Strategic Meetings Management (SMM)

MPI is focused on solutions that take account of cost savings, risk management and quality, while ensuring members can quantify and qualify their meeting accomplishes a defined and measureable business objective. The SMM track includes content that will reinforce understanding of SMM and higher levels of knowledge, awareness and skills related to implementing, growing and managing a robust program.

We are working to ensure valuable content is presented to support our members who are actively engaged in starting or evolving an SMM program. Underneath the SMM banner, you will find two subtopics: Strategic Sourcing (managing your costs and risk for example) and Strategic Outcomes (meeting effectiveness, meeting design and measurement). The information presented assists intermediate to advanced level meeting professional as well as novices and features useful data and tools to help you tell the story of the value of meetings, whether you’re presenting to your corporate executives or your local media.

For more information on on MPI's SMM initiative click here.

SMM Sessions available:

SMMP BLUEPRINT: Policy, Virtual Technology, Social Networking and More
Sunday, July 25
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m./08.30 - 09.30
Participants will discuss all topics using SMART business objectives to master change management and drive business performance within your organization, building an infrastructure, developing resource modeling, creating chargeback models, facing the in-sourcing vs. out-sourcing dilemma and going global. These industry professionals will give tips on: consolidation, centralization and data integration—key driver’s to optimum performance. Other topics include stakeholder management, communication strategy and internal adoption.

Moderator: Betsy Bondurant, Founder and President, Bondurant Consulting
Panelists: Steve O’Malley, General Manager, Maxvantage; Julie Hall, Manager, Meetings & Special Events, Space and Airborne Systems, Raytheon

Hot Topics: End-to-End SMMP Meetings Technology Solutions
Sunday, July 25
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m./15.30 - 17.00
Enjoy this hot-topic session where top technology providers gather to discuss the challenges, intricacies and differentials of the various technologies available today. Panelists include various industry leaders in their field who will share best practices with session attendees.

Moderator: Kimberly Meyer, President, Meetings Analytics
Panelists: Louann Cashill, StarCite; Anil Punyapu, Director, Business Development, Cvent Inc.; Nick Romano, President, SignUp4; Patti Tackeff, President, Lenos Software

Integrating Meeting Effectiveness Within an SMMP
Monday, July 26
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m./08.30 - 09.45
Currently, two unique disciplines, Strategic Meeting Management (SMM) and Meeting Design, are both essential to a corporation’s success. These two diverse subject matters also heavily impact the future of meetings. This provocative session is designed to engage the audience in an interactive discussion on how to effectively integrate SMMP and Meeting Design to increase the overall impact of meetings, increase and demonstrate ROI and enhance the meeting planner’s role in future meetings.

Speakers: Teresa Bria/Phase to Phase Strategy, LLC; Kate Lastinger/Metaphrasis Group; Mary Boone/Boone Associates

The New Frontier: In-sourcing vs. Out-sourcing
Monday, July 26
3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m./15.30 - 17.00

Should you outsource all or parts of your SMMP?  This panel of experts from within the meetings and events industry will discuss what works, depending on where you are in your organization’s SMMP, as well as how to maximize your SMMP and your value to your organization. Those attending should leave with an action plan to use immediately upon their return.

Moderator: Kevin Iwamoto, VP Enterprise Strategy, StarCite, Inc.
Panelists: Rick Binford, EVP, Event Management Services, Experient Technology; Bruce Morgan, Sr. VP, Marketing and Business Development, BCD Meetings & Incentives

SMMP: Beyond Principles and Theories
Tuesday, July 27
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m./10.30 - 11.45

The foundation for building a well structured SMMP is well defined and the value proposition is strong.  Now what?  Our esteemed panel of industry experts will outline the process and steps necessary to create and execute a global SMM program.  Also, hear from a Cisco representative about her experience and SMMP success.  Attend this session to learn from the experts and get tips for building your program from getting executive buy-in, building the internal and external partnerships, establishing a global infrastructure of tools, stakeholder analysis and communications, and metrics / measurement reporting. 

Moderator: Rick Binford, Executive VP, Event Management Services, Experient Technologies
Panelists: Betsy Bondurant, Founder and President, Bondurant Consulting; Carolyn Pund, Sr. Global Meetings & Events Manager, Cisco Systems

Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma: Quality Measurements of SMMP and Compliance
Tuesday, July 27
10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m./10.30 - 11.45

If there is one axiom that is true in today's workplace, it is that change will occur.  This fact is highlighted by the events of the past year, in which we have witnessed economic transformations across business sectors, in particular the travel and meeting and event industry.  As a result, we have all likely been thinking about our respective departments, teams and organizations and identifying ways to make them as efficient as possible.  The Kaizen, Lean Methodology and Six Sigma session will bring this issue into sharp focus and provide you with a toolkit of skills. 

Moderator: Corbin Ball, Corbin Ball Associates
Panelists: Shawn Sanford, Director of Operations, McKinsey & Company; Lorie Ryan-Spellen, Global Account Director, DuPont

Savings Quantification: Cost Avoidance, Cost Savings and Value Add Amenities
Tuesday, July 27
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m./14.00 - 15.30

This session covers how to build a hybrid best-in-class SMMP within your organization utilizing best practices to provide savings quantification and still meet the needs of your organization driving sales, revenue and profit. Hybrid models incorporating webinars, virtual meetings and latest technology are also discussed and why you need to embrace them to stay current and valid within the SMM industry.

Moderator: Lyndsey Pomella, Consultant, SMMP Strategic Results
Panelists: Phil Cavanagh, Monster Worldwide, Inc., VP Global Events and Tradeshows; Mark Hubrich, Co-Founder, SignUp4; Nikki Huckstadt, Event Manager, Honeywell Meeting Solutions; Lynn Randall, Consultant, Maritz Travel; Cindy Heston, WellPoint, Inc.

Taking Your SMMP to the Next Level
Tuesday, July 27
4 p.m. - 5 p.m./16.00 - 17.00
This session will offer an overview of the SMMP Life Cycle including the “must have” threads for success, a tool for diagnosing SMMP program maturity levels, the key metrics (Return On Event and ROI) for measuring meeting effectiveness plus best-in-class recommendations and tips from world-class experts. Time will be included for discussion and problem solving – participants should bring their SMMP challenges to these experts for advice in the session.  For all skill sets and levels from beginners to those who have a seasoned SMM program and wish to add value within their program.

Moderator: Terri Breining, President, Breining Group, LLC
Panelists: Amy Doty, Doty Consulting; Kimberly Meyer, President, Meetings Analytics; Ross VanDooser, Director of Value Analysis, StarCite; Ira Kerns, Managing Director, GuideStar Research