September Education Luncheon – “A Look at Risk in a Changing World”

Bullets, Bad Guys, Fire & Brimstone: A Look at Risk in a Changing World
Presented by:
Michael Owen
EventGenuity, LLC
Register online!

The Bataclan Paris. Pulse Nightclub Orlando. Nice Bastille Day. Fort Hood Army Base. Inland Regional Center San Bernardino. The Boston Marathon. Terrorism and active shooters. Is it just a matter of time before a Meetings and Events Industry Conference appears in similar horrific headlines? What about civil unrest, controversial legislation and weather-related catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina, the Nashville flood, Atlanta tornado? These, and other equally disruptive forces may be beyond our control but defining the role of the meeting owner or event organizer in assuring that their participants are informed and as safe as possible is not. We can’t prevent every risk scenario, but shouldn’t we prepare for threats even as we hope they never occur?

IAEE and ESCA recently launched the Exhibitions and Meetings Safety and Security Initiative (EMSSI), a national convention center security initiative in support of Homeland Security’s SAFETY Act. Work is separately underway for a Global Venue Security Standard to include hotels and freestanding venues. These movements toward universally accepted venue security standards are critical. Yet, to be effective, comprehensive safety planning must be a collaboration between the venue and the meeting owner/event organizer. The meeting owner/event organizer must be in the loop and receive “eyes only” information since they act as the intermediaries to instantly review and distribute the best information available for the safety and security of participants.

The buzz today is rightly about active shooters and terrorism, yet we face a variety of threats from unexpected forces. The good work of the venue standard initiatives is welcome and long overdue, but where and how does the planner engage in the process to insure maximum participant safety? This session guides the planner through steps in creating their own customized action plan depending on a variety of components that comprise the individual event.

Learning Outcomes:

• Comprehend the magnitude of participant safety issues – it is not just about terrorism or active shooters
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners to customize safety tips for your event
• Acquire best practices for dissemination of vital information to all participants

This program has been submitted to the Events Industry Council for CMP Preferred Provider Review and is pending approval for 1.0 CEU credit hours under Domain G: Meeting or Event Design.

About Our Speaker
With decades of experience as a provider of entertainment and event management services, Michael shares a wealth of knowledge gained through his career in the often unique and always exciting meetings and events industries. His company, EventGenuity, LLC, produces business events throughout North America, providing Events and Meetings Management and Corporate Entertainment capabilities to corporate and association clients.

A meetings industry activist, Michael has served on the MPI International Board of Directors, TNSAE Board of Directors, Nashville Association of Talent Directors Board of Directors, as Past President of the Tennessee Chapter of MPI, Chair of MPI’s Chapter Advisory Council, Reed Exhibitions AIBTM Advisory Board, MPI Leadership Development Task Force, & PCMA Global Advocacy Task Force. He currently serves as past Chair of Convention Industry Council APEX Standards Committee, as a member of The Meetings Industry Wi-Fi Coalition and on the PCMA Independent Planners Task Force.

Michael is a frequent presenter at industry conferences, chapters and at learning institutions, speaking on what’s now and what’s next in meetings and events, as meeting host/emcee and leading or participating in panel discussions. He has facilitated dozens of strategic retreats and leadership development sessions for boards of directors and chapter volunteer leaders. He has published articles in Meetings and Conventions, Convene, Meeting Mentor Magazine, Connect Magazine, Plan-It Tennessee, The Meeting Professional, Meetings Focus and Successful Meetings magazines and as a guest columnist for The Tennessean and The Nashville Business Journal.

Venue
The Sheraton Clayton Plaza Hotel is just minutes away from many of St. Louis’ top attractions. The hotel is within walking distance of over 50 restaurants and shops, and just two blocks from St. Louis public transit system, MetroLink, connecting you to Busch Stadium, the Gateway Arch, Scottrade Center, and more.

In addition, they are conveniently situated in the midst of several corporate headquarters and collegiate areas including Brown Shoe, Build-A-Bear, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Panera Bread, Centene Corporation, Spartech Corporation, Furniture Brand, Washington University, Saint Louis University, and Fontbonne University.

Business Card Swap
We will have a business card swap at your table so be sure to bring at least 7 business cards to share.

Interested in Being a Monthly Program Sponsor?
Would you like additional exposure within the MPI St. Louis Area Chapter? Have your logo proudly displayed (in our registration materials, via social media and at our meeting), and share a few words about your company to our membership at the podium. Contact Kaitlin Jakel, Vice President of Education, for information on Monthly Program sponsorship opportunities at education@mpistlouis.org or (618) 567-8868.

Supplier Members have the option of sponsoring a table for $25. This is a great opportunity to capture the attention of your fellow tablemates (usually 5-6 people) and present collateral, giveaways or a brief overview of your organization. Feel free to ask attendees to join you at your table for lunch. Table Sponsors will be recognized at the event.

Are you willing to host a Meeting Planner at a Monthly Program? Are you a Meeting Planner who would like to be hosted by a Supplier? If so, we can help connect you! Contact Kaitlin Jakel, Vice President of Education for more information at education@mpistlouis.org or (618) 567-8868.

Schedule
11:00 a.m. Registration & Networking
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Program

Fees
$40 Members
$65 Non-Members/Guests**
$20 Student Members
Student Guests – Call MPI St. Louis at (314) 416-2234 for rate and to register.

Walk-ins and meeting registrations not received by the cancellation deadline, September 26th, will be charged an additional $20 per registration.

**Meeting Attendance Policy: Per MPI Global all Essential Level Members or Non-Members will be limited to attending no more than two events in one fiscal year (July 1-June 30), and must pay the Essential Level/Non-Member Rate. MPI Preferred and Premier Level Members are welcome to attend all chapter events at the Member Rate. This new policy is required for all MPI Chapters. Please click here to familiarize yourself with MPI’s membership levels.