Speakers
Keynote Speaker | Breakout Speakers | Roundtable Discussions | Schedule
Keynote Speaker, 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Joan Eisenstodt
“Where We Go From Here: Future Trends” (Download PDF)
Joan Eisenstodt, chief strategist, Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, is a respected expert in the hospitality industry; she founded Eisenstodt Associates, a planning and management support company, in 1981. Meetings: Minnesota's Hospitality Journal previously consulted with Eisenstodt for "Contingency Planning 101" in last year's winter issue. Learn more about Eisenstodt by following her on Twitter and reading her Meetings Collaborative blog.
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Breakouts, 1:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Jodi Collen
“Reaching Generation Y: What You Can't Afford NOT to Know!”
Jodi Collen, CSEP, serves as director of event and conference planning at Augsburg College. Meetings: Minnesota’s Hospitality Journal profiled Collen in fall 2007 when she was new to that position. She also sits on the magazine’s board of directors.
Joan Eisenstodt
“Ethical Negotiations in a Changing Economy.” (Download PDF) More info on Joan Eisenstodt >>
CVB Panel
“Understanding All That a CVB Can Do For You”
Featuring Melvin Tennant, CEO and president, Meet Minneapolis; Dan O'Neill, vice president of strategy and sales, Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau; Karolyn Kirchgesler, president and CEO, Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority; and Brad Jones, executive director, Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau.
More participants TBA
Led by Joel Schettler, editor, Meetings: Minnesota’s Hospitality Journal
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Roundtable Discussions, 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Attendees can pick three roundtable discussions to attend during the scheduled time. We’ll rotate every 12 minutes.
Craft More Strategic Meetings
Corporate America is starting to realize that meetings should be seen as an asset rather than a cost. They are necessary to drive a culture, to engage employees and customers, to educate, etc. Meetings and events are a tool that should be used to advance a company's strategy. How do we craft more strategic meetings? What role do outside experts,
speakers and even entertainment play in creating an experience that engages our audiences?
Led by Kris Young, manager of Speakers & Entertainment, Martin Bastian Productions and co-author of Never By Chance: Aligning People and Strategy through Intentional Leadership
Social Media 101
Do you have questions about Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and how these avenues can help you in your business? Get the answers you need to become more technologically savvy.
Led by Nancy Lyons and Meghan Wilker, founders of Geek Girls Guide. Through their Web site and speaking arrangements, Lyons and Wilker aim to demystify technology for non-techincal audiences.
Mentoring in the Hospitality Industry
Are you interested in becoming a mentor? Are you seeking a mentor but not sure how to approach the idea? Mentoring relationships are truly valuable in the hospitality industry. Learn from an industry veteran on how to maintain and get the most out of mentoring relationships.
Led by Devie Hagen, CEO of Elan Speakers Agency and former meeting planner and hospitality sales representative. Hagen has run the Minnesota chapter of MPI’s Power of 2 mentoring program for three years. She’s also an Omega for WOLF Means Business, which is a program of women mentoring and empowering each other.
Ecological Events
Learn valuable tips on how to make your events more environmentally friendly.
Led by Laura Mullen, owner and prime event designer of Laura Mullen Event
Design, which provides detailed and artistic event design services, with a
positive ecological edge, to stylish Minnesotans.
Owning Your Own Business
Whether you are thinking about starting a business or have owned one for years, this discussion will focus on the top "Do's and Don'ts" of running and growing a successful business. You will walk away with some great tips that you can use today.
Led by Dana Ellis, President & CEO of Ellis International. Dana started Ellis international in 2002 and offers customized meeting and event management to fit any size event or budget.
Sponsorships & Partnerships
Learn tips on finding and leveraging sponsorships and partnerships (especially in tough economic times) for future events.
Led by Ami Cervin, events planner at Greater Twin Cities United Way and board member of the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of ISES.
Meetings: Minnesota’s Hospitality Journal’s State of the Industry report
Learn more and share your opinions about the local results of our sixth annual survey.
Led by Joel Schettler, editor of Meetings: Minnesota’s Hospitality Journal
Strategic Meetings Management
(sponsored by North Central Business Travel Association)
Want to learn more about Strategic Meetings Management? Join this discussion for information on best practices and the new certification offered by the National Business Travel Association.
Led by Kari Schroeder-Bigot, VP Corporate Travel Solutions for Advantage Performance Network. Bigot has more than 20 years of industry knowledge ranging from ground transportation to TMC experience and is extensively involved with NBTA on the local Minneapolis board, as well as on national task forces and the Groups & Meetings Committee.
Is meeting planning just part of your job? Do you have questions about how to make this portion of your job more fulfilling? Learn from a senior executive assistant with meeting planning experience.
Led by Debi Cain-Rivord
Learn why team-building activities are valuable for your meetings and events and discover new ways to boost morale and bring employees together.
Led by Amanda DePhillips, marketing and public relations manager, metroConnections.
New Technology
This session will help you learn more about Web sites and technology that you can actually use for your next event, and how to also make them work for your audience.
Led by Jim Louis, Best Meetings Inc. and co-founder of the Meetings Community (MeCo)
Creating a successful meeting or event, one that engages your audience and reaps ROI, requires a great design. But often times planners consider design to be décor and décor to equal unnecessary expense, particularly in our budget-worry climate. But design isn't décor and décor is just one facet of design. Join in the discussion on the trends in meeting and event décor and take away tricks and tips to make your next event a design success.
Led by Ryan Hanson, Chief Creative at BeEvents and president-elect for the Minneapolis-St. Paul chapter of ISES.
CLE, CJE, POST, CEU, what do all these acronyms mean? If you work as a meeting planner, you might be responsible for applying for continuing education credit hours. This roundtable discussion with discuss some common types of continuing education credits and things you need keep in mind when planning an accredited meeting.
Led by Stacy Sundstrom, CMP, Minnesota County Attorneys Association and president of the Northern Lights Chapter of SGMP
What's the latest in food displays and menu options for meetings and receptions in catering? We will also speak to tips on how to stay in your food budget and still plan impressive menus and events. Also, learn how your caterers can enhance your meetings to their fullest and bring ROI to your meetings.
Led by Lisa Brenna, event consultant, Mintahoe Catering & Events
Corporate Social Responsibility
Defining and identifying Corporate Social Responsibility opportunities in the hospitality and meeting planning industry.
Led by Koleen Roach, director of meetings and conference management, Securian Financial Group
Advice for Part-time Planners 
Team Building (sponsored by 
Design Trends for Meetings & Events
Continuing Education
Trends in Catering
