Tampa, FloridaJanuary 25-28, 2011
- Better-than-ever Education
The longest-running, most successful educational event for religious meeting professionals will offer an array of learning opportunities at its 2011 “New Vision” conference. There will be 18 expert-led tutorials, four dynamic general session speakers, and exciting behind-the-scenes educational experiences. (See page 19.) Tutorials include sessions on new ways to market and grow your conference, how to deal with security issues around your event, and how best to utilize social media to enhance your meetings. A two-part boot camp on hotel contracts will delve beyond the basics to cover specific legal terminology and issues as well as sample contract language.
- Even More Affordable
RCMA has launched a hosted-buyer scholarship program in which religious conference planners who meet certain criteria may qualify for reimbursement of conference fees, lodging, and airfare. “We're pleased to be able to make this offer, which makes our event more accessible than ever for religious meeting planners,” says DeWayne Woodring, RCMA's executive director. For more information on the scholarship program, visit rcmaweb.org and click on conference/2011 Tampa/religious planners.
- No Better Place to Connect
RCMA is the leading religious meeting association in the world, and its 2011 conference is an unmatched opportunity to build relationships and learn from other religious meeting planners. It's also a strategic business opportunity to connect with exhibitors. Thanks to RCMA's adherence to a strict planner-to-supplier ratio, you won't be overwhelmed by a barrage of suppliers at the exposition but will have enough one-on-one time with hoteliers, CVB executives,and others with whom you are considering doing business.
- A Grand Reception
Tampa is rolling out the red carpet for RCMA. “We're blessed to have RCMA returning to Tampa, a city that really understands and appreciates the religious conference market,” says Norwood Smith, vice president of sales, Tampa Bay & Company, the city's convention and visitors bureau.
Early-bird sightseeing tours will showcase some of the city's top attractions. These include the Florida Aquarium (rated one of the top 10 in the country), the Lowry Park Zoo (2,000 animals on 56 acres of lush habitat), a city tour that takes in the Henry B. Plant Museum, as well as Ybor City, Tampa's storied Latin Quarter. (For more details on Tampa, including travel tips, see page 26.)
On Wednesday night, attendees will be treated to a night at Busch Gardens — an exclusive after-hours visit to the pioneer of Florida theme parks. The evening will feature thrilling rides, up-close encounters with exotic animals, top entertainment, and a delicious array of food. The evening will end with a variety show at the park.
The final night gala caps the conference at the convention center with electrifying entertainment, a sumptuous banquet, and the presentation of the President's Award.
- No Better Roi
Compelling education, a dynamic exposition where you can shop for destinations and facilities that meet your conference needs, plentiful opportunities to network and enjoy fellowship with other planners, a hosted-buyer scholarship program for qualified participants — put it all together and you'll find no better return on investment for religious conference planners than RCMA's 39th RCMA World Conference and Exposition. Can you afford to miss this opportunity?
Online Meeting Planner Registration
To get hotel rates and descriptions and to register online, go to rcmaweb.org and navigate to conferences/2011 Tampa/religious planners/register here.
Transportation Discounts
RCMA is offering discounts on airfare, airport shuttles, and car rentals. For details, visit rcmaweb.org and click on conferences/2011 Tampa/travel discounts.
Sidebar #1: 2011 General Session Speakers
New Vision … Success is Within
Renowned mountaineer Gary Guller led the largest cross-disability group to ever reach the 17,500-foot Mount Everest Base Camp. After setting this record, he went on to scale this highest mountain in the world, becoming the first person with one arm to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Later he completed the grueling Marathon des Sables in Morocco — a six-day, 250 km endurance race across the Sahara Desert. Guller's vivid images and real-life stories about his adventures have inspired countless people to achieve their maximum potential by pursuing their dreams and goals.
GARY GULLER, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 8 AM
New Vision … Change is Good — You Go First
Through her study of generational behavior, social trends, and technology, Karen McCullough has tapped an innovative model that leads to positive action and desired results. With her uncanny ability to interpret behavioral traits, she has been able to identify the strengths and prime motivators that drive success in each generation. Karen has been honored with multiple awards, including the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award.
KAREN MCCULLOUGH, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 12:35 PM
New Vision … Achieving the Impossible
Through television, radio, books, videos, and keynote speeches, Billy Riggs has used an unusual blend of comedy, music, illusion, and motivation to spread his positive attitude to more than a million people on five continents. He honed his uplifting message and speaking skills at the pulpit, founding one of America's fastest-growing churches at the age of 29. But the goose bumps he causes on stage aren't always the result of his dramatic oratory. When Riggs appears, things on stage begin to disappear! His quick wit and quicker hands spread laughter and raise morale as listeners learn to reshape their destinies with a wave of life's wand.
BILLY RIGGS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 12:15 PM
New Vision … I Can Do That
With 20 years in radio, Suzie Humphreys has hobnobbed with movie stars and politicians and interviewed the great and the “near” great. She has made hundreds of commercials, and performed in musical comedy and motion pictures. She has been fired, broke, and disappointed. She's been a petrified, expectant mother at 40 years old. She's lived her life with a passion for learning not only how to be better, but to see things differently. Whether it is the challenge of change or acceptance — in relationships or life situations — she helps people to rise to the occasion with all the vigor and enthusiasm that living a wonderful life demands.
SUZIE HUMPHREYS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 8 AM
Sidebar #2: Thank You 2011 RCMA Sponsors!
Arkansas Department of Parks& Tourism
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Fort Smith Convention& Visitors Bureau
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hot Springs Convention& Visitors Bureau
Kansas City Convention& Visitors Association
Little Rock Convention& Visitors Bureau
Meet Minneapolis
Oklahoma City Convention& Visitors Bureau
pc/nametag
Pine Bluff Convention& Visitors Bureau
RegOnline
Richmond Metropolitan Convention& Visitors Bureau
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Rogers Convention & Visitors Bureau
Tampa Bay & Company
Tampa Marriott Waterside
Team Winnipeg
Valley Forge Convention& Visitors Bureau
VisitNorfolk
VisitRochester, NY
World Comedy League Inc./ComedySportz
