New insights into innovation, white space culture and purposeful meetings are among the striking themes that feature in the wide-ranging education program at IMEX America 2017, taking place in Las Vegas from October 10-12.
The program for four days of free first-class education is now live. It gives details of the 180 plus engaging education sessions covering ten very different tracks that will provide outstanding learning opportunities – and valuable clock hours – for the thousands of industry professionals at the show.
The schedule reveals sessions to suit highly experienced senior professionals looking for new ideas and to update their knowledge as well as for those relatively new to the industry.
It is not only wide ranging but also eye-opening with intriguing session titles such as; ‘Fishbowl: solutions to what’s keeping you up at night,’ ‘Neuroscaping™- applying science to improve event ROI’ and ‘Cyber safety – is your head in the cloud?’
Revelations about Purposeful Meetings
It all begins on the Monday before the show opens. Monday October 9 is Smart Monday, powered by MPI and supported by other association partners, and the day starts with fascinating revelations when Janet Sperstad presents industry research on ‘Purposeful Meetings – Driving Deeper Meaning and Insights’ during the Opening Keynote.
This is the first of more than 30 inspiring sessions during a day dedicated to learning that includes a packed program created for everyone in the industry. There are also special education programs for senior association executives – the new Association Leaders Forum – and the Executive Meeting Forum for meetings strategists working in the corporate sector, as well as the ever popular PCMA Business School.
Wider perspectives on purposeful meetings, the IMEX Talking Point for 2017, emerge from the program throughout the week with ‘Understand why you don’t understand – and be understood’, ‘Make a movement- the hierarchy of human gatherings’ and many more.
Learn about white space culture
The IMEX tradeshow and business appointments get fully under way on Tuesday after Juliet Funt’s morning keynote – ‘Activity is Not Productivity’. This delves into the relatively new sphere of white space culture and introduces new thinking on increasing creativity, productivity and engagement.
Recognising the influence of the economic and political trends in the world, former White House director of economic policy Todd Buchholz will be sharing his knowledge and views in his morning keynote on Wednesday: ‘Prosperity ahead – or not?’
Plenty of innovation and technology education
Innovation and inventive approaches to ongoing challenges are prominent throughout the week, with innovation tours twice a day and sessions such as Building a culture of innovation in your in-house team, and ‘Innovate or die – revitalization strategies for your events’ before culminating in Thursday morning’s Keynote by Brent Bushnell, ‘From relatable to down the rabbit hole. Win with surprise and delight.’
The importance and influence of technology in the industry guarantees it a place in the program. ‘New technology for impactful, decisive meetings’, ‘Using augmented reality to enhance participants’ experiences’, and ‘Using event tech to manage teams like a boss’ are among more than 40 tech sessions and tours to help buyers gain a better grasp of the latest technology developments.
From technology and business skills to health & wellbeing and sustainability, the key topics in the industry today will all be illuminated by expert speakers, thought-provoking presentations, workshops and campfires at the Inspiration Hub, now located in Hall G next to the show’s popular Food Court.
