ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - (Page 28)

Thursday, July 31 Mobilizing the Masses to Move Mountains Convention Center: Room 306 We’ve all heard the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But did you know that it also takes a village to drive policy in your community? Find out how to create buzz, work the media, and educate the general public about your issue(s). Inﬂuence the inﬂuentials in your region to carry the day on your policy initiatives. Moderator: Dennis W. Lauver, President and CEO, Salina Area (KS) Chamber of Commerce Speaker: Shaun Lumachi, President, Chamber Advocacy Overhaul Your Communications Plan Convention Center: Room 315/316 You need a communications plan, or you need to update your existing plan—every organization does! Get the lowdown on all the key components of a well-organized and thoughtout plan that will help you stay focused and on schedule. Learn how to develop key messages, determine which tactics will work best, understand why the measurement part of your plan is so important and ﬁnd out how to be strategic, rather than episodic, about your communications. Speaker: Merrie Spaeth, Founder, Spaeth Communications, Inc. Minority Business Development Programs Convention Center: Room 318 With ever more diverse communities and markets, your organization and region can’t afford to leave large segments of the population out of the business mainstream and chamber. In reality, however, most minority business support programs were developed a decade ago, with little innovation or recognition of new needs brought about by demographic shifts. Learn how to start or re-shape a minority business development program to meet the real needs of your minority entrepreneurs and community. Speakers: Dr. Mel Gravely, II, Managing Director, Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking; Glenda Washington, Senior Director, Jacksonville Regional (FL) Chamber of Commerce; Jeanne A. Englehart, President, Grand Rapids Area (MI) Chamber of Commerce Customer Service and Retention Strategies Convention Center: Room 301/302/303 It’s no secret that keeping customers happy is tantamount to ensuring long-term success. Yet, many retention strategies go into effect near the end of a membership year. Don’t wait until the last month to “save” that membership! Attend this session and discover how employing the right customer service and retention strategies from the beginning of the relationship can help you and your organization reap the rewards of a satisﬁed member. Speaker: Luann Feehan, Director of Member Development, Greater Kansas City (MO) Chamber of Commerce Membership Recruitment Convention Center: Room 310/311 Businesses join the chamber when they reach an understanding of the value and beneﬁts of belonging. But how do you, as the salesperson, take your prospect to that point? Gain invaluable tips on prospecting including how to develop the initial introduction and the 30-second elevator pitch, learn how to trust the selling process, and understand why it is better to probe rather than preach during every sales interaction. Speaker: Mark Levin, CAE, CSP Global Trends in Site Selection Convention Center: Room 317 Whether your economic development marketing efforts target businesses stateside or further aﬁeld, current knowledge of the global marketplace will improve your chances of success. Learn from some of the leading site location consultants as they share their insights on business investment and other trends. Moderator: Howard C. Benson, CEO, National Community Development Services, Inc. Speakers: James Renzas, President and CEO, Location Management Services; David Brandon, Senior Vice President, Site Selection Group; Ulrich Schmidt, Manager-Strategic Relocation and Expansion Services, KPMG; J.C. Pelusi, Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Getting the Grant and Proving it Worked Convention Center: Room 304 Now, more than ever, special emphasis is being placed on the application and evaluation process of grants. Set your chamber’s grant application apart by truly meeting the goals of the funder. In this session learn how to link performance measures to those of the grant, recognize the accountability and transparency issues in grant management, and understand how to evaluate your grant(s)so you can effectively report back to the grant maker. Speaker: Larry S. Blair, Esq, Metz Lewis Break 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Sponsored by 48HourPrint.com 28 ACCE Convention 2008: INNOVATE! http://48HourPrint.com http://48HourPrint.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO

ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO Contents Schedule at a Glance Westin and Convention Center Maps On-Site Convention Information Keynote Speakers Issue Forums: Speakers Regional Strategies Forum 2008: Schedule Convention Schedule/Session Detail Destination Innovation Map Destination Innovation Workshops Notes ACCE Year in Review Official Corporate Sponsors Convention Sponsors & Exhibitors Exhibitor Index Exhibit Hall Map 2008–2009 ACCE Board of Directors ARS Board of Directors CGEF Board of Directors FBI Board of Directors Benefit Trustees CCE Commission ACCE Division Chairs ECD Supporters List CPG Chairs 2008 CCE Class ACCE Staff Top 10 Member Benefits

ACCE Convention Notebook 2008 - DEMO

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