Monday

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Monday, January 14, 2008

• 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

  Registration

• 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

  CMP^® Breakfast

  Sponsored by Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
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  Do you have your CMP^®? Gather with fellow colleagues who have earned their CMP^® and take advantage of this opportunity to network and reconnect.
• 7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

  Continental Breakfast Available

• 7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

  One on One – Partners and Planners

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  Do you have a conceptual idea for your next meeting that you’d like to explore? Are you in the process of submitting an RFP or selecting a destination, facility or service? With One on One - Partners & Planners, you can discuss these possibilities with a PCMA Partner.
  

  Meet individually with four PCMA Partners of your choice to review your questions, ideas or requests, including RFP’s. They will be available Monday through Wednesday morning to assist you in bringing these possibilities to life!
  
  Please indicate your interest on the registration form. The Partner Relations Team will contact you in October to schedule your appointments.

  Contact Daris Frencha at 312.423.7214 or dfrencha@pcma.org for further information.
• 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.
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

  Networking Refreshment Break

• 10:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

  L(earn)² Improv to Improve™

  Venue sponsored by Teatro ZinZanni Cabaret Dinner Theatre

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Have you ever walked away from a business discussion and thought of something you wished you had said when you had the chance? Learn how to think fast on your feet during this fun, interactive, experiential session. Develop public speaking skills and improve your responses to difficult situations as you partake in this improv session. Join us at Teatro ZinZanni housed inside a gorgeous antique tent constructed at the turn of the 20th century. Step back into history as you practice your improv skills and give yourself an edge over your competition. Note: Session is limited to the first 80 registrants. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Buses depart at 10:00 a.m. from the Convention Place Transportation Center.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discover how to move conversations forward by applying the principles of improv.
  • Create new and interesting contexts for engaging conversations.
  • Build strong relationships with clients by listening better.

  FACILITATOR:

  Doug Bolger, Chief Learning Officer, L(earn)²
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Become a Black Belt Negotiator

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Is everything negotiable? The best martial artists know what they want, how to get it, and they're not afraid to go after it. The same could be said of great negotiators. Grounded in authentic martial arts tactics, this session will transform you into a black belt negotiator to get what you want out of any situation. Become a master negotiator using ancient martial arts techniques of power, timing and leverage. Discover how to reduce the cost, get better deals, and realize value in your bottom line.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Apply martial arts principles to the negotiation process.
  • Improve your approach to "non-negotiable" negotiations.
  • Utilize negotiation techniques in every bargaining opportunity.

  SPEAKER:

  Michael Lee, MBA, CRS, GRI, President, Seminars Unlimited, Inc.
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  The Masters Series
  Business Ethics: Why Every Decision Counts

  Sponsored by San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau and San Diego Convention Center Corporation

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  Just a few short years ago, people like Kenneth Lay, Martha Stewart and Dennis Kozlowski were highly respected professionals on the top of their games with flourishing careers. What happened? How do smart, educated, successful people get themselves into so much trouble? Patrick Kuhse and the executives of Enron, Tyco and WorldCom, to name a few, were guilty of the same critical thinking errors.  White-collar crime and corporate greed in America seem to be running rampant. Why? Is there an “early detection” system? Join Patrick Kuhse on his personal journey, from successful stockbroker with a loving family and home in the suburbs of San Diego, to the jungles of Costa Rica as an international fugitive, to incarceration in two countries and back again.  Each of us is faced with moral and ethical dilemmas every day. At times, ethics can be a moving target that hides behind the seductive siren of greed. Patrick will show you the warning signs and preventive techniques to keep your moral compass pointing true north.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify common ethical dilemmas in our industry.
  • Define, develop and control your own ethical behaviors.
  • Review proven ethical decision-making tools which guarantee you'll do the right thing.

  Patrick Kuhse
  Speaker, Trainer, Writer, Business Ethics

  Patrick Kuhse became an internationally recognized authority on business ethics the hard way - by taking part in his own criminal acts and suffering the consequences. As a self-admitted greedy stock broker on Wall Street in the 1980’s, Kuhse’s value system changed, and he became more interested in making money and being successful than in ethical behavior. Kushe now believes he can make up for his wrongdoing by preaching the importance of ethical behavior. As the Ethics Fellow in Residence for the Eller College of Business at the University of Arizona and an Ethics Fellow for Suffolk University's Sawyer School of Management in Boston, he has conducted ethical leadership workshops for such diverse groups as major universities including Harvard, Stanford, and UCLA, as well as civic groups, businesses, law enforcement agencies and international professional associations.

