< PreviousM ost of us are no strangers to the world of philanthropy and the concept of “doing good.” We’ve been asked to lend our time and financial support to various charitable causes. We are often solicited by groups to help combat various dis- eases, construct new buildings or save the rainforest. And for many causes, the CSR initiatives at meetings and events are the cornerstone of these efforts — with attendees participating in philanthropic initiatives and charitable endeavors. Erin Mills, event planner, and CEO and founder of Strat House, a full-service B2B events agency in New Jersey, has over 20 years of experience in the design and production of events for a diverse range of clients. As Mills explained, financial and insurance organizations typically view CSR as an add-on when, at this point, it should be fundamentally considered as central to the strategy and vision of any event. “If you’re a values-based organization, you must think through the larger outcomes and effects that you want to have as a company,” Mills said. “How you show up for events — whether they are external or internal — is key to communicat- ing your values.” A best practice is to start with a client’s or organization’s values and then figure out ways to physically embody them. “Considering the environmental impact of an event is an important CSR practice. What is the carbon footprint of your event and how do you offset that?” Mills asked. Within the area of catering, for example, there is a huge propensity to create waste on this front, so making sure an event organization or venue has an adequate plan to forecast food and beverage needs to minimize waste is important, as is ensuring that you will be able to compost or donate uncon- sumed food and beverage post-event. Regardless of what a planner does to demonstrate CSR, make sure to proactively communicate what is being done, both to your event staff and to your attendees. Mills pointed to onsite signage, which is a great way to do this, as well as com- municating the CSR initiatives overtly in any know-before- you-go communications. “Let your community know what you are doing before, during and after to ensure that your event is making a positive impact, both geographically in terms of the place in which it is taking place, as well as in terms of wider impact,” Mills said. An example of an onsite event CSR activity that Strat House created was for a client’s annual conference in Las Vegas last year. They established an activation station where attendees could assemble backpacks for children in need. A partici- pant would grab a backpack and then select from a series of educational materials and arts and crafts supplies to place inside; after the event, these were donated to local children’s advocacy groups. themeetingmagazines.com 30 OCTOBER 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT RACHAEL B. PHOTOGRAPHY Olivia Brooks Allan, executive vice president of Landmark Ventures (R), hands the 2023 Social Innovation Summit Innovator of the Year award to Mitu Yilma, director of digital for the Born This Way Foundation at this year’s Social Innovation Summit. The Benefit of CSR Efforts at Events BY CHLOE LABELLE | INDUSTRY INSIGHT | GIVING BACK“Another CSR opportunity is to ensure a real-life nod to the diversity of your attendees,” Mills said. At a Constant Con- tact event, Strat House hosted onsite, live meet-ups where attendees could connect with other people who identified in similar ways to them. “We also created meetups for afi- cionados of interests such as sports and chess, not leaving the subject areas solely to business topics,” Mills said. “This fostering of connection showed a true commitment to social responsibility.” For FutureStack, a user conference, Mills and her team hosted an “equity in tech” pledge wall. A local artist was brought in and given commitments by attendees to further equity in tech, and these commitments were then incorporated into a large mural which was created collaboratively and in real time. It allowed attendees to take their beliefs and see them physically represented in a work of art demonstrating what attendees hoped the future of tech would look like. As an investment banking and business devel- opment firm, Landmark Ventures in New York hosts a series of events throughout the year. Their Social Innovation Summit is an event that brings together corporate leaders, phi- lanthropists and influential changemakers to discuss timely topics, including CSR-driven events. Social Innovation Sum- mit, which is attended by many financial and insurance-based companies, itself is unlike other events as it effectively keeps CSR programming as a central component of its mission and programmatic strategy. Landmark Ventures’ executive vice president Olivia Brooks Allan often shares advice to fellow event planners on CSR strategy and sheds light on how her team has planned the Social Innovation Summit in past years and