SWS18 Jumpstart Session
7:15-8:15 a.m.
How DO They do That? Secret Tech Weapons for Meeting Professionals
Beth Ziesenis, Author, Speaker, Nerd
What if you could schedule a meeting without having to send three dozen emails to find a time everyone could meet? Or automate your little tasks that keep you from your real work? Or pass off annoying projects to someone else – without breaking the bank? Join Your Nerdy Best Friend, aka Author Beth Ziesenis, to discover how to use free and bargain technology tools you never knew existed to work more efficiently with your teams, create professional-level graphics and wow your colleagues. This high-energy session will give you 30+ tools that will leave people asking, “How DO they do that?”
Sessions – 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Conference Refugees: Why the Hallway is More Appealing than the Ballroom
Josh Packard, Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado
We’ve all heard it. People say they get more from a discussion in the hallway than they do from the speaker. In this session Dr. Josh Packard reveals the surprising findings from his own research about the changing nature of institutional participation in the modern era. Drawing on unique, first-hand research and an applied perspective rarely found in academics, Dr. Packard demonstrates the way that trust, a key component of organizational commitment among both employees and consumers, has shifted in the past 25 years. This shift demands new skills and a new mindset for engaging a 21st century workforce. He shows conclusively that future success cannot be achieved by getting better at the old ways of doing things. Instead, it depends on understanding what drives authority and trust in order to engage members, clients and employees in new ways. Learn how to develop powerful new methods for keeping audiences engaged during, and long after, an event. You’ll leave with an understanding of the emerging social trends that drive audience participation and retention.
F&B and the ADA
Tracy Stuckrath, Founder of Thrive Meetings & Events
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides important requirements that define how meetings professionals—both planners and suppliers—can make events accessible to the broadest and most diverse audiences possible. In 2008, the ADA was amended to expand the definition of disability to include eating and all bodily functions as major life activities. How and in what ways does the Amendment impact meetings and events? In what contexts do food allergies and dietary restrictions come under the jurisdiction of the new disability framework? Learn about the expansion of the ADA’s definition of disability for individuals with food allergies, celiac diseases and other medically-necessary diets, and understand how it impacts your meetings and events. You’ll leave with an understanding of the duty of care as it applies to food allergies and restrictions, and how and when to incorporate risk mitigation techniques.
How To Prepare For The Unthinkable
Scott Stephens, Stephens Security Group
The U.S. has 5% of the world’s population—but we have 31% of all public mass shootings. And according to Harvard and the FBI, the percent of mass shootings has tripled since 2011. We pray it will never happen, but what if it does? Meetings with hundreds or thousands of people present would make a prime target, as evidenced by the San Bernardino gathering. Event managers need to know what to do to mitigate the possibility, and heaven forbid, what to do if it actually were to occur. Scott Stephens, a security specialist, certified Police Instructor and a police officer for 30 years, will show you how to develop a proactive approach to preventing mass shootings and other catastrophic crimes, and how to react in the event such an incident were to occur.
Tech Trends in Exhibitions
Scott Craighead, VP of Exhibitions & Events for IAEE
Emerging technology is rapidly disrupting and innovating all facets of the exhibition business. Artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, augmented reality and 5G wireless technology that will increase smartphone speeds up to 400% will dominate the future. These new technologies are going to have a major impact on exhibitor marketing techniques and the need for trade shows to keep pace. Craighead will report on recent technology use cases studied by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), and provide participants an opportunity for group discovery and discussion in key areas of marketing, sponsorships, networking, revenue creation, venue tech, lead generation, and the attendee experience.
Sessions – 11:00am-Noon
From the Movies to Meetings: Augmented Reality for Your Event
Beth Ziesenis, Author, Speaker, Nerd
That which was once the domain of the cinema is now coming to a meeting near you. Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft have all invested heavily in virtual reality, artificial intelligence—and augmented reality. Attendees want more immersive experiences at meetings, augmented reality helps make that happen. It’s one thing to hear about the latest advancements in technology, but it’s a completely different experience when you see it with your own eyes—and try it with your own hands! Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Z, will help you understand augmented reality opportunities for marketing, attendee engagement and simply to make your life easier. Come prepared! Download the Google Translate app and its French language pack before the session to jump in right away.
Never Feel Wrong Again
Maia Beatty, Maia Beatty & Associates, Inc.
If you’ve ever found yourself hindered by a communication breakdown with a colleague, boss, or client, you’ve experienced the challenge of something that most of us have grown up with: “I’m right equals you’re wrong.” Maybe you’ve even been the bigger person and let them be right just to move the conversation forward so you can reach your goal. A situation like that usually leaves one person feeling aggravated, uncomfortable or regretful.
What if you could take “being wrong” out of every conversation you have? You’ll find out how in this interactive workshop, in which Master Trainer Maia Beatty uses the struggles her participants face as the springboard for defining these principles in action. Bring your biggest challenge and leave with a new strategy to address it immediately.
Hotel Contracts
Course description and speakers TBA.