DAY 2 ✦ Tuesday, March 24Tuesday, 24 March 2026 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)

Senior leaders from top hotel brands share how they are navigating evolving planner expectations, shifting market dynamics, and operational challenges. This session explores how hotels are managing staffing shortages, space constraints, and strategic partnerships, while also balancing high occupancy with the need for brand investments and property upkeep. With rates continuing to rise and resort fees still in place, the conversation will focus on how hotels are delivering meaningful value back to planners and guests.

• Explore how hotel leaders are addressing staffing challenges and maintaining service standards across corporate, third-party, and association segments

• Understand the strategic decisions being made around renovations, brand updates, and long-term investments amid high occupancy levels

• Examine how rising rates and persistent resort fees are being justified through enhanced value, improved experiences, and transparent communication with planners

With AV costs driving significant budget increases, pharmaceutical meeting planners are under pressure to deliver high-impact events with fewer resources. This session focuses on strategic sourcing approaches that help planners maximize value, streamline spend, and build resilient vendor relationships—without compromising compliance or attendee experience.

• Evaluate venue and AV proposals through a cost-conscious, compliance-driven lens to identify hidden value and avoid unnecessary spend
• Apply sourcing strategies that prioritize flexibility, quality, and budget efficiency, enabling planners to do more with less across their event portfolios
• Strengthen partnerships with vendors and suppliers to unlock creative solutions, negotiate smarter, and enhance overall event ROI

This interactive session brings together procurement specialists and meeting planners to bridge the communication gap that often exists between these essential functions. Through facilitated dialogue and real-world case studies, participants will explore how to transform transactional relationships into strategic partnerships that drive both cost efficiency and event excellence.

• Learn practical strategies for educating procurement specialists about the unique requirements of pharmaceutical events

• Discover effective communication techniques that align procurement timelines with event planning needs

• Explore best practices for negotiating contracts that satisfy both procurement metrics and event quality standards

This session examines how procurement can evolve from being perceived as the "budget police" to becoming value-creating strategic partners in the pharmaceutical events ecosystem. Industry experts will share frameworks for demonstrating event ROI to leadership while balancing compliance requirements and attendee experience. The session includes small-group exercises where participants develop action plans for their organizations.

• Understand how to quantify and communicate the full value of events beyond traditional cost metrics

• Create a roadmap for establishing quarterly touchpoints between procurement and event teams to maintain alignment

Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to foster peer-to-peer learning and candid dialogue across key sectors of life sciences event planning. Attendees will choose one of four focused roundtables, each tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities within their professional domain:

• Productivity and Technology Integration for Pharma Event Excellence: This hands-on roundtable equips pharmaceutical meeting planners with practical tools to- enhance efficiency while maintaining compliance. Explore time management methodologies (Pomodoro, time blocking), AI applications for pharma events, and professional documentation techniques including photography and data analytics. Ideal for professionals seeking to optimize workflows, integrate new technologies, and elevate their event impact.

• Mastering Leadership Transition in Pharma Meeting Management: Designed for mid-career professionals, this roundtable focuses on the shift from tactical execution to strategic leadership. Participants will explore frameworks for performance reviews, techniques for difficult conversations, and strategies for influencing without authority in complex stakeholder environments.

  • Dawn Will, VP Life Sciences, Etherio
  • Tanya Zuckerman, CMM, CMP, Associate Director, Meeting Management, Bayer

• Planners in Animal Health: Sector-Specific Collaboration and Innovation: Exclusively for planners working in animal health, this roundtable provides a space to share best practices, discuss regulatory nuances, and explore innovations in veterinary and agricultural event planning. Connect with peers navigating similar challenges and opportunities in this dynamic field.

• Med Device, Diagnostics & Biotech: Navigating Complexity and Driving Impact: Tailored for planners in medical devices, diagnostics, and biotech, this roundtable addresses the intricacies of planning events in highly technical and regulated environments. Topics include cross-functional collaboration, scientific content delivery, and strategies for engaging diverse stakeholder groups.