Ideas Shared, Visions Formed…A New Level

***all programs subject to change***

***all programs subject to change***

PLANNING A SUSTAINABLE GREEN EVENT. OH THE POSSIBLITIES…
Al Matyasovsky * Penn State University
Paul Ruskin * Penn State University
Jeff Spencer * MI Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth

How to make your event greener by focusing on waste management operations, partnerships/collaborations, volunteer involvement, resource sharing, water and energy, site selection, and scope.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING: STRATEGIES, FREE TOOLS AND WEB IDEAS TO BUZZ YOUR EVENT
Rebecca Kotz * Gems-Solutions
Website:www.gems-solutions.com

Twitter… Facebook… LinkedIn… YouTube… you’ve heard about them or created an account, but do you know how to use these powerful tools for strategic purposes to get REAL results for your next event? In this session, we will provide real strategies, concepts and tools that you can use to “buzz” your event, drive traffic to your website and help increase attendance … all on a small budget!

***Complimentary Thursday workshop with FULL or Spouse Convention Registration***


Friday, November 6, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT & RESPONSIBILITIES
Barb Hensinger * Michigan Department of Agriculture

So you have been appointed to the Board - What does that mean? What are the rules? How do we work as a team? What is my role? Join this workshop and find out the answers to these and your other questions. Session is designed to help newly appointed board members and provide some NEW ideas for the more seasoned members. We will even add a few laughs to make learning fun.

PULLING EVENT PROMOTIONS OUT OF THIN AIR IN AN ERA OF SHRINKING BUDGETS AND MEDIA TURMOIL
Ed Dreisdadt * Ed Dreistadt & Company

Get lots of actionable advice and hear true-life stories about coming up with event promotional campaigns on a shoestring or less. Ed Dreistadt has found himself, on more than one occasion, with marching orders to make an event a big success while staring at a cash budget of close to zero. Find out about how Stone Mountain Christmas got a major Wendy's promotion for free, how the Yellow Daisy Festival ran a huge television schedule at no cost, how Chick-fil-A paid to do a coupon drop for Stone Mountain Park and other amazing feats from the front lines of our brave new marketing world.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR INTERN
Denise Harris * Lansing Community College

Partnerships are the key to many successes and there is no better partnership in our industry than the one between events and the academic institutions that are the training ground for the next generation of professionals in our field. Come learn first-hand how you can better maximize this important relationship, what are the opportunities, where do you begin, what are the expectations, and more? Bring your question along to be answered...class is in session!

LOTTERY UPDATES: RULES & REGS
Mark Bentley * Bureau of the Michigan State Lottery

Officers, chairpersons, workers or anyone completing paperwork will not want to miss this. Topics covered will include Tournament & Fixed Limit, Rules, Paperwork & Common Problems. Don't miss this opportunity to receive additional training in complying with the bingo act rules.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING: TRANSITIONING FROM TRADITIONAL TACTICS TO INTERNET STRATEGIES
Rebecca Kotz * Gems-Solutions
Website:www.gems-solutions.com

Twitter… Facebook… LinkedIn… YouTube… you’ve heard about them or created an account, but do you know how to use these powerful tools for strategic purposes to get REAL results for your next event? In this session, we will discuss how internet marketing is proving to be more effective than traditional methods. You’ll also gain three tips to get started today!

VOLUNTEERS: THE GATEKEEPERS OF YOUR EVENT
Lisa Edwards * Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce
Julie Kreh * Elkton Autumnfest
Steve Louwers * Cheeseburger in Caseville
Tracy Vandermeer - Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival

Volunteerism - commonly overlooked as important, but essential to having your festival run efficiently and smoothly. This workshop will show you where to look for volunteers and how to keep them coming back year after year! Lots of idea sharing!

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

THINKING THE UNTHINKABLE - CRISIS PLANNING IN THE 21ST CENTURY BROUGHT TO YOU BY SEYFERTH & ASSOCIATES (MARKETING FIRM FOR MCDONALDS RESTAURANTS)
Dan Spaulding, APR * Seyferth & Associates, Inc.

Anticipating a successful event in the next year?

Have you thought of the unthinkable?

Whether it’s Mother Nature, a festival volunteer or a star performer run amok, it only takes a moment for a bad incident to erase years of goodwill for your event and your community.

In these times when any negative incident can be magnified and carried instantaneously on Twitter, Facebook or YouTube, having a plan in place to anticipate and mitigate damage in such incidents is essential to protecting your organization’s good name. Take the time to learn how to write the plan and prepare to handle the unthinkable.

PLANNING A SUSTAINABLE GREEN EVENT. OH, THE POSSIBILITIES…
Al Matyasovsky * Penn State University
Paul Ruskin * Penn State University
Jeff Spencer * MI Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth


How to make your event greener by focusing on waste management operations, partnerships/collaborations, volunteer involvement, resource sharing, water and energy, site selection, and scope. This session will be a shortened version of the complimentary Thursday session.

