WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH
PRE-SHOW WARM-UP (10:30AM ET- 11:00AM ET)
KICK OFF YOUR DAY WITH AN ENERGIZING AND FUN PRE-SHOW
Join our hosts, Tia Streaty and Curtis Kingsley as we kick off the day with some insightful tips about the event and some fun music by DJ Duerell.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH
MAIN STAGE (11:00AM ET- 12:00PM ET)
LET’S GET READY FOR DAY 2!
JARED POLLACCO
President, Impact XM
It is time for another full day of insightful sessions and great networking with industry professionals. Jared Pollacco starts off Day 2 with a look back at some Day 1 highlights and gives us a peak at what to expect for the rest of Rethink 2021.
THE GREAT RESET
TIFFANI BOVA
Global Customer Growth and Innovation Evangelist, Salesforce
As we learn from the times and think forward, there are a lot of actions we can take to ready ourselves, our businesses and our customers for growth. The great reset isn’t a new normal. It’s a shift in our mindset that pushes us to pause and reflect on the past, respond to the present, and rethink the future. What can we control? Our attitude. Our actions. What can we do together to get back to growth? Energize our teams. Set a clear direction. Get closer to our customers.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE: WHAT’S CHANGED AND WHY IT’S AS IMPORTANT AS EVER FOR BUSINESSES
• Kavin Schieferdecker SVP, Convention Division, PHLCVB
• Marti Winer VP, MGM Event Production
• Moderated by Sohini Mitra VP, Experiential Services
As a follow up to Tiffani Bova’s keynote session about the importance of pausing to reset and ready ourselves, our businesses and our customers for growth, this panel of top event marketing professional from a variety of industries will look back at the past year, comment about events today, and will discuss the future of events and how the customer experience will change.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (12:00AM ET- 3:00PM ET)
12:00PM-12:30PM
LET IT BURN SO YOU CAN RISE
COURTNEY STANLEY
Keynote Speaker & Event Emcee, Courtney Stanley Consulting, LLC
We can’t always predict or control life’s curveballs, but we can decide how we’ll respond. Within life’s setbacks lie a silver lining: an opportunity to lean into the most incredible comeback – and growth – you could ever imagine. But first, you have to say goodbye to the things that weren’t meant for you. If you have been knocked around by one of life’s many plot twists and feel ready to start fresh, this Reflect+Reset motivational keynote will inspire you to look inward, take steps forward, and rewrite the next chapter of your story the way YOU want.
TRACK: RECONNECT
CAN’T TOUCH THIS – 5 SOLUTIONS FOR THE TOUCH-FREE EVENT EXPERIENCE
KEVIN PADDEN
Executive Creative Director, Impact XM
One of the most enduring tenets of events, touch is a key part of the brand experience. Most attendees can’t wait to return to face-to-face events, yet there is real apprehension around hygiene and what that means for interaction, specifically the notion of “touch.” As marketers looking to immerse attendees in our brands through interaction, we need to innovate with technologies that actually create new touch-less opportunities to attract and engage attendees in memorable experiences, enhance opportunities to make information more portable and shareable – all while positioning your company as a leader in the “New Normal.” In this session, we’ll cover 5 technologies and sample applications such as gesture control, BYOD applications, voice control and others that not only deliver on a touch-free experience, but can actually drive better engagement with more impactful results.
TRACK: REDESIGN
THINK DIFFERENTLY: CREATE A STRATEGIC ATTENDEE JOURNEY TO MAXIMIZE SUCCESS
• James Morris VP, Client Services, Impact XM
• Kate Kloss Director, Experiential Marketing, Comcast Business
Comcast Business’ exhibiting approach is a highly strategic business funnel that expertly leverages a mix of behavioral science and trending technology. The program draws and qualifies large numbers of attendees – then transitions those who are qualified into a branded environment where they experience relevant content. Leave ready to customize Comcast Business’ approach to your own program. Learn how Comcast Business: • Aligns its in-booth activities with its business goals • Financed its shift in approach by allocating its budget differently • Measures results.
TRACK: REINVENT
12:30PM-1:00PM
RESILIENCY 101: HOW TO STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN A WORLD OF FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY
ROB FLETCHER
Director, Training, TeamBonding
What is Resilience? It is the ability to bounce back amid stress, change, and challenging circumstances. Resiliency is the answer when we are asked to do more with less, and the rate of change and complexity accelerates. The good news is that resiliency is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. Rob Fletcher, TeamBonding Director of Training, will help you learn what happens to the brain during uncertainty and how to get back to being calm and focused. You will explore simple, yet effective techniques to keep your body healthy through eating properly, movement and enough sleep. Each person will develop a plan unique to them and their strengths and situation
TRACK: RECONNECT
THE “NEXT NORMAL” IN MEDICAL CONGRESSES – NEW HCP EXPECTATIONS, NEW BORDERS, NEW FORMATS
• John Buckley, Director, Convention Operations and Corporate Relations, Infectious Diseases Society of America
• Stacy McManus, Strategic Business Initiatives, American Thoracic Society
• Ken Riffert, Director – Expo, Promotions, & Industry Events, American College of Cardiology
• Melissa Levy, Pharm. D., Director of Medical Engagement & Scientific Communications, GSK
• Steve Mapes, SVP, Strategy, Impact XM
Medical Congresses, as we know them, have been disrupted, impacting geographic domains, educational formats and HCP engagement. As we look to the near future, what will the “Next Normal” be for congresses? Join our panel discussion with industry experts to explore the answer to these questions and more: What have we learned from 2020 and how will these learnings inform our thinking and strategies for 2021 and beyond? In the COVID world, how are we evolving the experience to drive more engagement and satisfaction for both HCPs and sponsors? How will congress formats evolve and what are some of the new ideas being considered? What will the hybrid model really look like and what are keys to its success?
