IMEX Association Day Roundtable Topic descriptions
Click here to view a summary of the roundtable discussions at IMEX Association Day 2009
Click here to view a summary of the roundtable discussions at IMEX Association Day 2008
The concept of the round table discussion session has been organised many times by MCI with association executives and has proven to be very rewarding for the delegates. During this session you will not get a "guru" or a panel of experts teaching you how to do things better! MCI will not present and will not do the talking. Our moderators will be present at the tables to get and keep the conversation going, to challenge your thoughts, to share good and bad experiences and to ensure that everyone gets to talk and gets an answer to his or her questions.
So it is all about you sharing thoughts, experiences (good and bad), and knowledge with people that have the same burning questions about the topic that you have selected. In order to optimise the outcome for all delegates, and to make sure that the conversations are as direct and as open as possible, participants from different backgrounds, experience and knowledge-level will be seated randomly at tables.
Association Certification
How to establish certification/accreditation programmes? How to take association certification programmes to the next level? What are the endorsement procedures and liability risks? What are the steps to limit the risks? What are the benefits for the association?
Committee Management
How to manage volunteers (Interest Groups, Chapters, Affiliates)? The challenges and issues when working with volunteers? How often and using which communication channel? How to motivate volunteers? How do you share their findings with the rest of the membership?
Conference Sponsorship
How to identify the right sponsors for your event? What to include in the sponsorship package? What level of sponsorship and pricing model to apply? What are the limits to conference sponsorship?
Conference VAT
How to enhance events bottom line through VAT reclaim process? What’s the legal importance and potential benefits? How VAT works? What’s the application process? Can associations act independently?
Corporate Social Responsibility
How to engage your staff in being more socially responsible? What kind of initiatives associations can take? What are the benefits for an association to be seen a socially responsible?
Delegates Return on Investment
How to anticipate delegate’s expectations? How to ensure delegates get their ROI from participating at an event? How to measure satisfaction?
Educational Programme Development
How to develop an educational programme? What are the tools and resources to identify good speakers? What to include or not to include in an educational programme? What programme (training, workshop, conference, congress) for what type of participants (junior, senior professionals, new/confirmed members, prospects/partners, regional/international…)?
EU Affairs
How laws and regulations, international trade agreements, and European standard setting affect association’s interests? How to approach European Institutions?
Event Insurance
What are the difficulties and issues to take into consideration when purchasing insurance for an event? What are the correct amounts to purchase?
Event Marketing
How to leverage conference attendance through efficient marketing? How to elaborate a marketing plan? What are the elements to take into consideration when choosing a printing company? What are efficient marketing channels/tools?
Fundraising
Why is fundraising vital to not-for-profit organisations? What are the different types of fundraising activities?
What are the tax limitations? Can association’s operations survive on fundraising?
Green Meetings
What is a green meeting? How to minimise foot print? What are sustainability measures? Are green meetings applicable to all association meetings? What initiatives associations can take to organise green meetings?
Managing Conflicts
How to manage and solve conflicts between volunteers? How to avoid conflicts? How to manage conflicting parties? Does conflict management mean conflict resolution?
Managing PCOs
How to find the right partner for your event? What you need to know about international contracts? What are the risks for organisers in case of accidents, cancellation…? How to handle proposals?
Membership Benefits
What is your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)? How to package membership benefits? What are the trends in membership benefits? What members want?
Membership Recruitment and/or Retention
What are membership campaigns that work? Should associations focus efforts on recruitment and/or retention? Should associations offer incentives to encourage members to join?
PCO vs AMC
What are the advantages of working with a PCO (Professional Congress Organiser) and/or an Association Management Company (AMC)? What relevant expertise can AMC and/or PCO provide? What’s a core PCO? Is there an overlap between AMC and core PCO services?
Relationships with Global Organisations
UNESCO, WWF, UNICEF, Lions Club, Amnesty International…. How to approach global organisations? What to expect from building relationships with global organisations? What is the time involvement to build such relationship? What are the benefits for the association?
Social & Viral Marketing
LinkedIn, Facebook, Xing, blogs… What social marketing tool to choose from to increase association exposure? Is internet marketing efficient for associations? What are the limitations of internet marketing?
Strategic Alliances and Partnerships
What is a strategic alliance or partnership? What are the objectives of such partnership? What are the stages for alliance formation? What does it imply in terms of collaboration? Which partner for which organisation?
The Future of Meetings and Conventions
What are the critical issues on the agenda right now for the industry? What are the external factors (e.g. economy, social change, technology) and the industry specific factors that will have the greatest impact on how the industry develops over the next decade?
Tradeshow & Exhibition
What is the marketing investment for successful tradeshow and exhibitions? What formats (frequency, size) work for exhibition? Are virtual tradeshow competing with traditional tradeshows?
