Basics to Brilliance: Generative AI Tools That Enhance Your Work

Areas of Interest: Technology Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Speaker: James Spellos, President, Meeting U

Ready to unlock the full potential of AI? If you feel like you’ve only scratched the surface, this session is your opportunity to dive deeper into what Generative AI truly offers. After a quick refresher of the essentials, we’ll move beyond the basics and dive into the tools and strategies that provide practical insights into AI efficiency. Additionally, we’ll cover important legal and ethical considerations, ensuring you’re equipped to use AI responsibly and effectively.  Whether you're enhancing event experiences or improving efficiency, you will leave this session with actionable insights and the confidence to navigate the dynamic AI landscape.

This session will be repeated on Monday, November 11 from 2:45–3:45 p.m.

Building a Future-Proof Succession Plan for Seamless Transitions

Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking and Impact
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning

Speaker: Bertha Garcia Robinson, Executive and Business Coach, Star One Professional Services

Prepare your organization for seamless transitions and future-proof your business with effective succession planning. In this session, you'll explore strategies for managing leadership and personnel changes, whether they’re due to promotions, retirements or shifts in critical roles. Gain the insights needed to pinpoint and address gaps in your current structure, elevate your successors, and effectively manage the smooth transfer of your book of business. We’ll discuss the approach and its benefits: identifying high-potential team members, training incoming leaders, and creating a talent pool ensuring readiness for sudden absences to maintain organizational stability. Leave with six actionable strategies to build a robust succession plan that supports long-term growth and resilience.

This session will be repeated on Tuesday, November 12 from 1:45-2:45 p.m.

FICP Chat LIVE! How Do You Achieve a More Productive Workday While Maintaining Work-Life Balance?

Areas of Interest: Professional Growth and Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources

Facilitator: Angela Cava, Business Development Strategist, innoVia Productions
Jennifer C. Squeglia, CMP, Independent Contractor, RLC Events

Join your peers in this interactive roundtable session to exchange practical tips and strategies for juggling demanding schedules and personal commitments. Discussion topics will include having honest conversations about your limits, finding solutions to stay productive and motivated, and strategies to ensure you fulfill both professional and personal obligations. At the conclusion of this session, each group will share their top takeaways, providing actionable insights to help you create a more balanced and productive workday.

Fireside Chat: FICP's Journey Towards a More Sustainable Annual Conference

Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends and Solutions, Strategic Thinking and Impact
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning

Speakers: Ellie Hurley, Events Director, Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP)
Kim Barry, Director of Event Management, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel
Adam Peiffer, Executive Chef, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel

Moderator: Meredith Buggelli, Corporate Vice President - Corporate Events, Head of Industry Relations & Administration, New York Life Insurance Company

Dive into the practical application of sustainability with a focused case study on FICP’s efforts to elevate the 2024 Annual Conference. This session will walk you through FICP’s sustainability journey, highlighting the initial steps, decision-making process and prioritization strategies. Key players from the Annual Conference Event Team will candidly discuss our success story, the challenges we faced along the way, and FICP’s goals for future improvements. Join this interactive session to ask questions, exchange high-impact strategies and discover actionable quick wins to enhance your own event’s sustainability.

Navigating Generational Diversity in the Workplace

Areas of Interest: Professional Growth and Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources

Speaker: Katherine Jeffery, PhD, Generational Strategist, KJ Consulting

As the workforce becomes more generationally diverse, understanding different workstyles and preferences is key to effective collaboration. Join this session to learn how to reduce tension across generations and foster a thriving culture. Discover strategies for better collaboration within teams and with clients by addressing their unique needs and avoiding generational clichés. Leave with a toolbox of communication strategies and resources to foster a productive and harmonious workspace. 

The Economics of the Financial Services and Insurance Industry

Areas of Interest: Financial and Insurance Industry
CMP-IS Domain F: Stakeholder Management

Speaker: Claus te Wildt, Capital Market Strategist

Examine how the current state of the U.S. economy influences the financials services and insurance sectors. In this session, we will evaluate the major threats and opportunities that keep stakeholders awake at night, and gain insights into how economic conditions, advancements in technology and new administrative policies impact their decision-making. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping industry dynamics.

