Monday, November 13
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Attention PaysTM: Drive Profitability, Productivity and Accountability
Areas of Interest: Professional Growth & Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources
Speaker: Neen James, Executive Strategist and Keynote Speaker, Neen James, Inc.
To get the results you want, you need to get attention. But most people don’t know how to get it and keep it.
People often see attention as a transaction, something to trade, but it’s much more than that. Neen has identified that we pay attention at three different levels; personal, professional and global, and she’s designed a powerful methodology that makes it easy to leverage all three.
Neen’s Intentional Attention model helps leaders and organizations be more deliberate about the choices we make and the actions we take. Join speaker, author and sassy little Aussie, Neen James, and discover what makes attention valuable and why paying attention in very specific ways drives profitability, productivity and accountability.
Learning Outcomes
- Discover the three types of attention, Personal, Professional and Global and how to master each
- Discuss strategies to design work and personal environments to accelerate optimal attention and focus
- Examine a framework to get your team aligned, focused and executing faster than ever
FICP Chat LIVE! Tapping Into Your Destination's Cultural Richness to Elevate Event Experiences
Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain H: Site Management
Facilitators:
Are you looking for the next “wow factor” to spice up your event? It’s right in arms reach — the unique cultural heritage of your destination. Through peer-to-peer discussion, discover the art of planning a truly inclusive experience that taps into the local culture and maximizes the “best of” your event location. By doing so, you will infuse an authentic and immersive experience that will captivate your attendees and leave a lasting impression. At the conclusion of this session, each group will report their top takeaways to showcase local flair.
Mastering the Art of Contracting: Insights From Industry Leaders
Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking & Impact
CMP-IS Domain B: Project Management
Panelists:
By popular demand, this panel of peers will delve into crucial conversations surrounding contracting in today’s economy. The panel will reflect on the impact of inflation and taxation, revealing what your team values and what to prioritize when negotiating contracts with trusted partners. Explore evolving clauses — such as acts of God, F&B minimums, entertainment and evolving service standards — to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of contracting in the meetings industry.
Meeting Planning Risks That Paid Off — Stories From Your Peers
Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
- Tara Chaffee, Senior Consultant, External Development, Lincoln Financial Group
- Tom Edelen, CMP, Sr. Event Planner, Thrivent
- Additional Panelist Coming Soon
Through a series of TED-Style talks, you will have the unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of risks taken by your esteemed peers during the event planning process — and how these risks ultimately paid off. Peek behind the curtain and gather insights into their problem-solving process including how they weighed the pros and cons of the risk. By immersing yourself in these stories, you will gain valuable insights and inspiration for your next challenge or opportunity.
The Financial and Insurance Landscape: Understanding the Industry You Serve
Areas of Interest: Financial & Insurance Industry
CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management
- Jim Effner, Founder and President, P2P Group
In this session, we will dive deep into the latest trends, stakeholder expectations and budgets that are shaping the financial services and insurance industries. Explore the disruptive forces that are revolutionizing the companies you serve and gain valuable insights on what to look for in the next five years.
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Mastering Strategic Gifting: Unveiling Missed Touchpoints and Essential Trends
Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
Speaker: Jennifer O’Hare, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Belle Box Co.; Strategic Retail Consultant
Discover the realm where art and science converge to create unforgettable gifting experiences. Join us for a session that delves into the transformative power of strategic gifting and the latest industry and consumer led trends behind the revival of corporate and event gifting. We'll uncover the hidden touchpoints that often escape meetings professionals’ attention while also learning about innovative concepts that drive impact and deliver the most memorable experiences.

Economic and Travel Forecast: Adapting to Market and Talent Volatility
Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking & Impact
CMP-IS Domain D: Financial Management
Panelists:
- Krystina Enquist, CMP, Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Wealth & Asset Management Events, North America, John Hancock Life Insurance Company
- Rutger Hoorn, CIS, CITP, DES, Vice President Global Sales and Strategic Partnerships, Ovation Global DMC
- Javid Campbell-Cohen, Senior Director of Sales Performance Management and Analytics, Hilton Worldwide
- Additional Panelists Coming Soon
As the hospitality and event industry faces labor and market fluctuations, it is critical to identify the economic risks and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. By understanding the landscape, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions and adapt your meeting strategies accordingly. Whether you're facing your first recession or curious how to navigate differences from the 2008 financial crisis, you will leave this session with data, communication tools and proactive measures you might take to mitigate the impact on your meetings and events.
FICP Chat LIVE! Are You Prepared to Manage Your Next Event Crisis?
Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking & Impact; Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain C: Risk Management
Facilitators:
Have you updated your risk management plan now that in-person meetings are back in full swing? Through peer-to-peer discussion, this is your opportunity to exchange essential steps to ensure event safety and security. This might include how to identify and mitigate potential hazards and explore how recent events — like active threats, natural disasters, medical emergencies and more — should influence your planning cycle. At the conclusion of this session, each group will report on their top takeaways to determine risk management best practices as we head into the next year.
