Conference Program

8:15 - 9 a.m.

Getting Ahead in Business: Straight Talk from Top Female Executives

Female business executives share their views on the decision-making process needed to make it in the business. Hear the presenters discuss how to define strategy, manage conflict, and handle difficult situations that will put you on the career path to success.
Location: Education Room II (Conference attendees only)
Co-Moderators: Maureen O'Brien, Founder and C.E.O., The Global Women's Leadership Forum, Amanda Puck, EVP Public Relations, XA, The Experiential Agency

Demystifying RFIs, RFPs, and the Proposal to Win Business

Hear from a panel of experts as they uncover the mysteries behind great proposal writing. Learn how to decipher proposals to avoid surprises down the road. You'll leave this session with greater confidence to tackle your next RFI, RFP, or proposal. Location: Education Room III (Conference attendees only)
Moderator: Robert Sivek, Co-Owner, The Meetinghouse Companies, Inc.
Panelists:
Katie Ellis, Director of Marketing, EVENTARCHITECTS.
Susan Katz, Director Corporate Events & Travel, True Value Company
Andrew Schorr, President/Principal, In the Loop Chicago (ITLC)

Are You Ready for The New Globally Accepted Meeting and Event 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 validate your expertise? In this session, explore the competencies, knowledge and skills used to define a meeting and event professional from competent to expert, as well as assess how you match up to these standards. Join us in a sneak peak at the new APEX Green Standards and the International Event Management Standards. Location: Education Room I (Conference attendees only)
Speaker: Janet Sperstad, CMP, Program Director, Meeting and Event Management Degree, Madison Area Technical College

9:15 - 10 a.m.

Don't Let This Happen to You: War Stories From Event Veterans

Hear unbelievable and real stories from the front lines about event disasters and how they were averted in the field. Learn from their experiences.
Location: Education Room III (Conference attendees only)
Moderator: Jodi Wolf, President, Paulette Wolf Events & Entertainment, Inc.
Panelists:
Tom Kehoe, President, Kehoe Designs
John Featherstone, Principal, Lightswitch

Catering Trends: A Comprehensive View of Current Trends in the Event Industry

This session will cover everything about the latest catering trends you want to know about, including menu design, creative themes, service, beverages, and adding those special touches that are even more important in the current economy.
Location: Education Room II (Conference attendees only)
Moderator: Jenny Berg, Bureau Chief, BizBash Chicago
Rita Gutekanst, Principal, Limelight - Food Illuminated
Linda Kingsley, Director of Sales, Corporate and Private Events Museum of Science and Industry
Robert H. Neubert, CMP, Director of Catering Sales, Hilton Chicago
Elaina Vazquez, Executive Chef & Owner, Boutique Bites

Are You Ready for The New Globally Accepted Meeting and Event 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 validate your expertise? In this session, explore the competencies, knowledge and skills used to define a meeting and event professional from competent to expert, as well as assess how you match up to these standards. Join us in a sneak peak at the new APEX Green Standards and the International Event Management Standards.
Location: Education Room I (Conference attendees only)
Speaker: Janet Sperstad, CMP, Program Director, Meeting and Event Management Degree, Madison Area Technical College

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Morning General Session

2010 BizBash Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Morning Keynote Presentation - Inspiration Starts Here: Deliver Exceptional Customer Service and Have a Great Day Everyday

The key to making positive connections with customers is not only to be inspired yourself, but inspire them as well. Steve Beck provides insights and tools that will help planners effectively communicate with others, clarify client requests and needs, and motivate and energize everyone around them.
Speaker: Steve Beck, Founder and President, Beck and Associates and author of "How To Have A Great Day Everyday"

11:00 am

Trade Show Floor Opens

12:00 - 1:15 p.m.

Person-to-Person Etiquette ™ For Event Planning Success

Strong and long lasting professional relationships are essential to event planning success. This interactive, game show style presentation will test your etiquette & protocol knowledge while providing valuable information on the modern day uses of traditional etiquette rules. From working with clients to negotiating contracts this lunchtime session will make sure that you have the soft skills necessary to make positive and memorable impressions.
Location: Aisle 800- Behind the Mini-Stage (Conference attendees only)
Speaker: PJ McGuire, Founder and President, Modet Inc.
 

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Mini-Sessions

Don't miss these sessions on the show floor that give you access to the latest tools and tips quickly and effectively, including:

Twitter for New Business Development
When used effectively, Twitter can be a great tool for building new relationships with colleagues and potential new clients. The purpose of this session will be to get acquainted with Twitter and to learn about various features, tools and third party clients that individuals can use to network and build business.
Speaker: Leyla Arsan, Partner, Lotus Marketing Services

Lounge and Meeting Furniture, Your Choices Can Be Endless!
With the explosion of event furnishings in style, color, texture and offerings, come hear how to start the design process and work within a budget to execute the best look and feel for your next event.
Speaker: Jack Scafide, Midwest District Account Executive, CORT Event Furnishings

Sustainability and Credibility in Hospitality: Providing Clarity for Consumers
The demand among consumers, especially restaurant patrons, for “green” products and services keeps growing—Andrew Weithe will discuss how Chicago is emerging as a leader for sustainability in the restaurant industry, and what questions planners must ask to effectively address sustainability for both their business and the planet.
Speaker: Andrew Weithe, assistant director of environmental affairs, The Green Chicago Restaurant Co-op

New Advances in Digital Branding & Precision Cutting for Creating Spectacular Results With Event Fabrics
Learn how new technologies in fabric manufacturing, digital printing and precision cutting can place your business on the cutting edge while transforming the look of your events into something extraordinary.
Speaker: Michael Reed, Director of Digital Printing, Rose Brand

PLUS Entertainment Acts for Your Enjoyment and Your Events

 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Afternoon General Session

Afternoon Keynote Presentation - New Ideas for New Challenges

Speakers: Chad Kaydo, editor in chief, BizBash Media
Casey Cooper, Founder, Botanicals
Erin McDonald, Vice President of Design Sales, Heffernan Morgan
BizBash editor in chief Chad Kaydo will show ideas and trends from events across the markets that BizBash serves, including examples of innovative solutions to the latest challenges facing event strategists. Joining him will be Casey Cooper and Erin McDonald, who will present their latest work for Heffernan Morgan.

4:45 p.m.

Trade Show Floor Closes

5:00 - 5:45 p.m.

Event Style Awards presentation

6 - 7:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception