• Strategic Planning/Thinking
• Professional Education

How will your international meeting be influenced by the local economy, government and socio-cultural factors? There are important issues that need to be understood when planning and managing risk for international meetings that are vital to its success. Discover what you need to know before, during, and after the event in order to make intelligent decisions that will benefit your organization.

• Discover how to uncover the challenges that exist in your host country.
• Explore governmental policy matters and potential barriers.
• Gain a greater understanding of foreign exchange, secure finance, and maintaining financial integrity.

Moderator

Jonathan M. Hutchison AM, Managing Director, Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau

Panelists

Robert W. Guy CMP CMP, Managing Director, Pacific World

Leigh Wintz CAE, Executive Director, Soroptimist International of the Americas

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 255-257

• Communication
• Professional Education

Ever wondered why bad ideas sometimes win over better ones? Ever had to resign yourself to the inevitable because you didn't know how to change someone's mind? If you're tired of letting others determine how things turn out, develop your leadership skill, confidence and determination as you explore the amazing designs and practical patterns of the art of persuasion.

• Establish or regain credibility and authority.
• Produce positive change with your ideas.
• Fully engage the motivation of yourself and others.

Rick Kirschner ND, Speaker, The Art of Change LLC

• Communication
• Professional Education

Did you know that people screen out or alter what they hear in over 70% of all communications? In this industry of deadlines, details and challenges, you are losing time, money, and damaging your reputation with your colleagues every time you misinterpret what you hear. This session will show you how to really listen to what people are saying so that you can become more efficient, productive and respected.

• Improve your ability to communicate effectively.
• Reduce conflict by discovering your natural listening approach.
• Capitalize on your listening strengths.

Margie Thomas IAF-CPF, CTC, Productivity Strategist, M.A.T. Consulting, Inc.

• Leadership
• Professional Education

Successful leaders understand the principles of leadership and know how to apply those principles to every situation. Attend this panel discussion of distinguished industry leaders and gain insights into their leadership philosophies. Discover what actions helped each leader reach their level and explore how they shifted their focus from departmental to organizational while adopting a strategy for success. Identify the leadership traits you possess, learn new styles, and discover how you can succeed.

• Become a force for positive change in your organization.
• Utilize leadership principles for effective execution.
• Identify proven flexible leadership styles that are effective for diverse situations.

Moderator

Richard B. Green CASE, VP, Association Sales and Industry Relations, Marriott International

Panelists

Teri E. Jarvie CMP, Director of Meeting Services, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

Michelle W. Jones CMP, Senior Meeting Planner, The Forum Group

John Patronski, Executive Vice President, GES Exposition Services

Michael N. Greto CMP, Global Strategic Accounts, Coca-Cola Company

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 275-277

• Business Development
• Professional Education

Got that entrepreneurial spirit? It takes more than a good idea and a desire to be your own boss to launch a successful venture. Many small businesses fail within their first 2 years and it isn't for lack of heart. This hands-on session will give you the tools you need to succeed in today's marketplace.

• Conduct cash flow analysis to identify and eliminate deficiencies or surpluses in cash.
• Consider “price packaging” strategies that will show consumers you offer the best value.
• Utilize financial statements to track and analyze financial information to make strategic business decisions.

Wendy Barlin, CPA, Barlin Business Solutions Inc.

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

New this year! You’re passionate about this industry and face challenges in the upcoming year. Bring your top concerns and questions to this open forum and speak with other meetings industry leaders about what keeps you up at night or what next challenge you can’t wait to tackle. Stop by and join the conversation.

Location: NOMCC

• Communication
• Executive Education

Not getting the results you want? A crucial conversation could be holding you back. After more than thirty years of research in two dozen industries, Joseph Grenny, New York Times bestselling author of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, has seen the struggle leaders face. He has found that leaders who avoid talking honestly with the right people about the right issues can expert poor results. Top-rated leaders routinely employ skills that turn diverse thought into synergy and then into results by mastering crucial conversations. Discover how you can create more positive results, personally, professionally, and throughout your entire organization.

