1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning 

Part 4 of 4 in the Business Value of Meetings Thought Leadership Initiative Series. As companies around the world have tested various ways to deliver and measure the value of their meetings, certain efforts have unexpectedly met with disappointment.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how budgets are allocated for use in defining and measuring the business value of meetings
• Predict how much budget will be needed to describe and assess the business value of meetings within your company
• Establish reasonable timelines for budgeting in support of the business value of meetings.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

This 45 minute seminar will reveal the hidden world of ground transportation.With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Robert’s behind the scenes insights will shine the light on how the industry works, give you the 10 questions that you should ask in any ground transportation RFP that you probably aren’t asking and will give you the inside scoop about pricing and how to compare the bids you receive. Robert will also review some of the most recent technology that is being used. If you ever have ground transportation as a part of the groups you are working with, be sure to catch this presentation!

Learning Objectives:

• 10 questions to ask in an RFP for Ground Transportation, that you currently aren’t asking
• Learn the inside scoop about pricing and the acronyms that make no sense
• Learn when to book direct, when to hire a DMC and when to use a ground transportation management company

1 Clock Hour | Domain I: Marketing 

Your business finds that social media is the best way to stay connected with customers, but do you understand the legal ramifications of your social media involvement and set policies to protect yourself? Jim Spellos and Jonathan Howe, Esq. discuss the various Web 2.0 tools available to you and the legal perspective behind each.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify critical Web 2.0 sites that impact how you do business today.
• Understand the legal risks of implementing and using social media and Web 2.0 applications.

1 Clock Hour | Domain C: Risk Management 

Controversial topics and speakers, challenging locations, gate crashers, crime, passion, alcohol and human frailty can lead to an interesting meeting if even one of them rears its ugly head. Among the issues to be discussed will be: how to work effectively with public safety officers before, during and after an issue arises, tools for training staff and clients to address crises, strategies for working with staff and clients during an incident, what law enforcement cannot do for you, and what you must do for yourself and your event.

Learning Objectives:

• Implement techniques to mitigate potential security issues including methods recommended by law enforcement
• Develop methods for training staff and clients in handling security concerns, including communication with first responders and the press
• Formulate meeting security plans and identify measurable strengths and weaknesses

1 Clock Hour | Domain I: Marketing 

Start beyond the basics of social media and discover undocumented tips that will help you gain exposure for yourself and your business.

Learning Objectives:

• Move to the first page of Google search results in one day using an undocumented social media technique
• Improve your LinkedIn profile and use features of LinkedIn to promote your business
• Use Facebook to promote and advertise your events

1 Clock Hour | Domain B: Project Management 

In this challenging economic environment, it is crucial that you do not have budgetphobia. After all, it is just math!

1 Clock Hour | Domain I: Marketing 

This session will cover the basics of effective presentation, including how to prepare, how to deliver and how to follow-up. The secret of effective speaking is simply to ensure that your message is of interest and value to the audience, and that they are able to use their new knowledge subsequently. The aim of this session is to do exactly that for speaking skills.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover how to effectively sell to the American Market as a supplier partner
• Craft your correspondence, contracts and communications to outsell your competition
• Uncover cost effective options to present and sell your organization's services

1 Clock Hour | Domain H: Site Management 

Learn to differentiate between perception and reality when doing site selection.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn to differentiate between perception & reality when doing site selection.
• Research and present the facts of a destination to overcome misperception
• Prepare a plan to educate attendees and stakeholders on destination facts.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Why are meetings and events, more often than not, viewed by corporate executives as a cost centre and having little strategic business value? Because they are focused on effective and measurable organizational performance. If we show key decision makers that meetings and events are a strategic business tool that can be aligned to effectively and efficiently meet goals, it will help us gain respect as a group contributing to organizational success.

Learning Objectives:

• Help professional planners and suppliers present a compelling case for the strategic business vom and events to key decision makers
• Gain insight into Portfolio Management, Meeting Design and Measurement and come away with a wealth of material you can immediately use
• Hear why Advanced Logistics (meeting services and facilities) is critical to the future of meetings and event

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

In this exploratory workshop, event planners will be able to evaluate and experience some of the latest tech tools in the events industry. From RFID to Augmented Reality to digital lighting, the world of event technology is in constant flux. Event professionals know how difficult it can be to determine which technologies have a place in our stable and which are just toys. This session will focus on how to work through the excitement and wow-factor of technology, from RFID devices to AudioVisual to QR Codes, to deliver value to a client or employer. The session is presented by two females who believe in creating a no-fear zone where any question about technology is always okay to ask, all levels of experience are welcome!

Learning Objectives:

• Find out more about the most useful and inspiring technologies now available.
• Use a tool to evaluate which technologies you need and those you don't.
• Develop skills to assess and relate value to a client or employer for introducing new technologies.