Wednesday

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Wednesday, January 16, 2008

• 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  Registration

• 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. You will be prompted to schedule your individual appointments in October via the Personal Planner.

  Contact Daris Frencha at 312.423.7214 or dfrencha@pcma.org for further information.
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Building High Performance Teams

  Talent Management

  Executive Education

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  Is your team performing to its full potential? Successful, high performance teams are not born overnight or created on their own. Discover their essential characteristics and assess how they tie to performance. Explore different cycles of teams and how a competitive or collaborative organizational culture will impact team performance. Find out how you can improve your organization by creating the foundation for high performance teamwork.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the characteristics essential to high performance teams.
  • Discover the impact of your organization's culture on your team's performance.
  • Build on your current staff and create a high performance team.

  SPEAKERS:

  Hugh Blane, Partner and Consultant, The Effectiveness Institute
  Linda Russell-Callecod, Partner and Consultant, The Effectiveness Institute
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Effective Investment Strategies — Part 1

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  How sound is your financial strategy? Discover how to achieve your unique investing goals by making more informed decisions. Compare and contrast the risks and benefits of today's various investment options and learn to be more efficient with your money. Topics to be covered include 10 steps to selecting the right mutual fund and investments for current income, growth, and tax advantages. No prior investing experience is required. Note: Session is limited to the first 100 registrants. There is no additional fee, but pre-registration is required.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Draft a road map to successful personal investing.
  • Evaluate the benefits, risks and characteristics of investing in stocks and bonds.
  • Avoid perils of timing the market with dollar cost averaging.

  SPEAKER:

  Michael Moody, MBA, President, National Tax & Investment Seminars

  This event is sold out. If you select this program when registering, you may be placed on a waitlist.
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Google-licious: How to Find Anything on the Internet

  Technology

  Professional Education

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  Google is the most utilized search engine on the Internet. Millions of people use it daily to search out information about almost anything. However, search engines such as Google have dozens of advanced capabilities of which most people aren't even aware. With billions of information-rich websites (a number that's growing daily), the task of finding the piece of information you require for your job is becoming even more arduous. This session is for everyone from Google novices to search engine pros. It will demystify how to use the various search tools to find what you need...and do so in a minimal of time. Google will be utilized primarily; however, advanced search features from other sites will also be discussed. 

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Use the 7 critical techniques of effective web searching.
  • Identify over 20 hidden Google services and shortcuts.
  • Understand how websites improve their ranking on search engines.

  SPEAKER:

  James Spellos, CMP, President, Meeting U
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Green 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.
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Inside Edition: Planners and Suppliers Reveal the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Dealing with a planner who needs a proposal ASAP but won't make a decision for a year? How about a supplier who is calling you at your busiest time of year with a product or service you don't need? This interactive session will provide suppliers and planners the opportunity to clear the air and openly discuss what bugs them the most. Find out how to better manage your expectations and create meaningful relationships.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discover how to best capture a meeting planner's attention.
  • Explore what makes a site inspection extraordinary.
  • Determine and balance meeting planners and suppliers expectations.

  MODERATOR:

  Brad Kent, Vice President of Sales, Business Development Group, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions
  

  PANEL:

  Heidi Bechtold, CMP, Manager, Meeting Services, American Thoracic Society
  Gail Mutnik, MPA, Director of Meetings, American Association of Clinical Chemistry
  Janet Skorepa, Associate Executive Director, Education and Meeting, American Urological Association
  David McAuley, Director, Washington, D.C. Area Office, Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
  Dave Giger, Director, Sales and Industry Relations, Hilton National Sales
  Donna Karl, Vice President, Client Relations, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Navigating International "C's": Legal Strategies for Dealing with Contracts, Customs, Currency and Coverage

  Legal Issues

  Professional Education

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  Planning meetings in foreign countries presents special challenges for meeting professionals. Attend this session to discover legal tips and strategies for handling customs, contracts, currency, and insurance coverage when planning meetings outside the U.S.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify critical contract terms to include in international contracts.
  • Discuss strategies for handling risks with foreign currency.
  • Recognize the major areas of potential risk affecting international meetings and events and what steps to take to avoid loss.

