| Education & Networking |
| Complete Agenda |
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
IACC does not pre-arrange Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with degree-granting institutions or certification programs. Yet, some past attendees have successfully obtained credit for IACC courses. You should check directly with your school or source of certification to determine whether they will consider the Annual Summit as part of their requirements and, if so, what materials you must submit to secure such credit.
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3:00 - 7:00 PM
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IACC-Americas Board Meeting
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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8:00 AM - Noon
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IACC-Global Board Meeting
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8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Introduction to the Conference Center Concept
The differences between IACC conference centers and other types of meeting facilities can be very dramatic—or quite subtle. This session brings the conference center concept into clear focus and gives participants the insights and tools they need to be successful in this special industry niche.
Industry experts will unravel all the mysteries of the conference center concept as they address six key areas: Conference Services, Operations (focusing on Food & Beverage), Rooms and other services, Sales & Marketing, Public Relations and Technology.
Participants will:
- Get a thorough grasp of the essential components of the conference center concept.
- Realize how typical lodging services often differ in the conference center environment.
- Examine conference center sales and public relations techniques and nuances.
- Become acquainted with the latest trends in conference technology.
This is a popular course and enrollment is limited. Be sure to register early!
Presenters: Joseph Sebestyen, Consultant, At Your Service; Ron Naples, Consultant, Maple Mountain Hospitality; Bob Prewitt, President, Dana Communications; Dave Smith, President, Conference Center Consulting; and Jeff Loether, President, Electro-Media Design.
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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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University Forum
OPEN TO UNIVERSITY CONFERENCE OR CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTERS ONLY.
They may or may not have guest rooms. They may be located on the main campus or 50 miles away. They may report to the Dean of Continuing Education, a Vice President of the Business School or the Director of Auxiliary Services today—and someone else tomorrow. Welcome to the world of university conference centers, a world that’s full of politics, surprises and constantly changing org charts.
University conference centers represent almost a third of IACC’s active membership. They are a strong segment-within-a-segment and while there may be huge differences among them, they do have a lot in common.
Join your colleagues in college and university conference centers to address common challenges and issues and acquire best practices that you can use in your own operations.
Facilitator: Tom Cole, Fearless Leader, Arden Shisler Conference Center, The Ohio State University
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9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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WORKSHOP CANCELLED
Corporate Conference Center Forum
OPEN TO CORPORATE TRAINING CENTERS ONLY.
Operating conference centers is the primary mission for most IACC members. Many conference centers are owned by a corporation whose core business is very different from running a “conference center.” There are many hurdles to overcome to mesh these different focuses.
This half-day session is a unique forum for sharing information and best practices among owners and managers of corporate centers of all types – residential, non-residential, with internal, external or a mix of customers. Don't miss this tremendous opportunity to share best practices and solutions to today’s operational and financial challenges.
A veteran group of presenters will dispense essential information and solicit your ideas and techniques.
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9:00 AM - noon
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LIVE BROADCAST -- IACC Thought Leader Summit on Conference Technology
IACC’s Second Thought Leader Summit will be broadcast live to Eaglewood Resort & Spa from Workspring Conference Center in downtown Chicago.
The theme of the event is “incorporating advancing technology into the meeting experience” and it will focus on using conference technology to expand or enhance—but not replace—smaller meetings, average size of 25-75 people.
The seasoned panel of experts includes technology professionals from conference center properties and management companies, audio-visual companies, corporate education and the planning community—all of whom will bring varied perspectives to one of the hottest issues of the day.
Audience participants will be able send comments and questions to the panel in real time via Twitter.
Learner Outcomes:
Enrollment is FREE but limited
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Noon - 1:00 PM
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CMP Lunch with Customers
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1:30 - 3:30 PM
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Creating Momentum in Meetings: How to Extend the Experience
This powerful interactive workshop will show you how to use social media to educate and engage meeting participants. The session will focus on how to use cutting-edge social media tools to enrich and expand meetings beyond the actual event.
You’ll see and experience how platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube can augment personal networking to help build an event community. Group activities, case studies and even a hybrid meeting experience (a guest speaker will appear via Skype) will ensure that you see how and why social media are the perfect complement to meetings and events. A post-event “tweatchat” will show you how to expand the impact and ROI of your meetings and underscore your own value to the organization.
Learning Outcomes:
After attending this session, you will:
- Unravel the web of social media like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Blogs, and Event Communities.
- Better understand the benefits and drawbacks of various social media tools.
- Know how to select and use social media tools to expand the impact and ROI of your meetings.
- Evaluate meeting experiences (Skype, Twitter, etc.) to determine which is right for your meetings.
Acclaimed marketer and meetings professional Jessica L. Levin, CMP will facilitate the learning. Jessica’s dual forte is networking and “netweaving.” With a background in marketing and events, she uses social networking tools to build and strengthen business relationships and teaches others how to utilize potent social media tools to their full advantage. To learn more about Jessica: www.sevendegreescommunications.com.
