MPI New Jersey MEETS Conference

DATE: Thursday, May 20, 2021
TIME: 9:30am - 1:30pm
CMP/CE CREDITS: 5 Clock Hours

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MEET OUR SPEAKERS* 
Joanne Dennison, MSEd, CMP, The MeetGuide 

"Sit in the Attendee’s Chair ™:  Now What?"
Attendees are your largest group of stakeholders, and could be argued the most important—if attendees get what they need, in a strategically planned meeting, everyone else’s Goals and Objectives get met too.
So how do we need to look at meetings and events in this new world? Still from their perspective, except “they”, like everyone else, are experiencing everything differently than they did in February 2020.

Learning Objectives: 
Meeting Basic Needs in Face to Face, Hybrid and Virtual
How do we make people feel safe and secure, especially when people have so many different interpretations of what that means?
Inclusivity—do we need to expand how we interpret that?

Gigi Gilliard, Gigi Gilliard Development 

"Inside the Impact of Microaggressions: Subtle Acts of Exclusion" 
All around us today we see racial unrest playing out in the most harmful, most impactful way. However, in the workplace (and In the conversation that is diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) we often miss the small, subtle, often unintended messages that are sent that cause others to feel less - and not included.  

Learning Objectives: 
Define microaggressions and talk through how to spot them. 
Share tips on how to avoid microaggressions and how to recover if you have been on the giving or receiving end of a microaggression.
Talk about the more accurate term for microaggressions and we share how the impact of these "small cuts" is usually not micro at all. 

Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., Grimes Law Offices, LLC 

"Back to Business! Meeting Contracts in a Post-COVID World" 
This program will be led by Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., a prominent meetings industry attorney. Mr. Grimes will discuss the most significant legal issues facing those returning to in-person meetings. We will also leave time for Mr. Grimes to answer YOUR questions. The keys to in-person meetings are ensuring attendee safety, and remaining flexible to adjust to changes like COVID spikes or delayed vaccinations. Planners and suppliers must work together to create fair contracts that allow both parties to feel comfortable about moving forward. And prospective attendees must have the confidence that their safety will be protected, and that they won’t be penalized if they register for in-person but then change their mind. Meetings are on the way back! With vaccinations underway and new COVID cases trending down, meeting professionals can finally start planning a safe return to in-person meetings.

Topics will include:
Requiring proof of vaccinations and waiver forms as part of meeting registration process.
Retaining flexibility to move from in-person to hybid meetings if circumstances warrant.
Drafting solid Force Majeure and COVID clauses for meeting contracts.
Allocating responsibility to enforce COVID health protocols.
Security planning in the wake of domestic terrorism risks.

Learning Objectives:
Learn the contracting lessons and new provisions developed in response to COVID-19.
Develop solid clauses clauses to protect your organization from future unforeseeable events.
Consider how Waivers and Vaccination Passports may be used to protect meeting hosts and attendees.

James Spellos, Meeting U 

"Your New Normal:  High Tech, Low Cost & DIY"
This decade’s greatest tech business challenge is the need to continue to find ways to integrate technology into their services while maintaining control of their bottom line.  The creation of high-tech functionality, once the domain of talented yet pricey coding specialists, is becoming a critical part of the skill set of everyone.  Having these skills helps you to assist your organization while improving your own skill set and marketability.  From creating apps to voice interfaces and mixed reality, this session shows that the tools to create exceptional tech functionality reside in your hands, and within your budget.

Learning Objectives:
Identify and use over 5 high tech tools that can be created and implemented at little to no cost
Create an organization or conference app at no expense
Understand the meaning and implications of the low-code/no-code tech movement to small and mid-sized businesses

Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC, CFPM, thrive! meetings & events

"Every Meal Matters"
Consumers’ perceptions and behaviors around food and beverage are changing. They are demanding more personalization, better safety practices and higher quality, healthier options:

1 in 10 adults has a food allergy
74% are trying to limit sugar in their diet
45% are concerned about eating food away from home
43% follow a specific diet or eating pattern
60% consider their health when deciding what to eat & drink

With food and beverage being the largest expenditure on any event budget, there’s NOTHING BUT ROOM on the buffet table for event professionals — planners and suppliers — who are prepared to take advantage of these demands to create safer and more inclusive dining experiences while maximizing their F&B spend.

Learn what it takes to order, prepare, and deliver delicious, safe, and inclusive food and beverage experiences everyone will be raving about after the event.

Learning Objectives:
Understand how creative and trendy menus can also meeting everyone’s dietary needs.
Learn how to sell food and beverage experiences instead of a standard catering menu.
Learn how to easily make the awards banquet the CENTERPIECE of your events within budget and without boring chicken dishes.

*Programs subject to change

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Thank you to our Sponsors: 
Platinum Sponsor: 


Gold Sponsors: 





    
















Silver Sponsors: 








Bronze Sponsor: 
 

In Cooperation with: 

        




     

Virtual