  Patrick Kuhse’s appearance provided by Keppler Speakers 
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Creating Value: Selling Strategies for Meeting Planners

  Business Development

  Professional Education

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  Are you effectively selling your organization and meeting? In a discriminating seller's market, suppliers often turn away business. In order to position your meeting as a "must have event", your business strategy and tactical approach must ultimately demonstrate significant value to the supplier. As a meeting planner, you must market and leverage your "piece of business" (meeting/organization) innovatively to meet a supplier's needs. Discover how you can think like a salesperson, present a value proposition, and use persuasion techniques to differentiate your business from others.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Uncover the supplier needs to better prepare the presentation approach.
  • Create a business plan for the meeting that demonstrates value to the supplier.
  • Present the value proposition of your business to the supplier.

  SPEAKER:

  Cindy Novotny, Managing Partner, Master Connection Associates
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Demystifying the PhRMA Codes: A Global Perspective

  Program Planning

  Professional Education

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  When it comes to planning a successful medical meeting, the experts agree: prevention is the best medicine. There are a myriad of international, national, and sometimes local rules which regulate medical meetings, particularly with regards to awarding continuing medical education (CME) units, exhibiting, sponsorship and reimbursement of attendees. This highly respected panel of knowledge leaders in the field will focus discussion on the codes established and implemented by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) as well as the little known medical instrument codes that all medical meeting professionals should be aware of - the AdvaMed codes. Learn how to comply with these codes and guidelines so your meeting meets standards for commercial support.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discuss the issues surrounding guidelines, regulations, codes, and laws to effectively plan and execute medical meetings throughout the world.
  • Identify available resources to assist in ensuring compliance for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
  • Discuss the sometimes conflicting ramifications of non-compliance with the many regulations and codes.

  MODERATOR:

  Patrick Delaney, Managing Director, Ovation Group

  PANELISTS:

  William T. Fitzgerald, Esq., Vice President, Global Compliance, Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
  Michael G. Glenn, M.D., FACS, Medical Director and Physician-in-Chief, Virginia Mason Medical Center
  Wanda Johnson, CMP, Senior Director, Meetings and Education, The Endocrine Society
  Christopher L. White Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, AdvaMed - The Advanced Medical Technology Association
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Empires of the Future: Responding to the Rise of Fast Growth Economies

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Executive Education

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  The global economic landscape is transforming. The size of populations, the rapid pace of growth, and the unleashing of entrepreneurship, imagination and passion, are propelling China, India, and other developing economies as diverse as Korea, Pakistan and Dubai to become leading global economies. The growth of business, including the hotel and convention sector, is attracting associations seeking to serve new members and corporations looking for expansion. The result is dramatic growth in the number and size of conventions, conferences and exhibitions across these markets. In this fast paced, and interactive session, explore the growth of these markets, the implications for the convention industry, and discover practical strategies on how you can capitalize on this expansion. 

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Analyze and respond to the opportunities and threats created by the rise of these economies.
  • Determine which markets to focus on and develop strategies for addressing those markets.
  • Develop practical next steps to develop your contact network and start implementing your strategy for the growth economies.

  SPEAKER:

  Rohit Talwar, CEO, Fast Future
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Green Meetings: Not Just a Good Idea, But Good Business!

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Professional Education

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  Can being eco-aware also be a smart business choice for your organization? We've all heard "we can't afford" to be environmentally conscious, but this session will show you how greening your organization and your meetings can not only make a difference globally, but can actually increase your visibility, profits, and reputation. Changing how you plan your location, transportation, food selection, and waste disposal can make a positive impact on your bottom line and the environment.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Explain how producing green meetings positively affects the environment.
  • Define how to save money while being environmentally responsible.
  • Implement some of the practices outlined into your future meetings.

  MODERATOR:

  Buz Buzogany, CAE, CASE, Principal, Savvy-Strategic Resource Partners

  PANELISTS:

  Richard Aaron, CSEP, CMP, President, BizBash Media
  Mark Leahy, General Manager, David J. Lawrence Convention Center
  Amy Spatrisano, CMP, Principal, Meeting Strategies Worldwide
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Is Your Message Connecting with Each Generation?