this year. “While there is still a lot of progress to be made in the events space to incorporate CSR better, many event produc- ers are using a more sustainable approach to event plan- ning and execution. Event producers can source materials and services from small businesses with diverse make-ups and purpose-driven vendors,” Brooks Allan said. “Actively allocating for CSR in the budget is critical; using resources that can be repurposed in the community after the event, if planned correctly, won’t break the budget and secures partnerships and brand positioning going forward, so it’s an investment of resources and budget spend that delivers beyond the event itself.” At Landmark Ventures, they produce strategic events to connect people, build relationships and drive their client’s business forward, whether at financial-based industry sum- mits or a custom event designed by their team. “One of our most notable events is the Social Innovation Summit, annually welcoming more than 1,000 leaders in the social impact space,” Brooks Allan said. “A few key CSR com- ponents we include each year are donations of food and pro- duce to local charities; digital marketing, including program and signage wherever possible; and access to the live content through our event app for registered attendees to encourage access to those that might want to reduce their carbon travel footprint, but still engage with the community.” She stresses that boards, investors and the media evalu- ate companies for their full picture versus one slice of corpo- rate reporting. “Strategic event producers have an opportunity to shine pro- fessionally when they proactively incorporate CSR into every event strategy,” Brooks Allan said. “Hosting a customer event that hasn’t considered and integrated CSR into the planning could negatively impact future funding, publicity and more.” Megan Bultman, manager at The Allstate Foundation in Northbrook, IL, said Allstate plans its CSR activations around meetings with a Learn-Act-Scale approach. “First, we understand how we can leverage Allstate’s strengths to accelerate our pace to an equitable society. Then, we invest our time and expertise to advance an issue aligned with our social priorities and business purpose,” Bult- man said. “As an outcome of the meeting, we equip attend- ees with next steps or future opportunities to invite others to join — thus increasing the impact of the event.” Last fall, the Allstate Founda- tion engaged its 200+ leaders in an afternoon of service in neighbor- hoods on Chicago’s west and south sides, contributing to economic development in neighborhoods and with community nonprof- its. Service included mentorship, mock interviews and com- munity beautification to increase investment. In the spring, Allstate employees gathered after a business meeting to pack 500 hygiene kits to assist United Way of Metro Chicago and the city of Chicago to address the pressing needs for migrants who recently arrived seeking safety, many of whom are women and children who survived domestic violence. INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2023themeetingmagazines.com 31 Olivia Brooks Allan Executive Vice President, Landmark Ventures Strategic event producers have an opportunity to shine professionally when they proactively incorporate CSR into every event strategy. e-creative events’ clients enjoy working with food trucks like The Minnesota Vikings Foundation, which gives back to the community by serving healthy meals. PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH PLAETZ LORISUSTAINABILITY WITHIN CSR INITIATIVES As someone who began her meeting planning career in the nonprofit community, Elizabeth Plaetz Lori, event producer at e-creative events in Minneapolis, MN, uses that lens when producing events for clients. She finds that she can design a more meaningful, authentic event if there is a philanthropic component or an element that gives back. “Successful events are in the details and there are so many options for incorporating CSR elements into a program,” said Plaetz Lori, who points to sustainability as being a key initiative that has played a more prominent role in events in recent years. “Technology has significantly reduced waste in recent years. QR codes and the evolution of event-specific apps were the best developments during the pandemic. Attend- ees can get all the event information right at their fingertips, program materials can be electronically sent in advance, and livestreaming options have contributed to the reduction of waste and shrunk environmental impact by events,” Pla- etz Lori said. Swag has become more intentional; people aren’t inter- ested in plastic tchotchkes with logos that are filling land- fills. One solution is to give the swag to a community in need of support. “At a Super Bowl party, one corporate sponsor designed an activation where attendees were invited to create care pack- ages to military heroes,” Plaetz Lori said. Event vendor partners are another way to incorporate CSR initiatives into a meeting or event program. Food is one of the most enjoyable ways to demonstrate a company’s values — many of Plaetz Lori’s clients have prioritized working with venues, caterers or food trucks that are owned by minorities. Not only are event attendees enjoying authentic cuisine, but they are also supporting business owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) or women-owned communities. “From a sustainability standpoint, sourcing ingredients from local farmers, venues and hotels provides ‘healthier’ locations for hosting programs,” Plaetz Lori said. In the Midwest, she’s experienced recognition of indig- enous lands at events, since the land in Minnesota belonged to indigenous people for generations. “CSR initiatives are not only valuable because of their inherent altruism, but they are good for business. With con- sumers being bombarded by an overabundance of options to invest their money and time, corporations that align with community values can stand out among a crowded field,” said Plaetz Lori, who recognizes that people are more inclined to spend their money with companies that demonstrate values they believe in and support. STREAMLINED CSR PROCESSES Incorporating CSR components in meetings and events can be challenging. Brooks Allan recommends fellow event planners expect some extra expense to “do the right thing” and evaluate expenditures over the long term. “Event producers can take an active role in reconciling the wrong to right. Sustainable event materials are often a more costly line item in your meeting budget now but will pay divi- dends in the future of your business, the economy and the planet,” Brooks Allan said. In addition, Bultman recommends event planners think beyond hands-on volunteerism. If your attendees have a par- ticular skillset, their time may be more valuable in application to work a capacity need for a nonprofit or to provide mentor- ship or consulting for a nonprofit’s clients. “Be sure to have a budget,” Bultman said. “Volunteerism is not free for nonprofits; supplies are often needed and plan- ning and executing a volunteer event takes valuable staff time that should be compensated.” If you are hosting educational speakers, especially those from underrepresented communities, you need to compensate them or their organizations for their time. Plan for that and offer the funding up front versus requiring them to self-advocate. Planners should also ask what the nonprofit needs and work together to identify solutions that meet any themeetingmagazines.com 32 OCTOBER 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT COURTESY OF MEGAN BULTMAN / ALLSTATE Volunteers work together to pack and donate office supplies to local schools in need. identified constraints. Remember that meetings during the school day or away from communities means that working directly with youth or other client groups won’t be possible. If volunteers are new to service, think about how you can provide context about the issue you’re addressing and how service will support this cause. “I’m hopeful we’ll see more center- ing of the issues and the nonprofits in this integration. While volunteerism can be fun, the priority should be on the impact your service or skills can have,” Bultman said. “Be humble in your approach and know that we all have a lot to learn. That’s how we try to operate at The Allstate Founda- tion. While nonprofits and experts are courageous with advocating for the value of their time, I’m hopeful more meeting planners and CSR professionals will be prepared to invest upfront.” When it comes to CSR programming at events, authenticity is key, so educate yourself. Plaetz Lori said if not done thoughtfully, it can be perceived as performative. You may unintentionally design elements that aren’t culturally inappropriate, don’t represent your attendees or unintentionally do more harm than good (i.e., creating extra work for understaffed non- profits, etc.). “Do your research by making sure you work with reputable partner organizations and engage experts from nonprofits and underserved communities when you incorporate CSR elements for your events,” Plaetz Lori said. “They are your best resource to produce effective programs that educate attendees and communicate your corporate values.” Meeting planners like Plaetz Lori believe in the future of CSR having a strong presence within the meeting and events industry. “Event vendors and producers are becoming more innovative in their sustainability practices which ultimately benefits attendees,” Plaetz Lori said. “CSR efforts have become a significant deciding factor when looking for employers for the next generation entering the workforce. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has shifted to a higher, essential priority in several industries and is being promoted through CSR initiatives. If businesses want to attract top tal- ent, workers are demanding that their companies strive to be good global citizens.” I & FMM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2023themeetingmagazines.com 33 MAKE MEETINGS A BREEZE. Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa provides a destination that pairs modern luxury with a breathtaking waterfront location. Over 30,000 square feet of sea-inspired meeting space is available for you to customize and make your own. We also offer our own private yacht, ideal for receptions and post meeting events that are sure to wow attendees. SANIBEL HARBOUR MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA 17260 HARBOUR POINTE DRIVE, FT. MYERS, FL 33908 239.466.4000 SANIBELMARRIOTT.COM Megan Bultman Manager, The Allstate Foundation Volunteerism is not free for nonprofits; supplies are often needed and planning and executing a volunteer event takes valuable staff time that should be compensated.I t’s no secret that extravagant events make a gather- ing stand out, and stay with attendees long after an event has ended. However, they come with a price tag. Luckily, with some creative strategies, event planners can design memorable, lavish events within or even under budget. “The term ‘extravagant’ means different things to different people,” said Amanda Wood, director of event solutions strategy at the Creative Group in Schamburg, IL. From her experience, “purposeful personalization” is what moves an event into the category of “extravagant” for partici- pants. The Creative Group recently helped a client fly 100 of their top-tier achievers on a private jet to their destination in the Caribbean. “The details were on point; the flight experience included custom-branded headrests and blankets. It was a high- touch, upscale experience,” Wood said. “To another com- pany, it may mean a personalized cooking experience with a renowned chef, or a unique learning opportunity like an on- site master class.” Wood’s focus always starts with understanding both the clients’ and attendees’ needs and designing the event with extravagant touches in the right places. Some “extravagant” trends include unique entertainment features, such as coordi- nated drone shows. So why go to the trouble of creating such a unique experi- ence for attendees? Well, as Wood explained, we know scien- tifically that for an experience to resonate or cause change, it must evoke emotion. Unique or extravagant elements go a long way in creating memorable and emotional experiences. “How do you want your audience to feel or what do you want them to do when they leave the event? These are criti- cal elements to understanding how to move your audience to action,” Wood said. “In-person gatherings are fantastic ways to bring people together, share ideas, innovate and celebrate. By designing interactive attendee experiences and brand-focused environments, you impact your audience with emotion, energy and inspiration. Whether your event touchpointed focus on recognition, networking or building brand affinity with cus- tomers, the investment in the environment is an investment in your audience.” As Grace Chow, senior event producer at 15|40 Productions in Hawthorne, CA, explained, attendees are also more likely to associate grandeur with high-quality and exclusive experi- ences, which can positively influence their perception of the event and the organizers. “Additionally, extravagant events are more likely to attract media attention, differentiating the organizers from competi- tors in the industry, which provides increased exposure for the business or individual hosting the event,” Chow said. To that point, these types of events have the ability to perk the ears of The Creative Group is known for providing clients personalized or ‘extravagant’ event experiences — from a high-end party to a cooking class with a renowned chef. themeetingmagazines.com 34 OCTOBER 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT Creating Memorable and Emotional Experiences BY MAURA KELLER | INDUSTRY INSIGHT | EXTRAVAGANT, BUDGET- CONSCIOUS EVENTS COURTESY OF AMANDA WOODsponsors and partners who are eager to get their own brand in front of high-profile, memorable experiences, as well as a distinct group of audience members. ON BUDGET, YET EXTRAVAGANT While extravagant events certainly “wow” attendees, these types of events also come with a price tag — and often a hefty one at that. So how can meeting and event planners incorpo- rate “extravagant” elements but under budget? And what are extravagant elements that truly don’t cost a lot or that won’t cause the event to exceed budget constraints? Wood said extravagance can be found in the details in an eco- nomical way when you filter for purposeful personalization — find the “blank slates” within your venue and use them for either corporate branding or individualized messaging opportunities. “Feature your attendees in unique ways, such as oversized signage in