• Identify the tools necessary to handle controversial and heated issues.
• Professionally discuss issues in a way that makes it safe for everyone to speak.
• Create an environment where people share their best ideas, make wise decisions, and then act on those decisions with conviction.

Joseph Grenny, Business Communication Expert & New York Times Bestselling Author,

Location: NOMCC 1st Level Hall E3

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

David J. Olender, Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Supplier Development, Gaylord Entertainment

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level Outside of room 236-267 near escalator

• Strategic Planning/Thinking
• Professional Education

The regulations facing medical exhibitions have begun to make exhibitors wonder if meeting innumerable rules is worth the effort. The concern show managers/organizers face is that the funding provided by exhibitors on which you depend could exponentially decrease. Will attendees accept these changes? Will this affect your show’s success? Could this affect physician/medical practitioner attendance? This session will address the current landscape and help you understand what the ramifications could be for a shift in perception. Engage in a dialogue that will help you plan for the future and align your strategy for success.

• Identify issues that are impacting the scope of activities that may occur in exhibit halls.
• Debate proposed solutions to resolve barriers to current and future exhibits from a society and industry perspective.
• Point out alternatives for attracting attendees to promotional activities.

Moderator

Alvin Lever, Executive Vice President & CEO, American College of Chest Physicians

Panelists

David H. Eubanks EdD, RRT, FCCP(Hon), Senior Vice President, American College of Chest Physicians

Stan Hull, Global Community Partnerships, GlaxoSmithKline

Theodore J. Nielsen RT, RDMS, Director, Global Learning, SonoSite, Inc.

Location: NOMCC 1st Level Hall E1

• Facilities and Services
• Professional Education

Are you prepared to respond to a labor stoppage, food poisoning, or weather-related disaster? These and other crises are the planner’s responsibility to manage, not just the facility. Discover what you need to know about how to partner with your facility to do your part and protect your interests. Using case studies, this session will explore different types of risk and assist you in outlining your role within these situations. Hear from people who have lived through crises and benefit from their experiences.

• Assess areas of potential risk.
• Define the roles and responsibilities of the planner, the facility, and other supplier-partners in a crisis.
• Create strategies to aid in crisis mitigation and response.

Moderator

Tyra W. Hilliard PhD JD, CMP, Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management, George Washington University

Panelists

Brian Foley, Convention Services, Omni Hotel at CNN Center

Laura Metcalf Jelinek CAE, Director, Conferences, Meetings And Travel, Easter Seals, Inc.

Sylvia P. Ratchford, Executive Director, Hinman Dental Society

Location: NOMCC

• Event Management
• Professional Education

Got amazing tales, lessons learned, or war stories from the trenches? Have you planned for the unexpected and had all your bases covered only to strike out on a curve ball? Share your experiences during this panel discussion and learn from each other’s mistakes. We will conceal your identity, and ask that you do the same for the company and colleagues you dish about.

• Share the biggest business lesson you've learned, and how you learned it.
• Re-examine what you think you already know and why it is important.
• Apply techniques to your meetings and events to avoid potential disaster!

Moderator

Willie L. Benjamin, Assistant Director of Meeting and Exhibitions, American Chemical Society

Panelists

Laurie Fitzgerald CMP, Senior Meeting Manager, Allstate Financial

Johnnie C. White Jr. CMP, Director, Meetings & Conventions, Cardiovascular Research Foundation

Greg Van Dyke, Senior Vice President, Marketing, PSAV Presentation Services

Anne Hamilton, Vice President Resort Sales & Service, Walt Disney World® Resorts

Location: NOMCC 1st Level Hall E2

• Event Management
• Professional Education

Under the watchful eye of a nation and while confronting unique challenges, both the DNC and RNC produced the most environmentally-sustainable political conventions in modern American history. More than 200,000 pounds of materials were diverted from waste and recycled or reused. Key industry experts will discuss their experiences and strategies with convention and meeting recycling; demonstrate how diverted materials are put to beneficial use; and invite your input on broader issues for convention and venue recycling. No matter where you are in the greening process, this session will help you position your efforts in a way which will exceed your meetings expectations and leave a more sustainable impact on your destination.

