1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

How beneficial is outsourcing event services really to an organization? What challenges do organizations face when implementing an outsourcing strategy? Discuss the benefits and challenges of outsourcing meetings and event services or implanting event professionals within an organization.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover the benefits of, and challenges to, outsourcing and implanting models.
• Learn common internal roadblocks and strategies to overcome these.
• Understand strategic planning for a corporate events team and what success looks like.

About Grass Roots:

Passionate about inspiring people, the Grass Roots Group connects brands and people, through services such as Experience and Insight, Motivation, Rewards, Benefits, Promotions and Meetings and Events. Founded in the UK in 1980, the Group has 12 offices throughout the world and has provided services in over 100 countries. Grass Roots Group companies have over 20,000 total clients, including one-third of the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100.

1 Clock Hour | Domain D: Financial Management

As mobile event apps rapidly replace printed programs at events of all kinds, organizers are looking to turn them into money generators. With banner ads, branded in-app messages, push notifications, gamification options, robust exhibitor profiles, all-encompassing sponsorships and more, mobile apps present a range of ways to extend the value for participating companies, partners and exhibitors.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover what to look for in a mobile app to support sponsorship sales.
• Learn how to think about pricing, and position in-app digital ads alongside traditional print.
• See how to demonstrate the value of ads with app metrics.

1 Clock Hour | Domain I: Marketing

Discover how best-in-class venues and brands are managing to adapt and reinvent themselves in a changing world, based on two years of research by industry experts Paul Bridle and Vicki Hawarden, and discuss real issues that impact your business. Bring your best game and be prepared to discover what is holding you back from meeting the challenges ahead.

Learner Objectives:

• Discover how innovative organizations structure their businesses for success.
• Find out what leaders focus on in a changing business environment.
• Learn the difference between customer service, customer experience and customer engagement.

1 Clock Hour | Domain C: Risk Management

Challenge what "Risk Management" refers to and how it contributes to your organization’s performance. There are a variety of pre-conceived notions about risk management, many of which are negative. Discover a fresh look at a subject that many see as tedious or boring, and understand the thinking behind good risk management and what makes it work effectively.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover why risk management is important to your business.
• Learn what the customer sees when it comes to risk.
• Find simple and easy techniques to help you prepare for the uncertainties of tomorrow.

This Session Graciously Sponsored by Marriott and Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Not for Clock Hour Credit 

Many women struggle to go on stage and share their personal stories because they don't know why those stories are important and what value they have over more experienced speakers. Worldwide, the percentage of female entrepreneurs and speakers is low. Learn how to come out of your comfort zone and create opportunities in your personal and professional life by taking little steps forward. Mariska will share her personal story, which is emotional, inspiring and full of courage and motivation.

Learner Outcomes: 

• Discover how "dare to say yes" has a huge impact on your professional and personal life.
• Learn from best practices.
• See how you can live a more fulfilling life and create your own opportunities.

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

From insurance to cancellations, planning for safe, effective and efficient transportation can be one of the most complicated and critical elements of your events. Discover best practices in meetings and events transportation from contingency planning to technology and software to live updates. Discover the industry's top resources that will help you ensure that your attendees arrive on time, safely, and make sure that you are asking the right questions that make this possible.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover next practices for meeting and event transportation.
• Find new and best resources for helping people get to and from your meetings--and everywhere in between.
• Get answers to your greatest transportation challenges.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Meeting professionals see many challenges as they look to the future of events, and one of the biggest is how to make better technology decisions in the face of so much choice. Discover a framework to refer to when considering and investing in technology. From virtual reality and telepresence to RFID and near-field communication make sure you making the best technology decisions based on a system that prepares you for the future and the technological changes that come with it.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover the advantages and disadvantages of leasing and buying.
• Learn how to manage technological risks by asking the right questions and finding the best options.
• Find out how to move forward with confidence when investing in technology.

This Sessions Graciously Sponsored by Amadeus

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

We all know that F&B stands for food and beverages--but when it comes to medical meetings, it could very well stand for frustrate and bewilder as well. Every country has a different set of rules and every manufacturer (pharmaceutical, medical device, biopharma, biologic) has its own set of limits and caps. Navigate this perilous environment with the help of industry expert Pat Schaumann, who will share the tools she uses to make sure HCPs at events get fed.

• Understand the different governing bodies that dictate F&B rules for medical meetings.
• Discover how reporting of spend varies from country to country.
• Glimpse what's new and next for medical meeting menus.

This Session Graciously Sponsored by Discover Philadelphia

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 Sessions Graciously Sponsored by MGM and IMEX Group

Not for Clock Hour Credit 

Think of this webinar as “must attend” if you’re eager to get the most out of your time at the event—especially one as rich in content and diverse in activities as WEC Maximizing your return on investment onsite at WEC is a two-step proposition: being aware of the opportunities that surround you, and taking advantage of them in a way that is unique to your needs and wants. It’s your opportunity to familiarize yourself with the innovative ways you can learn at the event and network with your colleagues in the industry, both inside and outside of the classroom. We will walk you through this year’s offerings in an interactive and personalized manner that will help you choose the areas of most value and interest to you.

Learner Outcomes:

• Become familiar with areas of individual interest and high-tech offerings at WEC 2017.
• Lessen the intimidation of attending an event as large and overwhelming as WEC.
• Maximize your return on investment from your attendance at WEC and interact with MPI staff who are responsible for staging the event.