Basics to Brilliance: Generative AI Tools That Enhance Your Work

Areas of Interest: Technology Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Speaker: James Spellos, President, Meeting U

Ready to unlock the full potential of AI? If you feel like you’ve only scratched the surface, this session is your opportunity to dive deeper into what Generative AI truly offers. After a quick refresher of the essentials, we’ll move beyond the basics and dive into the tools and strategies that provide practical insights into AI efficiency. Additionally, we’ll cover important legal and ethical considerations, ensuring you’re equipped to use AI responsibly and effectively.  Whether you're enhancing event experiences or improving efficiency, you will leave this session with actionable insights and the confidence to navigate the dynamic AI landscape.

This session is a repeat from Monday, November 11 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Establishing Your Executive Presence  

Areas of Interest: Professional Growth and Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources

Speaker: Dr. Lalia Rach, Executive Managing Director, Strategic Advisory Group, A Division of ALHI

Earning a seat at the table requires both time and intentional effort. Uncover the fundamentals of executive presence and harness the power of confidence in this interactive session designed for rising and experienced professionals. Learn practical techniques to develop and project executive presence, even if it doesn’t come naturally, and strategies to advocate for your professional growth. Key topics will include navigating generational preferences, learning to say “no,” owning mistakes, and overcoming imposter syndrome. This session will empower you, build your confidence, and support your journey toward becoming a leader.

FICP Chat LIVE! What Types of Events Do You Plan and How Do You Structure Your Team Accordingly?

Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking and Impact
CMP-IS Domain B: Project Management

Facilitators: Salvatore Chiarelli, Executive Vice President, Head of Conferences, Events & Societies, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
Eunice Martinez-Sharkey, Director, Corporate Group Sales, Park Lane New York

Join your peers in this interactive roundtable format to explore the diverse range of events hosted within the F&I sectors, from incentives and board meetings to employee retreats and client receptions. Discuss trends in attendance, sponsorship and costs and how these trends impact team structure. Have you noticed a trend of corporate event teams being moved to marketing functions within organizations? At the conclusion of this session, each group will report on their top takeaways to benchmark the evolution of event types, needs and team structures.

Global Trends Impacting Meetings and Events 

Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking and Impact, Financial and Insurance Industry
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning

Speaker: Michael Dominguez, President and CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)

This state-of-the-industry session investigates the impact of global economic and social trends on meetings and events. Discover how these trends affect both meetings professionals and hospitality partners and explore creative strategies for navigating a challenging economy while using data to support tough conversations. This rich discussion offers a vital overview of key hospitality trends and economic forces that every event professional needs to stay ahead.

Keynote Q&A: The Case for Neuroinclusion

Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Speakers: Megan Henshall, Founder and Executive Director, The Neu Project
Rachel Lowenstein, Co-Founder and Culture Expert, Divergent Convergent

Inspired by Megan Henshall and Rachel Lowenstein’s keynote? This is your opportunity to connect with them in an intimate and safe space to ask follow-up questions and brainstorm solutions. This informal Q&A allows you to engage with industry peers who share a passion for neuroinclusion and creating spaces for every mind to shine. We welcome all to participate, as we recognize that neurodiversity is a vital form of human diversity that enriches our collective experience.

Revitalize Your Event Design: Bold Ideas, Boost Energy, Showcase Impact

Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends and Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Speakers: Heather Chavez, Director – Activation & Engagement Experiences, Edward Jones
Luc Hughart, Creative Director, Imprint Events Group
Brian Nazarian, Account Director, Global Sales, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)

Moderator: Kristin Huston, AVP, Experience and Engagement, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company

Imagine reinventing a meeting from scratch — consider the possibilities beyond traditional constraints like price, space and legacy traditions. Tune into this panel of meetings professionals and hospitality partners as they share stories of working with senior leaders to transform existing and new events. They will share recommendations for generating buy-in, creative ways to manage budget and resources and explore fun event design trends versus fads. Leave this program armed with new innovative design tips and a boost of inspiration to revamp your event experiences.

Artificial Intelligence in Action: Peer Success Stories

Areas of Interest: Technology Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Speakers: Cosimo Bruzzese, Vice President of Business Development, Global Sales, PRA
Rebecca Cliche, Senior Event Coordinator, Liberty Mutual
Elyse Dawson, CMP, CPCE, DES, Senior Manager, Corporate Events and Conference Center, Invesco
Robbie Sawyer, Chief Relationship Officer, redbutton.ai

Moderator: James Spellos, President, Meeting U

AI is reshaping the way we work, and while we’ve embraced its potential, it can still seem elusive. Hear from industry peers who have bravely experimented with AI tools to streamline tasks and enhance event experiences. Through real-life success stories and challenges, gain insights into effective AI applications that have saved time, generated content, produced analytics and delivered unexpected value. You’ll leave with practical advice and inspiration for integrating AI into your own processes.