  SPEAKER:

  John Foster, Esq., CHME, Attorney, Foster, Jensen & Gulley, LLC
  
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Preparing for Negotiations: Sealing the Deal in Your Favor

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  Are you really ready for the negotiation? Today's market requires that you come to the table fully prepared. A panel of industry leaders will tell you how to seal the deal in your favor! Find out what is truly negotiable when finalizing your meeting contracts and what you need to know before negotiations begin. Gain insight into the many negotiating tips that can turn the table to your advantage. Don't miss any opportunity to get the best deal and expand your budget dollars while still enhancing the meeting experience.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Gain insight into the role of revenue managers and how they determine what is negotiable and not negotiable.
  • Develop skills to enhance your negotiation process.
  • Utilize a checklist of the key negotiation strategies for planners to seal the deal.

  MODERATOR:

  Melanie Kuranda, Director of Convention Sales Development, Canadian Tourism Commission

  PANELISTS:

  Jeffry Newman, American Oil Chemists’ Society
  Michael McQuade, CMP, Dir. of Sales and Marketing,Washington State Convention and Trade Center
  John Savage, Regional Dir., Revenue, Starwood—Northwest/Western Canada Region
  Brian Knapp, E.V.P., IMN Solutions
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Security Considerations: Preparing for a Safe Meeting

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  Navigating local customs, laws, and governmental concerns can present new challenges that may differ from those the organizers and planners have been accustomed to dealing with in the past. Explore  proper security planning steps that may be taken for large scale global events to help reduce the likelihood of unforeseen risks which can negatively impact or derail an event. People who prepare themselves by developing contingency plans for emergencies lessen their vulnerability and greatly  enhance their opportunity for survival and minimal disruption.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Develop an awareness of security and disaster preparedness in planning an event, regardless of venue.
  • Identify governmental issues based on venue that require attention during the planning phase.
  • Identify the steps to effectively handle a crisis that minimizes the impact on an event.

   MODERATOR:

  Kati Quigley, CMP, Director, Event Marketing, Microsoft Corporation

  PANELISTS:

  Susan Goldberg, CMP, Dir. Conventions and Travel, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
  Paul Goldenberg, CEO, Cardinal Point Strategies
  Matthew Olander, Group Manager, World Event Security, Securitas, USA
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Small Exhibitions SIG (Less than 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.
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

  Sustainable Attendance: Growing Your Annual Meeting

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Executive Education

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  Is your association's meeting attracting as many members as it should? Are attendees, especially first-timers, engaged in a way which brings them back regularly? Using the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) as an example, this session will identify the critical success factors which led to a more profitable and growing Annual Meeting. Don't miss this opportunity to maximize your attendance and increase your organization's bottom line.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Determine your meeting's [financial] 'health' using key benchmark ratios.
  • Communicate effective value propositions which drive attendance.
  • Drive growth and continuous improvement through strategic use of technology and target marketing.

  SPEAKERS:

  Tony Chen, Director, New Business Development, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare
  Teri Jarvie, CMP, Director of Meeting Services, Healthcare Financial Management Association
  David Lutz, CMP, Managing Director, Velvet Chainsaw Consulting
• 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

  Networking Refreshment Break

• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  The Masters Series
  The Aliens Have Landed! How to Make Meetings Relevant with the Next Generation

  Sponsored by Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau

  Business Development

  Professional Education

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  America is in the midst of a monumental shift in demographics. As Baby Boomers begin to head toward retirement, today's organizations must change dramatically to meet the needs of a younger mindset, or risk losing members and experience a decline in meeting participation. Understanding what behaviors are associated with these younger generations will help you convert the younger generation into attendees and members.  Come hear America's premier authority on the new generation and discover what you can do to keep your organization and meetings relevant to the next generation.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Explain how Generation Y prefers to learn and gather information. 
  • Identify the challenges they present for meeting planners.
  • Determine strategies for engaging this new generation. 

  Eric Chester, CSP, CPAE
  President
  Generation Why, Inc.

  Eric Chester is the premier expert on Generation Why. In fact, he coined the term. He is the Founder & President of Generation Why, Inc., a training and consulting firm offering insight and strategies to leading organizations to help them recruit, train, manage, and retain the very best of this new generation. Since 1986, Eric Chester has been speaking to, and working with Generation Why youth. He has addressed more than two million teenagers and is dialed-in to the mindset of this burgeoning generation. He frequently appears on national media (ABC News 20/20, MSNBC, FoxNews, CNN, etc.) to provide commentary on those coming of age. Eric is a 2004 inductee into the CPAE International Speakers Hall of Fame, an honor shared by less than 2% of all professional speakers in the world.

