DAY 1 ✦ Monday, March 24 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)
- Danica Schroth - Portfolio Director, Informa
- Becky Cavanaugh, HMCC - Program Director, Global Medical Meetings and Events, Syneos Health
- Natascha Williams - Account Manager - US, Touch Associates
- Meagan Neville, CDMP, PCM, HMCC - Senior Marketing & Communications Associate, Life Sciences Industry
Understanding the cultural awareness of the global internal and external colleagues you work with, the HCPs and delegates you are planning for, and the local community of people for the venue you are hosting the event at are important to a successful meeting. With the changing social and political climate, it’s even more crucial to be inclusive, aware and respectful of cultures than ever before. Join this session to learn some tips, strategies and resources on how to apply cultural awareness to your meetings in a seamless way.
During this discussion, we’ll explore potential affects to our industry with the incoming administration, the return of experienced planners to the workforce and provide updates on recruitment trends in the third-party sector. Topics may include economical and/or regulatory impacts on the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, market shifts in the hotel and travel sectors, emerging technologies - all highlighting how these changes could affect meetings and events.
Choose your own adventure with a table host to learn top tips and trends to support the diversity of your delegates and stakeholders at your meetings:
- Neurodivergence Awareness: Gain insights into neurodivergence and how to create inclusive meetings that support diverse cognitive profiles.
- Allyship: Learn some top tips and best practices to support allyship during your meetings and events.
- Diversity & Belonging
- Michelle Shannon, CMP, HMCC - Associate Director, Meeting Management, Strategic Meeting and Event Management, Novo Nordisk
- Becky Basile, CMM, HMCC, DES - Founder and CEO, Logiplan Events
- Jhon Henry Velasco - Associate Director - Culture, Wellness & Engagement, HR, Novo Nordisk
- Jackie Foust - Manager, HIV Lead. Medical Affairs & Treasurer, Pride Alliance Employee Resource Group, Gilead
Navigating the complexities of sustainability reporting can be challenging due to a lack of integration across teams and limited access to essential data for accurate KPI reporting. This session will delve into these issues, offering practical solutions for event planners. Topics that may be discussed:
- Case studies
- Tools being used internally and externally to track carbon usage
- Process strategies to obtain and combine all data for accurate reporting for your stakeholders
- Sandon Brady - Principal Owner, Don Atlas Hospitality
- Jenna Woods - Executive Producer and Head of Sustainability, Bishop McCann
It’s been 8+ years since we’ve done a comprehensive benchmarking report on the industry, and as we all know, so much has happened! Engage with industry experts and peers in a lively discussion about the implications of the report’s findings, as we offer a detailed analysis of industry standards and performance metrics on things like:
- New white labeled meal caps averages (compared to the last report)
- Top challenges your peers are facing, what role handles TOV
- How often meetings are bringing in patient experience now
- Lingering effects from the virtual meeting boom and much more!
- Danielle Petroff, HMCC - Manager, US Meetings & Events, Gilead Sciences
- Liz Graves, CMP-HC, HMCC - Implementation & Process Manager, Meetings & Incentives Worldwide, Inc.
Join our Compliance experts for a lively chat about the trickiest countries to navigate—yes, we’re looking at you, France, Italy, Belgium, and Ireland! We’ll also dive into other EU countries, sharing challenges and top tips for working with HCPs, Patients, and Patient Organizations. Expect some entertaining examples of best- and worst-case scenarios, and bring your questions for a fun and interactive Q&A session.
- Marlize Eckert, HMCC, HCCP - Lead Consultant, Compliance Solutions, GCO Global
Join us for an insightful session where we tackle the multifaceted challenges of managing a workforce in today’s dynamic environment. Key topics include:
- Resourcing and Staffing: Explore effective strategies for managing staff globally, including best practices for onboarding, recruiting, and training.
- Showcasing Achievements: Learn how to effectively showcase your team’s accomplishments, from the number of meetings held and cost savings achieved to self-promotion and demonstrating the ROI of your department.
- Communicating with Gen-Z: Understand the importance of communicating effectively with the upcoming generation, which will comprise 30% of the industry in the next five years.
- Addressing the Pharma Planner Shortage: Discuss how companies are coping with the shortage of experienced pharma planners, including creative hiring strategies and combating burnout.
- Managing Shrinking Budgets: Discover strategies for keeping your team motivated and satisfied despite budget constraints.
This session will provide you with practical insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of modern workforce management, ensuring your team remains productive, motivated, and resilient.
*This session will be closed door for senior corporate, third-party or association meeting managers of 10+ years only. It will not be recorded, and no vendors will be allowed.
- Natascha Williams - Account Manager - US, Touch Associates
- Ashley Williams, MBA, LSSBB - Senior Vice President, Global Life Sciences Center of Excellence, BCD Meetings & Events
- Angela Giovine - Sr. Manager, Conferences & Exhibits, Takeda
- Leslie Mitchell - Associate Director of Meetings & Events, Takeda
This session is for professionals who are Director level and above who have been in the industry for a minimum of 15 years, manage a team, manage P&L, and have strategic development expertise. Join your peers for best practices and ideas to help get you to the next level in this distinct life science meetings & travel world with limited openings and availability. Hear from senior Event Executives who have reached those pinnacle roles to learn:
- Firsthand accounts of the paths these executives took to reach the pinnacle roles in their careers.
- Explore how companies of various sizes and scopes are structured, including why Meetings & Events (M&E) might fall under Marketing, Procurement, or Medical Affairs.
- Learn how to evaluate your current position within your organization and identify opportunities for growth
- Gain practical advice on how to make yourself indispensable to your organization and strategically position yourself for your next career move.
*This session will be closed door for senior corporate, third-party or association meeting managers of 15+ years only. It will not be recorded, and no vendors will be allowed.
Join our interactive roundtables to explore the practical applications of various AI tools tailored to specific use cases. While many companies restrict access to popular tools like ChatGPT and Claude due to compliance reasons, this session will equip you with the skills to leverage your in-house tools effectively. Examples Topics and Tables (subject to change):
- Want to learn how to use AI tools to develop an event SOP – join table 1?
- Want to learn how to use AI tools to source hotels and venues for pharma meetings – join table 2?
- Are you an advanced AI tool user looking to upgrade your skills with other advanced users – join table 3?
- Need to know how to pull your content easily into a PPT presentation using AI tools – join table 4?
- Want to learn how to hone your prompt making skills – join table 5?
- Emily Brown - Director, Business Systems & PMO, Infinix Global
- Todd Mortiz - VP Event Technology, Bishop McCann
- Meagan Neville, CDMP, PCM, HMCC - Senior Marketing & Communications Associate, Life Sciences Industry
- Carine Desroches - Meetings & Events Director, National Kidney Foundation