MPI Georgia Chapter Attendance Policy: All Essential Level members or non-members are limited to no more than two events in one fiscal year and must pay the Essential Level/Non-member rate. MPI Preferred or Premier Level members are welcome to attend all chapter events at the Member Price.

Are you an MPI Georgia member? Be sure to SIGN IN to your profile BEFORE registering for an event in order to get member pricing. 

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The Tech Summit Returns:

The 2018 Tech Summit is shaping up to be another jam packed day filled with exciting information about up-and-coming new technologies that you can use in the workplace. This annual event is one you won't want to miss. Join MPI Georgia & SITESoutheastas we explore the ever changing world of event technologies on Tuesday, March 20 at the Atlanta Tech Village.

The 2018 Tech Summit introduces Tech Talks! Tech Talks are short, engaging, and impactful presentations on current and upcoming technologies in the meeting professional industry.

#TechTalks2018

---

Agenda:

Agenda subject to change.

9:00 AM Registration Opens

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

9:30 AM Tech Talks Begin

• Tech Talk #1 - Sherry Awbrey, EMCVenues 
• Tech Talk #2 - Christine Hilgert, Meeting Expectations 
• Tech Talk #3 - Dale Falk, Jr., NETFREQ.tv & Cinema Park Studios 
• Tech Talk #4 - Holly Mechsner, CTS Systems 

10:45 AM Break, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

11:15 AM Tech Talks Resume

• Tech Talk #5 - Allison Black Spicer, The Home Depot 
• Tech Talk #6 - Chris Derrick, CVENT 

12:00 PM Lunch, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

1:00 PM Announce Scavenger Hunt Winner, Dismiss

---

Tech Talk Topics:

Tech Talk Spotlight: Sherry Awbrey
It’s time to take back your attendees attention with your own event mobile app!Increase your attendee engagement by using a mobile app to achieve your event goals.Understand why Gamification is key to connecting attendees to your event and ultimately your brand. Motivate attendees to explore content, complete challenges, earn points and win prizes. Learn how to increase interactions with peers and also spark conversations among your speakers with the use of Live Q&A, Live Polling and Surveys.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Dale Falk, Jr.
In a world of excess digital content, quality control is a key factor in maximizing engagement and ROI for brands. Dale will tell us why it's important to hire professional content creators versus always capturing event photos or videos internally. He will also focus on the differences in equipment used in creating content for your brand.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Christine Hilgert
With drones first and center from Super Bowl to the Olympics – How can you make the center of energy for your event.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Holly Mechsner
Don’t let the new General Data Protection Regulations take your company by surprise! Come hear how these new regulations out of Europe are affecting all companies, including those in the United States travel industry. I’ll be talking on how these rules will affect you directly and how CTS Systems technology can keep your company safe and secure.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Allison Black Spicer
“Allison is always looking to surprise and engage attendees with the latest trends. One of the newest platforms being, virtual reality or VR. In case you thought it was reserved for video games and entertainment, she will demonstrate that VR can be just as powerful for business as it can be for pleasure.”

Tech Talk Spotlight: Chris Derrick at Cvent
Chris will discuss the importance of “digitizing” your events, meetings, etc. Digitization will help strengthen processes like attendee engagement, personalization, lead generation, marketing automation and more!

---

Speakers: 

Sherry Awbrey, CMM - Vice President Sales & Marketing, EMC Venues, Your Complete Source.

Sherry leads the global sourcing, account management and analytics teams to provide comprehensive meetings management solutions. She enjoys leveraging her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for people to promote best-in-class performance from her teams while bringing innovations to market, implementing strategies to develop customers for life. 

Dale Falk, Jr.

Dale's years of experience includes working with some of entertainment's top brands, entertainers, creative studios, record labels and a variety of clients to deliver impactful content strategy for every project.

A strong passion for live entertainment and sharing those experiences led Dale to create the entertainment production company, Network Frequency, LLC and their website NETFREQ.tv which currently produces external and internal digital content for clients like SunTrust, Live Nation, KPMG, and many more. From spherical (360° and VR) experiences, to major marketing activations and advertising campaigns, Dale is a leading figure in merging technology with entertainment.

Dale also is an Executive Producer for Reelmind Studios in Atlanta, specializing in post-production, environmental mapping, and other visual effect services for major event and film clients across the globe.

Dale has helped design, program, and produce content for over 10 years. From live music and entertainment to corporate events and destination projects, Dale's diversity of experience, and vast of amount of resources, brings a creative insight into the production process from conception to delivery.



Christine Hilgert, CMP - Senior Vice President, Meeting Expectations

As senior vice president of the meeting planning business unit, Christine Hilgert, CMP, is responsible for client management and strategic direction of the meeting planning staff, which is comprised of meeting planners, registration staff and contract management staff. Her focus is to introduce the latest ideas and opportunities offered by the industry to her staff and clients.

Christine has extensive experience in technology based education programs (drones!), innovation delivery and budget management. She has overseen client budgets ranging from $100,000 to $10 million and facilitated speaker management for programs consisting of 30 - 350 speakers. In addition, she has managed show floors with up to 300 exhibiting companies and 100,000 gross square feet. She has also coordinated the fulfillment and management of many high profile partner programs.

Christine has experience working on meetings at hotels and conventions centers throughout North American, Europe, Asia PAC, and the Middle East, and she has been the lead venue liaison for programs ranging in attendance of 200 - 10,000 attendees.

Before joining Meeting Expectations, Christine worked with GA Olympics as a Multi-Sport Manager Statewide.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts in hospitality management from Florida State University and continues is an active alumni mentor, working with students and volunteering for the Society of Hosts – FSU Chapter. 



Holly Mechsner - Director of Marketing and Communications, CTS Systems

Holly is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications for CTS Systems. CTS Systems is the world’s preeminent company in the field of commission management, collection, reconciliation, and reporting. In addition, Holly is the Director of Interactive Communication with Dezika. They are a commision collection company that is powered by CTS Systems.

With a broad background in corporate finance, foreign languages and hospitality, Holly brings a dynamic mix of global awareness, business sense and people skills to the table. Early in her career she was employed seven years with one of the largest investment firms in the country, where she worked with high net worth clients on investment strategies which enhanced their portfolios, ensured compliance and increased participation.

Holly is a Certified GDPR Practitioner and is helping lead the charge at CTS Systems to preparing companies world-wide for the new General Data Protection Regulations coming from Europe. CTS Systems is on the cutting edge of GDPR and utilizes their proprietary software and internal systems to ensure the companies they serve are compliant.

Holly is also a member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council's International Leadership Council, an advisory board composed of leaders who have solid international connections or already do business globally. This Council seeks to increase foreign-direct investment and leverage international expertise to tap into emerging global markets.

 

Allison Black Spicer, CMP - Manager, Events Management, The Home Depot 

Allison Black Spicer, CMP is currently Manager, Events Management for The Home Depot, where she is responsible for providing overall event strategy and support to internal clients. In this capacity, Allison strategically plans, manages, and executes large and small scale events providing client consultation, project and content management, contract negotiation, budget management, pre and post-event analysis and ensuring all objectives are met.

Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2014, Allison served as Senior Planner, Global Event Management for MetLife in New York, NY. She was responsible for planning and managing large and small-scale global events and corporate sponsorship functions. Also while at MetLife, Allison contributed to the cost avoidance of overall company meeting spend by 5% through the development of an enterprise-wide translation memory and standard contract concessions. She began her career in event planning at The Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C.

Allison received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2011. She is a graduate of The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.

In her free time, Allison enjoys wine, non-work travel, and spending time with her husband, Bill and their toddler daughter, Lucy.

Chris Derrick - Principal Account Manager, Cvent

 

My name is Chris Derrick.  I am a Principal Account Manager at Cvent.  I have been in the event/meeting technology software industry for 9 years and before that, I was in the incentive industry for 9 years.

I will discuss the importance of “digitizing” your events, meetings, etc.  Digitization will help strengthen processes like attendee engagement, personalization, lead generation, marketing automation and more!

---

Registration Fees:

Early Bird Pricing ends Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $65
Non-Member: $85
Student: $35

Standard Pricing Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm - Thursday, March 15 at 5:00pm
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $85
Non-Member: $105
Student: $35

Onsite Pricing
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $95
Non-Member: $115
Student: $45

---

Parking Information:

Please Note: There is NO PARKING at Atlanta Tech Village for weekday events before 4:00 PM. Please click on the link below for detailed directions, parking location and rates.

Directions to the Village

---

Thank you to our Venue Sponsor:

---

Thank you to our Event Sponsors:

---

Thank you to our Event Exhibitors:

---

Thank you Premier Annual Sponsors: 

MPI Georgia Chapter Attendance Policy: All Essential Level members or non-members are limited to no more than two events in one fiscal year and must pay the Essential Level/Non-member rate. MPI Preferred or Premier Level members are welcome to attend all chapter events at the Member Price.

