1 Clock Hour | Domain D: Financial Management

We have all heard the term "information is power" and clearly this is true 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 strong interest in Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) standards by corporate and association planners have made it essential to track and access key meeting and spend data at all phases of the life cycle for each meeting.

Learner Outcomes:

• Understand trends that validate the need for a meeting activity, data & spend management process
• Examine the umbrella of meeting data and value categories to track and incorporate into an action plan
• Learn how to assess and leverage this data to enhance hotel negotiations and assure value-based outcomes

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Have you heard of a fishbowl? A spectrogram? There are many innovative educational formats in the event space that we can use to help our attendees engage, learn from each other and meet subject matter experts. But what are they? Discuss some of the event industry’s newest session formats.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand why engagement is important to the overall meeting and event experience.
• Discover new learning and session design formats that can transform your meetings into engaging experiences.
• Discuss the opportunities and challenges these types of sessions might create.

1 Clock Hour| Domain A: Strategic Planning

You know that the meetings you plan are invaluable to the success of your business or organization, but your executives’ goals and objectives for your events are elusive. Create value by asking the right questions and setting the right metrics to measure the effectiveness of your events.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Discover the questions to ask your meeting owners to truly understand their business goals (and set yourself up for success).
• Learn how to set SMART objectives for your events.
• Understand what measurements you can use to better understand the true reach and weight of your meetings.

1 Clock Hour | Domain C: Risk Management 

The world is uncertain, but when a crisis happens at your next event, you custom image don’t need to be. Discover best and next practices for preparing your team for security or safety risks—be they natural or not. Review what aspects you need to consider when conducting your risk assessment, what you need to prepare for onsite, how to unfold your crisis plan and the ways you can communicate out to your attendees. Review several best-in-class, real-life case studies of how meeting professionals and venues have responded to crises. Then, deep dive into several “fire drill” scenarios and work with your peers on what your response and critical path should be in the case of an emergency onsite.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Review preparatory and onsite safety and security best practices, as well as case studies from top-line industry professionals.
• Scenario plan with your peers using several “fire drill” situations involving a variety of risk-related circumstances.
• Understand different ways you can help your attendees stay say.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we worked in a meetings world where everyone gets along and does what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it and in the way WE want it done? Unfortunately, that is rarely a reality, especially in the dynamic, fast-paced world of meeting and event planning. Vendors who over-promise and under-deliver, clients that won’t return phone calls, and colleagues that don’t follow through can leave even the most patient meeting planner disappointed and frustrated. 

In this high-impact, interactive session, Jan Spence will share actionable tools event planners can utilize when dealing with the stressful, chaotic details of planning, prepping, and executing to truly surpass their role as a “just a meeting planner” by moving to the next level to become a show producer. Attendees will be challenged to step out of their comfort zone in regards to changing their mindset to move past focusing on just the logistics of the event by truly partnering with all event constituents to produce an unforgettable show.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover five tips for coping with challenging people, including Jan’s “ALOHA” method
• Uncover three magical phrases to clear up any confusion that arises
• Learn how to set and manage expectations

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Meeting professionals are so over-taxed in the present, they often forget—or don't have the time—to look ahead. Take a moment to preview the future based on MPI's most recent Meetings Outlook research, published quarterly in The Meeting Professional magazine and then discuss the trends that are most affecting you and your peers. Brainstorm ways to start planning for the uncertain future with case studies and best practices from around the globe.

Learner Outcomes:

• Review the forecast for events in the coming year, including budget, attendance and business conditions
• Deep dive into trends that matter and discuss next steps with your peers
• Learn how these trends affect you and the future of your meetings

This Session Graciously Sponsored by MGM Resorts and IMEX Group

1 Clock Hour | Domain E:  Human Resources

This webinar will explore sexual harassment claims in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Women make up a majority of the employees in hospitality and service organizations. The nature of their work contemplates the close involvement of guests/attendees with the goal of satisfying and/or exceeding guest/attendee expectations. Join legal experts from employment law firm Campbell Litigation and learn key principles in sexual harassment claims, including the concepts of “unwelcome” and “severe or pervasive” conduct, a discussion of the increased risk of sexual harassment claims in the hospitality and service industry and guidance for minimizing exposure of these claims.

Learner Outcomes:

• Learn key principles of sexual harassment claims
• Consider the full impact of sexual harassment claims and the unique risk of such claims in the hospitality and service industry
• Develop a better understanding of how to minimize the risk of exposure to such claims

.50 Clock Hours | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Hybrid is the breakout star of the meeting industry, but it requires meeting professionals to stretch their creativity, strategizing, execution and measurement and integrate technology with traditional live events to create new types of experiences and content delivery tools. Discover the basic tools and skills you need to take your event online to a broader audience, and increase you reach to an increasingly diverse audience.

Learner Outcomes:

• Find the basic building blocks you will need to use to implement a successful hybrid event
• Understand the full hybrid event process--from defining your objectives to content design and engagement to measuring and reporting the effectiveness of your event
• Review successful hybrid models from today's top companies

1 Clock Hour | Domain D: Financial Management

Hotel contracts are complicated, but are a must to define responsibilities and make mutual obligations perfectly clear. In the Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) landscape, hotel contract risk mitigation has become an important metric. In this interactive workshop, attendees will discuss a multitude of topics on methods to negotiate contracts that assure added meeting value, cost savings and risk mitigation, including dispute resolution.

Learner Outcomes
• Discuss industry trends and variables that impact hotel contract negotiations
• Review key hotel contract performance clauses and risk reduction and cost containment methods
• Learn dispute resolutions strategies in the event of non-performance (by either party)

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

In the meeting and event planning world, ineffective communications can obstruct information, hinder collaboration and negatively impact the overall success of an event. In this highly interactive, high-energy presentation, Jan Spence will use her vast knowledge helping companies and individuals take their teamwork, listening, and communication skills to the next level by sharing tips on how to set established protocols and clear processes of communication with colleagues, clients and vendors, thus increasing overall productivity and ensuring the success of the event. By the end of the session, participants will have the necessary tools they can implement immediately to successfully navigate the varying and unique needs of today’s event planning world.

Learner Outcomes:

• Implement tools and techniques to create synergy when communicating.
• Create more productive interactions with colleagues, clients and vendors to increase overall satisfaction levels.
• Understand ways to be more succinct and minimize wasted time.