• Obtain practical, common-sense solutions to limit your meetings impact on the environment.
• Explore closed loop recycling, composting and other resource recovery opportunities for your meeting.
• Establish legacy systems which enhance the destination and existing resources.

Moderator

Gary E. Wygant, Vice President Recycling Business Development, Coca-Cola Recycling LLC

Panelists

Jaime Nack, President, Three Squares Inc.

Kate M. Krebs, Director of Sustainable Resources, The Climate Group

David Struhs, VP Environmental Affairs, International Paper

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 275-277

• Program Planning
• Professional Education

Consumers today expect to be able to ask for and receive exactly what they want. Thanks to products like YouTube, there is growing pressure to create on-demand content that is just a button or mouse-click away. How will your meetings respond? This session will explore real world examples of customized content and discuss how you can improve your attendee's experience.

• Extrapolate on how consumer trends will spill over into the meeting arena.
• Identify how existing technology is already creating more personalization.
• Illustrate how future technology will impact our ability to deliver customized information.

Sue Tinnish, Principal, S.E.A.L., Inc.

Location: NOMCC

• Business Development
• Professional Education

Are you on track to meet your exhibition goals? This panel discussion will show you how to effectively convey key sales messages, develop innovative packages and coordinate effective post-event follow-up. The session will also cover key components from managing regulatory requirements for international programs, to presenting opportunities for year-round value to prospects.

• Effectively target exhibit/sponsorship packages.
• Communicate the full value to exhibitors and sponsors.
• Successfully meet all requirements to exhibitors/sponsors.

Sheila Stampfli, Chief Business Development Officer, Courtesy Assoiciates

Ellen E. Shortill, Director, Courtesy Associates

Michael L. Payne, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, SmithBucklin Corporation

David A. Weil CAE, Senior Director, SmithBucklin Corporation

Location: NOMCC

• Legal Issues
• Professional Education

In our multi-media, Internet-based world, meeting professionals and their organizations face growing risks of liability for the misuse of protected content and materials, copyrights, and trademarks. This entertaining and interactive program will explore how to avoid liability for infringement and specifically, why Amway lost millions for misuse of content at its conventions...and how you and your organization can avoid a similar fate.

• Identify the materials typically encountered by meetings professionals that are protected by copyrights and trademarks.
• Make fair use of the content and names of others without infringing their rights.
• Avoid legal liability for improper use of content and names owned by others and stay out of jail.

Mark Partridge JD, Partner, Pattishall, McAuliffe, Newbury, Hilliard & Geraldson LLP

• Communication
• Professional Education

Meeting and convention management positions seldom come with the power you need to get your work done. Whatever your level or position in the organization, you can influence decision makers and develop credibility with your presentations. Discover how to create presentations that gain acceptance for your ideas, projects, and programs from decision makers of diverse temperaments.

• Distinguish influence from manipulation and the contrasting impact of each on outcome, relationship, persuasiveness.
• Devise a classic and generic influence strategy to guide future efforts.
• Utilize tips, tools, and techniques in conducting a rehearsal of the back home meeting.

Paul O. Radde, Founder, The Thrival Institute

Location: NOMCC

• Talent Management
• Professional Education

Meeting professionals oversee multiple operations at one time, face numerous deadlines, and orchestrate the activities of several different groups of people. In order to do so, they must form high-performance teams. This revealing session encourages you to closely examine who's on your team and how it functions in order to improve your performance. Discover how to utilize a variety of leadership roles, communication skills, and team-building tools to achieve optimum performance.

• Identify the characteristics for development of teams and team values.
• Foster a sense of commitment to a common goal.
• Utilize your team as a versatile and strategic resource in the planning of your events.

Margie Thomas IAF-CPF, CTC, Productivity Strategist, M.A.T. Consulting, Inc.

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

New this year! You’re passionate about this industry and face challenges in the upcoming year. Bring your top concerns and questions to this open forum and speak with other meetings industry leaders about what keeps you up at night or what next challenge you can’t wait to tackle. Stop by and join the conversation.

Location: NOMCC

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

John P. Truran, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Keppler Speakers

Donald Jenkins CASE, Vice President, National Speakers Bureau

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level Outside of room 236-267 near escalator

• Business Development
• Professional Education

Is your company exceeding its goals? If you have been in business for a while, you know the challenges you face as a meeting professional and CEO. Join this panel discussion of successful business owners and discover how they overcame the obstacles to create thriving organizations. Be inspired by their stories and discover actionable steps you can take to position yourself for success.

• Determine the elements that can take your business to the next level.
• Assess the qualities within your organization to place you on the right path.
• Apply strategies that worked for the panel to your own strategic plan.

Moderator

Wendy Barlin, CPA, Barlin Business Solutions Inc.

Panelists

Max Suzenaar, CEO, Minding Your Business, Inc.

Gregg H. Talley CAE, President and CEO, Talley Management Group, Inc.

Jennifer D Collins CMP, President, The Event Planning Group, LLC

Mickey Schaefer CAE, President, Mickey Schaefer and Associates LLC

Location: NOMCC

• Event Management
• Professional Education

With the increase of international members at many organizations, planning a meeting in China is becoming more of a reality. Using case studies, this session will address the do's and don'ts for planning a meeting in such a unique destination, as well as help arm your organization with the knowledge required for conducting effective meetings in China. Learn from meeting planners who have successfully planned meetings in China.

• Prepare for the unique challenges of doing business in China.
• Locate resources to assist with planning, such as use of local partners, proper marketing, logistics, housing, transportation, translation/interpretat
• Determine your organization's readiness for doing business in China.

Moderator

Ping He CMP MBD, Director International Market Development, Experient

Panelist

David Spain, President, Travel Trade Marketing (USA) Inc.

Location: NOMCC

• Event Management
• Professional Education

For meeting professionals, political conventions present a number of unique production challenges. From the site selection and staging, to managing an army of volunteers, media hordes and professional protesters, event organizers have to plan the party of all parties while a nation watches. While the nature of political conventions hasn’t changed much since the first one in 1766, nearly everything else has. Get the inside scoop from industry representatives and political insiders who have been involved in planning both Democratic and Republican conventions.

• Gain insights into the stakeholders and politics you must manage at political conventions.
• Explore the inner workings of the many events tied to the political conventions.
• Examine how production techniques are used to highlight differences between the political parties.

Moderator

Christie Hicks, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Panelists

Paul Cunniffe, Vice President, National Sales, GES Exposition Services

William D. Harris, Convention Manager for Caucus Operations, Republican National Convention

Greg Lane, National Project Director, Freeman

David Pilinski, Senior Vice President, Operations/Safety & Service, GES Exposition Services

Mike Miller, Former Director of Operations, Media Operations, Production & Official Proc, Republican National Convention

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 275-277

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

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

• Discover the history and importance of the CMP^® designation on your career.
• Complete your CMP^® application.
• Identify areas of deficiency in accumulating sufficient points to be eligible to site for the CMP^® Examination.

Karen Kotowski CMP, CAE, Chief Operating Officer, Convention Industry Council

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 255-257

• Event Management
• Professional Education

Brought to You By the Association of Corporate Travel Executives

Do you know the scope of your meetings spend? Have you taken a strategic approach to managing all of your meetings? Discover how implementing a strategic meetings management (SMM) program within your organization will have the greatest impact on cost with the least amount of internal “push back.” This session will provide a quick start plan that covers the framework of a successful strategic meetings management (SMM) program.

• Discover how implementing planning and sourcing processes will positively impact your organization.
• Identify policy essentials.
• Reconcile local, regional and global program variations.

John N. Hackett, Director of Sales, StarCite, Inc.

