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AIBTM offers 30 hours of CEU-Accredited education

AIBTM, The Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (www.aibtm.com), has released full details of their Education Day program, which will include 30 hours of CEU-accredited sessions. The program offers over 30 different sessions that are designed to support meetings industry professionals in “defining the future of meetings… together.”
J. Walker Smith, principal of The Futures Company, will kick off the show with a keynote address discussing the demonstrable value of face-to-face relationships in the current ‘kinship economy’, despite an increasingly digital age. Walker Smith will present at 11:30am on Tuesday, June 11th at AIBTM’s welcome luncheon.The sessions following the keynote will continue its momentum by focusing on the prevalence of technology within the industry. Session titles include “What’s Your Sway Factor? Learn the Art of International Social Networking for Career Success” (Tuesday, June 11th at 9am), delivered by Sima Dahl, Founder of Parley Communications. Dahl will present a three-step Sway Factor system for social networking success based on a framework designed to aid the creation of a strong personal brand, raise visibility and uncover career opportunities.
The second keynote session, “Rocking the Workplace: Managing and Leading the Four Generations” (Wednesday, June 12th at 8.30am), will be led by Seth Mattison, expert on the Millennial generation and featured speaker with BridgeWorks. Mattison will present fresh research and case studies that highlight what it takes to attract and retain the best and brightest talent of every age as well as sharing information on managing the differences between younger and older generations.
AIBTM will also run a dedicated education stream examining the relationship between meeting productivity and food. Rebecca Katz, Executive Chef at The Center for Mind-Body Medicine's Food As Medicine Training Program will lead “Brain Food” (Tuesday, June 11th at 10am), which will educate attendees on how to make smart choices to promote brain health, enhancing memory and mood. This will be complemented by “Brain Power” (Tuesday, June 11th at 2pm), an interactive session led by Dianne Devitt, President, the DND Group and advocate for creativity and wellness in events and meetings and Cynthia Ackrill, M.D., Human Performance Consultant, Coach, and Speaker President of WellSpark, looking at how effectively styled meetings and events experiences can enhance brain power.
Another key theme for AIBTM 2013 is event architecture, which will incorporate topics such as promoting attendee engagement at events, and what the future holds for meetings. PCMA’s “The Corporate Meeting Planner of the Future” (Tuesday June 11th, 10am) will explore ways to enhance strategic value as a meeting planner in a corporate environment, followed by Greg Fuson, Principal of Artful Engagement leading “The Art of Engagement,” sponsored by etouches, who will look at ways in which engagement can be built into meetings through purpose and personality.
AIBTM works with a range of association partners who each contribute to the education program. ACTE will kick off the association education sessions this year with “How to Navigate the World of Global Travel Management” (Tuesday, June 11th at 9am), a workshop designed to explain the complex world of global travel management.
ICCA will then begin their sessions with “Understanding the North American Meetings Buyer” (Tuesday, June 11th at 9:30am) featuring a ‘crowd panel’ of U.S. meeting planners and ICCA members who will lead discussion on working in the North American market. The second ICCA session, “Going Global – Answers to North American Planners Toughest Questions” (Tuesday, June 11th at 2pm), will also assume an interactive format with round-table discussions between North American planners and international suppliers.
SITE will host “Buying the World: Finding and Qualifying Service Providers” (Tuesday, June 11th at 9:30am), a session exploring the issues related to entering relationships with business suppliers, and “Hosting Incentive Events at Sea - How a Cruise Ship Can Provide the Ultimate Experience” (Tuesday, June 11th at 10:30am).
“Get Stakeholder Commitment and Measure the Business Value of Your Meetings” (Tuesday, June 11th at 10am) will be the first MPI session, looking at best practices for demonstrating the value of a measurement program, followed by “Wheel of Fortunes” (Tuesday, June 11th at 2pm), a discussion on what meetings will look like 30 years from now.
PCMA will combine forces with the Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association (HCEA) to share key findings from the organization’s State of the Industry report, offering insight for medical convention organizers and exhibit marketing personnel in a session titled “Healthcare Convention Trends – What Medical Meeting Planners Need to Know” (Tuesday, June 11th at 2pm). The final PCMA session will be “Conferences and Trade Shows On the Go” (Tuesday, June 11th at 4pm).
“Global Healthcare Compliance: The Impact on Planners and Suppliers” (Tuesday, June 11th at 4pm), sponsored by Puerto Vallarta, discusses changes to the way in which healthcare meetings planners manage data following the imposition of the Physician’s Sunshine Act.
Finally, IAEE, who is partnering with AIBTM for the first time, will host “Key Value Propositions of Exhibitions in the New Economy” (Tuesday, June 11th at 2pm), which looks at 13 future trends identified by IAEE’s Future Trends Committee. The association element of the education program will wrap up with the AIBTM “Great Association Debate” (Tuesday, June 11th at 4pm), an interactive panel debate on the future of the meetings industry moderated by Christine Duffy, CEO of CLIA. Participating in the debate will be a powerhouse line up of association CEO’s including Paul M. Van Deventer, President and Chief Executive Officer of MPI, David Dubois, CEO, of IAEE, Martin Sirk, CEO of ICCA, Deborah Sexton, President and CEO of PCMA, John Graham, CEO of ASAE, and Allison Summers, CEO of SITE.
AIBTM starts June 11 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Join AIBTM on Linked in, Facebook, Twitter , Youtube and i-Meet. To view the full education program line up at AIBTM, visit the education tab via www.aibtm.com.

