May 6-8, 2012
Attend our exclusive three-day networking event for meeting planners and you will:
Meet in 25 one-on-one appointments selected from 75 premier properties from throughout North America
Stay educated about cutting-edge industry topics, including contracts, marketing and more
Earn four hours of CEU credit
Network with senior-level planners and leave with new friends
Enjoy delicious cuisine as well as lively entertainment
Check out the webinars of our speakers at the event by clicking here and our photo gallery by clicking here.
Details about La Costa
Exercise your mind at La Costa Resort and Spa, a sophisticated destination with a combined meeting space total of 100,000 sq. ft., made to fit any size function –from an intimate gathering to a convention-sized event – indoors and outdoors. Inspire and entertain at North San Diego’s largest ballroom, Costa del Sol, filled with 18,000 sq. ft. of elegance and designed to host your largest event. Present your best at La Costa’s redesigned Coastal Events Center, a modern and fresh meeting experience. Breathe in the crisp coastal breeze, and walk amongst a garden paradise overflowing with lush landscape during meeting breaks. Whether night or day, work in the luxury and comfort of our Meeting Planner Suites, built for inspiration and operation. And appreciate the focus and productivity that comes with the self-contained 400-acre alfresco campus environment of La Costa Resort and Spa.
Total number of rooms, suites, villas: 825
Total number of meeting rooms: 46
Total meeting space in/outdoor 110,000 sq. ft.
Agenda
Sunday, May 6
8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. CMP Boot Camp (optional)
3–4 p.m. Welcome Reception
4–6 p.m. Opening Keynote - Janet Lapp
6–9 p.m. Networking Dinner
Monday, May 7
7:45–8:45 a.m. Breakfast
8:45–9:45 a.m. Educational Presentation - Corbin Ball
9:55–11:30 a.m. One-on-One Appointments
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Refreshment Break
12–1:30 p.m. One-on-One Appointments
1:30–2:45 p.m. Lunch
3–5 p.m. Team Building Activity - Battle of the Airbands
7–9 p.m. Dinner
Tuesday, May 8
7:45–8:45 a.m. Breakfast
8:45–9:45 a.m. Educational Presentation - Joanne Dennison
9:55–11:30 a.m. One-on-One Appointments
11:30 a.m.–noon Refreshment Break
Noon–1:30p.m. One-on-One Appointments
1:30–245 p.m. Lunch
2:45 p.m. Closing of the Smart Meeting
Testimonials
"I have been planning meetings since 1983 and have attended many meeting planners' events, but none can compare with Smart Meetings in terms of information,
networking, food and entertainment. We will absolutely be contracting on future meetings as a result of this event."
Barry Block
American Podiatric Medical Writers Association
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Speakers at La Costa, Carlsbad
Sunday, May 6
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Plant Your Feet Firmly in Mid-Air: Thrive During Fast Change
About Dr. Janet Lapp:
Lapp translates her clinical and academic knowledge into down-to-earth, humorous but powerful messages that inspire and encourage people to make the changes they need to make.
She is a flight instructor and former air-race pilot who creates cultures that are focused, engaged and high-performing.
One of North America’s most in-demand presenters and a Speakers Hall of Fame inductee, she has been rated by Toastmasters as one of the Top 3 speakers worldwide.
A former university professor, researcher and registered nurse, she was born and raised in Canada. Her Ph.D. is from McGill University in Montreal.
Lapp is a licensed clinical psychologist and author of five books: Dancing with Tigers, Plant Your Feet Firmly in Mid-Air, Positive Spin™, Why Won’t They Listen to Me? and Leading at the Edge of Change.
Monday, May 7
8:45–9:45 a.m.
The Top Technology Trends Transforming the Events and Tradeshow Industries and What It Means To You!
Corbin Ball:
Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, MS is an international speaker, consultant and writer helping clients worldwide use technology to save time and improve productivity. With 20 years of experience running international technology meetings, he now is a highly acclaimed speaker with the ability to make complex subjects understandable and fun. His articles have appeared in hundreds of national and international publications, and he has been quoted in U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Fast Company, PC Magazine and others. Ball serves or has served on numerous hotel, corporate, convention bureau and association boards. He is the only person to have received both the MPI International Supplier of the Year and the MPI International Chapter Leader of the Year awards.
Tuesday, May 8
8:45–9:45 a.m.
Intellectually Smart: Using Intellectual and Creative Property Legally
Joanne Dennison:
Joanne Dennison has owned her own business for 20 years, originally focusing on the planning of meetings and events. Returning to her roots in education, today she is best known for being an expert educator in the event- and meeting-planning field and recognized for her “CMP Intensive Weekend” workshops. She has presented and facilitated at many MPI chapters—including Tennessee, Arizona, Greater New York, Michigan, Philadelphia, Toronto, Minnesota and New Jersey—as well as MPI’s Professional Education Conference and World Education Congress. In August 2011, she presented a class in Beijing for the first ever CMP exam in China.
Known for her straightforward, and sometimes humorous, style of writing and speaking, Joanne has been called “a lightning rod of inspiration” and “someone you want in the room when you have a problem to solve.” She is a past president of MPI-NJ and has been honored with Chapter Member of the Year. She also was nominated for the PCMA Educator of the Year Award in 2007.
Most fun fact? She also appeared as the event producer in a segment of The Food Network’s It’s a Surprise!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who attends The Smart Meeting?
2. How do I qualify to attend The Smart Meeting?
3. Where do I register for The Smart Meeting?
4. How much does The Smart Meeting cost?
5. What exactly do the one-on-one appointments entail?
6. Can more than one meeting professional from a company attend?
7. When and where should I plan on arriving/departing?
8. May I arrive early or extend my stay?
9. I’m a planner. Should I bring an RFP?
10. What should I wear?
11. May I bring a guest?
12. Whom should I contact with any questions?
1) Who attends The Smart Meeting?
People like you—highly qualified meeting professionals and highly recognized hotel partner properties in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
2) How do I qualify to attend The Smart Meeting?
Are you a meeting professional who:
–Has a verifiable history of conferences, meetings, events, incentives, training/conference programs or conventions?
–Contracts hotels with an average room rate of $150 or more per night?
–Plans groups of 10 or more attendees with room nights yielding a minimum of 30 room nights?
–Is considering planning a meeting in the U.S., Canada or Mexico in the next two years for which you haven’t yet contracted a hotel or destination?
Answered “yes” to these questions? Apply online to attend.
3) Where do I sign up for The Smart Meeting?
Meeting Professionals: Apply online by clicking on the “Register Now” button. Submit your application today as space is limited!
Suppliers: Call 415-339-9355 or email advertising@smartmeetings.com to contact your local sales representative to discuss participation in this event and/or future events.
4) How much does The Smart Meeting cost?
Meeting Professionals: Smart Meetings provides complimentary airport transfer, single hotel accommodations for two nights/three days, meals as outlined in the agenda and registration materials. Attendees are responsible for incidental charges.
Suppliers: Contact your local sales representative at 415-339-9355 to get the best deal! Base rates are available online. Suppliers receive airport transfer, single hotel accommodations for two nights/three days, meals as outlined in the agenda and registration materials. Attendees are responsible for incidental charges.
5) What exactly do the one-on-one appointments entail?
Our one-on-one appointments are set up as a convenient way for you to research multiple properties, destinations and other services in one place, at one time. Each appointment lasts 12 minutes and you will have 25 pre-scheduled appointments.
6) Can more than one meeting professional from a company attend?
Our policy typically only allows one meeting professional to attend per company; however, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the events staff at 415-339-9355 or events@smartmeetings.com to inquire.
7) When and where should I plan on arriving/departing?
You should plan to fly in and out of San Diego International Airport (SAN). On Sunday, May 6, please arrive by 1 p.m. to be able to get to the hotel for our first event. Your flight can depart on Tuesday, May 8, after 4 p.m.
8) May I arrive early or extend my stay?
La Costa has provided a $229.00 special pre/post-event room rate for those attending The Smart Meeting. Please ask the events staff at Smart Meetings for more information by calling 415-339-9355 or e-mailing events@smartmeetings.com.
9) I’m a planner, should I bring an RFP?
All planners are encouraged to bring open RFPs with them, as suppliers are ready to book during the appointments.
Recommended attire is business casual. Please, no jeans.
We suggest that you and a guest enjoy Carlsbad together before or after The Smart Meeting. Unfortunately, our policy does not typically allow guests to participate in The Smart Meeting activities.
12) Who should I contact with any questions?
Please contact the Smart Meetings events staff at events@smartmeetings.com or 415-339-9355.