SITE LOGISTICS - GETTING YOUR GUESTS TO YOUR EVENT SAFELY
Jeff Deason* Indian Trails Motor Coach

Getting your guests from point A to B can present some unique challenges. With a little pre-planning and foresight, you can provide seamless transportation services that will keep your guests coming back year after year. It's all about customer service.

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING 101
Wendy Hickey * Adams Outdoor Advertising

The why and how to buy outdoor advertising as well as show specific creative related to Festivals and Events and how this works.

$UCCE$$FUL PUBLIC RELATIONS
Elizabeth Twork * Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Back by popular demand, this workshop will look at some of the current issues in the public relations for non-profits: including attracting your audiences, community partners, and ideas for publicity on a minimal budget. Learn the most effective no and low cost ways to publicize and market your event.

1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF YOUR EVENT
Linda Hoath * Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau

Festivals and events are the “calling cards” of our communities. They have the unique ability to increase tourism, create economic and social impact, and provide a quality of life to those who live there that few other industries can make claim to.Come hear from one of the leading experts in the destination marketing field how we can all work together to maximize the power of events to drive destinations.

It's Cheeseburgers and Kids
Cheeseburger in Caseville Representatives

Attend this session as the Cheeseburger in Caseville representatives share their experiences and ideas. Cheeseburger in Caseville features over 30 kids’ activities during their week-long event on the sandy shores of Lake Huron. Just say “Cheese!” :)

PULLING EVENT PROMOTIONS OUT OF THIN AIR IN AN ERA OF SHRINKING BUDGETS AND MEDIA TURMOIL
Ed Dreisdadt * Ed Dreistadt & Company

Get lots of actionable advice and hear true-life stories about coming up with event promotional campaigns on a shoestring or less. Ed Dreistadt has found himself, on more than one occasion, with marching orders to make an event a big success while staring at a cash budget of close to zero. Find out about how Stone Mountain Christmas got a major Wendy's promotion for free, how the Yellow Daisy Festival ran a huge television schedule at no cost, how Chick-fil-A paid to do a coupon drop for Stone Mountain Park and other amazing feats from the front lines of our brave new marketing world.

MICHIGAN'S DEFINING MOMENT
Kim Johnson * The Center for Michigan

Attendees will be introduced to Michigan’s Defining Moment - an unprecedented statewide series of community conversations exploring the future of Michigan, the challenges we face and the changes to help Michigan achieve a new era of sustainable prosperity.Seating limited.

DECORATING YOUR EVENT - HANDS ON
Tom Figuroa * Nordlie, Inc.

Learn how to reinforce your event with creativity, imaginations and process! Nordlie’s will provide ideas how to infuse a new level of energy through decorations. How to integrate your theme into the entire event. They’ll instruct how to create lasting memories. Learn how to get more out of the people around you and to use your best resource. By the end you’ll surely agree the sum of the parts is as great as the whole!

USING GOOGLE ADWORDS AND OTHER TOOLS TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS
Jennifer Wong Baez* Google

This presentation will cover marketing a business or event & connecting with customers using Google paid search advertising, other Google AdWords solutions, and free Google products. The content will be most relevant for businesses/events targeting consumers, but can also be applicable for vendors targeting other businesses. Tools that will be explored include: AdWords, Analytics, YouTube, Blogger, Picasa, Calendar, Maps.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL AUDIT OF YOUR EVENT
Tom Kern * Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

Could your event use some additional revenue? Instead of looking outside your event, how about looking at how you presently spend your resources. This seminar will examine ways to reduce the costs of your event by examining your event’s current revenues and expenditures. Like many non-profit organizations, festivals and events often do things the same way; year after year and never really ask themselves why they do things the way they do.

This seminar will show attendees a format by which they can critically examine both their revenue and expenses to ensure they are utilizing their resources effectively. Other festivals and events that have gone through this internal management review typically see an increase in their bottom line net income.

THE INTERNET AND YOUR EVENT: MAKING YOUR WEBSITE THE BEST IT CAN BE
Keith Schaub * Media Production Services LLC
Steve DeVries * Media Production Services LLC

In this workshop, learn what it takes to have an award winning website. A high quality site is planned and designed to generate leads, boost brand awareness, and increase perceived value. Join Keith as he takes you step by step through the best way to develop your website beginning with registering your domain.

MAINTAINING AND GROWING SPONSORSHIP REVENUE IN A CHANGING ECONOMY
Vinu “Joe” Joseph * IEG Sponsorship Consulting.

