Welcome Announcements and Opening Session

[session title to be announced]
Carl Winston

Breakout Sessions (3)

TARP Federal Stimulus Rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Law: Critical Issues for Meeting Planners
Joshua Grimes

“Reasonableness” and “Accountability” are the latest industry buzz-words by virtue of 2 critical laws – Sarbanes-Oxley and the new federal Stimulus rules. Both planners and supplies need to understand these laws and the challenges and opportunities they create.

SOX mandates a code of responsibility for companies, associations and non-profits. Because of SOX conflicts of interest and ethics became critical concerns; FAM trips and booking incentives are now scrutinized for a legitimate business purpose; and every dollar of meeting spending is examined. Even planner commissions and other routine benefits can be questioned. And meeting budgets frequently endure reviews during which planners must justify every line item.

2009’s Stimulus law – also called “TARP” – raises the bar even further. Under TARP companies must create and follow written policies on meetings and events, travel, F&B, and other “luxury expenditures” as defined by the government. Every dollar of spending must be reasonable and related to a specific purpose.

These laws can be confusing and difficult. But compliance is critical to your company or association’s success.

Learner Outcomes
• Identify how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Stimulus law impacts your business.
• Create conflict of interest and ethics rules to instill confidence in your business practices, and implement meeting & event policies to promote responsible spending.
• Draft meeting contract clauses intended to help your company comply with SOX and TARP requirements.

Etiquette and How It Can Make the Difference
Colleen Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC

Do you ever walk away or leave money on the table because you didn’t have the proper etiquette skills or global protocol to deal with a client or even a co-worker? Business etiquette covers many areas including your first impressions. This could be your attitude, body language, appearance, connecting and networking skills. How you and your company service your clients and customers can separate you from your competition. Do you know the proper business card exchange, how and when to RSVP, the skills of electronic etiquette or even the correct dining skills? How embarrassing to be working on a deal involving millions of dollars over a meal and you pick up the wrong napkin. You may not notice that you just started eating your neighbor’s bread, but they might.

Take advantage of every opportunity, and remember it is always the little things that count. Etiquette and protocol could be those little things that make the difference for you and your company.

How to Incorporate Community Outreach as Part of Your Meetings and Events
Alan Ranzer

In this session, learn why offering a community service/teambuilding project at your next event is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity. Learn how to tie your project to your event theme, reinforce key objectives or points, and increase the longevity of your meeting’s effect. You’ll also get some ideas of the variety and ease of programs that are available—many which can be done right in the hotel ballroom (no offsite travel necessary). How will your next meeting make a difference?

Supplier Showcase
Lunch will be served throughout the exhibit area

Breakout Sessions (3)

TARP Federal Stimulus Rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Law: Critical Issues for Meeting Planners
Joshua Grimes
(repeat of 9:30AM session)

Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way: Contingency Planning Secrets of a Military Planner
Brad A. Goldberg

Planning for a crisis or disaster is not learned from books or the Internet. It comes from identifying and putting into practice those crucial components that ensure the ROI from any meeting is not placed in jeopardy. This is comparable to a successful military campaign, as retired officer and risk management/contingency planning consultant Brad Goldberg shares in this informative, interactive seminar. This one-of-a-kind session will use his background in the military to provide tools, tips and techniques to help attendees learn to be proactive in preventing and or mitigating disaster.

Learner Outcomes
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in crisis planning.
• Integrate contingency planning training into every aspect of meeting planning.

Creating Meetings that Excite the Brain for Optimal Learning
Lawana Gladney

For optimal learning to take place, the brain has to be focused and excited. Creating events that will tap into the different components of the brain takes knowledge and strategy of information processing. This session will teach you not only how the brain processes information but also why the color of the tablecloth really does matter.

Learner Outcomes
• Discover how the brain processes information.
• Understand how to avoid information overload.
• Learn how to create brain-friendly meetings.