Education

September Education

by Nicole Filippo, CMP

Social Capital: The Currency of Opportunity

Thursday, September 9, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in person meetings and events were thriving and people were connecting! When COVID-19 struck, in person meetings and events were put to a halt. We learned how to pivot, and our meetings and events became virtual. Now, things are starting to clear up, it’s time to get out and start reconnecting!

BUT HOW?! What’s right and wrong now when it comes to networking?

This interactive and energetic keynote will teach Carlos Davis’s proven system for starting and sustaining professional relationships in this ’new normal’ of live and hybrid events and meetings. He will uncover the secrets of how to improve your in person and online interactions to make you the magnet of opportunity and influence. He will also share the ONE WORD that can break down any barrier in starting a professional relationship!

Panel Discussion

Friday, September 10, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Join us for this interactive panel with industry professionals discussing the future of meetings. How do we work together in a post COVID world? What are best practices as we get back to meeting in person?

Moderator: Carlos Davis

Panelists: Paula Finn

Senior Manager of Global Corporate Travel Services, TIAA Erin Dennis, CPCE

Director of Group Sales & Celebrations,

Hyatt Centric SouthPark in Charlotte Ricardo Hick

Owner, Tech Factory Productions John Poole

Senior VP of Sales & Services, Cabarrus County CVB Ron Salerno

F&B Director, Concord Hospitality Enterprises

Speakers

Carlos Davis

Carlos Davis

Like you, professional networking expert and author Carlos Davis has seen networking defined in numerous ways. Is it passing out business cards? Is it use of social media? Is it ‘all about the numbers’? Is it just for extroverts?

Or is it something else?

With numerous years of professional networking coaching, professional speaking, working in the corporate environment, and real-life business experience, his view is radically different. He shares that networking is less about your needs and more about the needs of others.

A speech is a speech, and a presentation is a presentation. If Carlos is talking, it’s more than a speech or presentation. It’s energy, engagement, and entertainment all wrapped up around a passion to serve his audience before, during, and after he is on stage. Whether he’s speaking on networking, entrepreneurship, diversity, or any of his other areas of expertise, he is all about his audience! He is also the author of Open Says Me: THE System That Can Open Any And All Opportunities In Your Career, and conversations about it’s topics have been shared with folks around the globe.

His successes include American Airlines, Microsoft, Clemson University, Black Enterprise, Howard University, and CVS Pharmacy just to name a few.

In addition to his business endeavors, Carlos teaches a semester of professional networking skills development to PhD candidates of the University of North Carolina – Charlotte’s Urban Education Collaborative. He was recently awarded the Black Enterprise Modern Man Award from Black Enterprise Magazine and has been a finalist for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Entrepreneur of the Year.

LinkedIn – Carlos V. Davis Twitter & Instagram - @mrresourcemogul

Paula is the Senior Manager of Global Corporate Travel Services for TIAA. She is responsible for developing the internal meeting planning department, policy and strategy. She assumed responsibility for the travel program in 2017 and now manages the travel management

Paula Finn company, travel policy, strategy and compliance. She developed and implemented a preferred industry partnership program for TIAA that balances policy, compliance and employee satisfaction. Over the past year she has assisted in Corporate Services Covid response and TIAA’s return to office strategy. She spent many years in the hospitality industry and meeting planning industries before joining TIAA in 2015. She recently moved to Lake Norman with her husband and fur babies. Her son graduated from college this past May and will soon be an Air Traffic Controller.

Erin Dennis, CPCE

Erin Dennis, CPCE, is the Director of Group Sales & Celebrations for the Hyatt Centric SouthPark in Charlotte that opened in June 2021. Erin’s career started in hotels and expended into other areas of the hospitality industry. For 18 years Erin Dennis, CPCE she was an adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont Community College for the Hotel & Restaurant Management School. In 2020 Erin earned her CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events) designation which identifies her as a true professional in her field. Erin is a member of the Charlotte Chapter of NACE (National Association for Catering & Events), Visit Charlotte Partners in Tourism, The North Carolina Business Travelers Association, ILEA (International Live Events Association) and the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce. Erin’s passion is networking and mentoring and she created a seminar to coach event and association partners on the skills of networking and building relationships.

John Poole

John Poole is the Senior VP of Sales & Services for the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Originally from Canada, John obtained his Business Associates Degree and worked in the hotel industry for over 25 years. He’s

John Poole worked all over Canada, the US and Caribbean Islands. In 2013 John purchased a Bed & Breakfast in Bar Harbor Maine. In 2016 he sold the B&B and moved to Cabarrus County to work at the CVB. Ricardo Hicks, Jr. is the owner of Tech Factory, a production company that specializes in virtual, hybrid, and live events. He has also trained more than 11 technicians that work in the AV industry of the Carolinas. With a passion for craft, client, and culture, Ricardo continues to pursue ways to

Ricardo Hicks engage audiences all while pushing the events industry forward. Tech Factory has produced more than 130 virtual/hybrid events from the period of April 2020 to July 2021.

Ron Salerno

Ron Salerno

Food and Beverage Director Concord Hospitality Enterprises

Business Exchange

Be a part of an event that will help you reintroduce yourself, your property and showcase the product(s) you have to make the purposeful connections you need to grow your business. This year, you will have more time to exhibit, network and do business with NC and SC Planners. Exhibitors will set up by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9 and will remain until 12:00 p.m. Friday, September 10. n

Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University MPI-CC VP of Program Development