Agenda

Wednesday, November 1st, Hilton Raleigh North Hills

Thursday, November 2nd, The Ritz Raleigh

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM	DEI Connect, Black Ivory Café
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM	Registration
10:00 AM  - 10:15 AM	Welcome & Introductory Remarks
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM	Education Session - Hotel Trends and the Outlook for 2024, Daryl Cronk
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM	Networking Break
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM	Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM	Education Session - Everything You Need to Know About AI...But Didn't Know to Ask, James Spellos
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM	Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM	Education Session - Your Essential Digital Toolbox: Making the Most of Tech Tools to Enhance  Your Productivity, James Spellos
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM	Networking Reception

Education Sessions

Hotel Trends and the Outlook for 2024

Daryl Cronk
Thursday, November 2nd, 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
MPI-CC has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the below-listed continuing education courses, which qualify for CMP continuing education credit.   Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.

The hotel industry has been on a roller coaster in recent years, from the depths of the pandemic to a soaring recovery. But not all industry segments and destinations recovered at the same pace, and the industry has experienced some significant shifts this year. During this session you will learn about the latest performance trends in the hotel industry and the outlook for 2024, based on data extracted from the STR report.

Everything You Need to Know About Artificial Intelligence...But Didn't Know to Ask

James Spellos
Thursday, November 2nd, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

MPI-CC has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the below-listed continuing education courses, which qualify for CMP continuing education credit.   Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.

Since ChatGPT exploded in our lives in November 2022,  Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already having a significant impact on the tasks and and requirements needed for today’s hospitality professionals.  While many are fearful that AI will replace the need for some workers, perhaps even some meeting planners, most organizations understand that is not the case, though the skill sets and tasks required to best perform at the job are evolving.  Attend this session to keep up the various tech tools that will impact your career now and moving forward.

After participating in this session, the learner will be able to: 

• Understanding of what generative AI means, and how that impacts the results received by the user
• Essentials of ChatGPT usage, including constructing optimal prompts, usage of Plug-Ins, and other features
• Identify 30+ AI tools that can support your work, including text to
• Understand how current AI technology will continue to evolve

Your Essential Digital Toolbox: Making the Most of Tech Tools to Enhance Your Productivity

James Spellos
Thursday, November 2nd, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

MPI-CC has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the below-listed continuing education courses, which qualify for CMP continuing education credit.   Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.

Apps, web resources, digital shortcuts…there are thousands of tools and services out there for the meeting professional to use.  But which ones are the ones that can really save the day?  How can you build that essential digital toolbox which always can provide the right tool for each job…one where most of the tools are completely free?  Whether you’re trying to build an app (yes, you can do that for free) or ensure that your organization can optimize their social presence, or whether you just want to be able to do something quicker and easier, this session is essential to enhance your productivity. 

After attending this session, the attendee will be able to: 

• Identify over 30 digital tools to enhance your productivity
• Learn how to develop a conference app at no cost
• Understand critical desktop shortcuts & advanced mobile tips
• Use artificial intelligence tools to expedite your workflow

Speakers

James Spellos is the President of Meeting U. whose mission is to help people become more productive and comfortable with technology.

In 2022, Meeting Professionals International included Jim on their 50 most influential persons list in the hospitality industry in honor of their 50^th anniversary celebration. In 2021, Glisser named Jim one of the most influential people in virtual events.  A few years prior, Jim was named one of the Meeting Industry’s trendsetters by Meetings Today magazine.  He was a faculty member at New York University for 25 years receiving both their Award for Teaching Excellence and their Outstanding Service Award.

 Jim is on the Board of Directors for Rock and Wrap It Up, an anti-poverty, anti-hunger organization which recovers excess food from events.  Jim co-created their Whole Earth Calculator app. He also speaks about food recovery and sustainability at events.  In 2018 & 2019, BizBash named Jim one of their top 500 people in events for his work in sustainability.

 He also has a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutritional Studies, is a certified Food for Life instructor through the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and is on the staff of Plant Powered Metro New York, helping to educate people about a healthy diet and lifestyle, which helped to save his own life. 

Jim is an accomplished musician and songwriter who released his first solo album, Stroke of Genius in 2020.  

Daryl Cronk is the Director of Hospitality Analytics for CoStar covering the Southeastern U.S. He follows hotel and investment trends and shares them with clients through presentations at industry events, market reports, news articles, and videos.

Daryl has more than 20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Prior to joining CoStar he ran the Market Research team at Visit Orlando, where he gained extensive experience conducting consumer research and analyzing the hospitality industry’s key performance indicators. Before joining the tourism industry, Daryl began his career path as an Economist in the United States Treasury Department.

Daryl studied Finance and Economics at James Madison University, and earned a Masters of Arts in Applied Economics from the University of Central Florida.

DEI Connect

The “DEI Connects” event series is a way to gather industry colleagues to connect, learn about each other, discuss industry and personal challenges, and share ideas and inspiration in an informal safe space. Everyone is welcome to join the DEI Connect at Black Ivory Café, located less than a mile away from The Ritz Raleigh and your first morning beverage is compliments of Visit Raleigh.

Room Block

The Ritz - Raleigh