Agenda


Although subject to change, ConferenceDirect has developed the following tentative agenda to help you plan your travel to and from Austin. All meetings will be held at the Fairmont Austin Hotel unless otherwise noted. Input provided by attendees during the registration process on educational topics will be used to guide content development and topics of interest.

Tuesday, November 28th

9

Time Event
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM CD102 Training (Invitation only)
Meet in lobby at 8:00am to walk to Four Seasons
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Registration & Help Desk
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ACL Live/Moody Theater Tour (optional)
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Associate Pre-Con (Associates Only) 
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Customer Focus Group (Invitation Only)
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM Partner Pre-Con (Partners Only) 
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Hotel Tour (Optional)
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Welcome Reception/CSR Activity

 

Wednesday, November 29th

Time Event 

6:15 AM - 7:00 AM

 Wellness Activity - Sunrise Yoga (Optional)
Wellness Activity - Circuit Training (Optional)
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Registration & Help Desk
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

General Session (CD102 to join)
 

  • ConferenceDirect Stats & Industry Trends
    - Jerry Horan, President & CEO, ConferenceDirect
  • Panel Discussion: AI and It's Impact on Meetings & Events
    - Moderator: Adam Briggs, SVP, ConferenceDirect
    - Frank Leonard, CSO, Zenus
    - Chuck Elias, CEO, 42Chat
    - Sarahbeth Roberts, Sr. Manager, Marketing Events, SAS
    - Deandrea White, Manager, Customer Meetings, Events & Engagement School Assessment, Pearson
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM BREAK
10:30 AM - 12:20 PM

Conversations that Matter: Small Group Conversations on Industry Hot Topics (CD102 to join)
 

  • Managing Room Blocks/Attrition
  • Hotel Contracts: What's Negotiable?
  • Event Design & Attendee Engagement
  • Event Technology Trends
12:30 PM - 1:45 PM

LUNCH & LEARN (CD102 to join)

  • Travis High School Welcome
    - Brian Richey, EVP, ConferenceDirect
  • Motivational Keynote
    - Anne Grady
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Common Interest Groups
 

  • 2:00PM - 4:00PM - SMMP Workshop
    - Jerry Horan, President & CEO, ConferenceDirect
    - Charles Bello, SVP & Team Director, ConferenceDirect
    - Meghan Meisberger, Procurement Manager, Travel & Events, Siemens Corporation
    - Christine Goodman, Director, Strategic Events, Ansys
  • 2:00PM - 3:00PM - Best Practices for Implementing a Sustainable Event
    - Larry Hanson, Chief Marketing Officer & Sustainability Officer, ConferenceDirect
    - Linda Hilton, Senior Director, Intermediary Group Sales, Hilton
    - Jacqueline Kavcak, Director of Sales, Meetings and Conventions, US,    Destination Vancouver
  • 2:00PM - 3:00PM - Advocacy Against Human Trafficking
    - Kaitlyn Eberhardt, Prevention Strategist, Texas Advocacy Project
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM CD102 Training (Invitation only)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Attendee Free Time
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM ACL Live/Moody Theater Tour (optional)
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM Wellness Activity Walk on Town Lake (Optional)
6:15 PM Departure to Off-Site Reception & Dinner (3 block walk)
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Reception & Dinner at Hilton Austin
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM Return Transfer from Off-site Reception

Thursday, November 30th

Time Event
6:15 AM - 7:00 AM Wellness Activity - Sunrise Yoga (Optional)
Wellness Activity - Walk on Town Lake (Optional)
8:00 AM - 1:30 PM  Registration & Help Desk/Transfer Help Desk
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

General Session
 

  • Contracting Success: Navigating Hotel Agreements
    - Steve Rudner, Founder & Managing Partner, Rudner Law Offices
    - Rob McCulloch, SVP, ConferenceDirect
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM BREAK
10:30 AM - 11:45 AM General Session
  • Destination Welcome & Update with Visit Austin
    - Tom Noonan, President & CEO, Visit Austin
  • Conversation on Attendee Engagement
    - Michele Flores, Chief Logistics Officer, SXSW
  • Musical Performance by Song Division
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM LUNCH
1:30 PM - 5:00 PM Afternoon Group Activities
6:15 PM Departure to Off-Site Dinner (3 block walk)
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Offsite Dinner at Banger's
8:45 PM - 9:00 PM Departure to After Party (1 block walk)
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM After Party at Hotel Van Zandt

 

Friday, December 1st

Time Event
6:00 AM - 9:00 AM Grab & Go Breakfast
  Departures