SOLD OUT! 5K RUN/WALK

MGM Grand Lobby

6:45 AM - 7:30 AM

THIS EXPERIENCE IS AT CAPACITY. PLEASE VISIT REGISTRATION TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITLIST.

For 20 years, EMS attendees have been rising with the sun and meeting for morning runs. Be a part of the tradition and start your day getting to know some fellow fitness enthusiasts. Our guided 5K run and sightseeing tour down the Vegas strip (you never know what you’ll see when the sun comes up in Sin City) kicks off in the lobby at the MGM Grand. Walkers welcome!

Registered attendees: meet in the MGM Lobby near the gold lion statue.

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: NETWORKING;NEW TO INDUSTRY
Format: in-person

REGISTRATION OPEN

Marquee Foyer

7:30 AM - 3:00 PM

You can pick up your badge at the registration desk located in the Marquee Foyer starting at 7:30 a.m. Friday, April 29th. A complimentary bag drop will be offered on Friday, April 29, only. All bags must be collected by 3pm.

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: NETWORKING
Format: in-person

BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLES

Hall of Ideas

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Grab your breakfast and sit in on one of nine moderated conversations taking place in the Hall of Ideas. We’re tackling the industry’s biggest pain points, challenges and trends in fast-paced, expert-led idea exchanges, and then switching tables so you can explore up to three topics before your next cup of coffee. Not a morning person? We got you. You can also explore the latest products, partners and solutions in the Hall at your own pace.

*See 'Documents & Links' for the full list of topics.

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: NETWORKING;NEW TO INDUSTRY;HALL OF IDEAS EXPERIENCE
Format: in-person

MORNING KEYNOTE

Boulevard Ballroom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Grab a seat with a new industry friend and get inspired as we bring our biggest lineup of keynote speakers ever to the main stage. Today’s keynote features Anheuser-Busch Head of Experiential, Ronnie Yoked.

Speaker: Ronnie Yoked, Head of Experiential, Anheuser-Busch

This session has been approved for 1 clock hour towards CEM recertification.

Type: KEYNOTE
Topics: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION | VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS | TRENDS | KEYNOTE
Format: in-person

COFFEE BREAK

Hall of Ideas

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Step into the Hall of Ideas for some networking, idea gathering and a cup of coffee or tea.

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: NETWORKING;NEW TO INDUSTRY;HALL OF IDEAS EXPERIENCE
Format: in-person

EXPERT STUDIO PRESENTATIONS

IPME Green Zone + Expert Studio (Booth 401) | Hall of Ideas | Marquee Ballroom

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Stop by our "Expert Studio" (booth 401) and sit in on a series of fast-paced 10-minute presentations on the latest event tools and technologies. See something you like and want to learn more about it? Chat up our sponsors and exhibitors live, or use your EMS event app to set up a meeting.

On this morning's schedule:

• 10:05 a.m. IPME: Innovative Activations for the Future
• 10:15 a.m. CORT: Creative Furnishing Trends for 2022
• 10:25 a.m. Webex Events: What's new in event experience tech
• 10:35 a.m. Float4: Building connections: Immersive & Interactive Brand Experiences
• 10:45 a.m. Goldcast: Engagement and Data and Integrations… Oh my! (Pt.1)

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: NETWORKING;NEW TO INDUSTRY;HALL OF IDEAS EXPERIENCE
Format: in-person

SPIN TO WIN

Hall of Ideas

10:05 AM - 10:45 AM

The Hall of Ideas is chock-full of great giveaways—you just have to spin-to-win to find ‘em! Stop by the Cloud Touch booth (101, near the entrance) and play the digital EMS prize wheel for a shot at some fabulous gear to take home from some of our exhibitors this year.

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: HALL OF IDEAS EXPERIENCE
Format: in-person

INNOVATION TOURS

Highmark Hub (Booth 219) | Hall of Ideas | Marquee Ballroom

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM

IMPORTANT NOTE! Due to popular demand, Innovation Tours are limited to the first 35 attendees who add it to their agenda. The tours will depart from the Highmark Hub (booth 219) at 5:15.

Pop in a fresh pair of earbuds and join the staff of Event Marketer as they take you on a guided visual and audio tour of the hall. You’ll make three-minute stops at the booths of several exhibitors to get a sense of what’s on offer and who you might like to circle back to. A fast-paced, low-commitment way to see what products and services are trending across the industry. Coffee in hand. Here's who you'll meet:

• Highmark
• IPME
• Tourguide Solutions (Implecho)
• Event Architecture
• Swapcard
• Picture Mosaics
• And more!

