Session Descriptions
We have an incredible line up of speakers this year delivering a wide array of educational content. Check back often as more sessions will be added as they are confirmed.
Presenting Partnerships (Learning Lounge)
Adam Watt
An overview of best practices to secure presenting level sponsorships for your event.
The Art of Curating Experiences: Designing Experiential Events That Leave a Lasting Impression (The Main Stage, Breakout Session & TK Whisper Suite)
Elizabeth (Liz) Nutting & Claire Duncan
Harnessing the power of experiential events allows brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace and engage with their customers in meaningful ways. In this session TK Events will offer tips and best practices in Experience Design. We will pull back the curtain on our approach to creating an impactful experiential event.
Whisper Suite: In a February 2023 survey of event planners, 66% said they needed to learn to design digital event experiences to prepare for professional success in the future. Join TK Events for a demonstration of our brand-new product and visionary approach - the TK Suite, which does exactly that. A self-service system where clients can set up and configure their own events, design, and build their own virtual venues. Features a user-centric design, providing unmatched value to customers, maximizing user engagement.
Tools of the Trade: Navigating the World of Event Tech (The Main Stage & Breakout Session)
Huong Nguyen
In an increasingly digital world, audiences expect higher levels of event production and engagement to make events feel worthy of their time and money. But, navigating the world of event tech can be difficult with new technologies evolving at a rapid pace. Huong can share strategies for selecting the right event tech and discuss the role of tech in customization, scalability, and data security to meet audiences’ evolving needs.
Hello My Name is Human (The Main Stage & Breakout Session)
Janice Cardinale
When we meet we don't always remember the names of those we engage in conversation with. What we remember is how they made us feel. With 2024 upon us, we have to be prepared for concerns around Safety, Trust and Human Sustainability.
These are the primary issues facing our industry and the continued uncertainty is claiming more anxiety, stress, and burn out amongst industry professionals.. Bandage solutions are no longer working and we can talk till we are all blue in the face, but unless we commit to mandatory mental health training in our event ecosystem nothing will change.
Join Janice Cardinale founder of Event Minds Matter as she puts on her hiking boots to get ready to take on the industry she spent 20 years of service in. This is a tough climb to get to the top to make authentic changes for the next generation. She is looking for a collective of professionals to climb that mountain with her. Would that be you?
What your audience gets out of it:
As Leaders, our responsibility is to ensure our workplaces help manage mental health problems rather than contribute to them. The WeCARE program for event professionals is one solution.
Building a framework for your team through Inspiration, Power of choice, Solutions, thought leadership and the courage needed to be honest with yourself and others.
Today's leaders must be teachers, coaches and mentors. What will it take?
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Elevating Your Event Marketing (Learning Lounge)
Kimberly Evans
Elevating your Event Marketing goes beyond just promoting the event. Learn how to take a fresh approach to your event marketing by creating intrigue, building connections and thinking outside the box to engage attendees from an ordinary to extraordinary event experience.
Learning outcomes:
Discover how to craft an experience before, during, and after your event, that captivates attendees and leaves a lasting impact. Learn how to curate purposeful event outcomes.
Use connections and relationships to build partnerships to make smarter event marketing decisions.
Rentals: The Building Blocks of Your Event (Learning Lounge)
Lars Erickson
This session isn’t just about the present; it’s a journey through the evolution of event rentals over the past quarter-century. Lars intertwines historical perspective with forward-thinking strategies, creating a holistic understanding of how the industry has evolved and how event organizers can adapt and thrive in an ever-changing market.
Lars emphasizes collaboration, highlighting strategies to align needs and desires between both parties. He will provide insights on how planners can effectively engage with rental suppliers.
WTF, ChatGPT? (The Main Stage)
Leanne Calderwood
It was like getting hit by a Mac truck. One day we’re happily spending hours and hours writing emails and marketing copy, the next - ChatGPT swoops in and changes the entire industry.
Join us for an exciting conversation where wel explore the incredible potential of ChatGPT, in revolutionizing the way we interact and engage with attendees, clients, and stakeholders. Designed for those new to the concept, we'll delve into what ChatGPT is and why it's becoming a game-changer in various industries, including events and marketing. This session is perfect for those seeking a concise yet comprehensive introduction to the world of AI-driven communication tools.
Learning Objectives:
Defining ChatGPT: Understand what ChatGPT is, its origins, and its core functionalities.
Industry Impact: Explore the various ways ChatGPT is revolutionizing communication, marketing, and event management.
What’s great about it, and where we need to be careful: Identify common pitfalls and learn strategies to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of ChatGPT's outputs in a professional setting.
