Have you ever thought that you have a lot of experience and knowledge that you would love to pass on? Have you wondered why something isn't taught in event management education programs? Thought about dipping your toe, or more, into academia? Want to be called "Professor"? Academia is steeped in mystery and is so varied it's hard to know where to start. This session will break down the barriers to getting a teaching position. It will give tips and tricks for preparing a syllabus and lesson plans, as well as how to sell yourself to a Dean.

So you want to create a risk management plan, the question is where do you start? That is certainly a loaded question, with a lot of answers depending on who you talk too. The Robson Risk Management Model (RRMM) was created to give you guidance on how to create a risk management plan that is personalized to you and customized for your events. This TED-talk style of presentation will present tips for getting started.

Ever wonder if your client is happy? Ever wonder if your attendees were happy? Ever wonder what you can do better? Ever wonder what you did great? All these questions can be answered by conducting strategic research. This session will focus on understanding a strategic research process, including how to create strong goals and objectives, how to write effective questions, and the types of research that can be used with different types of events.

How do you keep getting new ideas to the small and big things that make an event unforgettable? This mini-session will inspire you how to generate new ideas for making more interesting events and a happier work life.

Name badges are the first thing your attendees experience at your event, and can be a key part of the networking. This mini-session will inspire your how to make your name badges into an ice-breaker, how to make creative name badges, and what to think about when picking a name badge holder.

If you keep hearing the terms "future skills" and "critical skills" and tired-head kicks on, you're not alone. But understanding how they play a key role in your professional advancement and job progression could define what happens next in your career. See how critical skills play a key role in the career of a meeting professional and how you can benefit from practicing and applying them!

It's a crowded marketplace for suppliers in the meeting and event space. From hotels and destinations to service providers, meeting professionals have a lot of choice in who they can partner with to deliver on expemplary experiences for their stakeholders. Want to stand out? Discover three ways MPI's research says you can gain a competitive advantage in today's market.

Negotiating can be a daunting task for anyone looking to broker a deal. It can be hard to find your voice or stand strong in what you are willing to accept. To negotiate is defined as "to obtain or bring about by discussion". Being able to talk through what each party needs and finding a solution that benefits everyone is key. Join Mariles Krok, CMP, CMM, CTA, Vice President, Meeting & Partnership Sales, Visit Anaheim, as she shares her top tips for negotiating to be successful. 

Engaging in a mentor-mentee relationship is an effective way to gain professional insights and advice, develop talent, build a network of support, and avoid pitfalls in your professional journey. How do you reap all the benefits from a mentorship? Whether it is one-on-one, formal or informal, situational, or reverse mentoring, the most impactful mentorships are give-and-take relationship. Join DeShawn Wynn, CMP-HC, Chief Meeting Architect & CEO, Wynning Touch Event Design,  as she shares her top tips for developing an impactful mentor-mentee relationship.