Peer to Peer Roundtables

Many topics in our ever-changing industry are often best thought out with a group. Getting ideas and input from your peers can often lead to better and brighter ideas or that “ah ha” moment. Roundtable discussions are the perfect opportunity to discuss the hot topics in the meeting industry. Our January meeting will feature roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, and attendees will focus on the challenges and best practices for those particular topics.

Roundtable topics will include:

• Unique spaces for meetings and events on a budget (in and out of St. Louis)
• New to the industry/Opportunities for professional growth
• Enhancing relationships between suppliers and planners
• Technology – Apps, platforms, online booking tools
• F&B Trends
• Ethics
• Risk Management
• Coping with too many meeting hosts
• Changing the mindset from simply planning to meeting & event design
• Partnering to do charitable teambuilding programs
• Process improvements – tools, tips and tricks to make planning easier
• Best ways to stretch your event budget
• Content, marketing and speakers
• Best practices for leading a team

Learning Outcomes:

• Bring valuable ideas back to your organization with insight from peers
• Hear and share best practices for areas of challenge or concern
• Implement new polices or procedures in your organization to make your planning more strategic and efficient

This program has been submitted to the Events Industry Council for CMP Preferred Provider Review and is pending approval for 1.25 CEU credit hours under Domain A. Strategic Planning.

Venue

In a resort setting, the Doubletree by Hilton – Chesterfield hotel is only 30 minutes from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Located off Highway 40/I-64, this hotel near St. Louis is close to a variety of businesses, restaurants and attractions, such as the Chesterfield Outlet Malls, Chesterfield Mall, American Girl, and Butterfly House.

The 36,000 sq. ft. of conference and event space accommodates up to 1,000 guests and offers a diverse range of meeting rooms, including the IACC Certified Executive Conference Center. Host a corporate meeting or special event and let expert event planners take care of the details. Enjoy complimentary parking and all the support you need for business in the fully equipped business lounge area.

Philanthropy

KidSmart’s mission is to empower kids in need to succeed in school by providing free essential tools for learning. Since opening in 2002, KidSmart has distributed more than $44 million in school supplies to more than 150,000 local kids in need. To learn more, visit www.kidsmartstl.org.

Donations for KidSmart will be collected at the January meeting. Items needed include: paper, pencils, markers, glue and crayons.

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 kmjakel@express-scripts.com 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 kmjakel@express-scripts.com or (618) 567-8868.

Schedule
11:00 a.m. Registration & Networking
11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Lunch & 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, January 20th, will be charged an additional $20 per registration.