Get Lanyrd on your mobile (iPhone, Android and more) - check it out here

AIBTM - The Americas Meetings and Events Exhibition schedule

Tuesday 19th June 2012

  • PCMA Session - Priceless Strategies From An Innovator: How To Thrive In Challenging Times

    by Alexander Blass

    In a constantly evolving world and today’s challenging economic climate, leadership through innovation, creativity and change management are no longer optional, but essential. Alexander Blass, grand prize winner of the Daily Record’s Top Innovator of the Year Award, reveals his strategies for success and an actionable blueprint. In this captivating and engaging keynote speech delivered to Fortune 500 and Global 1000 audiences worldwide, learn how you can reinvent yourself and your organization to get on the path to innovation today, think about "what’s next" and challenge the status quo in your industry. Discover essential characteristics and strategies of successful leaders, innovators, and innovative organizations. Grasp some of the challenges you must overcome to foster a thriving culture of innovation. Learn how to generate international buzz and excitement for your innovative endeavors with increasingly limited resources.

    At 9:30am to 10:30am, Tuesday 19th June

  • ACTE session - Leveraging Emotional Engagement to Improve the ROI of Your Meetings

    by ACTE

    Have you ever walked out of a meeting or event feeling pumped up, excited, or completely in awe? It’s a bit like going to a really good movie. If done well, the emotions linger long after you leave the theatre. This workshop will take a fun, interactive game-show approach and examine the role emotions play both in cinema AND in our world of meetings and events.

    This discussion will:
    •Identify “positive” emotions generated by an experience
    •Create connections and applications for those emotions to meetings and events
    •Generate ideas for how to design a meeting that elicits positive emotions

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • MPI session – The Practitioner Series: Determine the Business Value of Meetings and Events - The Case for Measurement

    by Bill Voegeli, John Nawn and MPI HQ

    “If the industry had been measuring the impact of meetings all along, there never would have been an AIG effect” (Tony Lorenz, founder of bxbonline)

    Years after our industry suffered one of its worst public relations disasters - which it is still recovering from - less than 1% of meetings are evaluated to determine their business value, according to research funded by AIBTM and the MPI Foundation. For an industry that holds nearly 1.8 million meetings per year, attended by an estimated 205 million participants, responsible for over $907 billion in total economic contributions*, that’s struggling to defend its relevance, this is indefensible.

    Join this discussion with industry leaders on making the business case for measurement, what barriers must be overcome, and what you can do to secure stakeholder buy-in for more strategic measurement of your meetings or events.

    • The Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy (2011)

    Learner Outcomes:
    •Outline business case for measurement
    •Identify key barriers to measurement and how to overcome them
    •Identify key questions to ask your stakeholders

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • PCMA Session - Medical Societies: Enduring Content Expands Reach and Generates Non-Dues Revenue

    by Brendan McLoughlin and PCMA

    Do you want to increase the impact and influence of your organization while, at the same time, identifying new sources of revenue? Enduring content derived from your annual and other meetings can help to drive innovation and growth within your organization. Learn a strategic planning approach to identify opportunities for generating additional value from your meetings and a roadmap on how to implement them. Medical meeting case studies and group exercises help create a session that is both creatively stimulating and immediately actionable. Note: the concepts discussed are applicable for all meetings, but the examples used will be specific to medical meetings.

    Learner outcomes:
    •Determine multiple customer prospects for your organization’s products and services
    •Identify new revenue stream opportunities
    •Assess and overcome obstacles to growth

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • PCMA Session - SMMP Beyond Theory: Foundational Elements of Partnerships and Policy

    by Carolyn Pund and PCMA

    Developing an SMMP is not a one-person show. It requires strong and structured partnerships with both internal organizations and external suppliers. An enforceable policy supported by internal and external partners is also foundational to any SMM Program. Corporate meeting/event leaders embarking on an SMMP will gain insights into one company’s step-by-step approach to selecting vendors and creating a global meetings policy. Business partners will understand important criteria for vendor capabilities and insights on how to deliver your services effectively through a corporate SMMP. (Note: This session is presented from a single company’s corporate global SMM perspective.)

    Learner Outcomes:
    •Communicate the value of policy and partnerships with business relevance to your stakeholders
    •Describe the roles of internal and external partnerships in SMM success
    •Understand the value a business partner brings to a Corporate SMM program

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Transforming Teams into Customer Care Crusaders

    by Elaine Allison, CSP

    The customer is affected by what is happening within your organization, internally as well as externally. If you are ready to discover how a Culture of Care is created so your customers rate you #1 in Customer Service, you will want to attend this session.

