Full Agenda
Tuesday | March 30Wednesday | March 31

Tuesday | March 30

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
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WORKSHOP: FROM DIGITAL TO DAZZLING: REDEFINING LIVE EVENTS FOR TODAY'S WORLD

If you were happy to have just survived your shift to virtual events last year, you are in good company. But 2021 brings with it much higher expectations. Dynamic digital events, innovative attendee engagement, seamless hybrid experiences, and increased ROI are all on short order. In this workshop, we will use data to examine attendee expectations and how you can map your event strategies to meet or exceed them.

In this highly-interactive deep dive, industry experts will break down:
• Fresh engagement ideas for Zoom-fatigued audiences.
• How to level up your high-profile content with Hollywood-quality productions
• Trends in attendee behaviors, needs, expectations
• Practical tips to go from virtual to hybrid to in person (and keep everyone safe and happy)

Powered by Freeman
Presented By:

Dana Larson

 VP, Experiential Content
Freeman

Elizabeth Murphy

 Executive Producer, Senior Director Global Events
Oracle
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
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APPLYING MEANINGFUL METRICS TO EVENT PERFORMANCE

As live events start to come back online and organizations re-evaluate their importance to the marketing mix, it’s critical to have a solid event performance plan in place. In this fast-paced overview, we’ll show you how to establish meaningful and measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) prior to exhibiting at an event. Sharing past experience, research and live examples, we will demonstrate the value in creating meaningful metrics with internal support to properly operate and evaluate performance and achieve desirable results. Attendees of this session will understand how to create KPIs to best fit their business objectives, position those KPIs for internal agreement, measure progress and report results.
Presented By:

Michael Sandler

 VP, Sales Operations
Impact XM
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
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WORKSHOP: 2021 OPERATIONS UPDATE: HOW TO PLAN IN TIMES OF CHANGE

Constant change is the new normal in 2021. In this operations workshop—filled with all brand spanking new insights for 2021—we’re bringing you the up-to-the-minute operations and logistics headlines you need to have on your radar in Q1, and then we’re digging deep into the portfolios of some of the biggest experiential brands to find out how they’re planning ahead when “ahead” is a moving target.

Part ops primer and part strategic playbook, this workshop will arm you with:
• Venue and contract insights: what you’ll see in your 2021 contracts.
• Spacing requirements: how much space you’ll need to satisfy distancing rules.
• Ways to boost attendee confidence: what you’ll need to do—and communicate.
• F&B updates: how catering prices, options and services will change this year.
• Strategic planning tips: how to plan for the best and worst—at the same time.
(This session is eligible for 1.5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Kelly Knowlen

 Executive Director of Sales Engagement & Special Events
Hilton Worldwide

Yen Tsutsumi

 SVP of Integrated Production
George P. Johnson

Brendan Brown

 Senior Director of Strategy & Planning
George P. Johnson

Vanessa Leitman

 Head of PR & Experiential
Resy, American Express Global Dining Network
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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CHILDCARE: FUN FOR YOUR KIDS, UNINTERRUPTED TIME FOR YOU

Get the iPad set up in another room and let our professionals entertain and engage your little ones in our daily one-hour childcare Zooms. Your kids can craft, sing, dance and have fun while you sharpen your skillset for the future. Appropriate for all children ages 2-7.
Hosted by: Treasure Trunk Theatre

Today’s Theme: Dinosaur Day! Get ready to roar with us on an exciting, interactive adventure to the prehistoric era! Kiddos are welcome to grab two toilet paper tubes to use as binoculars on our journey.
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
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OPENING KEYNOTE: A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH P&G’S CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER

Wrap up day one at EMS Spring sitting in on a candid conversation with one of the chief architects of Procter & Gamble’s experiential playbook. Get an inside look at what worked in 2020 for P&G (we’re loving the dwell time metrics from virtual CES), and what the brand has in store for 2021. Hear how the company and its family of brands is pivoting this year, and how those changes will shape the future of P&G’s event practice. Learn why P&G transformed its CES strategy into a persistent platform that will live on long into 2021—and how you can apply similar hybrid strategies to your own events.
Presented By:

Phil Duncan

 Chief Design Officer
P&G
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
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HAPPY HOUR!

