10:00am - 5:00pm

Event Registration

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Welcome Reception, hosted by Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Location: Paseo

8:00am - 9:15am

Networking Breakfast 

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

8:10am - 8:15am

Opening Remarks

Paul Miller, CEO, Questex

8:15am - 8:30am

Surveying the New MICE Landscape

Matt Turner, Editor, Travel, Travel Media at Questex  reveals the findings of a survey of MICE buyers to share their current experience in the market and what they predict for the industry over the next 12 months.

8:30am - 9:00am

Keynote by Michael Dominguez, President & CEO, Associated Luxury Hotels International

The Need to be Decisively Indecisive: Understanding Behavioral Changes for the Meetings and Events Industry

The pandemic forced all of us to experience so many learnings, twists, and forks in the road. As we start to emerge into a clearer future, there has never been a greater need for you to be Decisively Indecisive. 

"Affective Forecasting," the psychological study of how one feels into the future is front and center after 2020. The experience of 2020 has absolutely been unexpected, uncertain, and devastating in many ways. We now face a world, country, economy, and industry traveling a road much less traveled as we begin to restart our global commerce engine and hospitality industry.

What will be the long-term changes in our industry? What were the silver linings to come out of this challenging time? It is important to know where to look and more importantly to not overthink what may or may not be structural in change.

This session will help identify the questions we should be asking, as we know the next 18 months will set the course on where we end up with permanent behavioral changes to the Meetings & Events Industry.

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

9:35am - 12:30pm

Pre-scheduled Appointments

Light refreshments available on the South Side Patio (4th Floor)

Location: Camelback Building - 3rd Floor

12:45pm - 2:00pm

Networking Lunch sponsored by Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

1:05pm - 1:20pm

Sponsor presentation by Kyla Knudson, Director of Sales, Banff Lake Louise Tourism

Welcome to Banff & Lake Louise, One of the World's Most Awe-Inspiring Mountain Destinations.

Banff & Lake Louise are a place to pursue the moments that give meaning. To gather and connect with nature, and each other. Meetings held here are unlike any other on earth.  With inspirational views in every direction, Banff & Lake Louise creates the perfect backdrop for any meeting or gathering. There is a full range of meeting spaces, from simple meeting rooms to mountaintop venues and 15,000 square foot conference spaces. An impressive collection of off-site venues can transform to fit every theme imaginable, whatever your taste or budget. Groups fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) to access Banff National Park. Learn more about this uplifting location for your next gathering!

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

2:20pm - 5:00pm

Appointments Resume

Light refreshments available on the South Side Patio (4th Floor)

Location: Camelback Building - 3rd Floor

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Networking Reception at The Duce

Buses depart at 5:30pm. Meet outside the Conference Center by the water fountain at 5:20pm.

Sponsored by Southwest Conference Planners

9:30pm - 12:00am

After Hours Reception, hosted by the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Late night fare will be provided. First drink on us!

Location: Golf Island Green

8:30am - 9:30am

Networking Breakfast

Location: Paseo

9:45am - 12:20pm

Pre-scheduled Appointments

Light refreshments available on the South Side Patio (4th Floor)

Location: Camelback Building - 3rd Floor

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Networking Lunch sponsored by Kerzner International

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

12:50pm - 1:20pm

Sponsor Presentation by David Solis, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Americas, Kerzner International

Meetings with Purpose

Consumers are becoming more conscious travelers with an increased desire to booth their travel through companies that are aligned with their values and will journey to destinations where they can have a positive impact on communities. Fifty-nine percent of respondents agree that they are interested in 'philantourism,' the act of choosing vacation or experience in order to support a destination through tourism (American Express 2021 Travel Trends Report). Additionally, as a result of post-pandemic pent up demand, travelers are looking to extend their vacations, staying at least one week at their destination (Expedia Group 2021 Travel Trends Report) while making the most of their trips, in terms of value, and time.

This lends itself to opting for more far-flung, remote destinations where travelers can truly immerse themselves in local culture and community, all while being mindful of their travel footprint and impact as a tourist. Sustainability also plays a key role in meaningful travel, and many Kerzner resorts can attest to this.

Location: Sonoran Sky Ballroom

1:50pm - 4:30pm

Appointments Resume

Light refreshments available on the South Side Patio (4th Floor)

Location: Camelback Building - 3rd Floor

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Networking Reception at Corona Ranch

Buses depart at 5:30pm. Meet outside the Conference Center by the water fountain at 5:20pm.

9:30pm - 12:00am

After Hours Reception, hosted by the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Late night fare will be provided. First drink on us!

Location: Golf Island Green