The Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau and its partners sure know how to get the party started. On Monday morning as Smart Monday was beginning and IMEX was coming to life at Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, the CVB from Utah kicked off the forward thinking with a breakfast that featured adventurer/speaker Chris Heeter.
Heeter, a wilderness and dogsled guide, delivered the exact kind of message that will no doubt prompt meetings planners to think outside the box during IMEX. Parlaying Park City’s vast outdoor offerings, Heeter encouraged attendees to “hold wild meetings.”
“When we dare to be wild, it’s contagious,” Heeter said. “Have the courage of bringing all of what you have to all of what you do.”
Heeter possesses a unique perspective through training dogs for sledding, guiding trips for novices and speaking about it. There are more commonalities with dogsledding and meetings than one could imagine: Picking the right lead dogs; building a team; taking advantage of every dog’s strength, even the lazy ones.
Stressing the importance of making meetings wild, Heeter asked attendees to feel in the blank. When you’re feeling wild, you feel _____:
1. Authentic
2. Excited
3. Crazy
4. Energized
5. Adventurous
6. Outside the box
7. Rebellious
8. Industrious
9. Enthusiastic
10. Passionate
This dynamic exchange certainly served as a foundation for the rest of the week. Who doesn’t want passionate and authentic experiences for attendees?
“Don’t stifle wild energy,” Heeter said. “Harness it.”
Give Park City credit for creating a thought-provoking vibe on the opening morning of IMEX’s Smart Monday. In addition to the chamber of commerce/CVB other partners of the breakfast included Deer Valley Resort, Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, Hyatt Escala Lodge, Westgate Park City, Hotel Park City and Canyons Village.
Park City is now offering travel stipends for planners considering holding a meeting in this outdoor haven 30 minutes from Salt Lake City. For further information on Park City meetings, contact Carolyn Creek-McCallister, senior national sales manager, at carolyn@visitpark.com or visit parkcitymeetings.com.
And for those attending IMEX this year, stop by booth #515 to hear more about Park City. They promise you’ll have a wild time.
For more on #IMEX15 be sure to check out our daily updates.
