As companies are increasingly deciding to hold at least part of their 2021 and 2022 meetings in-person, more are turning to third-party planners who now provide even more services to ease the transition to what comes next. From navigating changing protocols and new venues to innovating room set-ups and F&B, independent planners are a valuable resource in mastering the evolution of meeting at a time when limited space may be available. You will learn:
- What hidden resources are available to ease the transition back to meeting
- Tricks for managing risk
- How other companies are handling their first post-Covid F2F meetings
Desi Whitney, Senior Vice President of Sourcing Operations and Industry Relations, HPN Global
Desi Whitney is senior vice president of sourcing operations and industry relations for HPN Global, a full-service site selection and meeting management firm. In addition to overseeing Sourcing Operations and Industry Relations, she oversees the planning logistics of the HPN Global Annual Partner Conference. Whitney began her meetings industry journey at 19 years old. In addition to her leadership role at HPN, Desi co-founded Emergency Concierge International (ECI)–an All-Hazards Emergency Planning company for events. Together, Desi and the team at ECI bridge the gap between emergency planning and the meetings industry. She is a Smart Women in Meetings 2019 Hall of Fame winner.
Mike May, CMP, CITP, IP, President and Owner of Brightspot Incentives & Events
Mike is a strong industry supporter and served as the 2018-2019 Chairman of the Trustees of the Incentive Research Foundation, a past member of the Performance Improvement Council of the Incentive Marketing Association and a frequent industry presenter. Mike is the author of 12.5 Steps to a Perfect Incentive Program, a comprehensive how-to guide filled with incentive tips, actionable advice and industry research.
Desi Whitney: dwhitney@hpnglobal.com
Mike May: mike.may@brightspot.email