ISES Reveals Further Details of New International Event

The International Special Events Society (ISES) announced further details today about ISES Live, the new international event designed for the creative event professional, which takes place at Atlantis in Nassau, The Bahamas, August 22 – 24, 2013.
The three-day event will feature sessions and experiences designed for creatively minded professionals from within the global events industry, all delivered by thought leaders from a range of creative industries outside of the traditional event sector, including design, fashion, music, film and art.
The exclusive sessions will include:
Thought Talks – A series of ‘TED’ style presentations that are followed by more detailed ‘Deep Dive ‘sessions.
Inspiration Exchanges – Five separate individual group events designed to provide an interactive forum for ideas creation and inventiveness, using real examples of live event experiences.
Design Challenges – A number of roundtable discussions, intended to provide an interactive forum for collaboration within key event disciplines.
Creativity Sparks – A series of short, 15-minute problem solving sessions.
Trailblazer’s Analysis – Three individual sessions covering a range of creativity topics, including use of technology, managing expectations, vendor relations, monetizing talent and breaking boundaries.
ISES Live will conclude with Reflections, a group session that will summarize all of the key learning’s from the three-day event and provide guidance on how to implement the content received into deliverable actions.
In addition to the annual Esprit Awards, ISES Live will also include a high level networking and social program, all set against the backdrop of an inspirational destination.
ISES Live has a limited number of places available and registration is now open, with further information available at www.iseslive.com.

Inspiring Line Up Announced for AIBTM Education Day

AIBTM (www.aibtm.com), the Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition, has revealed today the technology sessions that are a part of the 2013 education line up. Thirty-four education sessions in total have been tailored towards to support this year’s theme “defining the future of meetings… together.”
The technology education program at this years’ show will kick off with a session delivered by Sima Dahl, Founder of Parley Communications. In her session, “What’s Your Sway Factor? Learn the Art of International Social Networking for Career Success” (Tuesday, June 11th 9am), Dahl will present her three-step Sway Factor system for social networking success based on a framework designed to aid the creation of a strong personal brand, raise visibility, and uncover career opportunities.
An interactive session, led by digital event strategist Michael Doyle, Executive Director of the Virtual Edge Institute, is scheduled to follow. “How to Virtually Extend Your Event” (Tuesday, June 11th, 10:30am) is aimed at helping event and meeting planners to understand the latest technology solutions available for extending the life and value of their face-to-face meetings and events.
Michael Doyle will present another session on Tuesday, June 11th at 1:30pm, which will educate delegates by informing them of ways in which they can make money and generate tangible value for their organizations through online events. “Monetizing your Online Event and Captured Content” will cover basic monetization including examples of organizations that have successfully deployed revenue-generating programs.
Hot Technologies 2013: “It’s #mobilesociallocal,” delivered by Jim Spellos, President of Meeting U (Tuesday June 11th, 3:00pm), will conclude the technology-themed education sessions. This fast paced session will make attendees question their adaptability to the latest technological advancements that impact their career. The session will also review existing technology as well as providing insight into what to expect in the future.
AIBTM 2013 takes place from June 11th – 13th at McCormick Place in Chicago. To apply as a Hosted Buyer, register as a Trade Visitor or find out more about the education sessions, please visit www.aibtm.com

PCMA 2013

Are you looking for new concepts for your next meeting? Do you need to reinvent your attendee experience?
The PCMA Education Conference brings you the masters of reinvention - from content delivery to using the schedule to inspire attendees, you'll gain knowledge and roadmaps to bring creativity and innovation to your events.
Keynote speakers include Jason Jennings, the bestselling business and leadership author of The Reinventors: How Extraordinary Companies Embrace Constant Change, Less Is More and Hit the Ground Running: A Manual for Leaders, Kaplan Mobray, whose presentations on leadership, networking, personal branding, and public speaking have been described as "life changing" and Mike Walsh, author of Futuretainment, a fast paced tour of the latest technologies, global trends and case studies that will forever change the way you think about your relationship with your customers and attendees.
Register today and get ready to infuse reinvention into your meetings, planning process, creative ideation and leadership skills.