Are you an MPI Georgia member? Be sure to SIGN IN to your profile BEFORE registering for an event in order to get member pricing. 

---

The Tech Summit Returns:

The 2018 Tech Summit is shaping up to be another jam packed day filled with exciting information about up-and-coming new technologies that you can use in the workplace. This annual event is one you won't want to miss. Join MPI Georgia & SITESoutheastas we explore the ever changing world of event technologies on Tuesday, March 20 at the Atlanta Tech Village.

The 2018 Tech Summit introduces Tech Talks! Tech Talks are short, engaging, and impactful presentations on current and upcoming technologies in the meeting professional industry.

#TechTalks2018

---

Agenda:

Agenda subject to change.

9:00 AM Registration Opens

9:00 AM Continental Breakfast, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

9:30 AM Tech Talks Begin

• Tech Talk #1 - Sherry Awbrey, EMCVenues 
• Tech Talk #2 - Christine Hilgert, Meeting Expectations 
• Tech Talk #3 - Dale Falk, Jr., NETFREQ.tv & Cinema Park Studios 
• Tech Talk #4 - Holly Mechsner, CTS Systems 

10:45 AM Break, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

11:15 AM Tech Talks Resume

• Tech Talk #5 - Allison Black Spicer, The Home Depot 
• Tech Talk #6 - Chris Derrick, CVENT 

12:00 PM Lunch, Networking, Exhibits, Scavenger Hunt

1:00 PM Announce Scavenger Hunt Winner, Dismiss

---

Tech Talk Topics:

Tech Talk Spotlight: Sherry Awbrey
It’s time to take back your attendees attention with your own event mobile app!Increase your attendee engagement by using a mobile app to achieve your event goals.Understand why Gamification is key to connecting attendees to your event and ultimately your brand. Motivate attendees to explore content, complete challenges, earn points and win prizes. Learn how to increase interactions with peers and also spark conversations among your speakers with the use of Live Q&A, Live Polling and Surveys.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Dale Falk, Jr.
In a world of excess digital content, quality control is a key factor in maximizing engagement and ROI for brands. Dale will tell us why it's important to hire professional content creators versus always capturing event photos or videos internally. He will also focus on the differences in equipment used in creating content for your brand.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Christine Hilgert
With drones first and center from Super Bowl to the Olympics – How can you make the center of energy for your event.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Holly Mechsner
Don’t let the new General Data Protection Regulations take your company by surprise! Come hear how these new regulations out of Europe are affecting all companies, including those in the United States travel industry. I’ll be talking on how these rules will affect you directly and how CTS Systems technology can keep your company safe and secure.

Tech Talk Spotlight: Allison Black Spicer
“Allison is always looking to surprise and engage attendees with the latest trends. One of the newest platforms being, virtual reality or VR. In case you thought it was reserved for video games and entertainment, she will demonstrate that VR can be just as powerful for business as it can be for pleasure.”

Tech Talk Spotlight: Chris Derrick at Cvent
Chris will discuss the importance of “digitizing” your events, meetings, etc. Digitization will help strengthen processes like attendee engagement, personalization, lead generation, marketing automation and more!

---

Speakers: 

Sherry Awbrey, CMM - Vice President Sales & Marketing, EMC Venues, Your Complete Source.

Sherry leads the global sourcing, account management and analytics teams to provide comprehensive meetings management solutions. She enjoys leveraging her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for people to promote best-in-class performance from her teams while bringing innovations to market, implementing strategies to develop customers for life. 

Dale Falk, Jr.

Dale's years of experience includes working with some of entertainment's top brands, entertainers, creative studios, record labels and a variety of clients to deliver impactful content strategy for every project.

A strong passion for live entertainment and sharing those experiences led Dale to create the entertainment production company, Network Frequency, LLC and their website NETFREQ.tv which currently produces external and internal digital content for clients like SunTrust, Live Nation, KPMG, and many more. From spherical (360° and VR) experiences, to major marketing activations and advertising campaigns, Dale is a leading figure in merging technology with entertainment.

Dale also is an Executive Producer for Reelmind Studios in Atlanta, specializing in post-production, environmental mapping, and other visual effect services for major event and film clients across the globe.

Dale has helped design, program, and produce content for over 10 years. From live music and entertainment to corporate events and destination projects, Dale's diversity of experience, and vast of amount of resources, brings a creative insight into the production process from conception to delivery.