    In Elaine's "customer-ized" session, you can find out how to:
    •Use the secret technique that turns teams into Customer Care Crusaders
    •Deliver extraordinary service even when things don't go as planned
    •Employ the "Knock it Off Nicely" technique with each other and your suppliers so they understand your standards
    •Implement change and get your teams eager to implement it
    •Use a simple unique technique to solve service breakdowns from the inside out.

    At 11:00am to 12:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Understanding Meetings Cost in the New Reality

    by Mike Dominguez

    Join Michael Dominguez as he takes an in depth look at the "Hotel Business Model Today" in our economic environment. This session will help you gain an understanding of where your leverage lies in these uncertain times. This session looks at the economic meltdown, the recovery, RevPAR (revenue per available room) projections as well as an in-depth 'behind the scenes' look at the hotel industry. Understand the historical positioning of the 2007 recession and the structural changes in the hotel business and our economy.

    Learner Outcomes
    •Understand the driving issues in the hotel industry and how that impacts to your meetings.
    •Discuss the economic conditions to expect for 2012 and beyond from industry research.
    •Understand a hotel’s profit/loss statement, cost pressures and restrictions
    •Learn new tools in discussing and leveraging food & beverage
    •Understand the "Why's" of hotel pricing and pressures
    •Understand your leverage today and "must have" questions for hotel RFP's

    At 11:00am to 12:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Using Business Intelligence to Manage Events Strategically

    by Rob Wilson and Jennifer W. Brown

    The combination of the recession, introduction of Strategic Meeting Management (SMM) and increased expectations by senior management has thrust ROI back into the spot light.

    The intense focus on meeting "value and accountability" clearly is changing the way that planners plan and execute meetings & events.

    In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to breakdown data in silos, leverage business intelligence for maximum negotiations & value and create specific metrics to define, measure and report success.

    Key areas of focus include the meeting and event approval process, sourcing, hotel contracting, attendee registration, event planning/BEO, post evaluation and invoicing/reconciliation.

    Learner outcomes:
    •Understand business intelligence that becomes available at each step of the planning process
    •Review methods to assess data and leverage your spend to maximize meeting value, cost savings, risk reduction and ROI
    •Examine ways to automate work flow and streamline processes and procedures
    •Know how robust technology drives SMM and strategic decisions
    •Learn how use your business intelligence and demonstrate real meeting value to management and stakeholders
    •Meetings are big investments and this workshop will provide immediate take a ways that will assure added measurable meeting value, ROI and strategic outcomes.

    At 11:00am to 12:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • #949 - The Capability model for event mobile applications

    by abn2003

    Adi ben-Nesher developed a capability model to support destination and event executive and marketing planners with their planning and assessment of mobile applications. Using the model that will be presented, executives can analysis how their clients will use the application, what will be included as part of their banding needs, consider potential revenue streams and usage of new mobile technologies.

    At 11:30am to 12:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • ICCA Session - How Global Destinations can Penetrate the US Market

    by ICCA

    ICCA brings together a “crowd panel” of US clients and international suppliers with deep experience of working in US meetings market to lead discussions and to share practical hints, shortcuts, advice on business culture, the best communication channels, and other secrets of success. A mix of anecdotal, short-sharp comments shared with the whole audience, and intensive, interactive Round Table discussions, this fast-paced format is designed to extract and share all the relevant expertise in the room.

    A standing-room-only topic when ICCA organised a similar session at AIBTM 2011! Essential for any new international exhibitors who are relatively inexperienced in dealing with the US market, but also great for any suppliers wanting to refresh their knowledge and find out how US clients are currently thinking and acting.

    At 11:30am to 1:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Event Productivity and the Power of Connection

    by Tara Thomas

    How One-to-One appointments can drive sponsor & exhibitor value, increase community & networking and vastly improve the business productivity of your events.

    Imagine if your participants sat down together in a conference room, before they ever attended a session, and discussed – with their teams – who they were going to meet with and what they were going to accomplish at the event. Imagine if you guaranteed 20 productive meetings with interested prospects for every exhibitor. Imagine if you could create thousands of simultaneous preference-based appointments then deliver schedules on mobile devices to all of your participants with the click of a mouse. Well that day is here.