  Marketing

  Professional Education

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  Marketing to multigenerational attendees is an art in itself. How can one construct a message to such distinct audiences? Where Baby Boomers focus on their experience and how something will affect them, Generation X is media savvy and more concerned with the message entertaining them. Generation Ys differ dramatically in that they focus on eye-catching designs and prefer word of mouth marketing. This interactive session will give you the tools you need to ensure your message is getting through. Discover how you can successfully reach each generation and improve your bottom line.
  

  
  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Differentiate the motivators of each generation and retain/attract them to your organization, meetings and events.
  • Determine the best communication channel to reach each generation.
  • Communicate and sell more effectively to members of every generation. 

  SPEAKER:

  Matt Thornhill, Founder and President, The Boomer Project
  

   
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Position Yourself for Success

  Leadership

  Professional Education

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  Do you have what it takes to be a leader in the meetings industry? Have you found the right mentor and taken calculated risks? Attend this panel discussion and discover what other actions helped today's leaders move from meeting management to organizational executives. Explore how they shifted their focus from departmental to organizational and adopted personal strategies for success. Find out what skills are necessary to move up your organization's ladder and position yourself for success!

  LEARNER OUTCOMES: 

  • Determine the attributes that can help move you up the ladder of success.
  • Assess the qualities within yourself to place you on the right path.
  • Apply strategies that worked for the panel to your own career plan.

  MODERATOR:

  John Folks, President, Minding Your Business, Inc.
  
  

  PANELISTS:

  Michael Payne, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, SmithBucklin
  James H. Youngblood, CEO, Heart Rhythm Society
  Nicki E. Grossman, President and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
  Gary Sain, CTC, CHME, President and CEO, Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  

   
• 10:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Executive Edge

  Sponsored by Canadian Tourism Commission and Partners and PSAV® Presentation Services
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  Continued from Sunday
• 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

  Celebrate PCMA Awards Luncheon

  Sponsored by FedEx Kinko's
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  Join us for lunch on Monday as we celebrate colleagues and peers who strive to make a difference in the meetings industry and PCMA. Network with your peers and celebrate PCMA!

  You have the opportunity to reserve your seat for the Celebrate PCMA Awards Luncheon with SeatSelect. SeatSelect will allow you to select the best seat or table for yourself or a group of attendees. Complete instructions and the link to select seat(s)/table(s) were emailed the 1st week of December. 

  If you have questions, please contact 1.888.216.4839 or info@seatselect.com.
• 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  L(earn)² Save the Titanic™

  Venue sponsored by Bell Harbor Conference Center

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Professional Education

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  Are you able to find solutions for even the most daunting tasks? Travel to Bell Harbor and embark on a journey of exploration aboard the Odyssey Maritime Museum. During this award-winning, experiential session, put all of your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills to the test. In this exciting simulation you will gain experience in developing management and leadership skills in a high-pressure situation! Each group will receive the same list of available resources, then devise and implement a plan while a facilitator evaluates the groups' performances. This incredible experience allows you to learn an entirely new level of team accomplishment by taking responsibility and finding the solutions necessary to save the day – no matter what the obstacles. L(earn)²’s #1 Flagship Program may just save your conference or organization. Note: Session is limited to the first 100 registrants. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required. Buses depart at 1:30 p.m. from the Convention Place Transportation Center.
  

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Explore how to avoid disaster through effective communication.
  • Increase your leadership and problem-solving skills under pressure.
  • Discover how to implement quality action plans when immediate solutions are necessary.

  FACILITATORS:

  Doug Bolger, Chief Learning Officer, L(earn)²
  Michele Ferrari, Executive Vice President, Learning, L(earn)²
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Benchmark Your Work and Salary: 17^th Annual Meetings Market Survey Revealed

  Brought to you by American Express and Convene Magazine

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Professional Education

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  How does your salary compare to that of your peers? Does your meeting services department stand up to comparison? Get a sneak-preview of the 17th Annual Convene Meetings Market Survey. Discover new industry trends as well as salary information that you can use to benchmark yourself. This research will set the stage for the state of the industry and project new directions, challenges, and best practices. Hear from an industry expert representing the corporate perspective who will compare the corporate side of the meetings industry to that of the association arena and discuss the most significant issues raised by the survey results.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Gain insight into current and upcoming trends affecting your work.
  • Compare your roles, departments, salaries, and organizations against those of your peers.
  • Articulate the value of your role and meetings to the organization's bottom line.

