SWS20 Jumpstart Session
7:15-8:15 a.m.
Understanding Difficult Contract Clauses –
the Big Three
Dr. Tyra Hilliard, Attorney & Professor
Performance clauses like attrition and cancellation are challenging to negotiate and sometimes expensive to exercise. Force majeure is the very definition of a “grey area.” Using provided scenarios as well as examples from the audience, this session will cover the law that supports (and doesn’t support) common contract language and minor changes in wording that can yield huge dividends in protection. You’ll learn to evaluate attrition clauses to ensure you are getting credit for all you should be, and that you aren’t paying more than the hotel is legally entitled to in attrition fees. Learn how to apply the principle of mitigation to performance clauses and understand why it is fine to ask for something you may not be legally entitled to. And for the third big clause, we’ll determine how to modify force majeure clauses with a time element to allow adequate opportunity to relocate a meeting if necessary.
Sessions – 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Brain Busters: Best Practices for a Sticky Learning Experience
Jessie States, Director of the MPI Academy
Critical reflection leads to the insights necessary for learners to recall information, apply new knowledge and connect that knowledge to their own experiences. “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience,” according to renowned educator John Dewey. If this is the case, are we adequately embracing reflection as an integral part of our conferences, meetings and educational events? Discover why reflection is critical, and how you can begin to provide right-sized and -timed thoughtful moments and social learning to your educational events. You’ll learn how to analyze different methods for infusing reflective moments during your education events. During the session attendees will practice reflective exercises with each other and determine how they could be used within the context of their education sessions.
The Case For Diversity & Inclusion
Trevor Mitchell, Executive Director/CEO of American Mensa
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) have become more than just HR checklist items; they’ve grown into a cultural phenomenon that — when executed correctly — has a direct effect on the bottom line. D&I programs also build up their people from the inside out, and foster an environment that is more attractive for prospective employees. A McKinsey & Company survey found that companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians. While most leaders make an effort to incorporate D&I strategies and initiatives into their organizations, there continue to be varying levels of success, if they ever get started. This session takes us through the various obstacles associations face in engaging in D&I and how to focus on integrating it into your organization and events.
EQ – Emotional Intelligence
What It Is, Why It’s Important
Chelsea Kneeland, Speaker, Teacher, Sales Coach
Prior to the early 90’s high IQ was king. It was believed that individuals with high IQs were destined for success. In 1996 best selling author Daniel Goleman shattered this belief with his book Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. This has been one of the most influential books of the last two decades. Kneeland will dive into what emotional intelligence is and why it has redefined what it means to be “smart.” Have you ever wondered where you score with IQ and EQ? We will cover the three pillars of specific emotional intelligence and share tools that will help you accurately know scores for both. Understanding and developing a high level of emotional intelligence will drastically increase your success personally and professionally.
How Chatbots Are Improving Events – Real World Success Stories
David Haas, Principal, Freeman’s artificial intelligence (AI) program
Chatbots, or our friendly digital assistants, are helping event owners increase registration, answer frequently-asked questions, and reshaping the future of event content. Join us as we explore three case studies that showcase how chatbots are driving change in this industry. Learn how they work, what they can do well, and what they aren’t suited to. We’ll explore the new world of chatbot sponsorships as well as what to look for when evaluating solutions for your event.
Sessions – 11:00 a.m.-Noon
Geofencing: Location Based Marketing Technology
Aidan Augustan, Co-Founder & President, Feathr
Geofencing is the use of GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary, enabling software to trigger a response when a mobile device enters or leaves a particular area, such as a convention center. It is rapidly gaining ground as an effective marketing technology for generating awareness and interest in an organization and its events. It’s similar to a more established technology called geotargeting, which enables advertising to devices in a specific geographical area. Geofencing takes it a step further and permits advertising to individual addresses inside predefined virtual boundaries known as geofences. Join an industry expert as he explains practical ideas for using this powerful ad tech to boost awareness, drive membership, and increase event attendance.
Understanding Difficult Contract Clauses – the “Other” Clauses
Dr. Tyra Hilliard, Attorney & Professor
Although performance clauses like attrition and cancellation are challenging, it is sometimes the other clauses that create the biggest concerns. And beware to the group that overlooks them! Addressing issues like construction and remodeling, conflicting in-house groups, surcharges and fees, environmental issues and more, this session will help prepare you for trends that are affecting meetings and, by extension, meeting contracts. Learn what to ask for and how to deal with pending construction and remodeling that may not have been on the radar at the time of contracting. Participants will assess the effects of the current environment on contract negotiations—including everything from drone photography to the latest surcharges and fees being levied by hotels. And you’ll gain an understanding of how to address the environmental and altruistic issues of concern to the meeting organizer and their attendees.
Women In Leadership
Jessie States, Director of the MPI Academy
Share and problem-solve with your peers as we assess what skills help women ascend to executive leadership roles in the meeting and event industry. During this one-hour session developed from MPI’s Women in Leadership certificate course, we’ll examine the key roles women play in the hospitality and meeting industries and how to overcome career obstacles to executive-level positions. You will discover some of the skills you’ll need to attain high-level roles at industry organizations, and we’ll problem-solve the challenges you may be facing in advancing your career.
Could You Do Just One More Thing?
Lynne Wellish, Trainer and Speaker
How do you set boundaries with demanding sponsors, important exhibitors, powerful board members, internal and external clients and others it’s hard to say no to? Frequently these are the people who are in a position to help you grow and advance in your organization – or not. It’s possible to deal with these requests while keeping a grip on your obligations and to-do list. Learn how to triage a request and determine the best plan of action based on the eternal dilemma of quick, cheap, or right. You will also hear about the five new resources to assist you when your “to do” list starts expanding. Establish clear goals and objectives, define the scope of the project and your responsibilities, and you will be able to control the extent of your obligations and evaluate your success.