Building a Future-Proof Succession Plan for Seamless Transitions

Areas of Interest: Strategic Thinking and Impact
CMP-IS Domain A: Strategic Planning

Speaker: Bertha Garcia Robinson, Executive and Business Coach, Star One Professional Services

Prepare your organization for seamless transitions and future-proof your business with effective succession planning. In this session, you'll explore strategies for managing leadership and personnel changes, whether they’re due to promotions, retirements or shifts in critical roles. Gain the insights needed to pinpoint and address gaps in your current structure, elevate your successors, and effectively manage the smooth transfer of your book of business. We’ll discuss the approach and its benefits: identifying high-potential team members, training incoming leaders, and creating a talent pool ensuring readiness for sudden absences to maintain organizational stability. Leave with six actionable strategies to build a robust succession plan that supports long-term growth and resilience.

This session is a repeat from Monday, November 11 from 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m.

FICP Chat LIVE! How Are You Navigating Transportation Challenges and Managing Travel Partnerships?

Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends and Solutions
CMP-IS Domain C: Risk Management

Facilitator: Jessica King, CMP, Associate Director, Meetings and Events, First Command Financial Services
Karen Dunn, Senior Manager, Convention Sales - Northeast Region, San Francisco Travel Association

Join your peers in this interactive roundtable format to tackle the unpredictable challenges of today’s travel industry. Explore solutions for managing airline and ground transportation issues, such as navigating travel delays, weather disruptions and cancellations. Share experiences on forming effective travel partnerships, managing loyalty programs and points and brainstorm how to communicate critical information to your attendees. At the conclusion of this session, each group will report on their top takeaways to enhance travel management practices.

Rising Professionals Exchange: Crowdsourcing Ideas and Solutions

Areas of Interest: Professional Growth and Personal Development; Meeting Planning Trends and Solutions
CMP-IS Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Facilitators: Heidi Carlisle, Second Vice President, Travel, Meetings & Incentives, Aflac
Francesca Rizzo, Associate Event Manager, Liberty Mutual
Corey Steinfast, Vice President of Sales, Broadway Plus
Emily Talpalar, Global Sales - Director of Group Sales (East Coast & Canada), Langham Hotels & Resorts

Calling all rising professionals! Join this dynamic, collaborative session designed for emerging leaders in the meeting and events industry. After a brief panel discussion, participate in an open forum where you can ask questions, present challenges, and propose solutions with your peers. Topics may range from career advancement, change management, mentorship, meeting planning solutions, tech innovations, and budget management – nothing is off the table. Shape the future of our industry while building valuable relationships and gaining fresh insights in a supportive, intimate setting.

Strategically Advancing Your Executive Presence  

Areas of Interest: Professional Growth and Personal Development
CMP-IS Domain E: Human Resources

Speaker: Dr. Lalia Rach, Executive Managing Director, Strategic Advisory Group, A Division of ALHI

Being recognized as a leader is the first step in advancing your executive presence.  What you do subsequently to define your approach and style matters even more!  This interactive session is designed for experienced leaders seeking to elevate their credibility, engage stakeholders, and generate buy-in.  Explore critical behaviors that enhance your executive presence and uncover self-imposed barriers to success. We’ll discuss how to recognize and address immature behaviors and defensive reactions and build the awareness needed to assert leadership within your team and with stakeholders. Gain practical strategies to move beyond complacency and adopt new approaches for higher performance and career success.

What Is Supplier Diversity? How You Can Foster Innovation at Meetings and Events 

Areas of Interest: Meeting Planning Trends & Solutions, Strategic Thinking and Impact
CMP-IS Domain B: Project Management

Speakers: Brian Jones, Senior Manager, Promotions and Events, American Family Insurance
Jessica Lozano Williams, Head of Responsible Sourcing, MassMutual
Veronica Seaman, CMP, CSEP, Director Event & Conference Management, MassMutual
Meghan McSkimming, Executive Manager, National Accounts, MC&A

Explore the latest in supplier diversity initiatives and their connection to meetings and events teams. In this session, meetings professionals will uncover effective strategies to integrate supplier diversity goals into their programs, while hospitality partners will learn how to engage with procurement teams and submit diverse supplier documentation. Through shared stories and interactive discussions, we’ll answer your burning questions and address key challenges, highlight successes and brainstorm actionable goals for the year ahead.