In today’s sponsorship environment, corporate sponsorship sellers are faced with many challenges. With these challenges in mind, we will provide the tools needed to address the market situation head-on and build the types of integrated marketing opportunities that drive sponsors ROI. If signage, tickets and hospitality aren’t enough, what else can fairs and festivals do to increase their value to potential corporate partners or to retain commitments from current sponsors?

In this session conducted by IEG Consulting Services, we will discuss:
1. How sponsorship offers a multi-pronged marketing platform that can be leveraged in multiple ways to launch new project lines and drive business
2. What sponsorship buyers are thinking and what you can offer to best met their needs
3. Tips on how to beg, borrow and steal new assets that expand your sponsorship program and don’t cost a dime
4. Insights and strategies to structuring flexible nontraditional deals
5. Nontraditional categories to consider as potential prospects.

PROGRAMMING EVENTS ON A SHOE-STRING OR NON-EXISTENT BUDGET
Jodie Svagr * Russell Industrial Center

This interactive workshop will share the trials and tribulations of programming events on a shoestring, or even non-existent budget. The presenter will identify their learnings about this process and encourage others to share experiences. An event series can grow out of nothing with dedication, innovation and a diverse network to draw from - you will learn how in this workshop!

10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PYRO EVENT
Michael Freeland * ACE Pyro, LLC
Frank Loffredo * Colonial Fireworks
Randy McCasland * Mad Bomber Fireworks Production

Get your permits early. Any event that is on or near a navigable waterway may require months or more to obtain a marine event permit.

Add music. This will connect the audience with the rhythm of the display and the diplay with the event.

Layer two or three level of fireworks simultaneously at different heights. It costs a bit more but delivers a huge “wow” factor.

Gauge your audience. Choose fireworks that are suitable for the event venue, mood, sophistication level and audience expectations.

Plan ahead. Venue size, distance from fireworks, prevailing weather and visibility all matter.

Practice teamwork.Get the fire marshal and fireworks company on the team early – planning for distances is key.

If you are planning a fireworks display you won't want to miss this workshop.

INSIDE SCOOP ON MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA
Heidi Jo Wayco-Berden * Write Impressions

Get the scoop on the media…take a walk in their shoes. Learn what it takes to make their deadlines. Know the right time to call. Become an expert in writing your press release. Get your event notice and have your press release published. Join Heidi as she walks you through the necessary steps to write an award winning news article for the media.

SERVING ALCOHOL RESPONSIBLY
Del Dreja * National Hospitality Institute - Techniques of Alcohol Management

The Serving Alcohol Responsibly workshop is designed to give an overview to groups and associations that acquire a temporary liquor license for special events. As most of the servers of alcohol at these events have little experience in the beverage alcohol industry, this workshop is comprised of the following:

False Identification & Preventing Consumption by Minors
Clinical Effects of Alcohol
Laws, Rules & Regulations
Alcohol Management
Obtaining a Liquor License
Event Set-Up
Security
Working with Law Enforcement

THE CHALLENGES & BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
Linda Kelly * Zehnders SnowFest
Joanna Hardesty * Hamburg Family FunFest

As festival planners move forward we encounter many challenges of working with our local community as well as many, many benefits. Scott and Linda will share their experiences while working with the local government, local businesses, and of course, the non-profit organizations that all contribute to the success of their community events. Come prepared to share your experiences and questions as you plan for your future events.

RISK MANAGEMENT: KNOWING WHAT TO INSURE AGAINST
Dale Johnson * Haas and Wilkerson Insurance

It's a risky world out there. What steps do you need to take to minimize your event's exposures to risk? How do you make sure that others have the proper insurance and that it covers you? What about your volunteers, staff, board and sponsors? What are today's newest trends that you need to be aware of? Join us for this session that will help increase your comfort zone and lower your stress levels.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL AUDIT OF YOUR EVENT
Tom Kern * Lawrence Chamber of Commerce

Could your event use some additional revenue? Instead of looking outside your event, how about looking at how you presently spend your resources. This seminar will examine ways to reduce the costs of your event by examining your event’s current revenues and expenditures. Like many non-profit organizations, festivals and events often do things the same way; year after year and never really ask themselves why they do things the way they do.

This seminar will show attendees a format by which they can critically examine both their revenue and expenses to ensure they are utilizing their resources effectively. Other festivals and events that have gone through this internal management review typically see an increase in their bottom line net income.

BRANDING YOUR HOMETOWN
Gordon Pennington * Burning Media Group

How do Michigan communities see themselves today and how do others see them? This workshop examines the changing dynamics facing us in promoting festivals, fairs, events and awareness in Michigan communities. Learn how to assess your event and community assets with greater focus and results. You will be exposed to the thinking tools and change management processes that have given some of America’s leading companies distinct competitive advantages. New York City marketing guru, Gordon Pennington, joins us to give Michigan planners an international edge.

Keep on top of convention scheduling by checking back with this web site. Updates will be posted periodically

(*all programs subject to change)