Guacamole, tequila and networking, does it get any better than that? We’re spicing up your taco Tuesday with an interactive (and yummy) guacamole demo and a taste of Agua Frescas. Bring your favorite tequila and download the recipe card (in Swapcard), as you celebrate the end of your first day at EMS with a hands-on networking activity that will have you mixing and mashing up tasty recipes with your fellow EMS attendees.
Powered by: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Wednesday | March 31

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
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POD SAVE EXPERIENTIAL

Put on your favorite “workleisure” pants, grab your earbuds and get outside for a little audio learning—on the go. Our podcast will feature a candid conversation with top event executives from some of the biggest brands in experiential. Find out what’s on their minds, what’s in their playbooks and how they plan to take on the challenges that lie ahead.
Presented By:

Kim Aimi

 Senior Director, Experiential-Global Product Marketing
Visa
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
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CHILDCARE: FUN FOR YOUR KIDS, UNINTERRUPTED TIME FOR YOU

Get the iPad set up in another room and let our professionals entertain and engage your little ones in our daily one-hour childcare Zooms. Your kids can craft, sing, dance and have fun while you sharpen your skillset for the future. Appropriate for all children ages 2-7. Hosted by: Treasure Trunk Theatre
Today’s Theme: Wild West Wednesday! Grab your horse and meet us out on the range! We can't wait for you to join us on the farm for an exciting adventure. Kiddos can grab a hat, scarf, or anything that makes them ready to gallop all the way to the wild west!
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
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WELCOME AND KEYNOTE

If there’s ever been a year for a rock anthem, it’s this one. Join us and our friends at Song Division as we kick off the show with an interactive song-writing experience where you—yes, you—will help craft the event industry’s 2021 theme song. ‘80’s hair bands will have nothing on this power track. Then stick around because we’re kicking off our educational curriculum with a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the most innovative marketing and event organizations in the industry is changing course and moving its objectives forward in 2021. This is a pandemic-era case study not to be missed.
Presented By:

Kirstie Rivard

 Head of Experiential
Visible
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
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GETTING OUT THERE AGAIN: CANDID INSIGHTS FROM RECENT REAL-WORLD ACTIVATIONS

Go inside some of the first activations to “get back out there” in this case study-focused session where you’ll see some real-world examples of activations in the post-COVID era. Get lessons from the brand marketers executing events right now. Hear what they learned about everything from operational planning to attendee behaviors and expectations. Walk away with candid cautionary tales and smart pointers for your 2021 live events.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Heather Themelis

 Sports Marketing Lead
The Home Depot

Matt Chelap

 Vice President
Octagon
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM
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HOW SAP DEVISED A NEW GENRE OF EVENT CONTENT AMID THE PANDEMIC, AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

Seventy percent of event marketers say hybrid events are here to stay, but what does a successful hybrid strategy look like right now? In this session, SAP ANZ (Australia/New Zealand) will reveal how the brand moved swiftly to evolve its event marketing strategy amid the pandemic. Leaning on specific examples, you’ll learn how SAP ANZ remained committed to its audience by launching brand new educational events and transitioning in-person ones to dynamic hybrid experiences that pushed the boundaries of what event content should be. Join for tips on devising compelling content and interactive experiences in hybrid settings, keeping your event front of mind long after it ends, and hear what’s in store for SAP ANZ’s audience in 2021 as it emerges from the pandemic.
Presented By:

Rushenka Perera

 Head of Marketing ANZ
SAP

Fiona Pullen

 Director of Production
INVNT
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: HOW BRANDS ARE USING CLASSES AND EDUCATIONAL CONTENT TO CREATE LOYALTY

Many of the world's most loved brands are investing in educational experiences for their customers and fans. From in-store cooking classes, to online yoga, brands see the potential for classes to build advocacy, foster community, and grow revenue. This expert panel will feature senior marketers who will share how educational content and experiences are a core part of their experiential marketing strategy.

You will:
• Hear from brands with well-established educational experience programs (online and in-person)
• Get industry specific insights from retail, consumer goods, and B2B
• Hear trends in consumer behaviors—what will change and what’s here to stay after re-opening
• Understand how leading brands measure and optimize these experiences
Presented By:

Lauren Snyder

 VP Customer Success
AnyRoad

Jen Harness

 Director, Content & Experience
Michaels Stores

Natalie Brown

 Head of Marketing
Sur La Table

Racquel Joseph

 Chief Experience Officer
Kindred
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
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TOP TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR TRADE SHOW STRATEGY TO VIRTUAL

Trade show marketers, we feel you. It was tough one in 2020, but 2021 is offering a whole new digital playground filled with options and opportunities to engage with your target prospects and buyers. In this session, we’ll look at some of the best case studies in the market right now, including exclusive insights from some of the smartest activations at the first-ever all virtual CES.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Damaris Toma