George Odom, Senior Director, Business Development, Advito

Location: NOMCC

• Business Development
• Professional Education

Before undertaking a strategic sponsorship, alliance or partnership, there are several critical questions which must be addressed. How well established is your brand? Who is most interested in your members/customers? What best practices should you follow? This interactive session will help you answer these questions, establish a strong foundation for your initiatives and ensure their success. Discover how other individuals are conducting their own sponsorship, alliance, or partnership initiatives.

• Identify different types and objectives of sponsorships, alliances or partnerships.
• Understand process for identifying brand awareness, prospect cultivation and development and asset/program valuation.
• Develop action plan for your own sponsorship, alliance or partnership initiatives.

Sherrif Karamat, Chief Operating Officer, Professional Convention Management Association

David J. Olender, Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Supplier Development, Gaylord Entertainment

Diane Knoepke, Vice President, IEG, Inc.

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level 271-273

• Communication
• Professional Education

The old adage about first impressions is still true — often we only have one opportunity to present ideas, needs, and concerns to those that matter most. How can you ensure that your next presentation will not fall flat? Discover how to present your idea in a way that is guaranteed to receive approval when you tailor your message to meet the needs of even your strongest critic.

• Identify your customer’s/member’s core motivation.
• Adjust and prepare presentations to align with customer’s/member’s needs.
• Create persuasive, memorable, action-oriented messages.

Sue Hershkowitz-Coore CSP, President/Owner, High Impact Presentations

Location: NOMCC

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

Tina M. Wehmeir, Managing Partner, Talley Management Group, Inc.

Location: NOMCC 2nd Level Outside of room 236-267 near escalator

• Legal Issues
• Professional Education

From viruses to vermin, flight cancellations, and new surcharges, the legal issues faced in the meetings industry in 2008 can affect how you do business in 2009 and beyond. In this interactive session, we will discuss the legal issues raised by some of the unusual, unique, and downright bizarre things that happened and discover how they can affect contracts, budgets, and sometimes reputations. Discover how you can legally prepare your meetings to face new challenges in the new year.

• Interpret language and effect of creative contract clauses and negotiation tactics.
• Implement new business tactics and processes based on changes that occurred in 2008.
• Anticipate business trends that may continue into 2009.

Tyra W. Hilliard PhD JD, CMP, Department of Tourism & Hospitality Management, George Washington University

• Professional Development
• Professional Education

New this year! You’re passionate about this industry and face challenges in the upcoming year. Bring your top concerns and questions to this open forum and speak with other meetings industry leaders about what keeps you up at night or what next challenge you can’t wait to tackle. Stop by and join the conversation.

Location: NOMCC

• Strategic Planning/Thinking
• Executive Education

For both exhibitors and attendees, participation in a trade show can be a daunting experience fraught with confusion and disappointment. This session will show you how walking in your customers’ shoes, you can analyze the breakpoints, determine meaningful interactions, and create a coherent model of the ideal trade show experience for both exhibitors and attendees. Discover what truly matters to each, and how it can affect the future of your show.

• Discover your attendees’ and exhibitors’ specific expectations and goals.
• Identify how to recalibrate your show to ensure a more satisfying experience.
• Provide your attendees a perceived higher return on investment, with less aggravation.

Mickey McManus, President and CEO, MAYA Design, Inc.

Location: NOMCC

• Marketing
• Professional Education

Now more than ever, planners need to approach meetings strategically and marketing is the key to any strategy. Whether you’re trying to build attendance, enhance perceived value, impart knowledge or foster communities, marketing is critical. Discover where you have opportunities to make an impact and increase perceptions of your organization. Using case studies identify how you can deliver on your attendee’s expectations and boost their desire to keep coming back.

• Identify the key elements that make up a successful marketing plan.
• Understand the key factors that drive your prospective attendee’s decision making process.
• Raise your value within your organization by utilizing integrated marketing principles within your meeting planning process.

Max Suzenaar, CEO, Minding Your Business, Inc.

Carolyn Clark, VP, Strategic Services, Minding Your Business, Inc

Location: NOMCC