Wednesday (February 4, 2009)

7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Registration & Breakfast

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker

The Top 25 Things I Learned in My 25 Years with Disney

Tom Bisignano, Chair-Elect, IFEA World Board of Directors

Often the things that we learn in our lives and careers are not the things we gain from schools and textbooks. The most important lessons come from the people, experiences and world around us that shapes us in many unexpected ways. After 25 years with The Walt Disney Company, Tom Bisignano reflects with us on lessons learned along the way.

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. 1st Breakout Sessions

The Top 25 Things I Learned in My 25 Years with Disney, Part II

Tom Bisignano, Chair-Elect, IFEA World Board of Directors

Often the things that we learn in our lives and careers are not the things we gain from schools and textbooks. The most important lessons come from the people, experiences and world around us that shapes us in many unexpected ways. After 25 years with The Walt Disney Company, Tom Bisignano reflects with us on lessons learned along the way.

Explode Your Attendance and Reach More People…FREE w/Social Networks

John Barry, President, Star Events, LLC

The digital age is here to stay ..... this informative session will open your eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead. Detailed information about how to create, develop and manage your social networks. How you can save tons of money on advertising and dramatically increase your traffic. We will share creative strategies on how to maximize your networks and easily achieve your individual objectives.

*Media Relations Made Easy

Penny Reeh, President, INDIGO Resource Group & IFEA Region 3 Director

You don’t need a huge advertising budget to get into the pages of magazines and newspapers. All you need is a creative and well-planned publicity strategy. This workshop will help you understand the media needs and utilize this knowledge to tell your story. You will learn how to compile a media list, develop a strong media kit, conduct media blitzes, develop non-traditional story ideas, pitch the right story and build rapport with journalists. We will also discuss how media sources differ and how to pick the best media source for your story.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 2nd Breakout Sessions

Fitting Out of the Box Ideas into Your Budget Box

Tina Ferrario Huck, Events Coordinator, National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

From the brainstorming table to great conference presentations, out of the box ideas and large budget ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but how do you make them work in your event and within your budget? In this session, get ideas for fitting "Mickey" sized dreams come true within a "Minnie" sized budget or in a "Bugs" world.

*Presenting 101: How to Find an Artist, Negotiate Deals and What to Expect.

Betsy Dubois, Founder & CEO, Betsy DuBois Agency

All the basics to help you find, capture and present exactly what your audience wants at a price you can afford. Some tips on finding funding as well!

Mining for Sponsorship Gold – What to Sell, What to Give Away & What to Get in Return!

Bonnie Heimbach, Executive Director, Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office & Dale Hazelwood, Special Events Coordinator, Aurora Mayor’s Office of Special Events

Sponsorship is tough no matter how the national economy is doing. Sometimes a little creative prospecting is all that is needed. Just stake your claim and before you know it you'll discover that "thar's gold in them thar sponsors". This fast paced session will give an overview of how you can turn your festival assets into sponsorship "GOLD" or cash, goods and services!

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Skyscraper Awards Luncheon

1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. 3rd Breakout Sessions

60 Great Ideas in 60 Minutes

Penny Reeh, President, INDIGO Resource Group & IFEA Region 3 Director

This fast-moving session covers simple tips and creative ideas to improve all areas of your event. Promotional tricks of the trade, sponsorship techniques, volunteer management, logistics, merchandising and more are covered in an interactive format that bats a new idea into the audience every 60 seconds!

Music & Your Event

Paul Chiaravalle, Associate Vice President/Chief of Staff, Columbia College Chicago & Ed Dempsey, President/Chief Storyteller, TMI Entertainment Marketing

This session will discuss the power of music with your event, finding the right talent at the right price, address your responsibilities in presenting A & B talent, and using
this talent to help market and advertise your event.

*Leadership in a Non-profit Sector

Mitch Dorger, President & CEO, Pasadena Tournament of Roses

Leadership is achieving things through people. But leading in a non-profit, volunteer organization is different than leading in more formal organizations.

This presentation explains why the leadership challenges are different and offers 10 suggestions for leading effectively in these organizations.

2:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Vendor Expo

4:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Entertainment Showcase

*Denotes sessions geared towards new or smaller events.

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Thursday (February 5, 2009)

7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Registration & Breakfast

8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Welcome & Introductions

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker

BIG Ideas on a Small Budget!

Gail Alfosin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation

From committees to the workplace these budget relieving ideas will help keep the extra dollars where they belong welcomed to the Bottom line!

9:45 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. 1st Breakout Sessions

Reality Based Sponsorship: How it Works, Why it Works, When it Works!

Gail Alfosin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation

Whether you are new to sponsorship or have been selling and executing programs for years this workshop is designed to renew your passion for your event and to inspire excellence. The bottom line is - Sponsorships that work  will be renewed. [Will qualify for: Current Industry Issues & Trends Elective]

Email Marketing: Building a Better Event through Customer Loyalty and Referrals

Ed Dempsey, President/Chief Storyteller, TMI Entertainment Marketing

Easy, effective, and highly affordable, email marketing is the one of the best ways to get your message out to your customers, clients, or members. And, most importantly, build strong connections with your audience that lead to referrals, repeat business and loyalty. [Will qualify for: Creativity/Innovation Elective]

Finding and Presenting the Best Children's and Family Programming

Betsy Dubois, Founder & CEO, Betsy DuBois Agency

Family and Children's programming is the hottest growing market with audiences, and here are some tips to find the best everyone will enjoy. [Will qualify for: Leadership/Management Skills Elective, Current Industry & Trends Elective or Creativity/Innovation Elective]

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 2nd Breakout Sessions

Go Green

John Barry, President, Star Events, LLC

The importance of GREEN  marketing and how reduce, reuse and recycle can be the three magic words to put your event in the black. Green means grow... minimize the environmental impact of your special event and develop an eco-friendly program that grows your special events. [Will qualify for: Current Industry Issues & Trends Elective or Leadership/Management Skills Elective]

What's New and Cool to Promote Your Event

Penny Reeh, President, INDIGO Resource Group & IFEA Region 3 Director

In today's wired world, it takes more than a website to capture the attention of online consumers. Learn how to use popular internet websites at little or no cost to promote your event to a techno-savvy audience of younger potential customers. This session will cover how to post your events on interactive websites, how to create effective e-mail promotions, online couponing, electronic survey techniques and more. [Will qualify for: Creativity/Innovation Elective]

Maneuvering an Established Event Through a Changing World

Mitch Dorger, President & CEO, Pasadena Tournament of Roses

The world is changing and even the most successful organizations need to recognize this and make sure the organization is ready to face the challenges created by change.  This session will discuss the essential elements of change management and discuss the real world efforts of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses to deal with change.  It will offer insights into what works, as well as pitfalls to avoid in managing change. [Will qualify for: Leadership/Management Skills Elective or Current Industry Issues & Trends Elective]

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Luncheon Speaker

Eat a Frog For Lunch! 8 Proven Methods to Enhance Balance at Home and at Work

Gail Alfosin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation

Yes you can do it all and then some! Roll up your sleeves and get your rollerskates on while enjoying eight proven methods that help you live in the present and relish the moments that truly matter!

If there's more than one elective category listed under a particular topic, CFEE participants can't get credit for all the categories listed you must pick the category you want credit for.

The CFEE Program is brought to you by IFEA and K&K Insurance.