WHEN: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
VENUE: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.

PRESENTED BY

Co-located with Business Events Industry Week, Showcase is an annual one-day event that invites Business Event Strategists to connect with industry partners through immersive booth experiences that will bring back the nostalgia of the cross-country road trip, and link event needs with destinations, venues, technology, and service providers.

This dynamic show offers you the opportunity to reconnect with your business partners through experiential activations, glean powerful insights through educational content at the Visitor Center, or to fuel up at the Roadside Diner with tasty food and beverage offerings that is inclusive of a networking lunch.

EVENT EXPERIENCE

Doors Open
8:30 a.m.9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 a.m.9:15 a.m.
Keynote Address: The State of Sourcing: Trends, Prices, Labor & More
9:15 a.m.10:00 a.m.Insightful talk on the impact and potential of AI in event planning and destination marketing.What travel trends will shape the meetings and events industry in 2024? What major opportunities and challenges are we likely to face? Join us in this dynamic and informative session as industry leaders share their insights, forecasts and predictions of the destination sourcing landscape, and the implications for events and meetings. Topics may include the impact of AI, sustainability, staffing challenges, shorter lead times, the rise of 'Bleisure' travel, inflation and price increases, personalization of itineraries, wellness and work/life balance, visa wait times, and more.
Break
10:00 a.m.10:45 a.m.
10 Ways To Leverage Your Destination Partner to Save Money & Elevate Your Event
10:45 a.m.11:15 a.m.Smart planners know how to leverage their DMOs/CVBs drive cost savings, secure insider access, and create unique, highly engaging, and memorable guest experiences to elevate their events. Two top planners share their secrets for how they do it, while two leading DMOs provide a guide of what planners should - and shouldn't - do to leverage their connections.
How legislation & the 2024 election will impact events
10:45 a.m.11:15 a.m.What would a Biden or Trump victory in November mean for the business events industry? In addition to the presidential race, also on the ballot are 34 Senate seats, 11 Governorships, and the entire House of Representatives. What potential legislation or policy changes are in store that could impact events? Get a primer on what to expect in this timely session.
Break
11:15 a.m.11:45 a.m.
Executive Presence: Amplifying Your Communication with C-Suite & Senior Stakeholders
11:45 a.m.12:15 p.m.Engaging with the C-Suite requires exemplary poise and finesse, with a deep understanding of their priorities and perspectives. Whether you're pitching a new initiative, providing updates on key projects, or seeking support for your ideas, knowing how to articulate your message is key to success. In this engaging 30-minute session, we'll gather around the main show floor to share experiences, strategies, and practical tips for effectively engaging with top-level decision-makers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the mindset of C-Suite leaders and senior stakeholders, allowing you to tailor your communication strategies for maximum impact.

Learning Objectives
  • Learn how to establish credibility and rapport with C-Suite executives to create open dialogue and interaction.
  • Discuss how to articulate complex ideas in a concise manner to Senior Stakeholders that amplify your genius.
  • Understand how your communication style could impact your relationships within the C-Suite.

Tech dive: Apple Vision Pro & Its Possibilities for Events
11:45 a.m.12:15 p.m.The Apple Vision Pro ushers in a new era of spatial computing, providing an entirely new world of experiences. And a dedicated App Store for Vision Pro will offer a growing array of experiential opportunities. Get your hands on the latest tech gadget as we explore and discuss how it can be integrated into your events.
Lunch
11:45 a.m.1:45 p.m.
Tech dive: How to Use Spark AI to Drive Planning Productivity
1:45 p.m.2:15 p.m.In this 30-minute workshop, participants will get an overview of Spark.ai, an AI tool revolutionizing event planning. The session will highlight how AI can streamline event organization, automate tasks, and enhance attendee experiences, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-fueled planning. Attendees will gain insights into maximizing productivity with AI, tailored for event planners looking to innovate and elevate their planning process within a limited timeframe. This introduction promises to pave the way for transforming event management through technology.
Role Playing & Communication Tactics to Navigate Challenging Situations
1:45 p.m.2:15 p.m.Get ready to sharpen your communication skills as we explore strategies to diffuse tension. In this highly-engaging 30-minute role playing session you will uncover how to assess and identify effective ways to respond to conflict, fostering connectivity and maintaining efficient communication. Through role-playing exercises, attendees will be immersed in various scenarios, both face-to-face and in virtual settings, to practice communication conflict response techniques.

Learning Objectives
  • Cultivate adaptability and quick thinking by navigating diverse and unpredictable scenarios presented in role-playing exercises.
  • Demonstrate the ability to assess and identify effective communication strategies through active participation.
  • Apply insights gained from role-playing experiences to real-life situations, fostering confidence and competence in managing challenging conversations.

Break
2:15 p.m.2:45p.m.
Strategies for Being An Effective Negotiator
2:45 p.m.3:15 p.m.With prices increasing for labor and supplies, and increased demand facing limited venue availability, negotiating a favorable solution is more challenging than ever. This session will explore key factors that influence your negotiating power, strategies to get the best possible deal, the 5 negotiating personality styles and how to navigate each one.
The Latest Data on Attendee Motivators: What They Want & How To Give It To Them
2:45 p.m.3:15 p.m.With event attendees being more selective than ever in choosing which events to go to, event organizers need to be laser-focused on what it takes to get their audience excited about their events to drive them to register. Learn what attendees really want from events, what activities and activations really motivate them, and explore new ways to refresh and deliver on your event’s core value proposition. We'll look at 7 key data insights, discuss what they mean, and explore what to do about them.
Break
3:15 p.m.4:00 p.m.

EVENT SPONSORS

Business Events Industry Week (BEIW) is not just another industry event; you’re becoming part of a global movement that celebrates our industry’s purpose—bringing people together to make a difference for our businesses, our communities and our audiences.

Embrace the power, the camaraderie, and the inspiration firsthand in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. with us all. Because, what we do matters. Collectively, we can make a difference.

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