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2:00 - 3:00 PM
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Newcomer's Icebreaker & Reception
Have fun, and get a running start at networking with other IACC members.
Is this your first IACC conference? Did you attend an IACC conference years ago and are revisiting for a second time? Come join us to get an insider's grasp of the IACC Summit; meet people whom you will see throughout the conference; learn the secrets of having a successful conference experience; and participate in fun networking events.
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3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
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Customer Panel
A panel discussion will follow the workshop where senior planners from Accenture, Navigant and Huron Consulting will share their real-world experiences.
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5:30 - 7:30 PM
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Opening General Session and IACC Copper Skillet Competition for Conference Center Chef of the Year
Don't miss the live competition as IACC chefs from around the world go skillet-to-skillet to determine the 2010 IACC Champion Chef!
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7:30 - 10:00 PM
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Welcome Reception Hosted by Eaglewood Resort & Spa
A taste of Chicago!
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8:30 - 10:30 AM
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Thursday General Session and Keynote Address by Jim Carroll
See top menu bar for GENERAL SESSION descriptions.
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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Pink Socks & Pocket Protectors
This session features a step-by-step analysis of building a fully integrated interactive campaign from the foundation level to reporting. The discussion is presented from the standpoint of a Interactive Director (Pocket Protector) and translated by the president of an advertising agency (Pink Socks).
Attendees will gain:
- An understanding of the marketing vehicles available through the web.
- An understanding of the inevitable conflict that exists when you need both Pink Socks and Pocket Protectors to create great marketing.
- A sense of well-being from learning that you are not obsolete or out-of-touch because marketing thinking has changed so fast. You will leave the session feeling comfortable that you have a basic understanding of the radically changed marketing scene.
Presenters: Bob Prewitt and Eric Welsh, Dana Communications
Additional Information: www.danacommunications.com |
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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CMP -- It's Not Just a Sales Option
This workshop is designed around the history of the CMP and how IACC properties were designed to service and sell this type of business. It will speak to the property design, staffing, economics, benefits to the planner and attendee, etc.
Attendees will gain greater insight into the importance of IACC purpose-built facilities selling the CMP and the substantial impact it has on the economics of their operation.
Presenter: John Hines and Paul Bashaw, Benchmark Hospitality
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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Catering to the Future: How Sustainability Will Increase Your Competitive Advantage
In the current business environment, it is important to maintain an edge over the competition and to be a leader in the market. Sustainability is no longer a new trend, yet it provides an opportunity to help ensure a competitive edge for a food-related industry. The current environmental situation is detrimental, and this workshop will explore how the food industry contributes to today's problems. Moreover, this workshop will explore the means for your organization to have a positive effect on the environment and on your bottom line.
Attendees will:
- Gain knowledge about the trends in the global food system.
- Create a long term vision for competing towards a more sustainable environment.
- Learn how to overcome obstacles in your transformation to sustainability.
- Walk away with practical tips for how to implement this strategy.
Presenter: Greg Christian, Greg Christian Consulting
Additional Information: http://gregchristianconsulting.com
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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Owners & Investors Roundtable
Moderated by Mark Woodworth, Executive Vice President, PKF Consulting
PKF is the “go to” firm for data and statistics on genuine conference centers and no one knows more about what makes our industry tick. For the third time since its founding, IACC has gathered an esteemed panel of conference center owners and developers and Mark Woodworth will ask them the tough questions that are on everyone’s mind. Is there something on your mind that you’d like to ask? Be sure to go to this session so you can add your question to the following:
- What do owners value the most from the operator of their conference center?
- What are the risks and rewards of developing or owning a conference center?
- What role does the economy play in the viability of conference center development or conversion?
- How does the blurring of lines between conference centers and hotels affect current and future industry expansion?
Facilitator: Mark Woodworth, PKF Consulting
Additional Information: www.pkf.com
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11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
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Introducing the NEW "IACC Sales Toolkit"!
In these challenging economic times everyone needs an extra EDGE and the new, value-added, IACC Sales Toolkit can give you that competitive advantage in the marketplace!
This interactive and hands-on workshop, designed specifically for Directors of Sales & Marketing and General Managers, will introduce you to the new IACC Sales Toolkit and ways you can immediately go back to your sales team and help them better understand your customers and use the benefits of your IACC Universal Criteria............TO CLOSE MORE BUSINESS!
This "Train the trainer" abbreviated course will introduce you to the specific components of the toolkit including: webinars, regional programming, on-line courses and training manuals you can take back to your property and share with your team.
Come learn how you can book more business in 2010 by using the benefits of being an IACC member to its full potential!