  Eric Chester’s appearance provided by Speak, Inc.
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Discover America Partnership: A Model for Problem Solving

  In partnership with the Discover America

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Professional Education

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  PCMA took a leading role by investing in this project and encouraging other organizations to become involved.

  How can the next big issue facing the meetings and convention industry be resolved? Consider the case study of the Discover America Partnership. Since September 11, 2001, issues facing foreign travelers to the United States began negatively impacting tourism and attendance at meetings and conventions. Three significant barriers drove the downturn: visa delays, poor entry experiences and a lack of coordinated communications to attract visitors. In less than six months, Congress passed legislation to reform each of these areas. This session will focus on the process of identifying problems, reasonable solutions, and developing a workable plan that can be implemented to solve major issues facing the industry.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Develop a logical and sequential plan to address a major issue.
  • Explore the skills and talents to effectively implement a multi-step plan.
  • Construct a multi-faceted approach to advance an initiative of interest across organizations.

  SPEAKER:

  Geoffrey Freeman, Executive Director, Discover America Partnership
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Effective Investment Strategies — Part 2

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  The second half of this two part session will guide you through a full range of investment options. This advanced course will provide you with unbiased advice and tools to make informed decisions. Gain market insights and learn how to apply actionable investment strategies! Topics to be covered include index funds, exchange traded funds, IRA update, and the examination of 3 strategic portfolios. Note: Session is limited to the first 100 registrants. There is no additional fee, but pre-registration is required.
  

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of numerous investments and investing strategies.
  • Evaluate investment performance and implement risk minimization measures.
  • Protect your gains and reduce your losses.

  SPEAKER

  Michael Moody, MBA, President, National Tax & Investment Seminars

  This event is sold out. If you select this program when registering, you may be placed on a waitlist.
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Fiscal History: Collecting the Right Information

  In partnership with American Express

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  Does your historical meeting data give you the necessary information to better leverage your RFPs and negotiations? Do you know how to collect and use this data to your advantage? This session focuses on developing a solid financial history for your meetings, including payment and reconciliation of expenses. Join us as we examine the necessary strategies to prepare data for use in future RFPs and negotiations. Developing a solid process will assist in trending and greater accuracy in budgeting. Discover a more “rosy” bottom-line in the overall planning process.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discuss strategies to capture and track the financial trends and history of your meetings and events.
  • Analyze pros/cons of changing forms of payment.
  • Implement strategies for improving payment, expense reconciliation and collection of valuable fiscal data.

  SPEAKERS:

  David Holzer, Director, Meetings & Events Industry Development, American Express Merchant Services
  Michele Snock, Manager, Corporate Meetings & Events, Cisco Systems
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  L(earn)² Reveal the Secrets™

  Marketing

  Professional Education

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  Are you making the most of your partnerships? Discover how you can create a brand experience for your next meeting or conference that will make the most of the partnerships between suppliers and planners. Work together with your colleagues to learn a model that you can apply to product development, creating marketing messages, identifying value propositions, and uncovering innovation in product design/marketing/sales. This experiential session will help you to understand the process and importance of creating a consistent brand experience. The result of this experience will help you to increase your ability to forge stronger partnerships and deliver on the brand message. Note: Pre-registration is required, however there is NO additional fee.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Meet competitive challenges head on and identify areas of weakness in a competitor's offering.
  • Analyze products/services from the customer's point of view and discover what matters to them.
  • Create new futures by positioning your organization as the market leader.

  FACILITATORS:

  Doug Bolger, Chief Learning Officer, L(earn)²
  Michele Ferrari, Executive Vice President, Learning, L(earn)²

   
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Meeting Technology 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.
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Meetings in the Developing World

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  As the pace of globalization increases, so does the chance of meeting in more challenging locations throughout the developing world. Do you know how to deal with varied political, economic and environmental conditions? Discover how these new and complicated situations are demanding more strategic thinking and creative problem-solving. Share your lessons learned from meetings in challenging locations like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify critical competencies for holding successful meetings in the developing world.
  • Understand how your meeting experience translates in a developing market.
  • Identify non-traditional resources which will prove invaluable in accomplishing your goals and objectives.