 Experiential Marketing Lead
LG Business Solutions, US

Rhonda McNally

 Vice President of Marketing
Magna International

Jenn King

 Senior Account Director
Pinnacle
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM
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NETWORKING BREAK

Get to know your fellow EMS attendees in a fun and interactive networking activity that will shake up your day and break up your Zoom fatigue.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
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DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT LESSONS FROM ESPORTS MARKETERS

2020 hit esports events hard but for a sports platform that’s played almost entirely online, the digital brand activation game remained strong. Listen in as esports-savvy brands and esports experts take you inside their playbooks for a primer on meaningful engagements and smart activations when face-to-face isn’t part of the equation. Learn what to do (and definitely not to do) to capture the attention of tough-to-please and time-strapped digital audiences. Walk away smarter about streaming, gaming and how you might use both as a part of your 2021 strategy.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Hunter Qualls

 Senior Marketing Manager, Partnerships, Sponsorships, Experiential
Jack Link’s

Christina Hull

 Director, Experiential Marketing
Verizon

James Robinson

 Chief Creative Officer
Momentum Worldwide
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
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CREATIVE STRATEGY: HOW TO REIMAGINE YOUR EVENTS AND SPONSORSHIP ACTIVATIONS

Some of the most imaginative activations of 2020 may have never happened had it not been for the pandemic. In this session we’ll go inside some of the most notable to learn how event organizations are reframing their thinking and their strategies to solve pain points and meet objectives. Learn how to approach your pre-pandemic portfolio with an open mind and how to encourage the kind of unfettered creativity you need to solve today’s biggest business challenges.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Alia Kemet

 Vice President, Creative & Digital Marketing
McCormick

Caren Holmes

 Senior Experiential Producer
The Clorox Company

Daniel Blake

 VP-Value Brands
Anheuser-Busch
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
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EXPERIENTIAL STAFFING: UPDATED AND BEST PRACTICES

A lot has changed since the industry went on pause in 2020. In this session, we’ll shake the rust off together and review the fundamentals of experiential staffing—what has changed now that we are emerging out from behind this pandemic, and what you need to know as you plan your summer and fall events. Get up to speed on all things related to staffing your events so you are fully prepped and ready to roll this summer.
Presented by: Larry Hess, CEO + Owner, Encore Nationwide
Presented By:

Larry Hess

 President and Chief Executive Officer
Encore Nationwide
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
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MASTERING THE HYBRID EVENT: FOCUS ON OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS

Jump into event ops to get the up-to-the-minute story on the venues, permits, platforms, rules and regulations you’ll need locked in before executing a live + virtual experience. Learn what COVID-safe indoor programming will look like in 2021. Understand what the new space considerations will mean for venue selection, city permits and budgets. Get tips on how to craft impactful and meaningful face-to-face and at-home experiences that are safe and effective.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Fiona Ridgway

 Senior Expo Manager
VidCon

Colin Hickey

 Chief Operating Officer
VidCon

Jim Louderback

 General Manager and SVP
VidCon
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
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WHAT’S NEXT IN VIRTUAL TECH: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES WITH AR/VR

Social VR, VRchat and 3D avatars are just a few of the new technology tools available to event marketers looking for a way to bring something unique to their screen-fatigued attendees. In this session, we’ll take a closer look at the cutting-edge tech shaking up the industry, and how they can be applied to virtual conferences and experiences. (This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Jennifer Hinkle

 Senior Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy
Tennessee Titans

James Giglio

 CEO,
MVP Interactive
4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
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THE 30 SMARTEST PANDEMIC-ERA ACTIVATIONS

Last year was tough, but it didn’t stop event marketers from finding innovative ways to carry on in the face of adversity. In this closing session, the editors of Event Marketer—and special industry guests—will take you on a rapid-fire tour of the 30 pandemic-era programs that slayed… so far. Listen in and snag some fresh ideas, and then stay for a few closing remarks on what was shared and learned at EMS Spring.
(This session is eligible for .5 clock hours towards CEM recertification)
Presented By:

Jessica Heasley

 Group Editor and Publisher,
Event Marketer magazine

Rachel Boucher

 Executive Editor,
Event Marketer magazine
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
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‘RECORD’ RELEASE PARTY

You’ve worked on it all day, now join your fellow event professionals as you lay your collective ears on the final musical anthem for the event industry. Get ready to rock because we’re going to play it loud and play it proud. And we’re going to have some fun while we do it. You won’t want to miss this highly interactive closing session.