the lobby with all your attendees’ individual photos or combined as a mosaic. Creating an authentic connection with attendees helps deliver a memorable, above-and-beyond experience,” Wood said. There are numerous elements that the event planning team at 15|40 Productions likes to include in many of their events to make them extravagant for both the cli- ent and attendee. Some timeless elements include unconven- tional locations that take attendees on an experience of their own, lavish décor set to the event’s theme, gourmet catering and signature cocktails that accommodate all attendees, set- ting up luxury transportation if it’s within budget, and more. “It’s important to strike the right balance between impress- ing the attendees and making sure everything done stays within budget,” said Chow. “Extravagance is a great add to any event, but it needs to align with the theme, target audience and overall objective of the event.” Chow said although it sounds like an impossible and daunt- ing task, all that’s needed to incorporate “extravagant” elements within a budget is strategic planning and creativity. Think about using elevated lighting with inexpensive LED lights or cost-effective string lights, depending on the theme. Chow suggested creating one-of-a-kind centerpieces with affordable materials like candles, feathers, branches or unconventional items that can also add an element of extravagance to the event. Features that immerse all the senses, such as inexpensive uplighting, scent infusions or art installations can have an emotional impact on your attendees and feel flashy without the high cost. “There’s also the option of opting for innovative seating arrangements like lounge areas or unique chair covers,” Chow INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2023themeetingmagazines.com 35 Grace Chow Senior Event Producer, 15|40 Productions Should activities for attendees to enjoy at the event be of priority, setting up a DIY photo booth with a backdrop and props can certainly elevate the event and keep the organizers on budget. An incentive experience to Cancun for 150 people ended with a beautiful night serenade by a local mariachi band. COURTESY OF AMANDA WOODsaid. “Should activities for attendees to enjoy at the event be of priority, setting up a DIY photo booth with a backdrop and props can certainly elevate the event and keep the organiz- ers on budget.” For organizations with a corporate culture of giving back, look for assistance from other corporate bud- gets, as there may be marketing or commu- nity outreach dollars to create impactful corpo- rate social responsibil- ity (CSR) activations to help the community. “Altruistic activities give attendees a height- ened sense of pride and satisfaction. Local artists may be willing to share their work as alternative décor ideas with the tradeoff of exposure,” Wood said. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes meet- ing planners tend to make is assuming that you need everything for the event to be considered extrava- gant, resulting in costs spread too thin across all experiences. As Wood pointed out, two or three signature moments in the experience can create memories of a special, upscale expe- rience: personalized blankets, a surprise performer on the final night, or an unexpected visit to a private local historical venue that the public can’t access. “Thinking through the lens of your organization’s and your event’s purpose, determine the one to three places where you can double down and create a more luxurious, personalized experience,” Wood said. “The closer these are to the very beginning or the end of the event, the more likely they are to be remembered by participants.” TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES EXTRAVAGANCE Jason Cohen, executive producer at Production Solved, plans extravagant events by incorporating technology at every turn. For Cohen, making a standard event truly extravagant can mean making an event that is rich in decor, or highly dynamic in delivery and engagement. “When it comes to modern event production – and through our lens of extravagance – adding hybrid and live streaming to event productions can have a huge impact to reach global audi- ences,” Cohen said. “This is significant because it can open the world to organizations that may not be able to afford to travel, or to individuals that may have disabilities, which means these new technologies are changing the game for diversity, equity and inclusion. So, when we think about using these tools to enhance events and create extravagant experiences, we’re not only changing the dynamic of the event but we’re opening up the conversations to many parties who may have been previ- ously neglected, and that in and of itself is really priceless.” It’s important to be strategic and not just use technology or other tools in the event planner’s war chest to make an event extravagant just to do so. It needs to be