  SPEAKERS:

  David Holzer, Director, Meetings & Events, American Express
  Michelle Russell, Editor, PCMA Convene^®
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Generations: Overcome the Stereotypes

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Do you use your phone to talk or to text? Each generation comes with its own set of expectations and perceptions and the differences can lead to a dynamic union or combative conflict. Explore the unique characteristics and key drivers of the four generations at work today: Matures, Boomers, Gen X, and Gen Y. Using case studies, explore the values of each generation and discover the best strategies for successful interaction between the generations.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Recognize issues and conflicts that are generation-oriented.
  • Lead team members within a multi-generational environment to collaborate successfully.
  • Modify strategies, tactics and decision processes to be more successful and leverage the strengths of all generations.

  SPEAKER:

  Michelle Lapierre, Director, Customer Relationship, Marketing, Marriott International
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  How to Manage Difficult Conversations

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Do you shy away from conflict? In organizations across the world conflict is avoided. Expectations go unmet, values are violated, and overall underperformance exists because people do not know how to effectively resolve issues without resorting to the use of power. This session will help you understand how to "integrate conflict" - to walk into it and effectively handle it - rather than avoid it. A mock conflict resolution will demonstrate how to identify the sources of conflict, understand how you typically handle it, and learn four steps to ask for accountability. Explore how handling conflict effectively can reduce tension, increase productivity, and raise employee and customer satisfaction.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Learn the sources of conflict and how you handle conflict.
  • Discover how you typically handle conflict.
  • Learn the importance of not taking conflict personally and four steps to ask for accountability.

  SPEAKER:

  Tom Champoux, President and Co-Founder, The Effectiveness Institute
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Living With No Balance and Loving It!

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  How are you handling the demands of your career and personal life? For most people, it's a challenge to reduce stress and maintain harmony in all areas of their lives. In this entertaining session, explore how you can do it all and have fun in the process. Use the tools of outsourcing and responsibility sharing at home and work. Discover how you can improve relationships and enjoy a life full of happiness, passion, family, and friends.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Balance work and life without giving up either.
  • Examine what causes stress and eliminate it.
  • Add value to your organization while raising children.

  SPEAKER:

  Cindy Novotny, Managing Partner, Master Connection Associates
  

   
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Medical Meetings SIG

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  The SIGs are designed for attendees with similar interests to identify common challenges, discuss best  practices and share possible solutions in an informal, comfortable environment.

  Each SIG will address the following questions:

  • What are our greatest challenges?
  • What are the reasons for those challenges?
  • What’s the impact on ourselves/our organizations?
  • What’s our vision for solving these challenges?

  Each group will assign a note taker to capture responses to each question. Comments will be transcribed and circulated after the meeting.
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Are You Ready? Technology is Reshaping Tradeshows

  Technology

  Professional Education

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  Are you integrating the latest technology resources effectively into your show? Are your exhibitors returning year after year? Respected third party research confirms that face-to-face marketing is ranked as having the highest ROI. The impact of today's technology solutions has changed how decision makers in the industry are allocating resources to events. Hear from three experienced trade show producers about steps they took and lessons learned in their successful technology journey.....along with the results they are experiencing with their attendees, exhibitors and events.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify technology resources that enhance a tradeshow.
  • Deliver more value to exhibitors and your organization using the latest technology.
  • Extrapolate ideas into an organization's marketing tool kit.

  MODERATOR:

  Jack Chalden, Vice President Business Development & Industry Relations, BDMetrics, Inc.

  PANELISTS:

  Robbi Lycett, CEM, Vice President, Conventions and Conferences, Biotechnology Industry Organization 
  Leigh Ann Stokard, Vice President of Meetings, American Heart Association
  Dave Weil, Senior Director, SmithBucklin Corporation
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  The Advantage of Online Conferencing

  Business Development

  Professional Education

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  Are you delivering your programs and products in the most effective way? It's been said that a web conference can't replace face-to-face communication, but that doesn't mean that online conferencing is without its advantages. Time starved attendees expect reliable anytime/anyplace connections to learning materials that afford them opportunities to multi-task and to customize their individual learning experiences. Online conferencing provides participants with increased control over when, where, and how they learn; facilitates deeper learning; and affords individuals access to subject matter experts and virtual field experiences that would be difficult or impossible to arrange in a face-to-face setting. Through a live online conference and case study, this session will explore how to transform your face-to-face meeting content for online delivery and extend the life of your face-to-face meetings through online communities while also providing your organization with new revenue streams.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the type of content which is best suited for online conferences.
  • Determine how to evaluate the right online conferencing vendor/solution for your needs.
  • Explore multiple delivery channels that connect with a variety of audiences.

