Event Practices Track

Friday, August 5

Sights and Sounds - AV/Technical Production Block:

Audiovisual Clinic — Simplifying AV & Technical Production

Presenters: Bill Guest, CCR Solutions, Bill Kubiak, CSEP, Freeman Companies, Steven Way, Advanced Lighting & Production Services

This session block will demonstrate to event professionals the key ‘secrets’ of successful interaction with audiovisual and technical production professionals. Combining best practices based on the successful collaboration among event planners, producers and suppliers, attendees will tap into the vast knowledge and expertise of industry

leaders highlighting the changing and exciting new, innovative trends and tools in audiovisual production and how these tools can be utilized by event professionals to elevate the quality of production, as well as ensure successful events within budget.

Learning Objectives:

·    Gain knowledge of key terms in video, audio and lighting and their applications.

·    Discover efficient and effective techniques to improve communication among vendors.

·    Uncover the benefits of using interactive tools like audience response systems (ARS) to engage your audience.

·    Review eco-friendly stage treatments like digital sets and visual branding.

Fed and Watered - On-Premise and Off-Premise Catering:

Block Ties That Bind...Taking Advantage of Your Caterer

Presenters: Dan Belmont, St. Louis Union Station Marriott, Karen Bartelsmeyer-Jones, Cassie Burd, Butler’s Pantry, Kelly Early, CSEP, Thomas Caterers of Distinction, Vince Early, CSEP, Thomas Caterers of Distinction

Become skilled at how to work with your caterer, understand their pivotal role in any event with food and beverage service, how you need to interact with them during your portion of the event production, and how it’s all tied together resulting in a flawless event for your client. This session block will familiarize you with both on and off-premise catering basics from service style through clean up!

Learning Objectives:

·    Discover how to work more efficiently and intelligently with your caterer to  maximize productivity.

·    Discuss the importance of creating a strategic partnership with your caterer in any venue.

·    Recognize how food and beverage service can compliment all vendors producing an event.

Sights and Sounds - Entertainment Block:

Enhance Your Reputation While Captivating Guests

Presenters: Sandy O. Fergus, Creative Juice, Inc., Andrew Kushner, Andy Kushner Entertainment, Andrew Larris, Andy Kushner Entertainment

Sparky Sparks, Sparks Agency

The drum roll sounds, the announcer speaks, the curtains part, lights are flashing and fog is rolling - the entertainment begins! But what did it take to make that all happen? This session block will demonstrate the importance of communication among all vendors in order to produce successful entertainment for your clients and their attendees.  We will review everything from contracts,

riders, and expectations, to design, structure and placement. Who knew the entertainers needed to eat? Find out whose responsibility THAT was....

Learning Objectives:

·    Become skilled at reading entertainment contracts and riders so the entire planning team is aware of entertainment needs and who will be responsible.

·    Gain knowledge of how to insure that your design elements don’t interfere with your entertainment elements.

·    Leave this session understanding the importance of incorporating the needs of your entertainment into your overall event.

Client and Project Management Block:

EventsRx...a Prescription for Successful Project Management

Presenters: Larry Cossio, Cossio Insurance Agency, Allin Foulkrod, CSEP, Creative Visions, Inc., Rick Jobe, Jobe & Associates

Driven by goals to achieve wonderful experiences for your clients through expert management and strategic partnerships, gain first-hand knowledge of how developing and maintaining clients and managing your multi-dimensional projects ensures your success as a special events professional. Come find out what prescription you need when viewing the big event picture. It’s just what the doctor ordered!

Learning Objectives:

·    To provide an interactive method which presents vital information from a client and project management perspective.

·    Learn effective methods of client acquisition and practical ways of maintaining them.

·    Examine samples of documents and the latest cutting-edge technology to keep you organized during the production of your event.