TRACK: REDESIGN
VISIBLE PRESENTS: RED ROCKS UNPAUSED REIMAGINING ICONIC EXPERIENCES FOR A DIGITAL WORLD
KIRSTIE RIVARD
Head of Experiential, Visible Wireless
When the world went on pause, Visible went to work. A longtime partner of their local Denver Arts and Venues and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Visible put their attention towards supporting the arts – an industry that was struggling considerably. They decided to change the narrative of 2020 and bring a concert crowd together in a way only they could, with Red Rocks Unpaused: a first-of-its-kind three-day music festival that digitally reimagined the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. They secured chart-topping artists like Sam Hunt and Megan Thee Stallion to headline the interactive, livestream festival, during which viewers could shape the show from home – projecting messages of support onto the Red Rocks, triggering light animations, voting for encore songs and sending audio cheers to the performers. In the end, the award-winning concert attracted the largest attendance of any Red Rocks event ever. Not only did Visible bring to life a live music event at a time when such a task was unthinkable; they also set a new bar for what an interactive, buzzy, all-digital event could look like. After all – Visible is the first all-digital wireless carrier in the US, so they were the perfect company for the job. In this presentation, Visible’s Head of Experiential Kirstie Rivard will share key learnings and best practices for other brands looking to connect with customers on a deeper level – and as the world inevitably shifts to more virtual activations in the wake of COVID, attendees will learn how to replicate the magic of an in-person event online.
TRACK: REINVENT
1:00PM-1:30PM
BECOMING A PERSON OF INFLUENCE
JASON HUNT
CEO, Eye Squared Leadership
We all want to live lives that matter, but just how do we make a positive difference? Some believe that you must have an impressive title to do so, but that is a mistake. The best leaders recognize that no matter where you are in the organization, you have influence – and intentionally using that influence to make a positive difference makes you a leader. This is a highly engaging and powerful session on leadership, breaking this complicated subject down into four simple strategies of influence that work in person or virtually. Put these into place and ensure that you continue to grow your influence, no matter the working environment, so that you can continue to have an uncommon positive impact on those that you serve.
TRACK: RECONNECT
CENTERING SUSTAINABILITY IN THE POST-COVID EVENT SECTOR
ANNA ABDELNOOR
Co-founder, Isla
Getting to grips with sustainability and how to make meaningful choices can sometimes feel overwhelming. With the pandemic wreaking havoc on the industry, many of us just want to ‘get back to business’. But how can we learn from what the pandemic has taught us and carry this forward to create impactful and engaging experiences that consider and protect public AND planetary health?
TRACK: REDESIGN
LEVERAGING VIRTUAL EVENTS FOR DEMAND GENERATION
• Joe Scwinger, CEO, MeetingPlay
• Michelle Bruno, Technical Marketing Writer | Technology Journalist | Publisher | Content Marketer, Bruno Group Signature Services
Ever wanted to know how effective are virtual events for demand generation? Despite having to adapt their event strategy for the virtual channel, most corporate event marketers want the same outcomes from virtual events as they get from in-person events. MeetingPlay commissioned Corporate Event News to conduct research that revealed the top business objectives respondents hope to achieve from virtual events. Lead acquisition topped the list. When event marketers use virtual events as part of a carefully crafted demand-generation strategy, they create awareness of and interest in a company’s offerings and account for every touchpoint in the buyer’s journey. In this session, we’ll share guidance, supported by research, to help event marketers deliver highly measurable and effective virtual events.
TRACK: REINVENT
1:30PM-2:00PM
SAFE EXHIBITING PRACTICES
TRAVIS STANTON
Editor, EXHIBITOR Magazine
Even as COVID-19 fades into the history books, exhibitors will still need to consider how to keep staffers and booth visitors free of contagion. From design tweaks to disinfection tips, this session will focus on recommended strategies for keeping your booth as safe as possible at in-person trade shows and events.