    Your attendees come to events to learn, buy and network, but imagine if their journey began with a set of preferences that helped all participants map out interaction that was personalized and genuinely beneficial to them. One-to-one appointments can do that. Allowing your attendees to choose the people, companies or topics they’d like to meet with someone on, and giving exhibitors prospect after prospect that is interested in their product or service is the new normal. The days of aimless tradeshow wandering are over. This session will discuss cutting-edge technology solutions that now set the stage for unmatched business productivity at events that incorporate scheduled appointments.

    At 12:45pm to 1:45pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • How to BETTER Market Your Meetings to Generate Increased Revenues

    by Dr. Elliott B. Jaffa

    Fact: Only 12-15% of your members attend your annual meeting or major conference. Learn how to increase registrations.

    Learn to increase attendance, exhibitors, and sponsorships. Learn to market your association and its meetings more profitably through Relationship Sales & Marketing.

    Learn the results-oriented yet practical principles of creative and innovative marketing by treating each member, exhibitor, and sponsor as if they were your only member, exhibitor, and sponsor. Even your association’s sales and marketing pros – who often say, “I’ve heard it all” – will fine-tune their skills and even learn something new!

    COURSE OUTLINE & LEARNING OBJECTIVES
    You will learn how to:
    •Apply proven psychological principles of member buying behavior to uncover new profit centers
    •Apply the The Fear-Problem-Solution-Offer model to the marketing of your association and its programs
    •Make the shift from the “same old-same old” traditional ways of marketing your meetings to the new Relationship Strategies model to WOW! your members
    •Assess yourself and your staff in 18 sales and marketing skill areas
    •Apply the principles of Member Obsession: talking “needs” and “solutions” to generate business
    •Market to your "difficult" members: those who object, are indecisive, and complain
    •Become a better listener, make your members glad they talked to you
    •Apply the STOP – LOOK – LISTEN – ASK model to marketing smarter
    •Remove, rather than have to overcome, objections by converting complaints into registrations
    •Recruit new exhibitors and sponsors and improve your negotiation skills to keep them coming back year after year: retention
    •Develop a quantitative member and vendor feedback tool that increases business
    •Serve your members and vendors better than expected: Perception Exceeds Expectation

    At 1:00pm to 2:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • PCMA Session - Delivering Meetings that Meet Your Organisation’s Strategic Plan

    by Gregg H. Talley, Mary Ciambrone, Willie L. Benjamin III and PCMA

    To be a key leader, meeting professionals must be positioned to make and communicate decisions and provide the necessary support and information for organizational strategic planning. But, often due to organizational structure, time constraints, tradition, etc., this can be a challenge. In this session association CEOs partner with their meeting professionals for a vibrant discussion of successes and challenges, and of the meeting planner’s advancement to strategic thinker and the impact on moving up the organizational ladder.

    Learner Outcomes:
    •Understand your strategic plan and delivering relevant ideas and events
    •Create key partnership in senior management within your organization
    •Provide better strategic support for your organization and ultimately for your career

    At 1:00pm to 2:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • The Customer Focus: Building a Customer Loyalty Mindset!

    by Buddy Rice

    Customer service training for companies who want to create a stronger service culture that builds loyal relationships with their customers and a better environment for their employees.

    The programs focus on customer service training, and were created to help develop a mindset dedicated to delivering outstanding customer service to both external and internal customers. A by-product of this customer service training program is that it helps build employee loyalty and a better working environment.

    The fundamental purpose of a business is to get and keep customers. The goal is to satisfy customer/client needs at a profit. Your company can only benefit from a strong customer service culture. Some of the benefits include:
    •Satisfied customers are converted to loyal customers.
    •More sales come from existing customers.
    •Your customers become advocates, creating word of mouth advertising.
    •Reduced employee turnover.
    •Increased revenue.
    •And, much more…!

    At 1:00pm to 2:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • MPI session – The Practitioner Series: Determine the Business Value of Meetings and Events - Measuring What Matters

    by MPI HQ

    Determining the business value of meetings and events begins and ends with establishing measurable outcomes because without objectives, you simply cannot determine value. Clearly defined objectives lead to appropriate metrics that insure you’re measuring what matters.

    Most meeting professionals are not aware of the wide variety of financial and non-financial metrics that can be used to determine value. Join us for this interactive discussion on determining objectives and the corresponding metrics and measures that can be utilized for your meeting or event and find out how leading companies are using simple processes and tools to determine the value of their meetings and events.