  SPEAKERS:

  Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, President, Corbin Ball Associates
  John Walber, Chief Executive Officer, LearningTimes
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  The Future of Events

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Executive Education

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  Over the next few years, our market will be transformed by a 'perfect storm' consisting of advances in virtual meetings and technology, pressure to prove ROI, economic shifts to Asia, and changing demographics. How can the meetings and convention industry keep pace with these developments, continue to refresh its offerings, and stay relevant? In this fast-paced session, explore the drivers of change and practical responses the industry can take to ensure it stays at the forefront of the design, planning and execution of events. Discover what you and your organization can do to stay ahead of the 'perfect storm' and integrate the upcoming challenges into positive outcomes.
  

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Examine critical influences on the design and delivery of future events.
  • Distinguish how the design and delivery of events may need to change to serve an increasingly global audience.
  • Maximize the user experience through the strategic use of technology before, during, and after events.

  SPEAKER:

  Rohit Talwar, CEO, Fast Future
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  The Law of Doing Good Things

  Legal Issues

  Professional Education

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  In our litigious society, anyone can get sued – even for doing good things! In this unique and informative session, we will explore the liability issues associated with doing good things like volunteering, food donation, and rendering aid in an emergency. You can and should do good things...but you should also protect yourself. Explore the myths and realities of Good Samaritan laws and find out about the less well-known Bad Samaritan laws, the Volunteer Protection Act, the Food Donation Act and others. Don't be afraid to make the world a better place—come discuss the ins and outs of the "law of doing good things."

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the risk associated with rendering aid (or failing to render aid) in an emergency situation.
  • Evaluate food donation methods and policies from a legal and business perspective.
  • Explain the limitations on personal risk to potential volunteers.

  SPEAKER:

  Tyra W. Hilliard, Esq., CMP, Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management, The George Washington University
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

  PCMA Book Club

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  NEW this year! PCMA is excited to offer you a chance to meet with your colleagues and discuss A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, by best-selling author Daniel Pink. This lively conversation will discuss Pink's suggestion that "the 'left brain' capabilities that powered the Information Age – are necessary but no longer sufficient" and "the 'right brain' qualities of inventiveness, empathy, joyfulness and meaning – increasingly will determine who flourishes and who flounders." Explore the applications of this book to your personal and professional life to help you enhance your meetings. Note: Session is limited to the first 40 registrants and pre-registration is required. Prior to the start of the session, you will be required to read A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink.
  
  

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discuss the application of right brain thinking.
  • Increase your ability to create and use different learning environments and delivery formats.
  • Explore the many available options to create an atmosphere conducive to learning.

  SPEAKERS:

  Joan Eisenstodt, Chief Strategist, Eisenstodt Associates, LLC
  William Host, CMP, President, HOST Meetings & Events Management

  This event is sold out. If you select this program when registering, you may be placed on a waitlist.
• 1:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

  Advanced Food and Wine Pairing

  Sponsored by Grand Hyatt Seattle & Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  Pairing food and wine is primarily about flavors – isolating them, maximizing them and combining them. Discover the technique to combine food and fine wine selections to create inspiring pairings. This experiential session at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse will take you on a journey through different "courses" provided by Grand Hyatt Hotel . Discuss important aspects of pairing food and wine with top level chefs and sommeliers and walk away with techniques that will amaze your attendees. Note: Session is limited to the first 60 registrants. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the elements for proper tasting of wine.
  • Distinguish how the senses influence the pairing of food and wine.
  • Select wines that are cost effective and enhance your meal.

  FACILITATOR:

  Brent Martin, Executive Chef, Grand Hyatt Seattle

  This event is sold out. If you select this program when registering, you may be placed on a waitlist.
• 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

  Networking Refreshment Break

• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  A Strategic Approach to Alliances, Sponsorships and Partnerships

  Business Development

  Professional Education

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  Is increasing revenues a challenge for your organization? Are you struggling with delivering greater value to your partners? Revenues and value are like the proverbial chicken-and-egg: you’re not sure which comes first but you know you’ll starve without them. In this interactive session attendees will actively participate while learning from a panel of industry veterans how to identify and value assets, develop presentations, and conduct extensive business reviews to help your organization compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify and value traditional and non-traditional assets.
  • Choose the most appropriate partners for your organization.
  • Select the best assets for your partnership program.

