Experience Conference for Catering and Events

Design is often seen as an inherently creative process, but many don’t realize that it goes far deeper than turning a brainstorming session into the final product. Expert design is certainly an art, but it’s just as much a science — and, in this session, Jordan sheds light on the technical side. Join him as he runs through a crash course on design fundamentals, exploring influences beyond the events industry like fashion, history, film, art, architecture, and interior design. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of design principles, terminology, and key influencers of the styles we see today.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Discover a pro designer’s secret to marrying competing styles seamlessly
- Understand the best practices for leveraging dimension, texture, and pattern in design
- Locate additional resources for deep dives into design influences from art and history

It used to be "nice" to offer non-drinkers a seltzer with a splash of cranberry juice and a lime wedge. Now, with a growing number of people limiting or abstaining from alcohol, the opportunity is ripe for caterers to not only include but to proactively promote and offer exciting non-alcoholic menus to their clients. In addition to being more inclusive, this option can be lucrative as well. Beth Harbinson, a former Director of Sales in catering and founder of the non-profit Sobar, and Bill Gamelli, the Founder and CEO of Mocktail Beverages, the official drink of Dry January, will partner to share their knowledge of the growing Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage market and strategies for implementation that can help your operation profitably succeed in this growing beverage space.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Create beverage menus that will attract the growing market of non-drinking clients
- More cost-effectively manage bar costs overall
- Be responsive to this growing market trend

Interested in sustainability? This session will share how to approach your show design and event production needs using sustainable elements. There are changes taking place in production trends, and Jonathan will delve into how to discover the role of theatricality in corporate meetings and how that leads to immersive design for the live experience. Attend this session to find out what attendees will be expecting from live events in 2023 and beyond, as well as understanding the critical questions you need answered before going to contract.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Practically and creatively enhance the appeal and engagement levels of their events
- Combine the principles of immersive show design with event production
- Introduce principles of sustainability into event production

Sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka!

In this educational breakout, Tito’s Handmade Vodka invites you to discover the innovative strategies and untapped potential of leveraging a spirit brand to drive revenue and profits for meetings and events across various outlets of an event property. Join us as we delve into the exciting world of experiential programming, exploring how the integration of a carefully selected alcohol brand can elevate your offerings and create unforgettable experiences for your clients.
With a focus on ease of execution, our session will equip you with practical tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate Tito’s Handmade Vodka into your programming. Explore effective marketing and sales techniques, such as upselling opportunities that help enhance the overall guest experience. Learn how to leverage the brand’s story, values, and product offerings to craft engaging and authentic experiences that captivate attendees and boost revenue streams. From themed mixology focused by day part and curated tasting events for signature pop-up bars, you’ll discover a wealth of creative opportunities to monetize your meetings and events. Whether you’re an event planner, venue operator, or hospitality professional, this breakout session is designed to unlock the full potential of unique, easy-to-execute programming with Tito’s Handmade Vodka and take your meetings and events to new heights of success. Cheers to a profitable future!

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Upsell their customers
- Innovate their guest experiences
- Unlock revenue potential

Managers often associate “playing at work” with goofing off or wasting company time and money. But what if play was a crucial component to building a solid foundation for your team? What if it could help create a sense of belonging and psychological safety in the workplace and rekindle morale — especially surrounded by all this uncertainty?

During this session, attendees will learn to:

- Explore how play is key to building camaraderie in this surreal new reality of work and steps necessary to build psychological safety and how to show up as a leader that is fostering an inclusive workplace
- Identify the traits of psychologically safe workplaces & why it's important
- Determine strategies to implement psychological safety techniques within the team​ in real-time

Presentations, both virtual and face-to-face, are enjoyable and effective when the speaker is sharing their passion and energy. Whether you are staring at your computer screen doing a Zoom presentation or are lucky enough to be standing in front of a live audience with a projector and some slides, how exactly is that accomplished? Speakers have power! Discover the characteristics of a great presentation – a strong opening, positive body language, proper usage of PowerPoint, good time management, handling questions, and many more. The focus of this session is on the basics of designing, developing, and delivering all types of presentation material both virtually and face-to-face.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Capture the audience's attention and keep it
- Present themselves with energy through voice, movement, and proper use of technology and visual aids
- Manage content development and presentation length
- Utilize their power as a presenter, virtually or face-to-face

Sponsored by Wedding Industry Speakers!

There has been much discussion about the need to adapt to the changing tides of the wedding industry- and rightfully so. Now it's time to unpack what the 'new normal' means as we look to 2024. In this candid talk, we'll hear from top industry experts across the US, as they provide insight into what to expect and the essential strategies to stay the course.

Takeaways include:
Industry shifts: What's here to stay? What's on the way out?
Client expectations: Keeping up while managing this never-ending Wedding Boom
The new wave of new faces - vendor turnover and how it will impact you

Take your wine knowledge to the next level by focusing on one of the strongest foundations for enjoying, describing, and selling wines… Aroma. See if you can master 15+ base aroma standards individually. And, then experience and describe their combinations in 5 top-selling varietals.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Improve their selling game by being better able to describe the aromas in wine to a customer
- Speak to the various wine regions that are growing in popularity in the United States
- Understand the varietal trends that are driving the wine industry

John is the author of the #1 Amazon Hot-New Release of Engaging Virtual Meetings. How did he get here? By being engaging long before virtual was a thing. Engagement continues to be the #1 challenge in-person, hybrid or virtual. Come benefit from John's 35 years of engagement and learn the latest in-person engagement tools and techniques!

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Design for engagement
- Utilize at least 3 specific tools for in-person engagement
- Engage even more at their next in-person event

In today’s business environment, having excellent communication skills stands at the top of the list of the most important sales tools that businesses and professionals can cultivate and utilize. By ditching the old ideas of "sales" and mastering the art of storytelling as a form of communication you will connect more, close more sales, retain more clients, and develop long-term valuable relationships because of the connections formed and trust earned.

In this session, attendees will learn to:
- Format reels with calls to action
- Create reels that generate interaction
- Position themselves as leaders in the industry using short videos

The events industry is powered by a diverse range of businesses and professional specialists. Coming together to advocate for the industry means first understanding the common and unique business and regulatory challenges faced by our constituents. From workforce to health and safety, to industry identity, we have multiple opportunities to collaborate toward the future of catering and events. Attend this session and help build a shared understanding of the issues we face, and what events industry advocacy can mean. You will leave with a greater understanding of how you can take part in keeping our industry front-of-mind with civic leaders, legislators, and regulatory bodies. The session is designed to allow direct audience participation in a facilitated discussion. Find out where you fit in and how we can help you and your business.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Gain a better understanding of the different forms industry advocacy can take
- Help form a shared understanding of our advocacy opportunities and issues
- Understand how you can advocate for catering and events

You’ve most likely dedicated significant time and energy to visioning your business, executing your vision, and even writing up a business plan for the growth of your business. Yet far fewer business owners put the same amount of effort into planning for their company’s continued success following their retirement, death, or incapacity. Not planning for the future of your business after you retire, become incapacitated, or die could have potentially disastrous consequences for you, your clients/customers, and your family. Creating a comprehensive succession plan as part of your overall estate plan is every bit as critical as any other planning you do for your business, if not more so. To ensure your company continues to prosper once you are no longer in the picture, Allison will share tips for developing a sound business succession plan.

During this session, attendees will learn to:
- Identify what business succession planning means and identify the different types of succession
- Consider the proper questions in their business succession plan
- Implement tips on creating the best exit strategy