Presenter: Robert O. Sanders, Hospitality Resource Group
Additional Information: http://hrginc.net/
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12:30 - 2:00 PM
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Lunch
CMP Dining
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2:00 - 3:30 PM
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Networking and Prospecting to Increase the Bottom Line
Part 1 of 2 - continued at 4:00 p.m.
During this interactive and lively session, Cindy Novotny will provide you with tips and tools on how to effectively network and increase your prospecting skills. With the current economy causing more and more customers to not travel or attend industry functions, it is absolutely critical to make every opportunity as worthwhile and relevant as possible for you and your customer.
Attendees will learn:
- How to plan your presence at any event
- How to prepare for 'small talk' and jump-start a conversation
- The working rules of good manners Planes, Trains and Automobiles - networking in every day life
Presenters: Cindy Novotny, Master Connection
Additional Info: www.masterconnection.com |
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2:00 - 3:30 PM
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Authentic Leadership
Part 1 of 2 - continued at 4:00 p.m.
You can become a more effective leader by using emotional intelligence in conjunction with intelligence is the focus of this session. This session will familiarize you with the fundamentals of Authentic Leadership, what drives people, effective decision-making, providing feedback and how to empower your people. Understand the brain, how it works, and the role it plays in leadership. Discover the six authentic leadership styles, which one is best for you, and why. This session will be very interactive so come ready to engage the material and yourself and leave with tools and techniques that you can apply immediately.
Attendees will gain:
- Greater understanding of the underlying motivations of self and others
- Authentic Leadership styles and which is best to use
- Better decision-making skills
- More effective feedback delivery
- Strategies for empowering your team.
Presenter: Michael McDermott, 2|M Consulting
Additional Information: http://www.2mconsulting.org/ |
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2:00 - 3:30 PM
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The Pending APEX/ASTM Sustainability Standards
The Convention Industry Council (CIC)’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Panel on Green Meeting and Event Practices released their final draft standards for green meetings and events in August 2009. The process of developing green standards has been a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) and APEX to answer the need in the meeting and event industry for a uniform measurement of environmental performance. By submitting the standards to the ASTM for approval, the standards developed will be accredited standards.
Join in a discussion of these standards of sustainability practices in this up-to-the-minute discussion that affects our industry!
Presenter: Amy Spatrisano, CMP, MeetGreen®
Additional Information: www.meetgreen.com
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2:00 - 3:30 PM
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Essentials of Digital Marketing: Web 2.0 & Social Networking
Technology continues to revolutionize the communication and marketing landscape. Connectivity and collaboration have become the keywords to business success. Todays most successful sites are those which enhance and encourage participation among everyone. And these sites are not just for personal satisfaction; Web 2.0 impacts how we manage our business information and relationships.
Attendees will:
- Identify at least 10 websites identified as part of Web 2.0
- Use social networking sites to enhance productivity & communication
- Understand the new communication options available
- Recognize the critical terms and acronyms of the new web
Presenter: James Spellos, CMP, Meeting U
Additional Information: http://www.meeting-u.com/ |
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4:00 - 5:30 PM
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Networking and Prospecting to Increase the Bottom Line
Part 2 of 2 - continued from 2:00 p.m.
See description in the 2:00 p.m. workshop block above.
Presenters: Cindy Novotny, Master Connection
Additional Info: www.masterconnection.com
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4:00 - 5:30 PM
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Authentic Leadership
Part 2 of 2 - continued from 2:00 p.m.
See description in the 2:00 p.m. workshop block above.
Presenter: Michael McDermott, 2|M Consulting
Additional Information: http://www.2mconsulting.org/
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4:00 - 5:30 PM
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Get Wise with Gen-Y's
Understanding a generation’s defining characteristics and core values can help businesses create products and craft messages that capture the customer’s attention.”- Yankelovich Report
There are currently four very different generations in the marketplace. Each generation thinks differently, responds to leadership differently and engages differently, based on their generational values. When a leader understands which events shaped each generation, and what each generation values, that leader can then work more effectively with each generation. If a leader uses the same management techniques for a 50-year old and a 35-year old employee, she will fail. Smart leaders take the time to understand the generation of each employee and then manage accordingly. This understanding will allow the business to not only survive, but to thrive in the next decade.
This engaging and dynamic presentation will help leaders bridge the gap between Gen X, Gen Y, Traditionalists and Baby Boomers. Attendees will learn:
- The four generations in today’s workplace, and their key differences
- How each generation responds to different types of management
- How to work with each generation effectively
Presenter: Anne Loehr, Riverstone Endeavors
Additional Info: www.riverstoneendeavors.com; www.anneloehr.com |
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4:00 - 5:30 PM
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Vosges Haut-Chocolat Wine & Chocolate Tasting
LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS - PRE-REGISTRATION AND TICKET REQUIRED
Experience a unique guided tour of Vosges Haut-Chocolat chocolate tasting. Vosges Chocolate Experts will guide the group through a tasting of 6 chocolates paired with wines and beer. The experts will speak about the Vosges brand, history, principles of pairing, chocolate types, etc. Here's what you'll experience!
