ILEA Live 2019 to Focus on Creativity and Leadership

July 29, 2019

ILEA Live 2019 will bring together event professionals in Minneapolis, Aug. 8-10. The International Live Events Association’s annual educational conference is focused on business strategies, leadership, inspiration and trends.

The goal for the conference is to provide a forum where attendees can strengthen their creative output, sharpen their business strategies and find inspiration along what ILEA officials refer to as “the event horizon.” For meeting and trade show professionals, that means taking the opportunity to learn how event planning and production works in other industries, and discovering best practices and success stories than can apply to any type of event.

As the lines between B2B and B2C events continue to blur, so too should the invisible barrier between “business” and “party” planners. Those who plan and produce events for industries like television, sports, weddings and parties have experience with a very wide and diverse range of clientele, as well as valuable tips and creative ideas to share.

“I love attending ILEA Live,” says Gwendolyn McNutt, CSEP, ILEA International Board of Governors member. “The conference is a must-attend for event professionals seeking opportunities to be inspired, to feed creativity and to spark new ideas.” 

ILEA Live speakers include professionals from HBO, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, the Museum of Ice Cream, Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. and more. Sessions will focus on topics including:

  • Mixed reality event narratives and technology
  • New technologies for creating more captivating events
  • Sustainability and changing consumer tastes
  • Critical and global thinking
  • Event security risks and how to plan for them
  • Finding “wow” moments to make your event memorable
  • Going beyond what’s trendy to add depth to event designs

Attendees are eligible to earn continuing education credits from sessions, including CMP CE Credits and CSEP points.

New this year, ILEA Live is offering Leadership Live, a pre-conference option for attendees interested in growing their leadership skills. Programming like industry peer roundtables, meals and general sessions will focus on helping participants develop influence and management skills. Leadership Live will be held Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. 

In addition to education and conference networking time, ILEA Live offers attendees the opportunity to explore the conference destination through optional add-on tours and activities. From morning yoga, to beer tasting or a tour of Paisley Park and even a yacht rock party, these activities are a chance to learn more about Minneapolis and continue networking in an informal setting.

Each year, the Esprit Awards gala is also held in conjunction with ILEA Live. This year’s gala will be held at Walker Art Center, a contemporary art museum. Attendees will enjoy a reception to take place across seven areas of the museum in addition to the formal awards ceremony celebrating the best creative works by ILEA members. 

For more information on the conference, or to register, go here.

 

Photo credit: ILEA Live 2018 in Denver, via ILEA Facebook page

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact