Whether it’s a global pandemic or other disruptive forces on the horizon, business risk will continue to be top of mind for event strategists and suppliers alike. The event leaders in this session will share their stories of how recent cancellations, attrition and rebooking circumstances have impacted their business relationships and financial performance. They will also share how the pandemic has changed how they’ll approach contracts, negotiations and business relationships going forward.

Learning Objectives:

• Confidently approach business conversations and negotiations contracts to build a shared risk relationship.
• Consider and discuss scenario planning timelines with your suppliers to be in lock step on major contractual changes.
• Incorporating crucial details within future contracts, including force majeure clauses and other legal stipulations.

Basing your upcoming event attendance and revenue projections using pre pandemic data is like hitting a target blindfolded with your hands tied. These event leaders will share how they forecasted fluctuating event models amidst ongoing uncertainty and where they’ll go from here to determine how success will be defined and measured.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine what data you need to forecast financial and attendance goals in multiple event models.
• Explore how to proactively involve your supplier partners in budgeting and forecasting conversations.
• Examine ways to be more effective in your event attendance and revenue scenario planning.

Business events have always been a conduit for social change. Our panelists are at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and are ready to bring their expertise and experience to the discussion. Learn how you can use your position as a business events professional to create meaningful and significant social progress. Let’s work together to create the future we wish to see.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the impact business events can have on LGBTQ+ rights and social progress.
• Integrate LGBTQ+ inclusive practices into your event strategy and implementation.

If you want to maximize the potential for your events to make a lasting impact, take both a strategic and holistic approach to CSR. Identifying your purpose and business objectives then applying the design thinking model will help you seamlessly integrate CSR to increase attendee engagement and elevate the experience. This session will show how using this blended strategy will help you achieve more for the community with your destination partners.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the importance of understanding your purpose and how to apply it to a CSR strategy.
• Blend the design thinking process into your event and CSR strategies for better attendee and stakeholder engagement.
• Take steps to effectively align with destination partners to engage deeper on your CSR initiatives.