  MODERATOR:

  Leigh Wintz, CAE, Executive Dir., Soroptimist International of the Americas

  PANELISTS:

  Sheila Stampfli, President, Courtesy Associates, LLC
  Joost de Meyer, CMM, CITE, President, First Incentive Travel, Inc.
  Jennifer Laidlaw, Sr. Lead Event Marketing Manager, Microsoft Corporation
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Motivate and Retain Top Talent

  Talent Management

  Professional Education

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  Are you having trouble finding and keeping quality employees? This interactive session will give you the hands-on tools you need to attract and retain quality talent in today's global economy. Become a motivational guru – discover how to identify self-motivated behavior, apply proven techniques for motivating employees, and prepare action plans to solve on-the-job problems. Companies that attract and retain quality employees have better financial returns. Become the type of leader that can be depended on to have the best and brightest working for them.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify ways to motivate employees.
  • Apply motivational techniques to improve employee performance.
  • Design systems to ensure positive, self-directed behavior.

  SPEAKER:

  Karen Lawson, Ph.D., CSP, President, Lawson Consulting Group, Inc.
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Professional Ethics: A Preventive Maintenance Approach

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  Ethical issues can lead to catastrophic legal, financial, and public-relations nightmares. Are you at risk? This fast-paced, practical, and surprisingly humorous program will give you easy ideas and tools you can immediately put into practice to reduce your risk. Discover effective solutions you will be able to use throughout your career to avoid unnecessary ethical dilemmas.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify characteristics of individuals who show reduced risk for ethical difficulties and techniques for acquiring and maintaining those characteristics.
  • Identify ''red flags'' for ethics problems and how to respond appropriately to each.
  • Develop a personal action plan for building and maintaining great professional ethics.

  SPEAKER:

  Christopher Bauer Ph.D., HSP, CFS, Owner, Bauer Ethics Seminars
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Working with Speakers/Speaker Bureaus 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.
• 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

  Networking Luncheon — Special Guest Jason Alexander

  Sponsored by Mexico Tourism Board
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  Join us for lunch where Jason Alexander's motivational speaker alter ego, Donny Clay, will perform. Enormously funny, his highly entertaining comedy performance is presented as an hysterical send up of the Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra and Dr. Phil milieu. This is a luncheon you won't want to miss and one of the great reasons to stay through Wednesday's full program.

  By 1989, Jason Alexander had two major industry awards to his credit: the Tony and Grammy, both for his participation in Jerome Robbins' Broadway. In 1990, he was cast as clueless loser George Costanza in the popular sitcom Seinfeld and in 1994, his voice could be heard each week on the USA cable network as the private eye hero of the animated cartoon series Duckman. He has appeared in a number of movies including Shallow Hal, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Dunston Checks In, and as Richard Gere's business partner in Pretty Woman.

  Jason Alexander's appearance was arranged through ProActive. 
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  EDUCATION SESSIONS

• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  APEX Today and Tomorrow

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  APEX is an effort by and for the meetings industry. Join your colleagues for an incredible opportunity to help update APEX best practices and set the agenda for two new APEX panels approved by the CIC Board, the Exhibition Standards Panel and Corporate Social Responsibility Panel (including sustainability or green events). Add your expertise as we work together to keep the best practices relevant to the realities of our changing industry. Don’t miss this chance to shape the best practices you want to encourage from your colleagues in the future. Be a part of history!

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Determine what APEX means for the industry.
  • Utilize APEX to improve communications.
  • Identify how APEX will affect your planning process.

  MODERATOR:

  Greg H. Talley, CAE, President and COO, Talley Management Group, Inc.

  PANELISTS:

  Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, President, Concepts Worldwide, Inc.
  Maura Gast, FCDME, Executive Director, Irving CVB
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  CMP^® Application Process

  Professional Development

  Professional Education

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  Interested in taking the next step in your career? Join us to discuss the benefits of being a CMP^®. Apply now to Convention Industry Council for your application and bring it along to this exciting career enhancing session, which will guide you step-by-step through the application process and examination process.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Discover the history and importance of the CMP^® designation.
  • Complete a CMP^® application.
  • Examine each Domain of the current CMP^® Blueprint as it relates to the content within the CMP^® Examination.