Christine Hilgert, CMP - Senior Vice President, Meeting Expectations

As senior vice president of the meeting planning business unit, Christine Hilgert, CMP, is responsible for client management and strategic direction of the meeting planning staff, which is comprised of meeting planners, registration staff and contract management staff. Her focus is to introduce the latest ideas and opportunities offered by the industry to her staff and clients.

Christine has extensive experience in technology based education programs (drones!), innovation delivery and budget management. She has overseen client budgets ranging from $100,000 to $10 million and facilitated speaker management for programs consisting of 30 - 350 speakers. In addition, she has managed show floors with up to 300 exhibiting companies and 100,000 gross square feet. She has also coordinated the fulfillment and management of many high profile partner programs.

Christine has experience working on meetings at hotels and conventions centers throughout North American, Europe, Asia PAC, and the Middle East, and she has been the lead venue liaison for programs ranging in attendance of 200 - 10,000 attendees.

Before joining Meeting Expectations, Christine worked with GA Olympics as a Multi-Sport Manager Statewide.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts in hospitality management from Florida State University and continues is an active alumni mentor, working with students and volunteering for the Society of Hosts – FSU Chapter. 



Holly Mechsner - Director of Marketing and Communications, CTS Systems

Holly is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications for CTS Systems. CTS Systems is the world’s preeminent company in the field of commission management, collection, reconciliation, and reporting. In addition, Holly is the Director of Interactive Communication with Dezika. They are a commision collection company that is powered by CTS Systems.

With a broad background in corporate finance, foreign languages and hospitality, Holly brings a dynamic mix of global awareness, business sense and people skills to the table. Early in her career she was employed seven years with one of the largest investment firms in the country, where she worked with high net worth clients on investment strategies which enhanced their portfolios, ensured compliance and increased participation.

Holly is a Certified GDPR Practitioner and is helping lead the charge at CTS Systems to preparing companies world-wide for the new General Data Protection Regulations coming from Europe. CTS Systems is on the cutting edge of GDPR and utilizes their proprietary software and internal systems to ensure the companies they serve are compliant.

Holly is also a member of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council's International Leadership Council, an advisory board composed of leaders who have solid international connections or already do business globally. This Council seeks to increase foreign-direct investment and leverage international expertise to tap into emerging global markets.

 

Allison Black Spicer, CMP - Manager, Events Management, The Home Depot 

Allison Black Spicer, CMP is currently Manager, Events Management for The Home Depot, where she is responsible for providing overall event strategy and support to internal clients. In this capacity, Allison strategically plans, manages, and executes large and small scale events providing client consultation, project and content management, contract negotiation, budget management, pre and post-event analysis and ensuring all objectives are met.

Prior to joining The Home Depot in 2014, Allison served as Senior Planner, Global Event Management for MetLife in New York, NY. She was responsible for planning and managing large and small-scale global events and corporate sponsorship functions. Also while at MetLife, Allison contributed to the cost avoidance of overall company meeting spend by 5% through the development of an enterprise-wide translation memory and standard contract concessions. She began her career in event planning at The Advisory Board Company in Washington, D.C.

Allison received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2011. She is a graduate of The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism.

In her free time, Allison enjoys wine, non-work travel, and spending time with her husband, Bill and their toddler daughter, Lucy.

Chris Derrick - Principal Account Manager, Cvent

 

My name is Chris Derrick.  I am a Principal Account Manager at Cvent.  I have been in the event/meeting technology software industry for 9 years and before that, I was in the incentive industry for 9 years.

I will discuss the importance of “digitizing” your events, meetings, etc.  Digitization will help strengthen processes like attendee engagement, personalization, lead generation, marketing automation and more!

---

Registration Fees:

Early Bird Pricing ends Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $65
Non-Member: $85
Student: $35

Standard Pricing Friday, February 23 at 5:00pm - Thursday, March 15 at 5:00pm
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $85
Non-Member: $105
Student: $35

Onsite Pricing
MPI Georgia/SITE Southeast Member: $95
Non-Member: $115
Student: $45

---

Parking Information:

Please Note: There is NO PARKING at Atlanta Tech Village for weekday events before 4:00 PM. Please click on the link below for detailed directions, parking location and rates.

Directions to the Village

---

Thank you to our Venue Sponsor:

---

Thank you to our Event Sponsors:

---

Thank you to our Event Exhibitors:

---

Thank you Premier Annual Sponsors: