The North Florida Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (NFMPI) has done focus groups in Tallahassee for several years and, based on the feedback of meeting planners, has developed session content to meet those needs. CEU credits will be available for those pursuing their CMP certification. All XSITE attendees, Planners and Suppliers are invited to attend the Breakout. Planners will be given first priority seating.
Breakout session runs from 1:00pm until 3:15pm.
XSITE is pleased to announce that we have two outstanding speakers leading our educational sessions:
The Psychology of Technology
Jim Engelmann, Technology Consultant at AVI-SPL
During this session, we will review the live meeting environment and how the right technology can help increase audience engagement, information retention and ROI. When bringing together audiences of any size, it is important to understand how even the smallest element, like drape backdrops, can have a tremendous influence on the audience and how they engage with your presenters.
This course dives into the "psychology of technology" and describes the "how and why" to use different audiovisual and staging elements. We will discuss not only the top trends, but ways to incorporate these elements, and how they can be scaled for any event with any budget. Quite often, the cost of increasing engagement is less than the cost of those notepads that were custom designed with your conference logo.
Even the most seasoned planner will pick up tips that will help them design their next event.
Learning Objectives
Understand the basics of audience engagement and which technologies can provide the best ROI. Understand not only how to use technology correctly, but why it is imperative to design each tract from the audience's perspective.
About The Speaker
Jim Engelmann is a Technology Consultant at AVI-SPL. Working with clients for their permanent communication technology needs, he works to understand the needs of the client so that the company can offer products that meet not only today's needs but the needs of the future.
Previously, Jim was the Vice President of the Creative Show Services team. In this position, Jim oversaw all aspects of sales and customer service for meetings and events for AVI-SPL's clients nationwide. Jim's focus was to work with those clients to help them achieve their communication goals. Focusing on emerging trends and how the clients’ communications needs have changed, the Creative Show Services team constantly managed to stay ahead of the curve, identifying needs that crossed platforms and technology boundaries.
While managing projects for a Chicagoland marketing communications agency, Jim transitioned from traditional print media to all areas of interactive development. In 1997 Jim was at the forefront of Web development, overseeing the first websites for companies such as Amoco Oil, Komatsu America and NEC technologies. During this time interactive CD-Rom content began to replace slides, and the meeting environment was transitioning to the moving, on-the-fly information exchange that we see today.
In 2001, Jim left Chicago for the warmer weather of Florida, and joined the Freeman team. With a 20 year marketing background, Jim’s ability to readily identify new trends and develop services to maximize client offerings have helped increase Freeman’s capabilities over his 13 year tenure with the organization.
Second Nature Productivity
Developing habits and disciplines that save the day
Audrey Thomas, CSP, President, Organized Audrey, LLC
Like a great meeting or event, highly productive days don’t just happen. They are thoughtfully and strategically planned and prepared for. Become the person for whom productivity is second nature. Learn unique and proven strategies that, when implemented on a regular basis, will become habit. When interruptions occur – and they always do – it is our 2nd nature that can save us.
Learner Outcomes:
- Learn how to eliminate tedious decisions in order to free up time for bigger tasks and projects.
- Discover creative ways to disconnect from technology with the purpose of bringing balance to your personal life.
- Review procrastination and perfectionism with the intention of identifying them in current work situations.
About The Speaker
Audrey Thomas, CSP, has been entertaining and teaching audiences for over 20 years. As an author, speaker and productivity consultant, she presents for corporations, non-profits, conferences and conventions.
Audrey has authored several books, including 50 Ways to Leave Your Clutter, and The Road Called Chaos. Her client roster includes The Boeing Company, 3M, Emerson Process Management, FICP (Financial and Insurance Conference Planners), ING, and Meeting Planners International.
Audrey writes for several organizations, including The Business Journal and UnitedHealthcare. Her bi-monthly newsletter - My Monday Moment – is designed for busy professionals.
Serving the National Speakers Association-Minnesota as Past President, she is the recipient of the Certified Speaking Professional designation. The CSP is the speaking profession’s international measure of professional platform competence. Only 10% of all speakers are awarded this credential.
Audrey lives in the Twin Cities with her husband and loves being an empty nester. She enjoys gardening, target shooting and deleting emails.