Business 360: What Makes a Meetings and Events Company Tick

Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a successful Meeting and Event Business? Come learn more from the experts!

Are you interested in learning more about behind-the-scenes of a Meeting/Event business? Come and learn from three industry experts who will help pull back the curtain on what makes a business in our industry tick. 

We will feature an independent planner who has 20+ years of experience, a CPA who will share the specifics when it comes to the financial needs/considerations, and a Senior HR Business Partner who will speak to finding and building a successful team of staff (among other topics).

5:30pm - 6:00pm   Registration
6:00pm - 7:30pm   Education Session & Dinner

Meet Our Panelists:

Nancy Goldstein, Director of Creative Design
Amazing Celebrations & Events 
(Glastonbury, CT & Boston, MA)

Nancy knows everything there is to know about making every last detail terrific.
Her rapport with vendors and venues, her endless creativity, and her “anything it
takes” attitude has earned her the undisputed reputation as the Party Queen.
After 15 years of sales and marketing in the food industry and volunteering for
the American Cancer Society, Nancy shifted her focus to turn her knack for
planning great events into a real expertise for both private individuals and
corporations. As a full service event manager, Nancy attracts clients that want
more than a decorator; her clients call the Party Queen when they want to be
treated like royalty. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the
University of Massachusetts and an MS in Marketing from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute. Nancy has been the creative mind behind memorable events for more
than 20 years, from unforgettable weddings to successful fundraisers. She
combines her years of experience with her clients’ visions. And the result is
always the same – a seamless, stress-free event.

Kyle graduated in 2010 from The College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and accounting. He began his career as a staff accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Boston. Kyle left PricewaterhouseCoopers in May of 2014 to join Adams Samartino & Co.‚ CPAs in Bristol, CT. Kyle and his wife Emily reside in Burlington, where they are raising their son, Oliver. Throughout his career‚ Kyle has been involved in many professional and volunteer organizations‚ including currently serving on the Saint Joseph School board.  He is also a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Adams Samartino & Co., P.C. is a full-service accounting firm with experience in business tax and accounting and individual tax services.  They also offer estate and trust planning and tax services, as well as many others.  There are two office locations in Bristol and Torrington, CT.  Adams Samartino delivers high-quality service some firms only talk about.  Hard work and dedication to their clients and profession propelled the firm, with its origins over 50 years ago, to the growing firm it is today.

Continually building upon experience and knowledge allows them to compete in today’s rapidly changing business environment. The firm keeps abreast of business issues and trends and monitors tax laws to alert clients to changes which may affect them.

Adams Samartino takes a personal interest in each client. By working closely with clients, they get to know their business, with a focus on individualized personal service.  They have become trusted advisers when financial planning and business decisions must be made.

Brian Colwell, PHR,
Laz Parking
(Hartford, CT)

Brian Colwell has over 15 years’ experience in Human Resources, locally and
nationally, working for organizations in the education, food service, retail and
hospitality industries and currently serves as the National Safety Manager for LAZ
Parking. Brian has extensive experience in HR compliance, employee relations,
recruitment, workplace safety, benefits and workforce planning. He earned his
Bachelor’s degree focused in Management/HR from the University of
Connecticut, is a SHRM Certified Professional in Human Resources and an Eagle
Scout.

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Learning Objectives:

1. From a financial standpoint, learn about Cash-Based vs. Accrual Accounting (pros and cons of each), learn about the situations many people do not plan for when running an Event/Meeting related-business, and learn about the differences between an LLC vs. Inc. vs. Other.

2. Hear from a successful independent planner on what has worked during her tenure and what has not. Take away important points from her successes and struggles so that you do/do not repeat them.

3. Learn more about hiring, managing, and promoting/encouraging your staff from an HR expert. What are the laws related to hiring your team? Specifically learn about drug testing of employees (focus on Massachusetts now that recreational marijuana has been legalized).

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MPI is a EIC Preferred Program Provider:
This session has been submitted to the EIC for approval, seeking 1.5 CEs in Domain E: Human Resources

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Why Planners Should Attend:

Join us for a deep dive into a behind the scenes look at a Meetings and Event Company. Ever wonder how all of the components come together for a company in our industry, from company ideation, to the financials, to human resources? Have you considered working with a private planner or third party contractor? This session will be a great glimpse into what it takes to make an organization “doing it on their own” work!

Why Suppliers Should Attend:

Bring your staffing questions, bring your commission payout questions, ask about what forms do you need to request if someone says they are tax exempt, etc. The relationship between Planners and Suppliers is of utmost importance. Join us and build and/or strengthen relationships with a room full of planners (or future planners). If they are not contracting with you, purchasing your product, etc., they will be referring you to others who will!

Take a behind the scenes look at a company in this industry and network with your planner counterparts!

Pricing:
Member:                $40.00
Non-Member:        $60.00
Past President:      $25.00
Student:                 $25.00

This event will also feature teacup auction items! 
Not sure what to get your sweetie for Valentine's Day?💝

Check out some of the baskets that will be available at this event: 

🛀Rest & Relaxation 
🍫Chocolate Lovers Basket
🍷Wine Baskets
🏀Dave & Buster's Night Out
🐾Dog Lover Basket
⛷Wachusett Mountain Lift Tickets
& MORE!

The Toyota Oakdale Theater
95 South Turnpike Rd.
Wallingford, CT 06492

Free parking available on site.