  SPEAKERS:

  Dave Olender, Vice President Strategic Alliances and Supplier Development, Gaylord Entertainment - Gaylord Hotels
  Sherrif Karamat, Chief Partner Relations Officer, Professional Convention Management Association
  Laren Ukman, CEO, IEG, Inc.
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Building Bridges to Success: The Partnership Between Planners & CSMs

  Facilities & Services

  Professional Education

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  In partnership with the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM)

  This session will explore the bridge building techniques of close collaboration and diligent communication. Discover how planners and CSMs can work seamlessly together to bring about extraordinary events. A skilled CSM is an integral member of the meeting management team, ensuring each event under their watch will produce the desired results—translating into great achievements and exceeding expectations. Listen to a senior panel of professionals discuss often missed issues that can spell disaster for your meeting without a strong CSM/planner partnership. 

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Establish effective communication from the start of the relationship.
  • Develop discussion “touch points” to identify each other’s needs.
  • Create opportunities for local agencies to help meetings acquire a “local” footprint or signature.

  MODERATOR:

  Martin Balogh, Dir. of Meetings & Travel, American Bar Association

  PANELISTS:

  Ed Barnes, CMP, V.P. of Operations, Washington State Convention & Trade Center
  David Dvorak, CMP, V.P. of Catering and Convention Services, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
  Gail Orendorff, Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Corporate Support, Customer Relations, The Boeing Company
  Kathryn Smith, CMP, Dir. of Meetings, American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine
  Denise Suttle, CMP, Asst. Dir. of Convention Services, Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Contracts Quiz Show

  Legal Issues

  Professional Education

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  Everyone deals with contracts, but who has the most contracting skill and knowledge? In this fun, yet informative session, audience member contestants will vie against each other to answer questions about key legal issues and important techniques involved in contract negotiations. After each round, a convention industry attorney will evaluate the contestants' performance and provide background explanation regarding the legal issues involved.
  

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify common mistakes that lead to legally flawed contracts.
  • Revise common contract clauses to eliminate poor wording that can lead to disputes.
  • Create contracts and clauses that appropriately address the particular needs of an event or contract.

  HOST:

  Lisa Sommer Devlin, Devlin Law Firm, P.C.
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Design Schemes for Dream Themes

  Program Planning

  Professional Education

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  Trends come and go, but are you creating a lasting impression for your meeting or event? Do you know what the freshest ideas for "event concepts" are and how to apply them to your planning strategy? Whether a ballroom, industrial space, or a tented venue, hear the secrets of successful theme planning. Explore how the integration of furnishings, lighting, sound, and audio visuals combine to create a larger-than-life experience. Unleash your creativity with your theme development and successfully deliver your event vision. Don't miss this highly interactive session which will preview the top themes for 2008.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Distinguish the elements that create an atmosphere which ensures a memorable and enjoyable attendee experience.
  • Communicate the complete, conceptualized, theme elements for implementation at your events.
  • Explore the influences on today's events and the best methods to deliver the results expected of you.

  SPEAKER:

  Richard Aaron, CSEP, CMP, President, BizBash Media
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Get the Best Deal: Learn the Secret

  Facilities & Services

  Professional Education

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  Is the hotel charging you the best price for your event? In this behind the scenes look, you'll see the roles of the Sales Manager, Director of Sales & Marketing, and Revenue Manager in action during a live "mock" revenue management meeting. Discover what tools, resources, and market data are used to determine whether your meeting is a good fit and how they decide what pricing to quote you. Find out how hotels evaluate the elements of your meeting, which elements have the highest leverage in negotiation, and what the hotel could not care less about. This “can't miss” session will show you how to best position your organization for a successful negotiation.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Assess how hotels are using revenue management pricing strategies to increase revenues and drive profit.
  • Prepare to negotiate or make decisions based upon understanding both the hotel's position and your position.
  • Successfully manage overbooking and post-deadline cut-off pricing strategies in order to maximize hotel occupancy while retaining favorable rates.

