General Sessions

Monday, January 14, 2008

View Monday, January 14, 2008's Sessions

• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  OPENING GENERAL SESSION
  Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want

  Sponsored by Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau
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  Kicking off the education will be B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, authors of the newly-released book Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want. In a rare joint stage appearance, the duo will explore consumers’ growing awareness of mediated and intentionally staged experiences and how business leaders must make those experiences more authentic. This concept is an evolution of Pine and Gilmore’s landmark book The Experience Economy, in which the duo challenged the business community to add compelling customer experiences to their products, stores and events. No longer can we rely solely on our logistical skills in the pursuit of higher attendance. Discover why you must cut through the clutter, evaluate your events, and render the most authentic experience from your attendees' perspective.

  
           

           B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore
                  Authors, Speakers and Advisors
  
  B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore are co-founders of Strategic Horizons LLP. They are frequent speakers at professional society and trade association conferences, as well as executive education programs of individual companies. Their ideas have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily and the Harvard Business Review among others. They are co-authors of The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage among other publications.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

View Tuesday, January 15, 2008's Sessions

• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  GENERAL SESSION
  Microsoft's Mathews Talks Marketing and Events

  Sponsored by Orange County Convention Center and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
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  Mich Mathews, Microsoft’s Senior VP of Marketing, will demonstrate how the meetings industry can raise the bar by better communicating the value of events to both attendees and organizations. Currently, Microsoft is pioneering new ground in digital marketing in order to build deeper connections with customers and make marketing more accountable through ROI. As one of the top ranking women at Microsoft and Microsoft's leading marketer, Mathews offers a unique perspective on how to utilize a range of marketing tools and measure their effectiveness. Microsoft’s meetings and events teams also report to Mathews, so she brings a synergistic understanding of how both marketing and events can work together to produce measurable results. Come hear her stories and learn how you can transform your business through more effective communication.
  
  Bonus: Help craft the session – send your communications and attendance building questions to Mich at education@pcma.org .
  
  Mich Mathews
  Senior Vice President, Marketing
  Microsoft Corporation

  As one of the highest ranking women at Microsoft, Mich Mathews oversees the company’s global marketing function. She is widely known and respected for her focus amid a diverse set of businesses and audiences. Mathews leads integrated marketing communications to hundreds of millions of customers in more than 70 countries through the company's branding, advertising, public relations, research, events, packaging, relationship marketing and internal communications functions. Mathews began her career with Microsoft in 1989 as a consultant in the U.K. She later joined Microsoft in 1993 to lead its Corporate Public Relations function and was named an officer of the corporation in 1999. She has held a succession of marketing positions in Microsoft including vice president of Corporate Communications and vice president of its Central Marketing Organization.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

View Wednesday, January 16, 2008's Sessions

• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
  Our Environmental Destiny

  Sponsored by Tourism Toronto and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
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  Can we ensure our meetings and events make a positive difference in the world? Join Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., one of the green movement’s earliest and most passionate advocates, as he explores the important role that our natural surroundings play in our work, our health, and our identity. Using examples gathered from relevant art, history, litigation, and literature, he reminds us that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. Find out how good environmental policy is good business policy, good economic policy, and good policy for posterity. Don’t miss this enlightening session where you will learn how you can make certain that future generations can live in an environment that is safe, clean, and beautiful.

  

  Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

  Author and Environmental Activist, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. One of the most sought-after speakers on the environment, he was named one of Time magazine's “Heroes for the Planet” for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. Kennedy serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and president of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic and is co-host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio. Earlier in his career, he served as assistant district attorney in New York City.

  
  Robert Kennedy’s appearance was arranged by Keppler Speakers.