  SPEAKER:

  Heather Doughlin, CMP, CMP Program Dir., Convention Industry Council
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Going Global: Expert Tips for Meeting Internationally

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  In partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

  Do you plan international meetings?  If so, this roundtable discussion will advance the dialogue surrounding some of the most critical issues, including: which financial considerations can make or break your meeting; which key strategic partners can help you navigate international waters; and what logistical challenges you are likely to face.  Come hear seasoned professionals share their best practices and find out what next steps you can take to make your international meeting or exhibition more successful.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Conduct SWOT analysis for international meetings.
  • Act in accordance with local business customs.
  • Plan for unique international meeting scenarios.

  MODERATOR:

  Patrick Delaney, Managing Director, Ovation Group

  PANELISTS:

  Oscar Cerezales, Global PCO Group Dir., MCI Group
  John Crawford Howell, Founder and President, Smart Business in a Flat World™
  Karen Malone, V.P., Meeting Services, HIMSS
  Leigh Harry, Chief Executive, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Independent Planners 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.
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Managing Key Exhibitors

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Professional Education

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  The exhibition landscape has changed. Managing the special needs of key exhibitors has taken on a new meaning. Have you considered the characteristics for engaging and retaining exhibitors? Are you clear on the needs your exhibitors and primary stakeholders have? And, are you meeting them? Based on new research from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), and funded by a grant from the PCMA Education Foundation, the results look at the life cycle of exhibitions and provide a roadmap for exhibition organizers and other industry stakeholders to better understand the exhibition ecosystem. Discover practical solutions to the most prevalent problems exhibition managers face today, as well as current industry trends, challenges and opportunities.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the key exhibitors and stakeholders in your organization/exhibition based on specific criteria.
  • Evaluate solutions to the most prevalent problems facing exhibition managers.
  • Apply the critical best practices to move to the next level.

  SPEAKERS:

  Jack Chalden, Vice President - Industry Relations, BDMetrics, Inc.
  Douglas Ducate, President and CEO, Center for Exhibition Industry Research
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Protecting Member Information: Is your Organization at Risk?

  Technology

  Professional Education

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  How secure is your data? The need to protect personal information for customers and members is one of the most critical issues in the hospitality industry. If you are collecting credit card numbers or personal information from members/consumers for any purpose, you are responsible for the security of that information. Hear a panel of experts explain the process of collecting and protecting HBI (High Business Impact) data, starting with a corporate client, that client’s registration/housing vendor and the hotel partner. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of each company as  the data is collected and transferred throughout the registration and housing process is key. Learn what that may mean to your organization and what your responsibility and risk may be.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Assess areas of potential risk within your organization.
  • Identify potential solutions to protect member information.
  • Acquire a list of resources that can assist you to mitigate your risks.

  MODERATOR:

  Billie Thoresen, Senior Vendor Account Manager, Microsoft Corporation

  PANELISTS:

  Brooke Hall, Sr. Registration Manager and Privacy Officer, CRG Events
  Scott Lancaster, Sr. Dir., Information Security & Technology Compliance, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
  Dave Wagner, Technical Program Manager, MicrosoftCorporation
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Shuffling Chairs or Turning the Ship Around? The Association Change Process

  Strategic Planning/Thinking

  Executive Education

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  Associations are complex organizations comprised of hundreds, if not thousands of stakeholders with differing points of view. While change is necessary, how you manage it can determine the difference between your organization's success and failure. Whether you are re-engineering your SOPs or launching a new idea, if you cannot manage change you will fail. Using a case study and experiences from several associations, this session will examine the challenges of strategic change initiatives such as identifying new revenue streams, adopting new technologies, and managing member expectations. Look at different phases of the change process and discover how you can manage opportunities for your organization.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the key reasons why change processes fail.
  • Examine change trends affecting associations.
  • Develop strategies for managing your change process.

  SPEAKER:

  Ross Robinson, President, Robinson Consultants
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  So You're an Entrepreneur: How to Move from Consultant to CEO

  Business Development

  Professional Education

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  If you thought the move from employee to independent consultant was huge – hang on! The move from a solo consultant to the CEO of a thriving small business can astound you.  Are you prepared to handle the complexities of running your own business? Can you manage day-to-day operations, obtain new clients, service existing clients, and find and retain key employees, while maintaining your own sanity? This session will help you determine your strengths, evaluate the opportunities for growth, and identify strategies for continuing to build and expand your organization. Historically, more small businesses fail than succeed. This session will help you ensure your business is on the right side of these odds.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Convert business planning to decision-making.
  • Balance time management requirements with business demands.
  • Plan for controlled growth.

