Host Sponsors
Florida Means Business.
Connect Marketplace Florida is an education conference and appointment-only trade show. Hosted by Connect, the event brings together the most active planners, suppliers and experts in Florida meetings and events for general sessions, roundtables, preset appointments and quality networking.
Connect Florida is the business marketplace where RFPs are placed, dates are secured and relationships are developed for future business.
Subject to Change
Monday, Nov. 5 | ||||||||
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Tuesday, Nov. 6 | ||||||||||||||||
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Crystal Washington | ||
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Crystal Washington, CSP works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity! As a technology strategist and certified futurist, Crystal takes complex social media, app, and web topics, and makes them easy to understand and accessible for everyday people. Crystal’s clients comprise Fortune 500 companies including Google, Microsoft, and GE and as a sought-after keynote speaker, she has entertained and educated audiences around the globe. She has appeared in numerous publications including Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Forbes and is regularly called on by major television networks as a tech expert. Crystal is the author of the books One Tech Action: An Efficiency Guide for Busy Non-techie Professionals to get More Done, Build Better Relationships, and Enjoy More Free time and The Social Media Why: A Busy Professional's Practical Guide to Using Social Media Including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Blogs for Business. | ||
Glen Guyton | ||
Glen's mission is helping organizations and individuals understand how to navigate the complex nature of culture. He assists organizations in improving productivity and profits through innovative leadership techniques and building intercultural competence. He also helps individuals make sense of their culture so that they can live their IDEAL lives. Glen's expertise in understanding culture has developed from his beginnings as a nerdy kid growing up in the suburbs of Houston, becoming an officer in the United States Air Force, teaching middle school and leading a national non-profit religious organization. Currently, Glen serves as the executive director of MC USA. Glen is passionate about giving back to the community and helping young people develop the skills they need to survive and thrive in a dynamic world. His weekly podcast, StepOut! tells youth, young adults, and those who love them how to navigate our diverse culture, helping them define for themselves what success means. Each week Glen encourages his listeners to "not only live their lives but to love the lives they live." Glen is a qualifiedadministrator (QA) for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI)—an essential tool in helping organizations measure the success of their approach to diversity and inclusion. With over ten years in the event planning industry, Glen is a certified project management professional (PMP) who holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Education from Regent University. Additionally, Glen has training in anti-racism and creating safe workplace environments. | ||
Heather Miller | ||
Heather Miller has been a positive presence in the hospitality industry for more than 10 years. With a flair for creativity and innovation, she has a proven track record in service while working in fast paced environments. Heather has worked on all sides of event management throughout her career. Her experience at Marriott International gave her valuable lessons on venue operations that have translated well into her roles at Play With a Purpose. Her passion for flawless customer service is apparent when she creates custom interactive experiences and charity give-back events for groups ranging in size from 10-3,000 participants all over the world. At her core she believes the entire process should be a joy for both the planner and the guests! |
Subject to Change
Presented by Crystal Washington and Glen Guyton
Technology and the changing face of the events industry have shifted the roles of planners and suppliers. Planners are strapped for time; meanwhile, suppliers experiencing increased sales goals face the challenge of being heard in an ever-increasing pool of marketing noise. In this interactive session, teams will discover the most effective methods for creating win-win interactions.
Presented by Heather Miller
In recent years there has been a fundamental shift from making self-serving, simple donations to creating strategic, transformational activities that affect positive change – for both the agency and the participants. Organizations are looking for opportunities to work for a cause aligned with the company or destination, that offer a real team-building element, and that provide meaningful, face-to-face interactions with members of the local community. Here are some ideas on how to do that!
Presented by Tyra Hilliard
As any planner or food provider knows, food and beverage is a risky area. There are issues of dietary restrictions, food allergies, alcohol service, performance, food donation and more. We discuss the legalities behind food and beverage service. From service standards to the law regarding donating food, this is the law of food.
Host Sponsors
Sponsors