Happy Springtime from your DC Chapter! It certainly is a time of change and renewal, both in terms of our (crazy) weather as well as our industry as a whole.

While we’re seeing a number of events returning to in-person events, we’re also seeing that there is still a level of uncertainty and concern from event managers including these questions: “Can I execute an in-person meeting and be sure that my attendees will feel confident in participating?” “Should I ease vaccination requirements for participants or keep them firmly in place?” “I’ve seen digital/virtual programming attract a wider audience, but should we continue to produce virtual components as we return to in-person?”

I hope that you’ll join industry colleagues at our luncheons, special events, and new webinar series as we cover these and other challenges you face today and in the future.

Monthly Lunch & Learns: We will continue to offer sessions with hot topics our event organizer members have asked for. See the Events Section for the sessions we have planned for May and the fall.

I’m also very excited about the new “Tech Shoot-Out” webinar series, a deeper dive on how technology can help event organizers overcome challenges, provide more value to participants, reduce costs, and more.  These will be short and fast-paced webinars, delivering ideas and answers you can use immediately without going through hours of exploration and discovery yourself.

One of our goals this year is to get more Young Professionals in our community engaged ….

EVENTS CALENDAR:

Calling all Technology Providers!!! 

The DC Chapter is excited to announce our new webinar series, Technology Shoot-Out, with each session focused on a specific challenge faced by event organizers and how technologies can solve it, as well as provide value to participants and internal event team. This is an opportunity to present your solution in a unique and interactive format of brief recorded presentations and a live Q&A session with the audience at the end. 

The series is free to event organizer members and will be promoted on the DC Chapter website and to thousands of event organizers through social media and email marketing. Each webinar will be limited to two to three presenting companies, making this an exclusive opportunity for technology companies to showcase their solution (not just a demo of features).  

Click the link below to see more details on the program and the challenges event organizers have asked us to solve. Complete the submission form and we will review and let you know if your company is selected to present (please note, there is a $1,000 sponsor fee to cover costs if your company is selected for one of the webinars): 

http://www.iaeedc-chapter.com/iaeeevents/tech-series

May Lunch & Learn - Demystifying International Freight and Shipping

Date: Friday, May 13, 2022

Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Demystify the nebulous world of freight with insights and best practices from the experts. Know what preparations you should be making when international shipping and freight plays into your event, and how you can minimize last-minute fires and fees.

A special thank you to our May program sponsors!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE FALL PROGRAMS:

September Lunch & Learn – Shaking Up your Education Program – Alternative Formats, Styles, and Engagement Strategies

Friday, September 9, 2022

Location: Westin Alexandria Old Town

Format: In-Person Event

October Lunch & Learn – Insights from the Outside: How Other Industries are Transforming the Customer Experience and Lessons Learned from those Successes

Friday, October 14, 2022

Location: Royal Sonesta Dupont Circle

Format: In-Person Event



November Lunch & Learn – State of the Industry

Friday, November 18, 2022

Location: Hilton Alexandria

Format: In-Person Event

Go to IAEE DC Chapter Events for more information and to register for these and other programs. 

CEM Credits: Attendees can earn one (1) CEU credit for attending in-person or virtual events.

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Increase Attendance by Increasing Web Traffic

The last two decades have seen the rise of mobile devices, app stores and social media. Yet the web remains the backbone of the internet — and, likely, your attendee acquisition campaign. Here are a few of the most important qualities of a website that your event prospects will expect.

Member Spotlight

Congratulations to one of DC Chapter’s Board Members, Drew Squeglia, on his new role as Global Account Director for Hyatt Hotels! Connect with Drew on LinkedIn

Industry News You Can Use

How Extended Reality (XR) was used to bring Toy of the Year Awards after-party into the Metaverse

TSNN News, April 1, 2022

The Metaverse is upon us, and The Toy Foundation is one of the latest organizations to bring one of its events into the new world of virtual interactivity and participant engagement. For its recent Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards after-party, the Toy Foundation leveraged an immersive event platform to create a cutting-edge virtual experience. Read more about how Virtual Reality (VR) was used to create a highly engaging and interactive "Oscars" of the toy industry event.

Career Center

Have a job opening? Tell us and we will include it in our next newsletter. Email IAEE DC at iaeedc@myassociationhq.com with information on your organization’s job openings.

Our chapter’s tradition continues to support those in need in our local community. This year’s selected non-profit, A Wider Circle, is on a mission to end poverty. Their holistic approach integrates on-the-ground services for the creation of stable homes, workforce development, and neighborhood revitalization. You can learn more about the organization here.

IAEE DC invites members and industry colleagues to participate in an association-wide volunteer day for A Winder Circle’s Essential Support Program. This program focuses on providing basic need items for the home to our neighbors working to uplift their lives. A Wider Circle is able to furnish 10-20 homes free of charge each day.

Here is how you can help:

Professional Clothing Drive:

A Wider Circle needs professional clothing and accessories for their participants so they can interview for jobs and look professional at work. We will announce the clothing items needed and drop-off locations. Drop-off deadline: May 28

In-Store Volunteers: 

Volunteers are needed for Saturday, May 28^th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm to help A Wider Circle sort through donations and stock the showrooms so their clients can select items they need.

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