Breakout Sessions

Crossing the Generational Divide

International Panel

Track: Human Power
6 December
11:00 - 12:15

Diversity is abundant in the workplace today, and no place is that more apparent then in the differing perspectives of the generations.  This unique session will offer frank discussion amongst industry professionals offering examples and suggestions on how generations can successfully work together and how to motivate, compensate and retain employees of varying ages.  As moderator, Diana Vanbrabant will offer insight and experiences obtained from her role developing professionals who must operate as a cohesive team across offices in 15 countries.

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Today's Consumer is Changing

Dominic Toledo - General Manager, The MINT Organization, Australia

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Global Perspectives
6 December
11:00 - 12:15

The world we live in is rapidly changing.  The advancement of technology; the evolution of the internet and social media spaces; the emergence of new industries and the collapse of others all impacts consumer perceptions, wants and needs.  This session will explore these trends and question if these factors transcend cultures and generations as the world becomes a more integrated place.  Audience members should be prepared to share their own experiences and perspectives as the group works to identify how business leaders should be prepared to meet client needs in the future.

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“Fresh Minds” Incentives Idea Lab — Part 1: Challenges & Part 2: Presentations

Jill Harrington – President, potential2performance

to download handouts from this presentation click here - pdf

Track: Motivational Programs
6 December
11:00 - 12:15 & 14:15 - 15:30

Tired of traditional “talking head” presenters? Then sign up for something different. Roll up your sleeves and work across disciplines in a creative laboratory that will get you looking differently at the issues that challenge the growth of our businesses and industry.  Following an introduction to “inventive thought” strategies, your facilitator – industry pro and business development expert, Jill Harrington - will challenge you, in small inter-disciplinary groups, to apply these strategies to create and present innovative solutions for some of the most pervasive business challenges you face today. 

Regardless of your discipline, geographic location or stage of development, you will leave this session with:

• New possibilities to address the big issues challenging your business.
• Enhanced capability to think creatively and consider non-traditional points of view.
• A deeper understanding of other disciplines that will improve relationships and cross-discipline collaboration

Space is limited; separate registration for these sessions are required.
Please note that pre-registration does not necessarily guarantee a seat at these sessions.
Please contact Katie Karakosta for more information & pre-registration: katie_karakosta@site-intl.org

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Working With Your Global Economy

Lode Beckers— Chairman, LOBO N.V., Belgium

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Global Perspectives
6 December
14:15 - 15:30

Talks of recession are clouding the economic skies. Several important corporate clients are facing difficulties. Budget cuts are rampant and are affecting demand in the incentive travel industry. Exchange rate volatility is increasing. Inflation threatens to erode profit margins… doesn't that sound like a lot of very bad news?  This session will demonstrate that there is such a thing as a double silver lining — there are ways to protect against risks like inflation and currency depreciation and there are forces at work that continue to sustain demand for high-quality incentive travel and meeting services for several years to come.

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The Best Ensemble Cast

Peter Schmitt — Executive Producer, Delphi Productions

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Human Power
6 December
14:15 - 15:30

Improvisational theatre and the business world are grounded in the three critical skills: listening to peers, accepting every idea automatically and generating good ideas on the fly. Whether you come from a large or small company, this session will help you build communication skills and facilitate teamwork to inspire fellow employees. This interactive session will include several exercises illustrating these critical skills and demonstrate the importance of respecting and playing off the ideas of others. Delegates will walk away with the necessary tools to succeed at a higher performance level by harnessing their own human power.

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An Inside View of the Airline Industry

Alynne Hanford - Global Sales Manager, American Airlines

Track: Global Perspectives
7 December
10:15 - 11:30

Do you ever wonder – what are the airlines thinking?  In our business, lift can be everything.  It can enhance an experience, sell a client on a destination and it can make or break a budget.  In this session you will receive insight and information to help answer your tough questions.  As a professional dedicated to the airline segment, Ayleen Hanford will share information on trends affecting the industry and walk you through some practices utilized by major commercial carriers when determining routes and capacity planning.  This session will elevate your business acumen when negotiating with carriers or communicating to clients.

