SUNDAY • FEBRUARY 27, 2011
Noon - 1:15pm
#051
Creating the iEvent: Technology Tools To Increase Event Attendee Engagement.jpg)
Jeff Hurt
Director of Education and Engagement
Velvet Chainsaw, Dallas, TX
Today's events face a new type of attendee and society: the participatory culture. Sociologists have identified today's networked individuals as the participatory class. These individuals no longer want to passively experience your event. They want to participate and be actively engaged with your event. Come and experience these new social technology tools from Skype to Wiffiti to geolocation gaming that can increase your event attendee engagement.
DELIVERABLES:
• Define event engagement and how it applies to your event.
• Identify five free or low-cost interactive technology tools that you can use immediately with your events.
• Discuss how to use these tools and create more attendee engagement.
1.25 CMP credit hours
#052
Not Just Any Corporate Event
Margaret Launzel-Pennes
Vice President, Worldwide Events
Herbalife, Los Angeles, CA
Herbalife’s events rival most major rock concerts, with an average attendance of 15,000. The worldwide events team puts on at least ten of these major events at leading venues around the world every year. Their goal is simple – to get the company’s two million independent distributors excited and motivated to continue to grow the company’s $2 billion business. Whether you’re hosting employees or industry peers, join Margaret Launzel-Pennes, vice president of worldwide events for Herbalife, as she takes you through the strategic process she and her team use to create events that motivate, recognize, celebrate, excite and incentivize.
DELIVERABLES:
• Discover strategies for truly motivating attendees – what they value, how they think and what inspires them.
• Get an inside peek at the process Herbalife uses to organize and manage mega events.
• Get fresh ideas for recognizing top employees and celebrating their contributions.
1.25 CMP credit hours
#053
In Pursuit of Perfection: Customer Service as a Key Differentiator
James Matthews
Director
ThinkTank Media, Balmain, NSW, Australia
Is there a relationship between customer service and profit in the events industry? You can bet on it! We all know that poor service costs – businesses lose customers without even knowing it. But perhaps more important, is the fact that good customer service equates to improved profits. Great service pays, in more ways than we think. This presentation will show you how to move from simply providing good customer service, to providing great customer service, exceeding your customers’ expectations along the way – and watching your business grow as a result.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn about the benefits of great customer service and how it can be achieved in your business.
• Find out how to ensure that happy and satisfied customers become drivers of increased sales and profits, and explore strategies for winning customer loyalty, word-of-mouth marketing and repeat business.
• Discover how to turn complaints into increased business and happy customers.
• Learn to activate feedback – real strategies to find out what your customers really think.
• Ensure that your events have a reputation for providing fantastic customer service.
1:30pm - 2:45pm
#054
The Business of Being Creative
Sean Low
President
The Business of Being Creative, New York, NY
This session will focus on identifying the core value proposition of a creative business. Once the “core” is identified, Sean will discuss how to translate it into the creative business’ marketing strategy, pricing methodology, customer service and corporate structure. He will lay the foundation by describing how most creative businesses operate today, and where your business sits. He will then identify some of the opportunities for change that might be available to you given advances in communication and technology.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn a methodology for analyzing your current business structure and tools for implementing change.
• Discover what opportunities exist (or might exist) given the changing nature of the world we live in today (i.e., the iPhone, iPad, Twitter, Facebook and other technologies).
• Learn simple practices that senior managers or owners of a creative business can do to improve/change/redefine their business platforms and overall operation of their creative businesses.
#055
What Clients Want: How to Extend the Event Experience Through Word of Mouth
Corrin Arasa
President
e2 Marketing, New York, NY
It’s essential that today's most creative marketing programs incorporate events that generate the online and offline word-of-mouth (WOM) that brands crave. Learn how to be invaluable to these savvy clients by being more than an event producer – become an event marketer. Smart online brands such as e-Bay, Yahoo! and Microsoft know that the experience of a real-life emotional connection plus digital outreach is a formula for success. Learn from an award-winning event marketing agency how to execute event campaigns that extend the brand experience beyond the event footprint, becoming a cornerstone to a WOM and the digital experience.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn why WOM is so important to these companies and how it is being used by them. Know their lingo, their goals, their desires.
• Learn how to factor in and plant experiences within the event that will generate consumer WOM.
• Find out how to extend your own relationship with these clients, from event planner to marketing partner.
• Discover how to design a program that will get people talking.
• Learn how to measure and manage the WOM generated by your event.
1.25 CMP credit hours
#056
Entertainment Booking: Essential Tips for Booking Local, National and Celebrity Acts
Heather Seely, CMP
Special Events Manager
Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Parkland, FL
Booking entertainment can be costly and stressful. Aside from the talent fee, you are also negotiating hotel rooms, transportation, backline, insurance, riders, publicity, and meals among other line items. What does the talent expect? Can you meet those expectations successfully? This session will give you the knowledge and resources you need to book local and national acts successfully and obtain the maximum ROI.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn how to book “A” list celebrity appearances and concerts.
• Find out what you need to know about riders and contracts, including paying attention to the details, terminology, risk management, clauses, addendums and more.
• Get the facts on agents, managers and publicists – the differences between them and who to go to for negotiating and other issues.
• Learn the ins and outs of city permits, rules and fire codes.