- Ambrosia truffle with roasted macadamia nuts, Cointreau & 33% cocoa butter white chocolate paired with French Champagne
- Naga truffle with sweet Indian curry, coconut & 41% cacao milk chocolate paired with Italian Moscato d’Asti (a slightly sparkling dessert wine with notes of peach)
- Mo’s Bacon Bar with applewood smoked bacon, Alder wood smoked sea salt & 45% cacao deep milk chocolate paired with Copain Syrah
- Red Fire truffle with ancho chillies, Ceylon cinnamon & dark chocolate paired with Clos de Los Siete Argentinean Malbec
- Bapchi’s Caramel Toffee with sweet butter toffee, pecans, walnuts & milk chocolate paired with Rogue Shakespeare Stout beer
- Rooster truffle with taleggio cheese, organic walnuts, Tahitian vanilla bean & 64% cacao dark chocolate paired with Bruna Giacosa Barbera d’Alba
Presenters: The Chocolate Experts, Vosges LTD
Additonal Information: http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ |
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6:30 - 10:00 PM
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President's Reception and Annual Banquet
Join your friends and colleagues for the President’s Reception, followed by a spectacular plated dinner, recognition of the leaders who made IACC what it is today plus the unveiling of the Mel Hosansky Award for Distinguished Service. Afterward, join the fun for a final night of dancing and networking.
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| 8:30 - 10:00 AM |
Revenue Management for Conference Centers: The Unique Value Proposition for a Recovering Economy
Revenue managers can leverage their unique value proposition in the economic recovery to maximize revenue to all profit centers. This program will focus on the unique attributes of the three kinds of conference centers in order to maximize revenues from the mix of business of all market segments. This will be a highly interactive program with interactive exercises to allow participants to 'play' with the outcomes of various revenue management strategies.
At the end of this program participants will be able to:
- Set metrics for optimal revenue generation to all profit centers
- Evaluate how to best manipulate the mix of business
- Make decisions on acceptance of a piece of business based upon sound RM best practices
Presenter: Carol Verret, Carol Verret Consulting
Additional Information: www.carolverret.com |
| 8:30 - 10:00 AM |
State of the Conference Center Industry
Presentation and discussion of the latest conference center trends.
Presenters: Mark Woodworth, PKF Consulting
Additional Info: www.pkf.com |
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8:30 - 10:00 AM
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Igniting Catering Sales -- Are you Leaving Money On the Table?
In today’s challenging economic climate, competition for catering sales is fierce. Maximizing the efforts and effectiveness of your catering operation is paramount to bringing excellent top and bottom-line results to your operation.
Staying ahead of the competition and getting customers to place their business at your property can only happen if your team is engaged, excited and armed with solid sales strategies and unique offerings that will delight your customer.
Participants will:
- Leave the session with a clear understanding of the importance of integrating the catering sales team into the overall "sales engine" of the property.
- Better understand how to evaluate and motivate the catering sales team.
- Be able to make good decisions to drive the process forward to continue enhancing the catering operation while adding revenues and profit.
Presenters: Robert O. Sanders, Jr, CMP; Hospitality Resource Group and Joe Cozza, VP Sales, Cipriani
Additional Information: www.hrginc.net and http://www.cipriani.com/. |
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8:30 - 10:00 AM
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Expanding Your Wine Horizons
The world of wine is bigger and more confusing now than it ever has been before. From obscure grape varieties to previously unfamiliar regions, wine can be one of the most daunting aspects of putting together a successful event. Today, then, we will throw a spotlight on the most important grapes and regions around the world, discuss the basics of food and wine pairing, and go over strategies for maximizing the impact your wine program has, no matter what your budget constraints are.
Attendees will:
- Become more familiar with both classic and emerging wine regions around the world
- Gain a better understanding of food and wine pairing
- Learn how to maximize the impact of your wine program, even on a tight budget
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10:30 AM - Noon
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Closing General Session -- A Conversation with Industry Leaders
Moderated by Jana Hesser, Principal, Quality Management Services
The members of this panel collectively operate dozens of conference centers and represent every sector of our industry: for-profit and not-for-profit; residential, non-residential and ancillary. They are the mother lode of knowledge about how our niche of the lodging industry is faring in the current economic climate. Join a casual and unhurried dialogue that will uncover the views of our industry leaders on the following:
- What is the difference between winning and losing organizations in the current economic environment?
- What are our biggest challenges?
- Are conference centers having an easier or tougher time of it than hotels?
- Will we see any improvement in 2010?
You won’t find any “talking heads” in this session! The dialogue will be highly interactive so don’t be shy about adding your own questions and comments.
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