With more than 80 seminars on its slate — an increase of 10 courses over 2001, says program manager Sarah Ruhl — The Special Event 2002, Jan. 9-12 in Phoenix, is gearing up to be the event industry's most vital educational resource. Seven distinct educational tracks — Business & Professional Development, Design, Food Services, Sales & Marketing, Rental, Event Management and ISES — will help attendees enhance their professional abilities or branch out into new fields. Here, we spotlight some of the many learning opportunities at next month's conference.
SHOW BIZ
In the Business & Professional Development Track, sound practices and smart moves are the hot topics.
“The old adage ‘You can get more bees with honey rather than with vinegar’ will ring true,” says Don Saytar about his Jan. 10 seminar, “Nice Guys Finish First: How to Get What You Want and Still Be Nice in the Process.” Saytar, executive producer for Carlisle, Ontario-based Cornerstone Entertainment Concepts, encourages “clients, suppliers, employers, employees, creditors, debtors — the entire workday spectrum” to participate in this course, which will focus on positive communication and stress management.
FOR RENTAL
As event rental continues to widen its scope, so do Rental Track programs at The Special Event.
Inventory anxieties, fleet frustrations and employee management are topics central to a Jan. 10 “Everyday Rental Dilemmas” seminar presented by Larry Green, president of Stoughton, Mass.-based Rentals Unlimited. Green says this seminar is “a must for small medium or large rental dealers.” He adds, “To survive the current economic climate, dealing with the everyday dilemmas is going to be even more critical.”
Also in the Rental Track, but valuable for attendees who may be following the Food Services Track as well, is “Rental and Catering Teamwork,” presented by a panel of experts including Penny Kauth of Good Gracious! Events and Tom Gifford of Abbey Event Services, both in Los Angeles. With the question “Who do you want to be in bed with?” as their theme, says Kauth, the panel “will share their secrets of successful business ‘affairs.’” The Jan. 9 program is designed for “planners and caterers who would like to reduce cost and increase the responsiveness and ease” of working together, Gifford adds.
IN CHARGE
This year's Event Management Track explores everything from winning a Gala Award to weathering an event crisis.
A Jan. 11 seminar entitled “What Europe Has to Offer: A Guide to Europe for the Corporate Meeting and Special Events Manager” targets “people who are — or who are interested in — creating events/venues, planning congresses, realizing incentive programs and organizing peripheral programs,” says presenter Colja Dams of the international Vok Dams Gruppe. “Europe is an interesting and extraordinary option” for meetings and events, he explains, adding that its many destinations offer “more than cultural heritage and remarkable landscapes.” Dams' seminar will cover how to produce events in Europe from concept to planning to itinerary creation.
SELL WELL
The Sales & Marketing Track will look beyond conventional marketing approaches to new methods and measuring tools.
“If you've ever been asked by upper management or clients to justify the value of events, or had your budgets challenged, this presentation is for you,” says Scott Leech, president of Minneapolis-based BrandSpeak Communications about his Jan. 10 seminar, “Events as Brand Marketing: Taking an Active Role in Your Brand.” He adds, “This presentation identifies the relationship between corporate events and an organization's overall brand,” giving attendees tools and strategies for integrating brand management into event development.
GET CREATIVE
Materials, budgets and client personalities are just a few of the Design Track's top priorities.
David Tutera's “Wedding Bell Bliss” seminar on Jan. 9 will “take you through a journey into ways to make a magical and memorable day for not only the special couple, but also for all those attending this special union,” says the New York designer.
The following day, a seminar on “Event Design: Creating Environments,” presented by Matthew David Hopkins of New York's Matthew David Events, looks at creating events from the perspective of the guest experience. Attendees can expect to get practical tools and usable information, says Hopkins, adding, “We want to show what we do on the creative level, but also how we do it, on a production level.”
SOCIETY SET
Show attendees who are working toward the Certified Special Event Professional designation will find plenty of exam-preparation courses presented by experienced ISES members. From CSEP introductory seminars to advanced event-marketing programs, the ISES Track offers both practical information and valuable points that can be used toward completing the certification requirement.
For more information on these and all educational programs at The Special Event 2002, call 800/927-5007 or 203/358-3751 or visit www.thespecialeventshow.com.
