Meetings of the Future

CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER!

REGISTRATION & NETWORKING - 11:00-11:30 A.M.

LUNCH & EDUCATION SESSION - 11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

MEETINGS OF THE FUTURE

What do Pokémon Go, driverless cars and the Internet of Things have to do with the meeting and event industry? They’re all technologies disrupting how we do business. Twenty years ago, having a mobile phone was optional, hotels took room reservations via telex machines and the only way to be social online was to join an AOL chat room. Now everyone with a smartphone is walking around with a fully-loaded production studio in their pocket, social-sharing what they experience with people who are only virtually there. What will meetings and events look like 20 years from now? Gaze into the crystal ball with Meeting Professional International’s Manager of Professional Development, Jessie States, CMM, to see what future events in your city might look like.

BONUS SESSION - 1:15-2:45 P.M.

SAFETY & SECURITY SUMMIT: ARE YOUR ATTENDEES AT RISK?

The world is uncertain, but when a crisis happens at your next event, you don’t need to be. Discover best and next practices for preparing your team for security or safety risks—be they natural or not. Review what aspects you need to consider when conducting your risk assessment, what you need to prepare for onsite, how to unfold your crisis plan and the ways you can communicate out to your attendees. Review several best-in-class, real-life case studies of how meeting professionals and venues have responded to crises. Then, deep dive into several “fire drill” scenarios and work with your peers on what your response and critical path should be in the case of an emergency onsite. Learner Outcomes: Review preparatory and onsite safety and security best practices, as well as case studies from top-line industry professionals. Scenario plan with your peers using several “fire drill” situations involving a variety of risk-related circumstances. Understand different ways you can help your attendees stay safe.

Jessie States, CMM, is the manager of professional development for Meeting Professionals International, where she delivers education in support of MPI’s global live event portfolio by researching, sourcing, evaluating and managing speakers, trainers and facilitators for MPI and MPI partner programs. She also works with MPI partners and sponsors to create industry-leading case studies and sessions, sharing best practices from companies across the globe. Jessie has been a part of the vibrant meeting and event community since 2006, when she joined MPI as a storyteller for The Meeting Professional magazine. She showed a passion and aptitude for events and moved over to the world of research in 2011 before joining the education team as a content designer in 2013. Jessie is responsible for the "future of meetings" area at MPI's annual World Education Congress, which showcases unique learning experiences and personalized education for a global network of attendees. Jessie earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas in 2001, and she has won several honors for her writing from the Texas Press Association, the Society of Business Publication Editors and APEX

Parking Instructions: There is a new parking deck directly behind the hotel at the corner of Sheridan and Classen, available to event attendees at $5. Or, you may use 21C valet services at $10 per vehicle. There are a few 2 hour parking spots in front of the hotel on Main Street, but those are first come, first serve.