Agenda

Although subject to change, ConferenceDirect has developed the following tentative agenda to help you plan your travel to and from New Orleans. All meetings will be held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside 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.

Monday, January 26th

Time Event Location
10:00 AM - 6:30 PM Registration, Arrivals Lounge & Satelitte Check-in The District - 3rd Floor, Hilton New Orleans
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Destination Exploration Tours (Optional, Customer & Associates only)

Sponsored by New Orleans & Company

 

Sunday arrivals available for attendees planning to participate. 

 

 Offsite 
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Hotel Site Tour (Optional, Customer & Associates only) Hilton New Orleans
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Opening General Session

 

  • Industry Trends - Rob McCulloch, EVP, ConferenceDirect
  • Hotel Contract Negotiations - Barbara Dunn, Attorney & Owner, Barbara Dunn Law PLLC
  • New Orleans’ Cocktail Culture - Elizabeth Pearce, Cocktail Historian, Writer and Guide   
 Hilton New Orleans
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Welcome Reception 

Sponsored by Hilton New Orleans

 Hilton New Orleans

 

Tuesday, January 27th 

Time Event Location
7:30 AM - 2:45 PM Registration & Help Desk Hilton New Orleans
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Networking Breakfast Hilton New Orleans
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

1:1 Appointments & Networking Hub 

 Hilton New Orleans
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch & Learn: Partnering for Group Success in 2026 - Janice Zoeller, Regional Senior Director of Sales & Marketing, Hilton

 Hilton New Orleans
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

Concurrent Breakouts

 

  • Finding your Funnel: Filling Seats, Filling Rooms - Adam Briggs, ConferenceDirect
  • Getting to Yes: How to Partner With Hotel Sales Teams 
    • Moderator: Fay Nedd, New Orleans & Company
    • Panelists: Tricia Dillard, Hyatt; Maureen Nyamongo, Hilton; Charysse O'Donnell, Marriott Luxury Brands 
  • Optimizing Production & AV Budgets While Preserving Participant Experience - Gus Capone, Encore

Hilton New Orleans
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

Concurrent Breakouts

 

  • Managing F&B Budgets and Navigating Rising Costs: A Conversation on Smart Strategies - Melissa Armstrong, ConferenceDirect
  • How Planners, Hoteliers & Attendees are using AI - Frank Leonard, 42Chat
 Hilton New Orleans
3:30 PM - 6:00 PM "Rest & Refresh" Attendee Free Time  
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Guided Afternoon Walk & Pickleball Tournament (Optional) Offsite
6:15 PM Transfer to Offsite Event Offsite
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Reception & Dinner
Co-sponsored by Hilton New Orleans & New Orleans & Company		 Offsite - The Misi
9:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Afterglow 

Sponsored by Live Nation Special Events & House of Blue New Orleans

 Offsite - House of Blues

 

Wednesday, January 28th

Time Event Location
6:00 AM - 11:00 AM  The Meetings Summit Attendee Departures & Departure Breakfast  Le Croissant
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Destination Exploration Tour (Optional, Customer & Associates only)

Sponsored by New Orleans & Company

 

Thursday departures available for attendees planning to participate.