  MODERATOR:

  Fred Shea, Vice President of Sales, Hyatt Hotels Corporation

  PANELISTS:

  Graeme Benn, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
  David Parker, Director of Revenue Management, Seattle Sheraton Hotel
  Rob Scypinski, Regional Vice President Sales, Hilton Hotels Corp.
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Large Exhibitions SIG (200+ booths)

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  The SIGs are designed for attendees with similar interests to identify common challenges, discuss best  practices and share possible solutions in an informal, comfortable environment.

  Each SIG will address the following questions:

  • What are our greatest challenges?
  • What are the reasons for those challenges?
  • What’s the impact on ourselves/our organizations?
  • What’s our vision for solving these challenges?

  Each group will assign a note taker to capture responses to each question. Comments will be transcribed and circulated after the meeting.
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Leadership Isn't for Cowards

  Leadership

  Executive Education

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  Do you lead with courage? Do you take chances that others won't – leaping full force into challenges and making decisions from a place of power? In this fast-paced energetic session you will learn what it takes to be direct and authentic in your communication. Discover how you can consistently make decisions based on your convictions rather than an issue's popularity. Uncover the secrets of leadership that can take you and your organization from mediocrity to greatness.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES: 

  • Assess your leadership style and your impact on others.
  • Use the six step model to increase your leadership effectiveness and avoid pitfalls.
  • Apply the three critical elements of leadership.

  SPEAKER:

  Michael Staver, President, The Staver Group 
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Mentoring SIG

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  The SIGs are designed for attendees with similar interests to identify common challenges, discuss best  practices and share possible solutions in an informal, comfortable environment.

  Each SIG will address the following questions:

  • What are our greatest challenges?
  • What are the reasons for those challenges?
  • What’s the impact on ourselves/our organizations?
  • What’s our vision for solving these challenges?

  Each group will assign a note taker to capture responses to each question. Comments will be transcribed and circulated after the meeting.
• 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Web 2.0: The Future is Here

  Technology

  Professional Education

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  How are you using today's technology to strengthen your organization? My Space, You Tube, RSS feeds, blogging, web casting, affinity sites – Web 2.0 is how consumers of all ages are using the web to communicate with people they may never meet face-to-face. Is your organization prepared for this new era of transparency and instantaneous feedback? This session will help you discover how you can harness the power of the latest technology to strengthen your business model and improve your offerings to your members.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Assess how the new web environment will affect decisions about member service and products.
  • Determine the new expectations of "connected" consumers and members and what this means to the meetings industry.
  • Extend the reach of your organization through web based learning and communications.

  SPEAKERS:

  Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, President, Corbin Ball Associates
  Pat Delaney, Managing Director, Ovation Group
• 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

  President's Reception (by invitation)

  Sponsored by Convene^®  Magazine
• 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

  Seattle - The Smart City, Networking Reception

  Sponsored by Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau
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  Tonight join your colleagues in a unique environment at Bell Harbor International Conference Center where we welcome you to experience Seattle - The Smart City - full of original people, places, ideas and trends that continue to shape the world we know today.

  Explore the "essence" of the creative, innovative, resilient minds and efforts that originated here. Enjoy stimulating conversation and wonderful food and beverage on Seattle's historic waterfront.

  Creative Concept and Production: PRA Destination Management
• 9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

  Muldoon's Saloon

  Sponsored by the Philadelphia and Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureaus
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  Join "celebrity meeting industry bartenders" Tom Muldoon, president of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau; Paul Decker, president of the Valley Forge Convention & Visitors Bureau; and others for a spirited event to benefit Outdoors for All. Meet up at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, located above Pike Place Market, to raise money for this Seattle based charity, which provides year round instruction in outdoor recreation for people with physical, developmental, and sensory disabilities. Great Party! Great Cause!
• Pine & Gilmore's Seattle Experiences Audio Tour

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  Discover how you can create more compelling meeting experiences with a tour around Seattle. Opening general session speakers, B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore, authors of the best-selling book, The Experience Economy, will be your guides through a cell phone audio tour of some of the most engaging and insightful experiences in town. As you visit each venue, call a dedicated phone number to hear Pine & Gilmore's commentary on the various venues – and more importantly, how you can learn from your experience to bring practical ideas back to your organization. This isn't about best practices – after all, none of these places are in the conventions and meetings business.  Rather, it's about best principles – figuring out which principles you can apply from seemingly unrelated – but surprisingly relevant – environments to create more compelling meeting experiences. More information on the tours to come.