NCBMP has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of the below-listed continuing education courses, which qualify for CMP continuing education credit.   Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.

Detailed Agenda

Opening Panel: Advocacy: (EIC)

Breakout Session: Now that you know better how are you doing better? A framework for addressing systemic racism for the events industry. (NCBMP/EIC)

Join members of the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals and EIC's Centre for sustainability and Social Impact for a discussion on inclusion, diversity, equity and allyship for a stronger and more welcoming events industry.

Learner Outcomes:

• Learn about the history of systemic racism, and how it has affected professionals or learn about the impact of systemic racism on the industry and event professionals.
• Learn how to take meaningful steps to create more inclusive and diverse organizations.  In this session, feel comfortable asking key questions for organizations, events, and industry. 
• Understand the role of allies, and what everyone can do to improve equity and inclusion in events and the events industry.

General Session: Derreck Kayongo (Events Industry Council)

NCBMP and EIC will host simultaneous sessions focusing on What is your New Story?

Profound changes in the events industry and globally have caused most of us to pause and find a renewed inspiration, for ourselves, in our work and for one another. Derreck Kayongo's story was that of being a refugee and a victim of a horrific civil war. But through the power of introspection, he worked to change his story into one that could take advantage of the opportunities coming his way after he was relocated to the United States. His inspiring story and presentation will ask us to reflect on the new opportunities, truths or new purpose that a crisis or challenging situation gives us. In essence what is your new story? 

Learner Outcomes:

• Harness the Power of Observation to identify issues and solve challenges 
• Teach the guiding principles of S.E.L.F.
• Share how each of has the power to make an impact 

Breakout #1: What's more important? Diversity, Inclusion or Allyship

Strategically its a good business decision to acknowledge and encourage diversity within your organization.  This session will focus on the definition of each word and offer examples of how each word can make or break the culture of a organization. 

Breakout #2: Ready, Set, Meet: Coronavirus Event Safety Strategies, Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Director of MPI Academy

The Events Industry Council recently released new guidelines to help organizations make decisions on when and how to begin hosting gatherings—and strategies and tactics for safe meetings have been released from any number of organizations, hotel brands and industry associations. Discover highlights from these reports that can help guide your guidance with clients and your conversation with potential meeting partners and facilities. What questions should you be asking of both to ensure you are following duty of care best practices for a safe-as-it-can-be event? Learn how other organizations are slowly bringing back the business of meetings.

Learner Outcomes:

• Apply practices and guidelines for safe meetings.
• Feel comfortable asking key questions for organizations to rebuild trust in meetings.
• Design experiences using new guides in the areas of crowd control, hygiene, health and food and beverage.

Breakout #3: Industry tools to Manage a successful meeting: Regmatch Introduction

Tools and platforms are plentiful within within the industry for meeting meeting professionals but how do you know which to use and what to look for? This session, will take a tour of the 4-in-1 platform by Regmatch and show how you can enhance the conference experience for both the meeting Professional and Attendee. 

Learner Outcomes:

• Learn about technology and marketing considerations when choosing a platform for setting up event registration and websites
• Learn about engaging your audience utilizing a conference app with personalization features
• Learn about streamlining your process as a meeting professional with an embedded matchmaking tool. 
• Learn about streamlining the process for attendees with an embedded badge creation and check-in tool. 

Breakout #4: Health is Wealth: Healthy Cooking and Life Balance with TV Personality Chef Gina Neely

Gina Neely mastered the nuances of reality television and has captured the hearts of America with her warm Southern charm. She's a television host, New York Times Best Selling Author, Brand ambassador and mother.  Let's learn together how to balance your personal and professional life. She will share cooking techniques, healthful gems and this empowering conversation will help you persevere and better navigate the "new" normal of life. It is time for us all to live our most authentic life. (Recipe will be emailed to registered attendees the week of the conference) 

Learner Outcomes:

• Learn how to mind your mind 
• Learn how to mind your business 
• Learn how preparation is the key to healthy eating and creating a balance within your personal and professional life
• What foods are best for an optimal mind and body
• Learn why you need personal rules to properly manage your life

• Learn key components to creating a healthy meeting environment.
• Discuss best practices for encouraging wellbeing onsite at meetings.
• Learn some simple ways to say healthy while running onsite experiences.

General Session: Black Travel Study Results: Industry Launch

NCBMP and MMGY Global have announced that it has developed a market research study to be informed by diverse travel advocacy organizations to better identify the needs, behaviors and sentiment of underrepresented travel communities. The study, powered my MMGY Travel Intelligence, is titled the The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities and focuses on Black leisure travelers and meeting professionals. The Black Traveler:  Insights, Opportunities and Priorities report will include results from:

• MMGY Global's 2019 Shifflet Travel Performance Monitor profiling Black leisure travelers within the United States.
• The development of an accurate measure of the economic power of the Black traveler. 
• A new survey analyzing the current opinions and attitudes of Black leisure travelers globally 
• A new survey of black meetings professionals from the members of the NCBMP 

Breakout #6: Empower Yourself and Your Career Post COVID-19

The hospitality community has been devastated by the pandemic and many colleagues and industry professionals have been furloughed or lost their jobs.  What strategies, skillsets and tactics are important to reignite your career? How are industry professionals taking industry assets to prepare for the future. 

Breakout #7: Contract Negotiation Post COVID: How Can Associations Thrive, Survive and Stay Alive, 

Rebook! New Dates! Cancellation! Attrition! Many business alliances are initiated by a conversation where expected deliverables and outcomes are shared and agreed upon. Most industry professionals would consider the contract as the final step. In 2020 what role did a contract play within your organization and how can business professionals enter the negotiation in 2021 equipped with language, realistic expectations and flexibility. 

Learner Outcomes:

• What was the contractual environment pre-COVID and what is it now
• Why are more hotels and venues requiring food and beverage minimums and how to navigate the conversation
• Understanding the value of your dollar. Is all business good business for every destination, venue, hotel or CVB
• What does the word Pandemic mean within your contract language and how to enforce it