1 Clock Hour | Domain E: Human Resources 

Traditional approaches to promoting diversity in the workplace have centered on addressing this discriminatory conduct, but what about biased and unfair systems, practices and habits that we may not even be aware of? Learn how we can become aware of our natural prejudices that affect the way we hire, form teams, support leaders and other daily critical decisions. This awareness can lead to clarity on how we can create a more diverse, creative, and fair workplace.

Learner Outcomes:

• What is unconscious bias- the neuroscience behind it and how we all have it.
• How hidden bias manifests in organizations and why it is dangerous.
• Group exercise to bring awareness to how we all have bias.
• Practical steps to take to begin overcoming hidden bias.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Meeting professionals have embraced dramatic changes in medical meeting management over the past 3 years. What can we expect in the next 3 years? As more countries adopt some type of medical compliance reporting, you’ll need to be prepared for the future expectations from governments and HCP’s.

Learner Outcomes:

• HCP’s want to rely more on social media.
• Expect and prepare for empowered patients.
• How to plan on the future of virtual medical meetings.

1 Clock Hour | Domain C: Risk Management 

Meeting professionals know safety and security is important, but less than half actually have a meetings-specific crisis plan. Instead of staggering under the weight of creating a whole crisis preparedness program, why not focus on the little things? This session offers practical, timely, simple solutions that can be implemented immediately in your planning and management process--adding some key items to your RFP, asking a few extra questions during the site inspection, including specific contract language, and practical tips for on-site management. Little things add up to big protection for your attendees and great risk management for your organization.

Learner Outcomes:

• Recognize how emergency preparedness can be integrated into each step of meeting planning and management.
• Integrate safety and security elements seamlessly into the RFP, site inspection, and site selection process.
• Implement practical suggestions to keep attendees informed about emergency preparedness elements without inciting fear and concern

If the word pirate conjures images of Blackbeard or Jack Sparrow, consider yourself lucky. Today, for a growing number of meeting planners and associations, the term has a dramatically different—but no less chilling—meaning. Room block poachers are modern-day scalawags that prey on unsuspecting organizations in an equally insidious way as pirates of old. The actions of these pilferers have negative impact on hotel room blocks, resulting in headaches for planners including lost revenue and possible attrition penalty nightmares. Not all of these activities are illegal, but they most all live on the ethical edge. These scoundrels will reach out by fax, email & phone. They have been known to use meeting logos on official-looking websites & registration forms or otherwise imply that they are “official” housing representatives or suggest that official blocks are sold out. Learn how to counter this growing issue both legally and pragmatically. Unauthorized solicitations need to be dealt with swiftly and effectively. People who are burned generally blame the organization and its leadership for not warning them.

Learner Outcomes:

• Gain powerful insight from Convention Industry Council APEX research into the industry-wide effects of poaching on our industry, who is affected and how. Get latest updates on pending legislation to curb consumer fraud activities.
• Identify the various ways poachers can adversely affect your workload, reputation & budgets, through pilfering of hotel rooms and other revenue opportunities from your event.
• Access tools and learn best practices to alleviate this growing problem.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning 

Don your beatnik beret and snap your fingers as you discover how five industry providers helped clients overcome challenges to exceed business goals and objectives during this StorySlam competition. Speakers will have five minutes to share how they conquered dilemmas, predicaments and impasses to design amazing experiences, and then we’ll vote on a winner.

Learner Outcomes:

• Discover how to overcome several industry challenges, and consider how you might utilize new techniques at your meetings and events.
• Consider how you might better use your partners, providers and suppliers to design better attendee experiences.
• Participate in a StorySlam, and think about how you might utilize it to similar effect at your meetings and events.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

The proposal communicates so much more than just rate. Join Subject Matter Expert Ciara Feely and discover what planners have told her about what they absolutely must see in a proposal. Discuss what you have found to work, and decide how you will change your proposals to convert more business.

Learner Outcomes:

• What to write in a proposal that gets the planner to call you back.
• Learn that the structure and content of a proposal can help you get more wins.
• Take the focus off rate and concentrate on what the planner is really buying.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

We all understand that the world is quite complex today and the need to demonstrate authentic leadership has never been more challenging. In a world of multiple generations, multiple communication platforms and numerous distractions, team leadership has become complicated. This session will help you identify the necessary skills to excel at authentic leadership.

Learner Outcomes:

• Learn what leadership looks like today
• Understand the importance of culture, humility and authenticity in leadership
• Learn to focus on behaviors versus demographics to build thriving teams

1.25 Clock Hours | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Join this interactive forum to learn more about the new MPI healthcare community where you can present ideas, voice your opinions and ask questions to our outstanding knowledge leaders in the medical meeting industry.

Learner Outcomes:

• Interact with your peers through lively discussions
• Learn what challenges are consistent with other healthcare industry planners and suppliers
• Meet the MPI MD Advisory Council members who will share their insights and processes in planning medical meetings and spend-tracking

1.25 Hours | Domain C: Risk Management 

Music often is an integral part of conventions and meetings, but did you know that this may require a license fee? Event organizers may not think twice about playing music at an event, but the setting may subject them to liability under copyright law. Learn the dos and don’ts of playing music at events.

All the music you hear was written by someone, arranged by someone and performed by someone. These artists make their money by selling copies of the music and by licensing others to perform or play the music. Music is like all personal property—when you want to borrow it from someone you must ask permission. All public performances, even most non‐profit ones, must be licensed.

Learner Outcomes:

• Why businesses and organizations need to be licensed to play music.
• What performance, synchronization, and mechanical music licenses cover.
• What happens if music is used without permission?

1.25 Hours | Domain C: Risk Management 

Cybersecurity. It’s not a matter of time if you will confront it, but is a matter of WHEN. Tech experts tell you how it may occur, but they do not tell you the what, who, and how of risk, exposure, and liability issues surrounding cybersecurity. In a recent survey, 60% of respondents said they were not prepared to defend against a data breach. Join us and explore legal, insurance, and planning aspects of your event that require safeguards to protect against this growing problem. Remember, if governments and the movie industry can be hacked, so can you. Will you be prepared?

Learner Outcomes:

• Discuss liability on the part of the planner, the sponsoring organization, and the venue
• Discover what protections and other proactive activities should occur and who should take them
• Determine how all parties can work together to ensure due diligence?