    Learner Outcomes
    •Determine key meeting objectives which create business value
    •Evaluate established measurement tools and reporting options
    •Critique your existing measurement and reporting process

    At 1:30pm to 2:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • ACTE session - Cost-savings: Tips & Insider Information from Road Warriors

    by ACTE

    What is the best way to reduce telecom charges for global travellers? What are road warriors' favourite mobile apps? How do they manage to get lounge passes, GoGo, and other travel perks for free? A panel of frequent global travellers will share their best tips and other insider information that will help you save costs while creating happier travellers.

    At 1:45pm to 2:45pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Technology Sourcing

    by Talia Mashiach

    Technology has transformed business practices for the better and now the meeting and event industry has begun to adopt new tech based practices. Hear from an award-winning innovator and entrepreneur, Talia Mashiach about key technology trends and how those trends will affect all companies in the event space. Specifically, this session will address the value of stakeholders in the event supply chain and how technology can enable interaction and e-Commerce amongst buyers, sellers and resellers for the purpose of growing company profitability. Uncover the benefits of an event e-Commerce marketplace.

    Learner Outcomes:
    -Technology trends in the meeting and event industry
    -Technology solutions to manage the lifecycle of an event
    -Event e-Commerce trends

    At 2:00pm to 3:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • ICCA Session - Global Meetings: Practical Advice for North American Planners

    by ICCA

    ICCA is the most global trade association in the meetings industry, and this session brings together a vastly experienced mix of session leaders drawn from ICCA member companies and organisations from Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other regions outside North America – meetings management companies, major venues and destination marketing specialists.

    Calling all US planners: if you’re thinking about organising meetings outside North America over the next few years, whether for the first time or as an experienced internationalist, this is the perfect session to find solutions to all your problems! A mix of quick-fire advice and stories about the most common challenges and misunderstandings, Round Table discussions, and plenty of time for your most burning questions about how to go global without losing your mind!

    At 2:30pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • #949 - Create the Best Attendee Experience and Turn Them Into Instant Promoters

    by KellyM

    Let your attendees be your event broadcasters, while maintaining your branding through our social media integration.  Did you know that each Facebook share on Eventbrite results in an average of $2.52 in future purchases for your event?  Come find out how to use social media to grow your audience.

    At 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • ACTE Session: Is It Time to Eliminate the Hotel RFP Process?

    by ACTE

    Mention the hotel RFP process and there is a collective cringe across the industry. Is it time to eliminate the time-consuming annual bidding process that does not service either side well? What is the future of hotel aggregators? Have you tried to e-auction hotel nights? If you are ready to disrupt the hotel RFP process and consider unconventional, out-of-the-box solutions, this is a workshop you won't want to miss.

    At 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • PCMA Session - Creating a New Trade Show Floor Experience

    by Melinda Kendall and PCMA

    Presented by the PCMA Chesapeake Chapter

    The future exposition hall includes non-traditional floor plans designed to create multiple immersive areas. This interactive session will explore new approaches to developing unique selling propositions for interactive, theme-based show floors and launching bold new expo plans – connecting exhibitors and attendees while generating new exhibitor and sponsorship revenue.

    Learner outcomes:
    •Understand the pros and cons of non-traditional trade show floor plans
    •Develop a plan for using content to drive attendees onto the show floor
    •Cultivate new revenue streams from your revamped trade show experience

    At 3:00pm to 4:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Joining the Conversation: How to Use Social Media to Spark and Sustain Event and Meeting Opportunities

    by Glen Gilmore, Esq.

    •Why Social Media is So Important to Business Travel
    •How to Join the Conversation: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google+, Pinterest, and…
    •How to Build Brand Awareness in Social Media
    •How to Build a Community and BusinessOpportunities in Social Media
    •Learn the Tools of the Trade for Time Managementand Effectiveness
    •Understanding the Rules that Govern Social Media Marketing
    •How To Avoid Being Sanctioned by the FTC for Your Social Media Marketing: Case Studies
    •10 Things You Can Do To Excel In Social Media Marketing
    •Understanding that “Virtual” Relationships Should Inspire “Real-Life” MEETINGS!
    •Q&A

    At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • MPI session – The Practitioner Series - Communicating the Value of Your Meeting or Event

    by MPI HQ

    One of the greatest challenges in determining the value of meetings and events is properly interpreting the data you collect and effectively communicating results to all stakeholders. Too often, superficial analysis leads to missed opportunities for improvement and attendees turn elsewhere to address their needs before stakeholders realize what’s going on and can pre-emptively act. Communicating actionable results to stakeholders insures a more consistent and responsive meeting experience for all. Hear from measurement experts and marketing professionals how leading companies are analyzing and interpreting the data they collect and effectively communicating those results.