done with purpose and intentionality. To that end, Cohen said it’s important to think about using things like image mapping, live streaming and hybrid events in a manner that makes sense for the event at hand and to make sure you have the right production solution in place to ensure success. “When producing an extravagant event, success is of the utmost concern and you need to make sure that the right infrastructure is in place so that the technol- ogy is fully tested and correctly deployed to meet the initial vision,” Cohen said. “When pro- ducing an extravagant event that is infused with technology, make sure you properly plan and have the right staff. Don’t think of these tools as last-minute add-ons; but rather, strategic pieces of the puzzle that need to be identified and developed in the course of the pre-production process for your event.” There are no two events that are done in the same fashion, so it’s important to think about the event at hand and what strings to pull to make it truly stand out. The biggest trend in making events extravagant in the post-pandemic world is mak- ing it a hybrid event. However, even with hybrid event productions, there are many different paths to take — but core to all of them is the fact that events should engage attendees regardless of the way in which they are participating. Through the lens of hybrid events, extravagant events and meetings can open up new pathways to create global dia- logues, but how you execute can vary the budget. “When budget isn’t an issue, maybe it’s a truly dynamic two-way global dialogue where two-way video plays a role and “in real life” (IRL) attendees can see and hear those on the far side and interact with them,” Cohen said. When budget is an issue it’s best to open that dialogue in a one-way fashion that live streams a stage show and avails the content globally but at a lower price point. This option may not have all of the bells and whistles but still extends the conversation and reach of the event at hand. “Technology makes for an engaging event, whether that’s with projection mapping for IRL events or opening up an industry dialogue to the global audience through the power of hybrid events,” Cohen said. themeetingmagazines.com 36 OCTOBER 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT COURTESY OF AMANDA WOOD A large event can be achieved using locally sourced food and eco-conscious decor, all the while exuding an extravagant feel.As hybrid events continue to be defined and the meetings and events industry sees new technologies hit the market, there are going to be increased opportunities for extravagant events. For IRL events, there are tools such as augmented reality (AR) and drone technologies that will lead to extraor- dinary experiences. “On the digital side, when it comes to virtual events and hybrid event productions, there are new opportunities both with digital platforms and tools such as virtual reality (VR) through which audiences can be engaged and enriching extrav- agant events can be produced,” Cohen said. “It’s an exciting time for event producers as there are new ways to produce over-the-top events that are engaging, dynamic, and leave a lasting impression on attendees.” NEW TRENDS Today’s meeting and events trends are all about intentional event design and prudent spend- ing, especially as event categories, including air, hotel, food & beverage (F&B), have increased sig- nificantly in cost, post-pandemic. Organizations are moving away from frivolous spending on items that can- not be extended. The 15|40 team is seeing more and more events that hark back to sustainability and social responsibility. As Chow pointed out, as the idea of moving toward a sustainable world grows more popular than ever before, there’s been an incease in events with eco-friendly practices. These include using locally sourced or organic food, eco-conscious decor and reducing waste through recycling throughout the event plan- ning process — all of which can be done while also exuding an extravagant feel to the gathering. “Trends are ever evolving and changing; you see that heavily in fashion. Looking at trends in events is something which ebbs and flows as a design revolves around what the scope and goals are,” Chow said. “Trends don’t always come into play as planners are looking to create an experience which is unique and leaves an impression.” Wood advises fellow planners to ditch the surf-and-turf menus or long, sit-down dinners. Give your audience inter- active experiences that imprint on them, making your event more memorable. “If you’re going to invest in meetings, tradeshows, incen- tives, or customer events, your investment should take you beyond one singular event. Maybe you can extend the sig- nage or scenic elements that were created. Maybe your event theme has an evergreen concept to extend well to any future destination,” Wood said. “If you have a gifting budget, allow your audience to hand-select the gift that is most meaningful to them. Personalization, connection and authenticity are key ways to create memorable, over-the-top moments within the event experience.” I & FMM INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2023themeetingmagazines.com 37 COURTESY OF AMANDA WOOD Amanda Wood Director of Event Solutions Strategy, the Creative Group Personalization, connection and authenticity are key ways to create memorable, over-the-top moments within the event experience. A themed party is an engaging way to entice attendees to build relationships in a new way. themeetingmagazines.com FICP FOCUS 38 OCTOBER 2023 | INSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT FICP’s Annual Conference Heads to Marco Island November 12-15 It’s Time to Hit Pause for Progress. Take time away from a very busy job to grow, learn and get inspired. Experience the exciting evolution of in-person meetings and events at the 2023 FICP Annual Conference on Marco Island, Florida, from November 12-15. This year’s conference offers a unique opportunity to dive into future-focused education and connect with like-minded professionals. Our engaging breakout sessions cover all areas of interest that are crucial to professional growth and delivering truly impactful events. Plus, you can earn up to 6 CMP-eligible hours while expanding your knowledge and skills! The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort provides the perfect stage for this year’s conference that will inspire you to think beyond your horizons and take your events to the next level. Work will always be there … So, don’t miss out on this incredible chance to recharge, connect and grow. Join us on Marco Island for an unforgettable conference experience! FICP 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE PHOTOS COURTESY OF FICPINSURANCE & FINANCIAL MEETINGS MANAGEMENT | OCTOBER 2023themeetingmagazines.com 39 If you’ve attended an FICP Annual Conference before, you know that this event is unlike any other. And this year’s conference is no exception! With informative sessions on meeting planning trends and solutions, strategic thinking and impact, and more, you’ll leave with the inspiration to spice up your own events. • FICP Chat LIVE! Tapping Into Your Destination’s Cultural Richness to Elevate Event Experiences • Mastering the Art of Contracting: Insights From Industry Leaders • Economic and Travel Forecast: Adapting to Market and Talent Volatility • Attention PaysTM: Drive Profitability, Productivity and Accountability • Creative Career Pathing and the Importance of Community and Advocates • Mastering Strategic Gifting: Unveiling Missed Touchpoints and Essential Trends • Navigating the AI Toolkit: Essential Tools and Proven Tips • Powerful Communication: How to Amplify Your Impact, Build Trust and Drive Results During Tough Talks • Speaker Showcase Breakouts SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12 • Pop-Up Gifting Experiences • First Connection • Rising Professionals Happy Hour • Evening Event: Sunset Soiree — Banyan Foyer and Sunset Terrace Brought to you in partnership with: MC&A MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13 • Morning Yoga • Pop-Up Gifting Experiences • Annual Business Meeting and Meetings Professionals Exchange; HP-Only Session (separate events) • Evening Event: Seaside Coastal Reception — Palms Beach Brought to you in partnership with: GlobalWorks Events & Destination Management TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 • Morning Yoga • Afternoon Networking and CSR Activities: • FICP Gives Back: Participate in a hands-on, indoor networking activity supporting Meals of Hope and the local community • FICP Teams Up: Partner up with fellow attendees and enjoy various games and activities on the beach • Evening Event: Enchanted Everglades 7:00-11:00 p.m. Sponsored by: Marriot International; Brought to you in partnership with: ETHOS Event Collective WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 • Breakfast and Closing General Session: Closing Remarks; Keynote: The PRTRAIT PROCESS: A New Way to See Each Other; Presented by: Robert X. Fogarty and Khatidja Megjhani NETWORKING & CAN’T-MISS EVENTS GIVING BACK THE BREAKOUTS Over the past 21 years, the FICP community has raised more than one million dollars to benefit local and national not-for-profit organizations. In 2022 alone, the FICP Silent Auction raised $106,896 — benefitting The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH), which works to improve understanding of mental health conditions and combat disparities in health services access, and The Above and Beyond Foundation’s Heroes of Hospitality Award, which is awarded to front-line workers who demonstrate our core values and embody the heart of hospitality through an extraordinary single act of service that is truly “above and beyond.” This year, all proceeds will benefit the following two highly respected organizations:Next >