Seminars
Special Bonus Session
8:30- 11:30am - James Spellos-
How to Create Facebook Fan and Event Pages and How to use Twitter
Interested in learning how to create Facebook Fan and Event pages for your organization's meetings? Not sure how (and why) to use Twitter to enhance your meetings & events? We have a terrific session for you! Come join Jim Spellos for a hands-on training experience in a half day session on the morning of the Meeting Planners' Expo. Jim will take your through the basics and beyond to better understand how to setup these pages, and also, how to use them most productively. Whether you've never used these social media tools for business, or are just looking to enhance your knowledge of how to connect in today's digital age, this hands-on session is for you.
BIOGRAPHY
James Spellos is the President of Meeting U., a company specializing in training in the topics of technology applications and meeting planning. Jim is certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS). He is a recognized expert in the field of technology applications training.
Jim has been a faculty member at New York University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies since 1990, joining the undergraduate faculty in 2002. He developed all of the on-line courses for NYU’s Meeting Management certificate program. He also develops numerous courses for worldwide leading seminar organizations as the American Management Association.
Through Meeting U., Jim publishes a monthly technology e-letter called Techniques. This free newsletter discusses cool technology and productivity tools both within the meetings industry, as well as those that apply for all professional and personal use.
Outside of the meetings industry, Jim is an accomplished musician and songwriter, playing lead guitar in New York City-based rock band Contraband. Their first CD, Welcome to the Neighborhood, was released in late 2008, with all proceeds going to charity.
James Spellos, CMP, MOS
jspellos@meeting-u.com
http://www.meeting-u.com
Meeting Planners' Expo Session
12:30- 1:45 pm - Premila Whitney - Selling Sponsorships in Today's Economy
Selling sponsorships is something that every meeting planner will have to do at some point in their planning career. It's one of those necessary evils for meeting budgets and creating fabulous events! During times when the economy is sluggish, selling is one of those things we tend to avoid. It becomes difficult to ask companies for money when they are laying off employees and trying to keep their doors open for business.
The truth is, we need sponsorship dollars to keep our meetings running. During this session, we will have candid discussions about how to make selling sponsorships easier during tough economic times. Tips and advice collected from various professionals in the field will be shared.
BIOGRAPHY
Premila Whitney is an Instructor at the University of Central Florida - Rosen College of Hospitality Management, based in Orlando, Florida.
In this role, Whitney is responsible for leading and facilitating classes including: Meetings & Event Management, Event Marketing & Promotion, Tradeshow Operations and Hospitality Human Resource Management, among others. In addition, she instructs students in classes that put on live events, both on and off campus.
Her experience includes site selection, invitation creation, R.S.V.P. tabulation, food and beverage selection, audio visual needs, overall event marketing and on-site logistics.
Previously, Whitney served as the Executive Director of Exception Employers based in Mt. Dora, FL, the Senior Event Planner at the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitor's Bureau and prior to that, the Event Manager at Wet 'n Wild. She has also worked within the human resources division at Sea World Orlando.
Whitney has served as member of the Greater Orlando Chapter of MPI; Awards and Recognition Committee Chair of MPI and Alumnus Social Chair Director of the Delta Gamma sorority for the University of Central Florida. She has received the Greater Orlando area Chapter of MPI Chapter Star award (June 2003) and was featured in the January 2004 GOAMPI Newsletter "Spotlight on Planner." In addition, she has been a guest speaker at conference including RCMA, TSAE, and the Meeting Planners' Expo.
Whitney holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and a Masters of Art in Human Resource Training & Development from Webster University.
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Whitney enjoys reading, swimming and spending time with family and friends during her free time. She currently resides in Clermont with her husband of 5 years, Paul and her 22 month old daughter, Addison.
We would like to thank our Sponsors
