2023 Convention Sales and Services Summit

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Norfolk, VA map
event March 9, 2023
location_city National Harbor, MD, USA
location_on Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center

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Registration Information Schedule at a Glance

The Convention Sales & Services Summit is a cross-functional gathering of sales and services professionals dedicated to helping clients plan and execute successful meetings and events. This year's summit will challenge you to think about your role and your destination differently, providing insights and information that will promote a deeper collaboration in the sales and services cycle and educate on the post-pandemic shifts impacting the sales cycle.

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Innovation & Disruption
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Stakeholder Engagement
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New Business Models
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Meetings & Events Recovery

Topics include the impacts of a shifting workforce, technological disruption, the new role of the sales and services team, overcoming destination concerns of safety, political climates and human rights, best practices for the inclusion of EDI strategies, creativity and collaboration with adjusted budgets and leveraging community stakeholders for positive economic impact.

 

You will not want to miss the valuable insights from industry leaders who will share best practices and case studies.


REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT
US$695
REGISTER NOW

Registration is hosted in conjunction with Business Events Industry Week and powered by PCMA. Create or use your PCMA login information to register for the summit.

Gather with your colleagues and clients for an incredible week of education, networking and selling all under one roof at the Gaylord National Harbor.

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March 4-7, 2023

CDME Courses
2023 Destination Showcase logo
March 8, 2023

About Showcase
2023 Convention Sales & Services logo
March 9, 2023

About CSS Summit

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Schedule subject to change.

The Convention Sales & Services Summit is approved for up to seven (7) CDME CE credits. Learn about CDME recertification.

* All executive level attendees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Executive Roundtable sessions. Space is limited and RSVPs for the breakouts will be on a first come first serve basis. For additional questions please contact Emily Scheiderer at [email protected].

Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome and Overview
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
The Future of Destination Organization Sales and Services
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM
Details +
Hear from this panel of Large Market Roundtable leaders about the future of the industry, what keeps them up at night and what their destinations are doing to future proof their departments.
Kelly Saling headshotKelly Saling
SVP, Chief Sales Officer
Visit Seattle
Adrienne Siemers headshotAdrienne Siemers
Chief Sales Officer
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
Lorne Edwards headshotLorne Edwards
Chief Sales Officer
Visit Phoenix
Shifting your Sales and Servicing Tactics to Support the Evolving Needs of Events
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Details +
This informative session will provide insights into the shifting needs of meetings and events. Industry experts will provide context for destination organizations that will help them embrace these changes and support the event strategist by implementing tactical shifts in their sales and servicing offerings.
Beth Surmont headshotBeth Surmont
Vice President, Event Strategy & Design
360 Live Media
Bruce Gudenberg headshotBruce Gudenberg
SVP, Business Development & Industry Relations
Meeting Professionals International
Lauren Swenson headshotLauren Swenson
Senior Director, Hospitality
Cvent
Executive Roundtable: Future Proofing Our Departments Through Customer Relationships (limited to executive leadership by RSVP only)
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Details +
In this interactive session, destination organization executives will have the opportunity to engage with Planner Influencer Board members to discuss an array of topics impacting the industry. This conversation will provide the opportunity for both groups to begin creating solutions that will elevate the industry as a whole.

All executive level attendees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Executive Roundtable sessions. Space is limited and RSVPs for the session will be on a first come first serve basis. For additional questions please contact Emily Scheiderer at [email protected].
Networking Break
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Workshop: Evolving Sales and Services Tactics to Meet the Needs of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Executive Roundtable: Future Proofing Our Departments Through Customer Relationships (limited to executive leadership by RSVP only)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Details +
In this interactive session, destination organization executives will have the opportunity to engage with Planner Influencer Board members to discuss an array of topics impacting the industry. This conversation will provide the opportunity for both groups to begin creating solutions that will elevate the industry as a whole.

All executive level attendees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Executive Roundtable sessions. Space is limited and RSVPs for the session will be on a first come first serve basis. For additional questions please contact Emily Scheiderer at [email protected].
Networking Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
3rd Party Perspectives: Collaborating with Destination Organizations to Maximize Success
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Details +
From booking displacements to event redesigns, the complexities associated with meetings and events requires a higher level of partnership than ever before. Join this session to hear from three industry experts as they discuss the overall industry trends and provide the group with tactical approaches for collaboration that they should be considering as we work together to future proof the industry.
Executive Roundtable: Future Proofing through Attendee Behavioral Data (limited to executive leadership by RSVP only)
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Creating Metrics That Matter to Your Stakeholders
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Details +
In this session, the audience will have the opportunity to hear from the hotel, planner, and lobbyist perspectives on the information most valuable to them when advocating to internal and external stakeholders. The session will provide insight into the perception of the value of the CVB, and help those in attendance understand how they can best adjust their sales and services process to track the information most relevant to their stakeholders and, ultimately, increase the value of their partnerships.
Tommy Goodwin headshotTommy Goodwin
Vice President, Government Affairs
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)
Ken Jarka headshotKen Jarka
General Manager
Washington Hilton
Eduardo Chaillo headshotEduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM, CASE, DES, CITP
Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists, LLC
Executive Roundtable: Future Proofing through KPIs (limited to executive leadership by RSVP only)
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Details +
This roundtable discussion will provide time for executive leadership to discuss the KPIs they are tracking, and what data they are missing as they advocate for their departments internally and externally.

All executive level attendees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Executive Roundtable sessions. Space is limited and RSVPs for the session will be on a first come first serve basis. For additional questions please contact Emily Scheiderer at [email protected].
Networking Break
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Workshop: Evolving Sales and Services Strategies for Technology Disruption, Budgetary Impacts & Safety Concerns
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Executive Roundtable: Future Proofing by Protecting Ourselves through Risk Mitigation (limited to executive leadership by RSVP only)
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Details +
These three micro-sessions will provide areas of consideration around risk mitigation and prepare attendees to share best practices.

All executive level attendees will receive an email invitation to participate in the Executive Roundtable sessions. Space is limited and RSVPs for the session will be on a first come first serve basis. For additional questions please contact Emily Scheiderer at [email protected].
The Future of Sales and Services Customer Engagment
3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
Details +
Join Destinations International's Planner Influencer Board members as they discuss the current challenges planners are facing. They will provide destination organizations with strategies and best practices that will help them partner effectively for the future proofing of their departments.

Convention Sales & Services Summit will conclude in time for attendees to refresh, reconnect, and rev up for the PCMA Visionary Awards.

Events: 2023 Safety Promo

Events: 2023 Safety Promo > List Items

Take a look at our safety guidelines for in-person events in 2023.

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https://destinationsinternational.org/2023-event-safety-guidelines
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Location Details

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, MD, USA
+1 301-965-4000

Business Events Industry Week housing information will be provided at the conclusion of the registration process in your confirmation email.

CSS23: Southwest Promo

We are pleased to partner with Southwest Airlines to provide 3% off all published fares to Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) for Business Events Industry Week. Make your reservations through https://www.swabiz.com and use Company ID 99099980.

Join the Online Community

The Online Community connects professionals from across the industry. Find users from your region or join a discussion group to discuss critical sales and services issues.

Join the Community
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Access to the Online Community is an exclusive benefit to all staff from member organizations of Destinations International. Use your member login to access the discussions, or contact us if you need assistance.