Inclusive and Sustainable Dining: Revamp Your F&B Strategy Without Breaking the Bank
Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
- Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC, CFPM, Founder and President, thrive! meetings & events
What do consumer preferences, climate change and resource scarcity have in common? Your next F&B strategy! Explore tactics for creating an inclusive dining experience while reducing food waste and costs. This fireside chat will leave you feeling inspired and motivated to implement more sustainable, budget friendly practices while working with your hotel and event partners.
Planning Events and Experiences for a Multi-Generational Workforce
Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design
- Josh Elmore, PhD, Organization Scientist and Offsite Facilitator, Court Street Consulting LLC
Explore the challenges and possibilities of planning meetings and events for a diverse workforce with varying learning preferences and motivations. Gain insights into what keeps each generation engaged and learn practical strategies to create impactful experiences at your meetings and events. It’s time to bridge the gap and ensure your meeting strategy results in memorable experiences that leave a lasting impact on all generations.
Powerful Communication: How to Amplify Your Impact, Build Trust and Drive Results During Tough Talks
Areas of Interest: Professional Growth & Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management
Speaker: Jason Thomson, Keynote Speaker, Workshop Creator, Radio Host and Content Coach
In today's fast-paced work environment, meetings professionals often face the daunting task of presenting strategic recommendations to their stakeholders with short lead times and little direction. How do you break through, persuade and develop the connections that drive action – especially when the topic is sensitive like budgets or staffing? Join energetic communications thought leader Jason Thomson as he shares critical mindsets, insights and practical approaches to five of the most difficult conversations you have every day.
Conversations include:
- Disagreeing
- Negotiating
- Delivering bad news
- Getting a team on the same page
- Persuading a reluctant person to do something
Tuesday, November 14
8:45 a.m.-9:45 a.m.
Creative Career Pathing and the Importance of Community and Advocates
Areas of Interest: Professional Growth & Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources
Panelists:
- Lindsay Maloni, Global Sales Director, DMC Network
- Koleen M. Roach, Director, Meetings & Conference Management, Securian Financial
- Wayne Robinson, Staff Vice President Events and Multimedia, FM Global
- Amanda Sherman, CMP, CMM, Lead Team Member Experience Specialist, Credit Acceptance (moderator)
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring distinguished meetings professionals and hospitality partners as they share their unique career paths in the events industry. Gain insights into new roles and accelerated opportunities in the wake of the pandemic, learn strategies for managing imposter syndrome and how to navigate uncomfortable conversations with confidence. Discover the importance of mentorship, sponsorship and networking to propel your career, brand and network forward.
FICP Chat LIVE! Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Standards - Holding Your Team and Partners Accountable During the Planning Process
Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking & Impact
CMP-IS Domain B: Project Management
Facilitators:
Through peer-to-peer discussion, discover and share best practices for designing programs with diversity, equity and inclusion in mind. Conversation may include strategies to track DEI initiatives, how to collaborate with your partners to achieve company DEI goals, creative design elements to engage a neurodiverse audience, marketing strategies to attract diverse participants, and much more! By holding each other accountable, this community can drive change and set the standard for planning inclusive and equitable engagements. At the conclusion of this session, each group will report their top takeaways.

Navigating the AI Toolkit: Essential Tools and Proven Tips
Areas of Interest: Technology Solutions; Strategic Thinking & Impact
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning
Speaker: James Spellos, President, Meeting U
Since ChatGPT exploded in our lives in 2022, generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already having a significant impact on the tasks and requirements needed for today’s event and hospitality professionals. While many are fearful that AI will replace the need for some workers perhaps even some meetings professionals, most organizations understand that is not the case, though the skill sets and tasks required to best perform at the job are evolving. Attend this session to keep up the various tech tools that will impact your career now and moving forward.
After participating in this session, the learner will be able to:
- Identify 30+ AI tools that can support your work
- Review and discuss with your peers the impact of AI and other technologies on the future of the profession
- Understand how current AI technology will continue to evolve
The Guiding Principles in Experience Design - Six Truths for Innovative Event Strategies
Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain A: Meeting or Event Design
Speaker: Michael Clarke, Senior Director, B2B Events & Programs Portfolio, Luxury & Leisure, Global Sales Organization - US & Canada, Marriott International
Welcome to the new and innovative event strategies significantly shaping the future of experience design and attendee satisfaction. In this session we will examine each strategy which include Attendee Emotional Data; Exploring Attendee Identities; Designing for Belonging; Architecting Choice; The Value of Values; and The Power of Play. You learn about the truths - not trends – enabling you to develop new approaches to how attendees now want to connect and network and understand what criteria they are using to evaluate the success of meetings and events and their intent to return. Meaningfully connect with your peers as we explore ways to intentionally craft the attendee experience. Leave with tools you can immediately apply to your own event strategies.