The team from BCD Meetings & Events: Laura Konwinski, director of compliance; Lisa Giardinelli, senior operations manager healthcare engagement management; and Laura Zonneveldt, senior operations manager

Pharma Forum 2017 Co-Chair James Vachon, CMM, associate director, events, meetings and conventions, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, with Tom Andrika, business development director, Fourth Wall Events

Kate Bowers, ITA Group, and Pharma Forum Co-Chair Kim O’Connor, Sanofi-Aventis

Leslie Hettenbach, American Urological Association; Charlene Conklin, Amgen; and Jennifer Toner, Maritz Global Events

The scene was set for Pharma Forum 2017 to begin, with a set design by Iocono and iPads for all to use during the general sessions courtesy of Educational Measures.

A lively video welcomed participants and gave a brief preview of what was to come.

Pharma Forum 2017 Day 1 Co-Chair Monica Dickenson, CMP, SMMC, Shire Pharmaceuticals, started off with some brain teasers to get people in the learning frame of mind.

MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer led a session on risk management at the opening general session. Along with risks associated with terrorism, natural disasters, and disease, he spoke about the legislative impact on meetings of everything from the so-called "bathroom bills" to open-carry laws, to President Trump's executive orders on immigration.

Jocelyne Côté, SMMC, global managing director at American Express Global Business Travel, shared takeaways from her organization’s 2017 Global Meeting and Events Forecast and its research into healthcare providers, “The Physician’s Perspective on Meetings and Events.”

Anne Daily, River West Meeting Associates, stopped by the CSR booth in the exhibit hall to assemble and customize a teddy bear for the children at the Ronald McDonald House.

Vanessa Bass, Sudler & Hennessy, hard at work building a bear for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C.

Patricia Newton, Newton Thoth Inc. International (left), and Monica Brewton, Emory Conference Center Hotel, in the Pharma Forum 2017 exhibit hall.

From left to right: Heather Dwyer, Island Hotel Newport Beach; Brian McArdle, Allergan USA; and Tracy Judge, Cadence Meetings & Incentives

Isa Puzon, Celgene International (left), and speaker and author Kaplan Mobray powered up the final morning with keynotes on how to build your personal brand and take charge of your career.

Brooke Lockett (left) and Jeri Moody, Avail Meeting Planning

From left to right: Hoteliers from Intercontinental Ariadna Lopez, Rosanna Lampaya, Sonia Pino, Pricilla Alfaro, and Marukel Justavino shared some laughs with Heidi Cocca (third from right) and Sonal Humane, both with Merck & Co.

Many took advantage of the opportunity to don the wigs and false eyelashes offered at the Marriott reception, held at the Pose Rooftop Lounge high atop the Gaylord National Harbor. Of course, many selfies ensued.

To kick off the second day's "Engage" theme, a representative from SwarmWorks led the crowd in a rousing group game of Pong-soccer using hand-held sensors to move the ball across the field. 

Stephanie Russo, Marriott International (left), and Kim O'Connor, Sanofi-Aventis, teamed up to answer questions in the style of TV show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," hosted by Pharma Forum Co-Chair James Vachon, CMM, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.