    Learner Outcomes:
    •Distinguish value of simple vs. more robust analysis
    •Outline effective communication strategy

    At 3:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 19th June

  • Spend Less Time Working But Get More Done

    by Peggy Duncan

    You have to work as if you don’t have seconds to spare, but you could be wasting hours. If you’re experiencing more stress as your job responsibilities increase and time runs out long before your workload, you’ll have to get organized so you can think. When you start thinking, you’ll plan and prioritize better, becoming more effective and efficient. And once you use technology to pull it all together, more time happens.

    •Examine how you’re spending the workday and address time wasters.
    •Organize everything around you so you can think.
    •Create and streamline a process for anything you dread doing.
    •Unclutter your mind using external cues that will help you remember.
    •Explore powerful computer tips and finish work six times quicker.

    At 3:30pm to 5:00pm, Tuesday 19th June

Wednesday 20th June 2012

  • PCMA Session - The Meetings Effect: Government and Industry Leaders Discuss Policy and Impact of Meetings

    by Roger Rickard and PCMA

    Ripped from the headlines! "AIG Effect", "Don't go to Las Vegas!", "Muffingate", and "Lavish GSA Conference".

    •How can government officials and the meetings industry understand each other without creating knee-jerk reactions?
    •How do we open the window to better communications?
    •What do government policy makers need to understand the meetings industry? What does the meetings industry need to understand about how government policy decisions are created?
    •What are the best options for advocating the positive significance that meetings create both socially and economically?

    Face-to-face meetings have a significant impact on the economy, business, science, technology, diplomacy and all forms of socio-economic relationships at the local, national, or international level.

    This forum will provide a platform for meeting industry leaders and U.S. government officials to engage in dialogue on how we, as an industry, can significantly shape and influence policy decisions that affect the business of meetings.

    Learner Objectives:
    •Insight into government officials’ policy process and decision-making and meeting industry leaders’ ability to impact
    •Understand the differing roles government agencies or departments have in making policy decisions or laws that affect the meetings industry
    •Learn how industry advocates can better communicate our needs

    At 9:00am to 10:00am, Wednesday 20th June

  • #949 - Best Practices for Mobile Engagement

    by Trevor Roald

    pps are becoming an increasingly important communications channel for connecting with today's modern professionals. In this non-technical case study based presentation, attendees will come away with a greater understanding of the factors that effect mobile user engagement. Some of the areas that will be covered include: the characteristics that make mobile experience unique, how to maximize adoption of mobile programs, how user behaviour effects strategy development and what factors need to be considered for measuring engagement and success

    At 10:30am to 11:00am, Wednesday 20th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • #949 - Enhancing the “ attendee journey” experience in your next event

    by abn2003

    How can you, as event sponsor or producer can improve the “attendee journey” and add value to your event and meetings delegates. Based on experienced gained in setting up and supporting international corporations and communities of practice, Adi ben-nesher is planning to share some insight and key thinking points about improving the “learning” experience of delegates. This has been the foundation behind the way the future events experience area was designed.

    At 11:00am to 11:30am, Wednesday 20th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • #949 - Extreme Networking: Using Technology to Facilitate Exceptional Relationships

    by Nancy Largay

    Today’s savvy event & marketing professionals are looking to do more with their events. How can they provide greater value to the attendee? The sponsor? The exhibitor? How can the event be changed to offer more time for meaningful conversation between the right people? What’s the new format that will entice attendees to both register AND show up? Join this session to learn!

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Wednesday 20th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • #949 - Putting Your Data to Work:  How to Customize and Analyze the Information You Need Instantly

    by Ali Dockery

    Create a customizable registration process to capture unique information and learn more about your attendees. For example, survey your attendee’s day-of-event preferences, such as a class or workshop selection.  Best of all, you have 24/7 access to your account and we keep track of your information for you. Come find out how you can make your data work for you.

    At 11:00am to 12:00pm, Wednesday 20th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center

  • #949 - Creating Event Websites that Rock

    by suzannecarawan

    More organizations are using stand alone event websites to help market their event or event portfolio. Join this session to learn the basics of information architecture:the art and science of structuring information so that people use it! This session will focus on how to add in Twitter, Facebook & more to take the mystery out of social technologies

    At 12:00pm to 1:00pm, Wednesday 20th June

    In Baltimore Convention Center