Small Market Meetings Conference attendees will get the “professional treatment” when they gather in Green Bay, Wisconsin, September 24-26. That’s because three prominent speakers, all experts in their fields, will inform and entertain the delegates.
Tech Now
Jim Spellos likes to call himself the Now-ist because he believes tomorrow is already here. That’s how fast technology is racing. Spellos is a technology expert who addresses 150 groups around the nation each year, bringing fresh tech ideas that his audience members can apply immediately to their personal and work lives.
Spellos tells groups about new technologies but, more importantly, exactly what gadgets and strategies they can use to help improve their productivity.
“They have to see what’s out there, but then rely on people like me to tell them whether to try it or not,” Spellos told an interviewer on the EventTech podcast. “Many people are not early adopters of technology; there’s a certain caution level. They don’t want to break the bank and spend too much money and time on things that may not have the payoff for them.”
Spellos promises to give planners useful information they can use now.
Legal Protection
Meeting planners must attend to hundreds of details when setting up events. But one of the most important, and one that is often overlooked or diminished in importance, is the contract with a hotel or meeting venue. That’s where attorney and speaker Lisa Sommer Devlin’s expertise comes in handy.
Devlin will tell conferencegoers how even the smallest contract mistakes can turn disastrous. Having represented hotels in their contract negotiations for 25 years, Devlin will reveal some of the most common contract mistakes and offer suggestions to planners on how to avoid legal entanglements.
Devlin says meeting and event contracts can be greatly affected by events right out of the news headlines. In recent years, Devlin said, hurricanes and wildfires, divisive politics, hot topics like the MeToo movement, gun violence and other issues have had an impact on meetings and events. Planners have got to think ahead and plan for the unexpected when considering contract language.
Black Tie Experience
Bob Pacanovsky is a hospitality expert who emphasizes high levels of customer service. He urges people to go further and think customer experience.
“People love to do business with people they like, trust and respect,” he said. “And no matter how good your name is, it boils down to you.”
In creating what he calls the Black Tie Experience, Pacanovsky will ask the audience if their customer experience is the same for everyone or if it is more personalized. He also emphasizes making emotional connections with clients.
Pacanovsky further defines the Black Tie Experience as staff going above and beyond the usual in providing service, not just because they have to, but because they want to. That means doing the little things to reinforce the big thing: extraordinary service.
