events are being pared back, budgets are being cut, and vendors are facing increasing competition. In this environment, is going green still a priority? The answer is yes—and in fact it may be more important than ever! This session will explain how reducing, reusing, recycling, and other sustainability strategies can help conserve resources and make meeting and event budgets go further in tough economic times.
Presenters will highlight how to work with destinations and other suppliers to maximize financial and environmental savings. The session will also discuss how to maintain support for green initiatives in resource-constrained environments and leverage successful outcomes to enhance your career. Examples and case studies will be provided.
Learning objectives:
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Economic advantages of green initiatives, especially in tough economic times
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Specific ways to save money and time with green practices, and make budgets go further
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How to work with destinations and other suppliers to get the best financial and environmental outcomes for your organization
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How to keep your green efforts alive despite budget cuts
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How to use your green knowledge and experience to enhance your career
Presenter: Deborah Popely, President, Green Meetings Source