Type: NETWORKING
Topics: OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS;TRENDS;NEW TO INDUSTRY;EVENT TECHNOLOGY;HALL OF IDEAS EXPERIENCE
Format: in-person

THE SCOOP WITH PHIL DUNCAN

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Join The Scoop for our very special live-streamed interview with Phil Duncan, Chief Design Officer at P&G. We’ll expand on key insights from his session as well as discuss observations and visions for the future of experiential marketing, events, and engagement.

Type: BONUS LIVE-STREAM
Topics: TRENDS;KEYNOTE;NEW TO INDUSTRY;LEADERSHIP
Format: live

EVENT PLATFORMS BUILT FOR LONGEVITY: MOVEMENT LIVE BY MICHELOB ULTRA

Room 252

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Since its inception in 2002, Michelob ULTRA has brought active consumers together to exercise and share a toast over a low-calorie beer. A 2016 Summer Series of outdoor adventure meetups would eventually pave the way for the creation of MOVEMENT Live in 2018, a brand-led wellness platform that not only pivoted seamlessly into pandemic-era virtual programming, but has now reverse-pivoted with in-person and hybrid components in place for the 2022 tour. Hear some of the top takeaways the team has gleaned in developing MOVEMENT Live and navigating it into the new era, and what some of the essential ingredients are to creating an owned platform designed to evolve and thrive with the times.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION ;B2C;TRENDS;CASE STUDY
Format: in-person

DEI WORKSHOP: BEST PRACTICES FOR EVENT ORGANIZATIONS

Room 150

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

As event organizations recruit, rebuild and refocus on the future, many are doing so with new or renewed DEI practices and commitments. In this session—part one of a two-part DEI conversation—we take a macro look at the value of a strong DEI practice, how critical the “E” (equity) and the “I” (inclusion) are in truly diverse organizations, and how event organizations can employ the right policies and internal best practices to elevate people of color. Whether you’re making progress in your DEI practice or just getting started, this session is for you.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION;PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT;LEADERSHIP
Format: in-person

BEYOND BUZZWORTHY: INSIDE FX’S AHS: NIGHT BITES BAKERY POP-UP

Highmark Hub (Booth 219) | Hall of Ideas | Marquee Ballroom

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

When you combine a cultural moment like the cookie drop with a cultural phenomenon like “American Horror Story,” you’re bound to create something buzz-worthy. Enter the AHS: Night Bites Bakery pop-up, yet another chapter in FX’s bold pandemic-era playbook, that combined sweet treats, immersive footprints, actors and a robust 360-degree campaign that teased upcoming locations and drops, secret experiences that the most engaged fans could unlock, and a smart influencer and PR strategy. Learn how to create a sense of urgency among your audiences, how to maximize your pop-up program’s potential, and walk away inspired to give your legacy properties the spotlight through a little surprise and delight.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION ;OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS;TRENDS;CASE STUDY;NEW TO INDUSTRY
Format: in-person

WHERE ENTERTAINMENT MEETS CULTURE IN TODAY’S EXPERIENCE LANDSCAPE

Room 152

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

If Event Marketers are talking about it, we’re talking about it in this lively, fast-paced panel that looks at how entertainment and culture are influencing every aspect of experience making. Topics will include predictions and prognostications on the future of hybrid, the great resignation and how it will impact the industry, how NFTs might create new opportunities and watch-outs, and much more. There’s even a lightning round where attendees will be asked to weigh in our industry— fast. Post panel, our experts will be on hand to keep the conversation going and to network.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: PANEL
Topics: VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS;TRENDS;EVENT TECHNOLOGY
Format: in-person

CAUSE MARKETING EXPERIENCES WITH ‘GRIT’ AND IMPACT

Highmark Hub (Booth 219) | Hall of Ideas | Marquee Ballroom

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

2K Games is one of the hottest names in video game publishing with an innovative marketing strategy involving the convergence of music, basketball, culture and gaming. But outside of its activities in gaming (think: 2K Fest) the brand has built up a philanthropic arm with the 2K Foundations that functions hand-in-hand with its marketing programs and strengthens them through strategic local artist partnerships, influencer tie-ins and community improvement projects and events. In this session, gain actionable insights into what consumers demand most from brands today: positive impact. Learn about the concept of “gritty” philanthropy and hear 2K’s best practices for thinking strategically and elongating community programs for maximum visibility.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS;TRENDS;CASE STUDY
Format: in-person

