Keynotes and Educational Breakouts

All full registrants (both attendees and exhibitors) are invited to join us for the morning general session, educational breakout and keynote luncheon. Scroll down or click through to learn more about the day's educational offereings.

Morning Keynote
Luncheon Keynote
Breakout Sessions I
Breakout Sessions II
Education Pavilion


Morning General Session Keynote (8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.)
Strategic Social Media: Discovering New Ways to Deliver Value
Hugh Lee
President, Fusion Productions

Social media tools have become established as a mainstream element of online communications. As organizations face new sources of competition for members’ time, a core issue is understanding what role organizations play in delivery of information. Are we an information broker, creator, analyzer and/or connector?


Luncheon Keynote (12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.)
Diversity in America: The Growing Impact
Kelly McDonald
President, McDonald Marketing

Society is becoming increasingly diverse, and no longer are cultures necessarily “melting together” into one homogenous group. And, diversity comes in many forms: racial, ethnic, gender, generational, sexual preference, linguistic, life stage and level of affluence. Discover how you can develop relationships by learning the values held by different groups


Breakout Sessions I (9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.)

Selling Your Event: Play to Win
Stephen Pia
Founder and Media Sales Trainer & Coach, COACH MEdia

Whether you are selling sponsorships, exhibits or hotel space, you need to understand that you need an aggressive, disciplined approach to gain market share. Your clients have marketing money to spend and you need to know how to position your event so those limited dollars will be spent with YOU. You will learn:

Social Media and Meetings: The Best of Both Worlds
Hugh Lee
President, Fusion Productions

Used effectively, Web 2.0 tools can extend and expand the value of your meetings by involving attendees with the critical messages that will help them understand, remember and act. Learn how strategically integrating social media into planning and production activities can provide opportunities for creativity, message delivery and community building at your event. Leave knowing how to:

Meeting Value: A New Business Model
Debra Zabloudil, FACHE, CAE
President, The Learning Studio, Inc.

Now is the time to prove your worth to your organization by delivering solid program outcomes. To be seen as an organizational leader means you have to come to the table with programs that clearly meet objectives and communicate those program successes to everyone involved. In this session you will discover:

Take Action to Prepare, Prepare to Take Action!:
Making a Difference in Exhibiting Results
Jerry Gerson
Corporate Training, Gerson Group/Marketech, Inc.

What do you say to your management when they ask, "How'd you do at the show?" The days of "just showing up and setting up" for a trade show, and expecting results, are over. Success comes from preparation, focused on-floor execution and post-show action and follow-through. In this concentrated session, you will learn:


Breakout Session II (11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

Floor Plan Management & Innovations
That Can Impact Your Bottom Line
Darel Cook
Director, Expositions and Meetings, Promotional Products Association International

The floor plan is crucial to the success of your event and requires a signification amount of time and attention to detail. Discover the vital elements needed to create a floor plan and how to use them to develop the best manageable and marketable plan for both exhibitors and attendees. After this session you’ll know how to:

Rates, Dates and the New Economy
Diane Steele & Carol McCormack
National Account Managers, Experient Sales Network

This interactive session takes you behind the scenes of contract negotiations and revenue management and the impact the current economy is having on both. Exchange ideas with fellow planners and learn how to “meet different” in a new economy by understanding trends, potential event opportunities and challenges, as well as attrition solutions. In this session you’ll discover:

Blended Learning: The New Normal in Meetings
Amanda Batson, Ph.D.
CEO, ADB Partners

What is the new normal in educational meetings? Digital platforms, economic stressors, social responsibility, and generational preferences are changing the face of meetings. What influence will these factors have on traditional meetings? Who will create these next generation events and why is the new normal important to your organization? Through this session, learn:

Lightning Round! Money Saving Tips
Panel of Experienced Meeting Planners

This fun and interactive session will leave you with 50 tips to use right away to save big bucks at your next meeting! A panel of experts in meetings, hotels and event management will share some of their best money saving tips while having attendees vote on their favorite. You’ll learn how to save on:

NEW! Education Pavilion (Trade Show Floor)
In addition to meeting with suppliers who can help you take care of your business needs you can get education to help you in your every day job while on the trade show floor! Stop by our new Education Pavilion, located in the back right of the show floor for a quick 15 minute presentation. It’s a great way to extend the value of your registration without even leaving the show!

Session 1: 3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
The Art of Social Media
Stephen Nold
President, Advon Technologies

You understand social media and have had a chance to launch a presence in Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. But how are you converting online communities into new members, new customers or attendees? This session will help you understand some of the advanced tactics that will monetize your social media marketing strategies including:

Note: Intermediate level session. An understanding of basic terms and concepts will be expected.

Session 2: 4:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Targeted Marketing = Increased Revenue
Ross Clurman
Marketing Director, Zoom Interactive Marketing

An association’s main sources of revenue typically fit into one of three categories: membership dues, seminars/events and information distribution. Learn what marketing methods your organization can employ to generate revenue across these three area. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to:


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