PYM LIVE

Guide to2014

Innovations

the shows

1

We take our mission to educate, empower andinspire meeting and event planners seriously.That's why we aren't happy settling for thesame-old luncheon/lecture format. Because it'shard for meeting planners to get out of the office,we want to maximize their learning time andgive them fresh ideas. That's why we not onlyprovide educational sessions, we integrate newmeeting technology, formats and contentdelivery ideas into our event design, so they canexperience what's new and figure out how itmay work for their upcoming events.

Here's a guide to the experiments we'reconducting this year.

PYM LIVE

PYM LIVE EventsExperiments with meeting design

the theme

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PYM LIVE Events are three to five hours inlength. Our audience doesn't want them to getlonger, but they want more education. Soinstead of one speaker and one topic, we'refeaturing a rotating menu of bite-sizededucational sessions on the topics of contractnegotiation, site selection, food and beverageand tech planning tools. Topics weredetermined by two things: Would it appeal topeople who do site selection; and is itsomething our audience said they need toknow? Each session has been reviewed by theConvention Industry Council and ISES.Certificates of attendance will be available forpeople pursuing certification.

PYM LIVE

Sites & BitesSpotlight on destinations, contracts and F&B

the strategy

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In the past, we've created email campaigns thatrely heavily on words to sell the shows. Thisyear, we took a more visual approach. Each cityhas a strong image and color associated with it.The content changes per blast and was adaptedfor social sharing, but graphically remains thesame. The #yaypym hashtag unites all socialconversations about the events, making it easyto engage online audiences.

We also added a super early bird rate so therewere three tiers of pricing and asked registrantsto RSVP by two weeks in advance of the show.This decision has paid off already — Atlantamay have been paralyzed with ice storms priorto our February event, but it didn't affect ourRSVP numbers.

PYM LIVE

A new approach to marketingShifting the focus from words to graphics

the app

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Because our events are short, we don'tneed a conference app that is agenda-based. We want something that helps ourattendees network and build theirprofessional connections. That's why weuse Topi. When it loads, it tells you who'snear you and what you have in common.Pre-show, we send you a unique eventcode that gives you access to the showdocuments, exhibitor listings, and more.Even after the event ends, you can use itto stay in touch with your new friends.Learn how: Ez.com/topitips.

PYM LIVE

A mobile communityUse Topi to connect with others pre and post

the PYM+ AR

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When you enter the PYM LIVE Event on Topi,you'll notice a PYM+ button appears in the upperright-hand corner. This allows you to turn yourphone into an augmented reality scanner thatdecodes certain messages we've tied to our showprograms, digital issues, and more.

If you like what you see, download the free PYM+app for Apple or Android devices and interact withour publications on Issuu.com/planyourmeetings.

PYM LIVE

Introducing the PYM+ appAugmenting reality in print, digitally and F2F

the donations

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Plan Your Meetings is proud to support Cleanthe World and its programs that turn hotelamenities into life-saving donations. When youbring clean, unwrapped soaps with you to PYMLIVE Events, we ship them to Clean the Worldheadquarters, where they are distributed tohomeless and displaced persons in the U.S.and abroad. Last year we collected nearly 50pounds at our events. Imagine how much goodyou could do at yours!

PYM LIVE

Our industry can save livesSo bring soap with you to PYM LIVE

the badges

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Why do name badges have to be boring? Whenattendees register for PYM LIVE this year, weask them what their superpower or superheroname is. If they don't know, we offer to helpcome up with one. At the door, we haveSharpies for people who may have opted outearlier but want to add a name.

Doing this transforms name badges intoicebreakers and fun, conversational startingpoints. It may be a small gesture, but it's onethat reinforces how much we value theindividuals coming to our events and remindsthem of the fun they have with us.

PYM LIVE

No more boring name badgesWith a simple twist, you can get people talking

the meetings

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Meeting everyone exhibiting at PYM LIVEachieves two objectives: It gives you a chanceto gather new destination and site ideas, and itintroduces you to people who may be able tohelp you right now or at some point in thefuture. In this business, people switch jobsfrequently. You never know whose help youmight need next month, next year or at yournext job. That's why we shifted away fromtabletop trade shows to a rotation format. Welook at who you want to meet most and adjustthe rotations to accommodate that. But weleave room for serendipitous connections bycreating opportunities for you to meeteveryone. Need more than three minutes withsomeone? Our team can help you meet withpeople in advance or submit RFPs.

PYM LIVE

Shaking up the trade showSpeed-networking kills two birds with one stone

the breaks

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We pack a lot into one show. We want you toleave feeling energized, not exhausted. That'swhy we've injected X bytes fitness breaks intostrategic parts of the PYM LIVE program. Thesesweat-free 5 to 6-min. breaks are designed togently wake your body up, boost energy levelsand help you mentally refocus. Plus, they canbe done from a chair (or in heels)! X bytes has aseries of several short videos conferenceorganizers can customize for their events. Wewill be spotlighting one to two per PYM LIVE.

PYM LIVE

No one wants to sit all dayThat's why we're introducing fitness breaks

the games

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Doorprizes can be a bit of a pain. In the past,we've tried drawing throughout the event andputting winners' names on slides; we've triedwaiting until the very end to give things away.We've never found the perfect doorprizesolution, but we didn't want to get rid of them.

So we're trying something different. At eachevent, a portion of the prizes will be awarded forparticipation and social sharing. So if you posta particularly lovely image to the event app thatpeople love, or take useful Twitter notes duringthe education, that could make you a winner.We'll still do random drawings at the end, so noone gets left out. Need tips on getting started onsocial? Read this: Ez.com/pymsocial. PYM LIVE

Incentives for being socialTweeting and posting now can win you prizes

STAY TUNED

Schedule subject to change.

Even more experiments are on their way ... like apps that turn attendees'phones into mics, and more! Share our event schedule with friends andconnect with us by using the #yaypym hashtag on social networks.

is coming!