• Walk away with five key negotiating points that will significantly reduce costs.
1.25 CMP credit hours
3:00pm - 4:15pm
#057
Michael Cerbelli’s ‘The Breakdown’ –
Event & Entertainment Production ExposedTM
Michael Cerbelli
President of Special Events
Total Entertainment, Carlstadt, NJ
From center stage to behind the scenes, Michael Cerbelli has 30+ years of experience in every aspect of entertainment production. Known around the world as the “go-to” for events, Michael is now coming to you to share the secrets of managing entertainment.
Bringing his street smarts to the classroom setting, Michael will walk you through the entire production process. From matching the perfect entertainment piece with your client’s vision to creating timelines and managing a flawless execution, Michael will reveal what it takes to be a Rock Star producer.
DELIVERABLES:
• Tips to building strong relationships with vendors and event partners.
• Keys to supporting both client’s and entertainer’s needs.
• Strategies for preparing event logistics and skillfully sharing information.
• How to overcome unforeseen obstacles on production day.
1.25 CMP credit hours
#058
New Business: Where to Find It and How to Land It
Howard Givner
Executive Director
Event Leadership Institute, Scarsdale, NY
New business: where do you find it, and how do you land it? If you’re looking to grow, you’ve got to be out there bringing in new clients. Why is this so hard for so many people? In this class we’ll cover all the major facets of prospecting, from where to find qualified new leads, to learning how to break the ice and talk to total strangers at events. We’ll review what makes a strong elevator pitch, and how to make sure your friends and family are as active in referring people to you as your clients are.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn how to prepare your pitch and the key things you need to tell every potential prospect.
• Discover different sources for new leads.
• Walk away with sample icebreakers you can use to meet prospects at networking events.
• Find out why most people get very few leads from friends and family, and how to fix that.
#059
Is There Room for a Wedding Planner AND Wedding 
Designer on the Same Team?
Marcy Blum
Founder
Marcy Blum, New York, NY
There’s a lot of confusion in Weddingville as to the different niches within the wedding industry. It is important that everyone on the bride’s team knows their roles and how they can work together to best get to the big day. Hear from a wedding pro about the various approaches that each planner can take to meet the demands of a specific wedding. Explore where you fit or where you can grow your business best in this expanding market.
DELIVERABLES:
• Explore the roles of the planner and designer, and see how both bring special capabilities to the table.
• Learn different approaches to teamwork, and which one works best in specific situations.
• Explore where you and your business fit in the wedding dynamic, and how this knowledge can help you grow your business.
4:30pm - 5:45pm
#060
High-Style Tabletop Design
Zak Kunish
President
ZAK Events, Wyckoff, NJ
Ever wonder about the design process of an opulent and sophisticated tabletop? This seminar is all about creating an elegant tabletop for your next event and learning the tricks of designing luxurious tablescapes. From the linen to flowers to flatware, all of the details will be covered. Learn how high-end and extravagant tabletops start with a blank, raw table and are completely transformed into works of art. Both corporate and social event planners will benefit from this seminar!
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn how to create an elegant tabletop for an intimate dinner party.
• Discover how to create a luxury-filled tabletop for a corporate/social event.
• Explore the tricks, tips and secrets of building custom tables and tabletop props to enhance your event.
• Find out how to group antique furniture, props and traditional floral designs within today's modern style.
#061
Build Your Brand Boot Camp
Jen Groover
Owner, CEO
Jen Groover Productions, Broomall, PA & New York, NY
Building your brand is really about building you – the owner – as an expert in your industry. In order to do this, you must build your platform to increase credibility, visibility and constant brand awareness. Bulding your platform is essential to your brand’s growth yet it is often overlooked and rarely taught. This course is designed for entrepreneurs/business owners who want to take their business to the next level. If you want to learn how to be a regular guest on major TV networks, become a highly sought-after speaker, gain access to publishing and licensing deals, as well as capitalize on your online and social media presence daily, this cutting-edge seminar is for you.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn all ten pillars for building your platform.
• Learn how to pitch yourself effectively to the media.
• Find out how to build your speaking platform.
• Learn how to have your website and social media campaign constantly add value and conversion to your brand.
• Discover how to create effective strategic alliances and partnerships.
#062
Instant Stress-Busters for Event Planners
Aila Accad, RN
Speaker, Author, Stress-Busters Coach
LifeQuest International, Charleston, WV
Event planners not only have the normal stresses of life; they also work in high pressure environments with demanding people who are also under the gun. This interactive presentation goes beyond stress management. It gives you the knowledge, tools and skills to release the tension and get back in control of yourself and the situation. You will discover the one cause for all stress and the only principle you need to release it instantly along with quick techniques that put you back in the driver’s seat of your personal and professional life. At the end of this session you will have more energy and focus, be better able to deal with others, laugh and feel relaxed. You will be able to quickly create that relaxed feeling any time you want.
DELIVERABLES:
• Learn about the one cause for all distress.
• Explore the one principle for releasing all distress instantly.
• Practice instant stress relief techniques that require no extra time, money or thinking.
• Practice two instant ways to reclaim energy and focus.
• Have fun, feel relaxed and know how to create that feeling whenever you want.
* Sessions and speakers are subject to change.