WHERE NEW-ERA TECHNOLOGY BELONGS IN BACK TO LIVE

Room 252

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Gamification, heat maps, the metaverse, NFTs—Complex Media has explored it all through the virtual pivot of ComplexCon and its return to in-person. For many organizations moving forward after a period of experimentation, the question now is what tools to carry over, and how, in the new era. Hear what Complex Networks has learned about audience engagement coming out of virtual, contingency planning, partner experiences, and technology’s place in the future in this inside look at one of the most influential pop-culture platforms in the biz.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS;TRENDS;CASE STUDY;EVENT TECHNOLOGY
Format: in-person

DEI PANEL: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR EVENT LEADERS

Room 150

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

In this session, we take the macro-level lessons learned about DEI best practices and discuss how to distill them down into practical applications for event organizations. From speaker selection to diversifying audiences to using your event spends to create change, we’ll dig into the many—and sometimes surprising—areas of influence event marketers have in their budgets and portfolios, and discuss how to leverage them to promote DEI. DEI isn’t just an HR initiative—learn what you can do to be an advocate in your event organization.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: PANEL
Topics: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION;PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT;NEW TO INDUSTRY;LEADERSHIP
Format: in-person

EVENT SAFETY UPDATE: TOP TRENDS IN TESTING

Room 152

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

Event safety protocols were developed quickly over the past two years. In this session, we’ll take a breath and reflect on the current state of the pandemic and how it will impact the future of live events. Hear about a holistic approach to minimizing risk and giving attendees and staff peace of mind. Learn about top trends in testing and why testing at live events could—and perhaps, should—be a perennial part of every live event in the future. Get insights on the various types of technologies available for COVID-19 testing and when to use them.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS;HEALTH AND SAFETY
Format: in-person

NETWORKING LUNCH + KEYNOTE

Boulevard Ballroom

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Enjoy a delicious lunch with new industry friends and get inspired as we bring our biggest lineup of keynote speakers ever to the main stage. Your lunchtime fireside chat features Phil Duncan, Chief Brand Officer at Procter & Gamble.

This session has been approved for 1 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: KEYNOTE
Topics: VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS;TRENDS;KEYNOTE;NEW TO INDUSTRY;LEADERSHIP
Format: in-person

CROSS-CHANNEL STRATEGIES: WHAT THE LAST TWO YEARS MEAN FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS

Room 150

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

For a brand that thrives on shots and creativity, racing back to live has meant embracing a major turning point in culture and consumer behavior where small moments have become big moments. For Jägermeister’s marketing organization, it’s a fascinating time to embrace two years of purpose-driven marketing, digital connections and immersions in the metaverse, and apply it back into the traditional in-person space. From its Save the Night campaign with Post Malone to its positioning as the Official Shot of the NHL, and beyond, learn how the brand is establishing cross-channel pathways to reach consumers as doors open up—and consumers let brands in.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: TRENDS;CASE STUDY;LEADERSHIP
Format: in-person

THE SEVEN WAVES OF CHANGE IMPACTING THE EVENT INDUSTRY—AND WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE THEM

Room 152

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

If you’re sick of hearing the word “hybrid,” this session is for you. Event marketers yearning for a quick return to the live events of our pre-pandemic world are in for a rude awakening. Indeed, nothing will be the same in the “endemic” world, but there are a lot of upsides to embracing hybrid experiences in 2022—and this new reality. In this session, we’re breaking down the top seven “Forces of Change” impacting the experiential industry and why smart marketers will be quick to understand what they are and embrace them as quickly as possible. We’ll look at cautionary tales from other industries slow to adapt. We’ll explore economic and cultural forces at work and what they mean to the event industry. And we’ll take a look at the hybrid event of the future and why embracing it now will pay off later.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: VIRTUAL AND HYBRID EVENTS;TRENDS;NEW TO INDUSTRY;LEADERSHIP
Format: in-person

FUELING PASSIONS: HOW SUBARU DELIVERS AUTHENTIC ADVENTURE EXPERIENCES FOR CUSTOMERS

Room 252

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Subaru’s programs speak the language of love… especially the places and experiences its customer’s love. And there’s no better example than WinterFest, the brand’s long-running platform designed to make the mountain-side experience for skiers and snowboarders better, because of Subaru. But in addition to what WinterFest adds to the experience, from complimentary services to live music, it brings together a thoughtful array of partners that, together, paint a unique and relevant story of the Subaru lifestyle. In this session, hear about the journey of WinterFest, best practices from the team’s partner strategy, how to engage consumers with adventure at 10,000 feet, and walk away inspired to be inspired by your consumers’ biggest passion points.

This session has been approved for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification.

Type: BREAKOUT SESSION
Topics: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION ;CASE STUDY
Format: in-person