TRACK: RECONNECT
DIGITAL MARKETING FOR B2B VIRTUAL EVENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
FRANCISCO LACAYO
VP, Partnerships, White Shark Media
With the arrival of COVID-19, the B2B Events industry significantly changed. With most events now going virtual, it seems harder to gather the right crowd, and provide added value to potential customers. This is where digital marketing can come into play. The attendee journey has changed, and so should your marketing strategy. Virtual events provide limitless opportunities to enhance presentations and provide a unique experience to all attendees. With the right strategy, you can attract the right crowd, and leave a long lasting impression.
TRACK: REDESIGN
POINTCLICKCARE ‘S VIRTUAL KICKOFF AND DISCUSSION ON GENERAL EVENT PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
• Margorie Vyse, Director of Corporate Events, PointClickCare
• Kelli Bentzinger, Business Development Manager, MeetingPlay
• Sara Allain, Senior Account Director, Impact XM
Join us to learn about PointClickCare’s successful Virtual Company Kickoff. Hear Margorie Vyse, Director, Corporate Events (PointClickCare) discuss the challenges experienced and the effects of the Pandemic on the Events program at PointClickCare; Kelli Bentzinger, Business Development Manager (MeetingPlay) will review how MeetingPlay has pivoted to meet the new virtual and hybrid event needs of MeetingPlay’s clients and partners; and, Sara Allain, Senior Account Director (Impact XM), will share how Impact XM partnered with MeetingPlay and PointClickCare to manage the successful Kickoff.
TRACK: REINVENT
2:00PM-2:30PM
A CONVERSATION: WHAT IS A COVID PASSPORT AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY
• James Ram, President of MedCheks LLC
• Dr. Afshin Beheshti, President of COV-IRT
As COVID-19 vaccines continue to roll out, people who have been stuck at home for the past year are eager to travel, go back to work, attend ball games and concerts and just have a change of scenery. Vaccine Passports are the answer to opening up as proof of vaccination or testing may be required for a number of activities which bring together large numbers of people.
TRACK: RECONNECT
HOW COVID SAVED THE QR CODE
TRISTAN FITZGERALD
Executive Creative Director, Impact XM
With the pandemic disrupting face-to-face marketing, we will discuss the need to rethink your strategy and creative when planning your in-person events. Also, we will discuss why face-to-face can’t be replaced with virtual experiences and how companies can navigate the transition back to face-to-face.
TRACK: REDESIGN
BEHIND THE SCREEN, BEHIND THE SCENES: VIRTUAL EVENT LESSONS LEARNED
• Eric Commodore, Director, Meeting & Event Planning, NRECA
• Kristin Wheeler, Meeting Program Manager, NRECA
Based on our experiences over the last year, NRECA scratched everything we knew about our flagship event and restarted our virtual journey with strategy. Learn from our trip-ups and triumphs at each step of the planning process – from sourcing to marketing and logistics to content. See how we transformed our event – and what we knew —and presented a final product that’s all about a new ways of doing things.
TRACK: REINVENT
2:30PM-3:00PM
TRAPPED WITH A TODDLER
ERIK MCKINNEY
VP, ECD, Impact XM
Surviving the terrible twos and a pandemic has taken its toll. Simultaneously, it has renewed my passion for what I do and inspired me to reimagine my approach moving forward. This has been an adventure filled with pain, passion and perspective. A journey co-piloted by my young son who never hesitated to inflict or inspire those things on me without warning.
TRACK: RECONNECT
THE GREAT HOSPITALITY RESET: HOTELS POST COVID
• Kathryn Potter, President, KCP Media
• Lorre Crisswell, VP, Group Account Director, Impact XM
In the face of the biggest global crisis to bring travel to a virtual standstill, hotels are rethinking every aspect of their operations and reimagining the guest experience. Hotels are looking to strike the right balance between self-service technology and the need to deliver the traditional personal touch and interactions. And they are reevaluating what is integral to the guest experience through the lens of social distancing, capacity control, and cleanliness. Learn what hotels are doing to get back to business – and avoid the PR disaster of becoming superspreaders at your event.
TRACK: REDESIGN
FORECASTING THE FUTURE OF MARKETING
JOHN CAPANO
SVP, Client Development, Impact XM
John Capano will speak on key market and cultural trends and how they are impacting brands and marketing today and into the future. An interesting and engaging look at how changes in our demographics, politics, culture and technology are driving advances in marketing strategy and tactics.
TRACK: REINVENT
CLOSING REMARKS
CLOSING REMARKS AND BEYOND
JARED POLLACCO
President, Impact XM
As Rethink 2021 comes to a close, Jared Pollacco will share his sentiments from the event and an inspiring message for the future of our industry.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH
INNOVATION SHOWCASE (3:00PM ET- 5:00PM ET)
Visit our innovation showcase to view product demos and see some of the most innovative technology and latest solutions.
AND MANY MORE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH
HAPPY HOURS (5:00PM ET- 6:00PM ET)
Join your peers for some great 1:1 networking or during one of our fun and engaging post-show happy hours.
CHEFINAR
MIXOLOGY
IMPROV
TRIVIA
