Conference Program

The 2011 BizBash Florida Expo & Awards Conference program includes a range of special programing options that cover topics designed to help event and meetings planners improve their business operations and get the inside edge on the latest industry trends.

Education Sessions | Event Leadership Institute | Design Lab | Multigenerational Marketing Luncheon

CONFERENCE PROGRAM EDUCATION SESSIONS

Conference Program education registration required - registrants receive access to: education sessions / trade show floor / event style awards and readers' choice awards presentation / general sessions / on-floor entertainment / mini sessions / continental breakfast / cocktail reception
* Lunch Not Included
 

7:30 a.m.

Registration (Grand Floridian Lobby) and Networking Continental Breakfast (Floridian Ballroom Lobby)

8:15 - 9:00 a.m.

Clearing the Path for Success: How to Boost Your Productivity

How focused are you in achieving your career goals? Are your employees increasingly frustrated with a high-pressure, fast-changing workplace where they always seem to be one step behind the competition? This session will show you how to overcome the obstacles that can undermine your success, such as fear of change or working in difficult situations, by giving you expert insights on improving communications and learning how to handle unexpected change. You will walk away armed with the tools for effective communications that will ultimately help you prevent costly mistakes, cut stress, and increase efficiency.
Speaker: Ken Okel, professional speaker

Location: Room 315

Do You Measure Up? The New Measurement Standards for Green and Sustainable Events

Come to this fun and interactive session to see real life examples of how you can implement some of these new green standards.  New globally accepted best practices and standards will soon be the norm for the meeting and event industry.  Will you be ready to meet these standards and take advantage of current and emerging certifications?  In this session, explore what these certifications and standards mean for you and your business, and learn steps you can take to prepare to implement them.  We'll also share resources that will help you move forward. 
Presented by: Danielle Adams, CMP, president, Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) Florida/Caribbean chapter
Katherine Manfredi, CMM, vice president of education & communications, Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) Florida/Caribbean chapter

Location: Room 316

The Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) is the premier global community solely dedicated to sustainability in the meetings and events industry, not only through education but also by spearheading research, policy and standards.  GMIC is a non profit professional meetings association with member representation in over 20 countries. The GMIC is 100% focused on advancing sustainability in the meetings industry and is a member of the Convention Industry Council.
 

9:15 - 10 a.m.  

The Latest Ideas in Online Marketing to Help You Engage Customers and Break Cultural Barriers—Two Flash Sessions in One!

Part A: The effective use of online and social marketing is critical to the success of small businesses today. Email marketing, online surveys, and online event marketing tools are easy, affordable ways to engage and retain your customers.
Part B: Email marketing is a great way to promote your products and services. Online surveys keep you informed and your audience engaged. And event marketing tools simply save you time, professionally build your brand, and help cross the border to go beyond cultural differences.
Speakers:
Gladys Mezrahi, president, Indigo Events Corporation
Erik Mintz, general manager, Constant Contact

Location: Room 316


The 7 Biggest Trends Affecting Events—and How to Exploit Them 

BizBash editor in chief Chad Kaydo will lead a discussion of the major movements affecting events—including social media and new concepts in decor, catering, and branding—and share examples from events across the country. Joining him will be top local industry minds, who will share their own recent ideas and success stories. This session will go over big-picture concepts, as well as real ideas you can steal.
Moderator: Chad Kaydo, editor in chief, BizBash Media
Panelists: Isabel Chattas, co-founder and chief operating officer, SiiNC Agency
Shai Tertner, president, Shiraz Events

Location: Room 315

Business Accelerator for the Independent Planner: Best Practices for Building Your Event Company presented by

Special 3-hour, two-part session:

Part 1 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Part 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 
Event Leadership Institute registration required - registrants receive access to: Event Leadership Institute special session / trade show floor / general sessions / event style awards and readers' choice awards presentation / on-floor entertainment / mini sessions / cocktail reception 

Don't miss the ultimate crash course on starting, running, and growing your business! Whether you’re a solo planner or you manage a team in your own agency, this program led by Howard Givner, Executive Director, Event Leadership Institute will cover a wide range of business training topics critical to your company’s success including:

Strategy - Why most independent planning businesses fail or struggle, and what you can do about that
Prospecting - Specific tips for getting new clients and how to tailor your elevator pitch based on who you're talking to
Pricing - A review of various pricing models, including pros and cons of each, and step-by-step way to calculate your rates
Financing and Budget - From proper cash reserves and budgeting tips to structuring payments and the basic financial reports you should be using to track your business's economic health.
PLUS The things you wish you had known when you started your event planning business, including video highlights from planners around the country who share their own war stories and what they learned.
Instructor: Howard Givner, executive director, Event Leadership Institute

Location: Room 302

Money-Back Content Guarantee: The Event Leadership Institute stands behind its content. As with our online programs, if you are not totally satisfied with this class, simply let us know why (so we can improve the program in the future) within 7 days, and we will issue you a full refund.

HANDS ON DESIGN LAB

Special 3-hour, two-part session

Part 1 from 8 to 10 a.m.
Part 2 from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.

Design Lab registration required and limited to 50 participants - registrants receive access to Design Lab / trade show floor / general sessions / event style awards and readers' choice awards presentation / on-floor entertainment / mini sessions / cocktail reception
 

Open your mind to the total design experience as Donald Braun leads you through a hands-on encounter with the event design process where you create and assemble fully themed table décor. From idea generation to theme development, defining color palettes to linen textures, you will explore ideas and select every detail of linens, china, and floral in this three-hour event in the making. Attendees will view your masterpiece during the MPI sponsored luncheon.
Instructor: Donald Braun, president, Donald Braun Events, LLC.

Location: Room 317

The Fast-Changing Face of Multigenerational Marketing Strategies – Sponsored Luncheon by

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon registration required - registrants receive access to luncheon only

Join Dallas Diggs in an energetic lunchtime session with memorable descriptions of the major generational segments essential for successful marketing plans. Come hear this dynamic session and walk away with valuable ideas and suggestions for how you can replicate these segmental marketing plans for optimal results.
Speaker: Dallas Diggs, executive consultant, Diggs Group L.L.C.

Location: Floridian Ballroom

*All sessions and speakers are subject to cancellation or revision.