Cleveland to Host 2015 Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition

Positively Cleveland and the Cleveland Convention Center have announced that AISTech 2015—The Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition, will be held at the Cleveland Convention Center April 29–May 4, 2015. The event, managed by the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), returns to Cleveland for the first time since 2006 and is projected to welcome 8,000 attendees utilizing more than 6,100 group hotel room nights.“After working for four years to attract AISTech back to Cleveland, Positively Cleveland is proud to welcome the more than 8,000 attendees to this conference in 2015,” David Gilbert, President/CEO of Positively Cleveland, said. “It is through the combination of a long-standing relationship with AIST and a new convention facility, that we were able to bring back a convention that will contribute more than $9 million into Cleveland’s economy.”
AISTech 2015 will feature technical presentations covering all phases of iron and steel manufacturing technology. This major international event includes plant tours, keynote presentations by today’s business leaders and the world’s largest annual steel technology exposition. AISTech 2013 will take place May 6–9 in Pittsburgh with more than 400 technical presentations and over 237,000 square feet of sold-out exhibit space. The exposition will feature more than 500 domestic and international companies for an unrivaled display of global steel technology.
“On the 100th anniversary of our first visit to Cleveland with our annual meeting of 1913, AIST is very pleased to announce our return to Cleveland for our 2015 AISTech Conference and Exposition,” said Ron Ashburn, Executive Director for the Association for Iron & Steel Technology. “AIST is a global leader in advancing steel manufacturing technology, and Cleveland is an ideal location for our annual meeting. Just like the steel industry, Cleveland is reinventing itself and we look forward to bringing 8,000 attendees from more than 45 countries to northeast Ohio and the new Cleveland Convention Center. Our membership appreciates the significant efforts of Positively Cleveland and Merchandise Mart Properties for making our return to Cleveland possible.”

SPIN Announces Third Annual Conference

The Senior Planners Industry Network (SPIN) announced the third annual conference for its members is set for June 5 – 7, 2013, in Atlantic City at Harrah’s Resort.
SPIN specifically selected Atlantic City due to the association’s dedication to Geographic Social Responsibility (GSR). SPIN Founder, Shawna Suckow, CMP, said one of the primary reasons for selecting Atlantic City was to bring business into an area sorely affected by last year’s Super-Storm Sandy. “If we have a chance to bring our annual conference someplace that needs the focus and support of the industry’s most veteran planners,” explained Suckow, “then I believe that’s what SPIN should do.”
This year’s conference theme is ‘RE:Think,’ which aims to challenge members to think differently about how they plan and design conferences as well as where they hold them.
SPIN is the largest meetings industry association comprised entirely of senior-level meeting and event planners with at least 10 years’ experience. Since its inception in 2008, SPIN has grown to more than 2000 members across the U.S. and Canada. Members plan the full gamut of meetings from corporate and association to incentive and international conferences to medical, pharma and government events. For more information please visit www.spinplanners.com.

Have you heard the big news? Destination Michigan has recently partnered with Event Garde to help reimagine the 2013 Michigan Meetings Expo!

Date: June 17-18, 2013Location:Suburban Collection Showplace in NoviRegistration:Online registration will be open Friday, Feb. 1
•Convenient Location: Suburban Collection Showplace is Southeastern Michigan's premier exposition, conference and banquet center. And we know you're curious about the new hotel.•Incentivized Attendance: We've heard you! You want to see new faces at this event. This year we're specifically reaching out to a broader audience to encourage participation from all segments of the meetings industry.•Deconstructed Expo: Say what? Although the details are hush-hush, you can expect a completely redesigned expo experience that breaks all of the traditional tradeshow rules (rumor is there may even be a progressive exhibitor lunch).•Quality Education: You've come to respect the learning opportunities offered at this annual event. This year will be no exception. In fact, our attendees will vote on the opening general session topics in March. Social Media will come to life again on Day One, so plan to expand your knowledge on all the latest tools.•Intentional Networking: From collaborative learning experiences to innovative meal functions and a one-of-a-kind special networking event you won't want to miss, plan to meet up with old friends and expand your professional network.
In a nutshell, you should expect the unexpected. The Michigan Meetings Expo has been completely reimagined in honor of Destination Michigan's tenth anniversary. Additional details will be released in the coming weeks. In the meantime, mark your calendar and plan to attend this premier industry event.
Questions about the 2013 Michigan Meetings Expo can be directed to Kim Corcoran Kim@DestinationMI.com.