  SPEAKERS:

  Del DelaBarre, President, DelaBarre & Associates, Inc.
  Valerie Sumner, Principal, VRS Meetings & Events, Inc.
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Way Cool Tools

  Technology

  Professional Education

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  Do you know how to get the most out of today’s technology? This session is designed to help you enhance your technology skill and savvy. From learning about dozens of websites designed to put you at the cutting edge of the information revolution, to better understanding the new lingo and what’s out there and what to purchase, this interactive course is designed for you to improve your T.Q. or Technology Quotient.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the latest technologies in today’s marketplace,and learn how they’re useful for you.
  • Decipher the latest technology lingo.
  • Protect your computer against all types of malicious viruses and other computer disasters.

  SPEAKER:

  James Spellos, CMP, President, Meeting U
• 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  The Wow Factor: Maximize Your Attendee Experience

  Program Planning

  Professional Education

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  Need a remedy for a 'been-there-done-that' audience? This session, an experience within itself, provides an in-depth look at how to ensure your next meeting or event is unique, personal, and unforgettable. From the first attendee communication to post-event follow-up and everything in between, you'll leave this interactive session with fresh ideas you can put into practice right away. Discover tips for successful event marketing and audience acquisition; the latest production techniques to make a powerful first impression; innovative session formats that capture attention and engage your audience; and creative ways to infuse the unexpected. Learn the keys to seamlessly incorporate a meeting theme and objectives into a true immersion experience that hits the mark with attendees and your bottom line.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Target your audience with relevant, memorable messaging and brand connections.
  • Focus on meeting objectives throughout the planning process to ensure the attendee experience is fully maximized.
  • Create custom, “wow” experiences that stimulate all the senses and leave your audience with a lasting impression.

  SPEAKERS:

  Amanda Marijanovic, Director, Events and Experiences, Minding Your Business, Inc.
  Max Suzenaar, CEO, Minding Your Business, Inc.
  
• 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

  Expertly Pair Beer with Food

  Sponsored by Pike Brewing Company

  Event Management

  Professional Education

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  Seattle has a beer culture that rivals Belgium, and that is no more evident than when visiting the Micro Brewery Museum. Join this experiential session for tales of ales from ancient Sumeria to modern Seattle. Follow the trail of hops, the seasoning, and natural preservative in beer from the monasteries of the dark ages to Washington's Yakima Valley, America's largest hop producer. After hearing about the raw materials, tour the multi-level Pike Brewery. The interactive gravity flow micro brewery is a perfect place to learn about the brewing process and to understand how top fermenting yeast convert wort to beer. Discuss and taste with your group a variety of beers of different brewing styles, and discover how to taste beer, and pair beer with food. Note: Session is limited to the first 60 registrants. Pre-registration and an additional fee are required. Lunch is included in the registration fee. Buses depart at 2:30 p.m. from the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

  LEARNER OUTCOMES:

  • Identify the characteristics of a variety of beers.
  • Develop a taste for the art of pairing beer and food.
  • Select beers that are cost effective yet enhance your meal.

  FACILITATOR:

  Charles Finkel, Owner, Pike Brewing Company
• 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

  L(earn)² Bridge the Gap™

  Communication

  Professional Education

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  This program has been cancelled due to low participant interest. 

  If you are interested in attending any of the other PCMA Experientials, please add them to your registration.

  Questions?  Please contact the PCMA Registration & Housing Bureau at 800.220.3839 (Toll-free U.S. & Canada) or 847.940.2395 (International); or via e-mail: pcma@experient-inc.com.
• 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

  Networking Refreshment Break

• 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.
• 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m

  Creativity in Motion

  Sponsored by The Westin and Sheraton Seattle
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  Join us for an evening of "Creativity In Motion". Immerse yourself in a truly creative experience at Sheraton Seattle Hotel, a world class facility in a world class metropolis. The night features Seattle at its best: a city that breaks all boundaries, mixing seemingly unlike elements to create remarkable, wholly new entities in business, arts, food and civic culture. Two of the finest Seattle Hotels, The Westin and Sheraton Seattle come together to create an event that will surprise, delight and inspire your creativity. An evening not to be missed!

  Main entrance for the evening is via the Lobby of Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

  Creative Concept: The Workshop

  Production: Seattle Hospitality Services
• 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.