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Value-Centered Negotiations

Robert Jacques — General Manager, Advanced Incentive Travel

to download handouts from this presentation click here - pdf

Track: Human Power
7 December
10:15 - 11:30

To understand the key component in negotiations with suppliers and/or buyers you must understand value and the need to create it. Making concessions that deliver this value can adjust the center point in the negotiation process and allow both sides to walk away with 100 percent of what they want.  We live in a global marketplace where cultures and concepts clash; misunderstandings are easily found. In this session industry veteran Robert Jacques will present real-life examples and interactive case studies to illustrate the power of legitimacy and reasonability when negotiating one's position.

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Sales Promotion in the Automotive Industry

Polo Looser — Managing Director Central, MCI–Zurich

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Motivational Programs
7 December
10:15 - 11:30

Polo Looser of MCI-Zurich will share his first hand experience in the incentive and travel industries to provide tangible examples of strategic program marketing plans, the three different phases of a complex program and ways to anticipate and overcome challenges. This session will explain how the project lead fulfilled set program goals — such as selling more vehicles, responding to different market situations and target groups — as well as changing the behaviour of the dealership and of the dealer channels.

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International Panel facilitated by:
Mary MacGregor — Vice President Marketing and Business Development, BCD Meetings & Incentives

Track: Global Perspectives
Salle des Congres
7 December
11:45 - 13:00

At the time of planning this conference, the unpredictable and troubling events within the global economy are at the top of everyone’s mind. Whether it’s the print media, television or internet, one cannot help but be almost overwhelmed by the depth and complexity of the situation and a myriad of pundits trying to tell us all, “what’s next?”. Now, more than ever, we struggle with the scrutiny and misperceptions associated with incentive travel and motivational experiences as a viable means to drive business results versus seeing them as unnecessary luxuries. This session will draw on the expertise of some of the best minds and leaders in our industry to gain their insights and try to tackle some tough questions as relates to how we respond and react in these difficult times.

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Using Your Brain to Work Effectively

Mil Rosseau — Principal, Autonoom

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Human Power
7 December
11:45 - 13:00

The brain plays a central role in our effectiveness, both personally and professionally. This session is designed to help attendees understand, identify and remove ineffective behavior through understanding the functioning of the brain. Delegates will receive guidelines and tools that will help assess different ways of working as well as promote continuous personal improvements. This interactive session will also have delegates work with their own ''cases'' while learning about the state-of-the-art Emotional Intelligence .  Join this session and make your own brain power work for you.

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Achieving the Optimum Motivational Match

Aino Salimäki — Researcher, Helsinki University of Technology

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: Motivational Programs
7 December
11:45 - 13:00

Pay compression has been a norm in Europe; however, in search for flexible employee costs, firms and public sector organizations alike have implemented different forms of incentives, which create a circumstance where employees and/or groups compete against each other.  While use of this motivational method can create phenomenal organizational results it can create some obstacles as well.  In this interactive session, the most common challenges with employee incentive plans will be discussed. Case examples will demonstrate a framework to appraise and further develop incentive plans so that the right methods of motivation are utilized for the intended audience.  This discussion will cross all segments of the motivational awards arena.

Sponsored by the International SITE Foundation

With a mission to enhance the awareness and effectiveness of incentives and incentive travel, thereby increasing its global use, the International SITE Foundation is pleased to bring you this educational session.

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John Hooker - Managing Partner, AddingValue Consulting, UK

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: YLP
6 December
14:15 - 15:30

Risk management is a large part of a successful incentive; but who is responsible for what? This session will dive into all aspects of risk assessment and management in order to point out that knowing who is doing what in a crisis situation is crucial to a positive outcome.  With over 20 years of experience in the Hospitality, Events & Travel industry John Hooker of AddingValue Consulting will provide information on key topic areas such as the new Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act that was set in motion in April 2008.  Keeping everyone safe is an enormous responsibility; understanding how to accomplish this feat is the first step.

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Career Blockers

Interactive YLP Session

Ann Holmes CMM, UK

to download a copy of the presentation click here - pdf

Track: YLP
7 December
11:45 - 13:00

While you can collect great advice on what you should be doing to advance your career sometimes you just need the blunt truth of what behaviors may hold you back.  How attentive are you in meetings?  Do you hear how you sound when you react to pressure?  How well do you carry forward the mission of your organization?  This interactive session will be a dose of fun as delegates are encouraged to share the “crimes” of their co-workers and then reflect on their own behaviors in the workplace.  Focus will then shift to common traits of successful leaders and how delegates can build reminders into their day to move away from those career blocking behaviors.

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