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Creating Value for Attendees,
by Timothy Schneider, Publisher, Association News
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As the organizers of Meetings Quest—the nation’s longest-running series of educational and networking events for association, corporate, government and religious meeting planners—we strive to curate programming that addresses the most relevant topics facing association executives and meeting planners while also giving them time to network with others in a way that will aid their organizational development goals.

Our next Meeting Quest event will be held at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, March 14–15. Hosted by Meet AC, Meetings Quest in Atlantic City will get underway with an Opening Celebration on the evening of Tuesday, March 14. To allow attendees an authentic Atlantic City experience, the Opening Celebration will take place on the city’s iconic Boardwalk and include a memorable evening at the lively Boogie Nights, located in the heart of the Tropicana Casino & Resort.

On Wednesday, March 15, Meetings Quest will get down to more serious business with an educational program that will include a series of informative briefings. Four meetings industry experts will provide unique insights into maximizing every aspect of the attendee experience. Darrell Gehrt, vice-president and general manager of CrowdCompass by Cvent, will discuss the latest techniques for engaging your attendees before, during and after your events via gamification and social media. Kathy Armistead Olen, president of Atticus Brand Partners, will provide her insights into booking talent that will connect with your audience. Josh Randle, COO of the Miss America Organization, will share his thoughts on maximizing the production value of events using his experience working on the Miss America Pageant. And John Wentzell, president of venue management and food services and hospitality at Spectra, will share ways to utilize food-and-beverage selections and presentation to elevate events from the every day to the extraordinary.

A riveting session on crisis management and event security will be presented by Steven Hacker, the former president of the International Association of Exhibitions & Events and the “Association Doctor” columnist for Association News. For a preview of the session, please see Steven’s column in this issue, which begins on page 16.

The morning of educational programming will conclude with a motivational keynote address from seven-time Olympic medalist Shannon Miller. Miller, the most decorated Olympic gymnast in American history, will discuss how association executives and meeting planners can benefit from having a gold-medal mindset. Meetings Quest will conclude with an appointment-based trade show that will allow attendees to efficiently meet with destinations and suppliers that can make their meetings and conventions more successful.

For more information or to register to attend, please see the ad on page 13, call 877-577-3700 or visit MeetingsQuest.com.
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Timothy Schneider is the publisher of Association News and SportsTravel magazines, which serve group travel planners responsible for generating 156 million hotel room nights annually. Schneider Publishing also organizes Meetings Quest, America's longest-running series of trade shows for meeting planners, and the TEAMS Conference & Expo, the world’s largest gathering of sports-event organizers. TEAMS ’17 will be held October 30–November 2, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. For further information on advertising or sponsorship opportunities, please call toll-free 877-577-3700 or 310-577-3700 if calling from outside the United States.

The current issue of Association News can be viewed in digital format online by clicking here.
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Media Contact:
Timothy Schneider
310-577-3700
Schneider Publishing Company, Inc.