Saturday, August 6

Corporate Design Block:

The Best of Corporate Event Logistics and Implementation

Presenters: Ken Kristoffersen, CSEP, POP,Fergus Rooney, Event Architects, Debra Roth, Pink Powered by Moss Inc., Sally Webb, CSEP, The Special Event Company

Get ready to rock your events! In today’s “seenit-before” world, it takes a variety of skills and creativity to wow your clients and reinforce a reputation for delivering one-of-a-kind events. Empower your team to master the skills in Corporate Design so you can focus on event success.

Learning Objectives:

·    Learn the importance of production schedules, risk assessment and corporate procedures.

·    See the importance of creating visuals that enhance event experiences for your guests.

·    Discover effective tools to structure a budget through social, economic and environmental considerations.

Site Selection Block -St Louis Venue Tour:

Choosing the Right Location for your Client

Presenters: Kory Droege, Premier Rentals, LLC, Sam Orlando, Jr., Orlando Banquets Inc., Erin Schulte, Exclusive Events, Inc., Angie Weigel, Destination St. Louis

Have you ever left a site inspection wondering if you could have been more effective? Travel to locations throughout the St. Louis area with event venue selection experts and participate in a mock site inspection. During the tour, interact with potential vendors such as caterers, décor professionals, lighting specialists and destination management professionals. The group will visit multiple event spaces to showcase venue transformation possibilities.

Learning Objectives:

·    Participate in an interactive site inspection experience, illustrating all aspects of a visit including venue and vendor selection.

·    Learn how to effectively use your time during a site inspection and determine what questions to ask both of your client and your vendors to select a suitable venue to meet your client’s expectations.

·    Attendees will be introduced to the important aspects of site inspections and how site selection serves an integral role in your client’s and guests’ event experience.

Social Event Design Block:

Divas, Design & Dish!!

Presenters: Stefanie Berry, Showorks, Inc., Gwen Helbush, CWC, Where To Start Wedding & Event Management, Kate Kovalick-Patay, Creative Coverings, Inc., Cindy Lo, Red Velvet Events, Sasha Souza, Sasha Souza Events

Be a participant at one of the best interactive presentations at ISES Eventworld®! Top social event professionals (and a few DIVAS!) will share secrets of the social event design and planning world and how their passion, experience and determination translates into successful event execution. This participatory session is part television interview, part open (and brutally honest) question and answer exchange, and part roundtable discussion. A personal, one-on-one atmosphere will be created to encourage attendees to engage in the discussion and gain valuable information to use immediately on your own projects. Want to know how to work with us? Join our live audience!

Learning Objectives:

·    An exploration of how social event design and planning differs from other professional creative disciplines.

·    An honest and open forum with seasoned professionals providing candid insights into the sometimes-emotional world of social event design and planning.

·    Ultimately provide the answer to a frequent question posed by industry professionals: “How do we work with these DIVAS?”

Onsite Event Services Block:

Tying it Together On-Site

Presenters: Matt Brinkman, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, Dale Harmon, Plants Alive! Inc., Heather Henderson, CSEP, CMP, Cisco Live Programs, Marty Janis, Atlantic Services Group, Inc., Stephen Revetria, AT&T Park

Every event professional should have a personal network of event planning service providers that they hire for any given event. In this informative and interactive session block, you will have an opportunity to learn what services are needed on-site for events, the best way to source them and how to seamlessly pull everything together. With insights from St. Louis’ Convention & Visitors Commission and a team of presenters, you will find out how to source local vendors and partner with a DMC regardless of your familiarity with the venue or city. From there, we will take you on the journey from working in an unfamiliar venue and sourcing transportation and registration systems to on-site webcasting and décor. Additionally, you’ll gain insight on how to best work with a team of vendors, scheduling pre-cons and tips for improving communication throughout the entire process. Whether you are the team leader or one of the players, being part of a successful team is what matters!

Learning Objectives:

·    Learn how to employ the services of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (regardless of the city).

·    Become skilled at using all available resources to build a successful event services team.

·    Gain a working knowledge of available communication tools that can be applied to the planning process and while on-site.