CONTENTS August 2012 Volume 27, Issue 8 79 Grand Designs
C2-MTL was planned with the support of three levels of government and celebrity back- ers, while The 3% Conference resulted from a spur-of-the-
moment announcement by someone with no event-planning experience. But both meetings — launched this year — cater to audiences with creative careers, and as such are committed to imaginatively designed programs. Michelle Russell
85 BOOKINGS The Unplanned Life
In her new memoir, I Never Promised You a Goodie Bag, event planner Jennifer Gilbert writes about what tragedy has taught her about control and letting
go — at work and at home. Barbara Palmer
Coming ashore at SOFIC, p. 22
Departments
17 PLENARY What does Obamacare mean for medical meetings? Pre Con: American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Post Con: American Association of Exporters and Importers. Plus: hostage rescue at SOFIC; Bigfoot Expo; Ping He, Global Meetings Executive of the Year; Convene On Site.
34 GIVING BACK
Influencing the Norm Katie Kervin
Special Sections
92 CHICAGO MEANS BUSINESS
The Second City is second to none Molly Brennan
98 PCMA PARTNERS Working together to create meetings education
98 Active Network Mexico Tourism Board
99 Freeman Technology Suite Dallas Katie Kervin
35 FORWARD THINKING Amp Up Your Conference App Dave Lutz, CMP
36 ONLINE ‘A Real-Time Megaphone’ Sarah Beauchamp
38 INNOVATIVE MEETINGS The Meeting Within the Meeting Barbara Palmer
42 MEETING MANAGEMENT: SPONSORSHIP Utilitarian Partners Michelle Russell
104 OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED The Camel Checks In Joe Goldblatt, FRSA
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
7 Comments 8 Behind the Scenes 10 To the Point 12 Planner’s Notebook 14 PCMA Today 102 Advertiser Index