1-2-3, ChatGPT: Steps to Mastering Your New Work Bestie (Breakout Session)
Leanne Calderwood
In this 60-minute deep dive, we'll transition from theory to practice, showing you how to effectively utilize ChatGPT in your event planning and execution. This session is ideal for meeting and event professionals seeking hands-on knowledge about integrating ChatGPT into their strategies to research their ideal client, enhance attendee engagement and level up their copywriting skills.
Learning Objectives:
Crafting Your Ideal Prompts: Explore how to create the ideal prompt to garner your intended result from ChatGPT
Practical Integration: See ChatGPT in action to create a variety of different outputs, from client-facing to research, we’ll show you it all!
Best practices - Get the most out of the tool, in the least amount of time, using these tips!
Embracing Change: A Vital Paradigm Shift for Event Professionals (The Main Stage & Breakout Session)
Liz King Caruso
Embark on a transformative journey in this session where we explore the critical role of adaptability in the ever-evolving events landscape. Join us to gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring case studies that illuminate the path to success in an industry that thrives on innovation.
GO, GO, GADGET: Innovation Showcase (Breakout Session)
Liz King Caruso
Dive into the extraordinary world of event innovation. Explore groundbreaking approaches and imaginative solutions that have reshaped the landscape of event experiences, leaving a lasting impact. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind crafting unforgettable moments and discover how innovation can elevate your events to new heights.
Mastering Pricing Strategies for Successful Independent Event Professionals (Breakout Session)
Liz King Caruso
Unlock the secrets to financial success in the event industry. Delve into proven and innovative pricing strategies tailored for independent event professionals seeking to maximize their earnings. Learn how to set rates that reflect your value, negotiate effectively, and create pricing structures that not only attract clients but ensure your profitability soars. Join us for a deep dive into the art of pricing that propels your independent event business to unprecedented financial success.
Michael Cerbelli's: The Hot List™ (The Main Stage)
Michael Cerbelli
Michael Cerbelli’s: The Hot List™ provides a unique opportunity for event planners to vet potential vendors and performers before booking them. Michael Cerbelli, events-industry legend, will present over 30 of his favorite vendors, new ideas, industry trends and performers, giving planners access to a list of new & unique event vendors that they can immediately book. Vendor recommendations, innovative ideas, and industry secrets from The Hot List™ will equip planners to energize and modernize their events for 2024 and beyond.
Every attendee of Michael Cerbelli’s: The Hot List™ will receive access to a curated list of “MC APPROVED” vendors and their contact information.
Human Trafficking in Our Backyard: Creating Awareness & Actions (The Main Stage)
Sandy Biback
In this session, you will receive some hard hitting statistics and the reality of both sex trafficking and human slavery worldwide AND in Canada. What can you do with this? You will walk away with more questions to do your own research AND you will leave with at least 3 concrete actions you can take right away—for you personally, and within the profession.
EDI in Event Planning (Breakout Session)
Shafana Mitha
Inclusive Event Planning is increasingly becoming more important to create a space where participants have appropriate access and feel comfortable and included that their diverse needs have been considered. This session will explore how we navigate many requests that are unique and costly in a way that enables you to have a successful event and ensure folks are supported in the best possible way. We will work through various real-life scenarios in an interactive discussion to provide tips and tools to an inclusive event.
The Untapped Power of Your Annual Conference: A 5-Step Strategy to Ignite Attendee Retention & Year-Round Engagement (Breakout Session)
Alistair Fernandes
Envision a scenario where the buzz around your annual conference is so electrifying that 60% of the seats are already claimed before the registration doors swing open! What if your existing team and technology could extend the excitement for connection, learning, and belonging at your conference, year-round?
In this interactive session, filled with examples and actionable strategies, we will map out the pathway from a successful in-person conference to a continuous multi-event experience and an evergreen community. One that enables you to keep your attendees engaged year-round and increase registration for new and existing participants for next year's conference.
Walk away from this session with a clear vision and actionable plan.
A 5-step strategy to create micro experiences, online and in-person, for members, speakers, and sponsors.
Effectively using your existing Event App Platform and other in-house technology.
Enabling a cross-functional team approach to take ownership of your new year-round engagement.
How Not To Be Boring (The Main Stage & Breakout Session)
Jason Thomson
Session Description TBA
Sold Out Formula: Elevate Your Event Marketing Strategy in 2024 (Breakout Session)
Shawn Cheng
This is not just a theoretical exploration but a deep dive into a recent case study that led to the unprecedented success of a sold-out regional association conference in 2023. Learn from practical tactics and discover actionable insights that can transform your own events into a sold-out triumph.
The session will explore key strategies such as building attendees' personas, discovering decision triggers, segmentation messages, omnichannel marketing, paid digital ads, and how to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to amplify the execution process.
At the end of the session, you will leave with the tools and knowledge to create your own sold-out success story.