New Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Series Aims to Help Executives Lead Through Disruption

August 5, 2020

A new weekly peer-to-peer roundtable series for event professionals launches this week. Hosted by mdg, a Freeman Company, the “Leading Through Disruption” program focuses on helping event professionals manage change and gain the insights and connections needed to navigate the pandemic. 

Each hour-long session, scheduled to run for six weeks starting Aug. 5, will have a theme introduced by thought leaders who then facilitate the discussion.

“We have leaders in strategy, design and data/research from Freeman and mdg who will be challenging participants to seize the opportunities associated with the changing nature of the events business,” said Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, chief marketing strategist at mdg. “This initiative gives senior executives a forum to have in-depth conversations with their industry peers — to share advice, to ask questions, and to find out what’s working in other organizations.”  

The sessions will take place each Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. EDT from Aug. 5 through Sept. 9. Full session details are below: 

Aug. 5

“The Future of Live Event Design”

Facilitator: Mo Husseini, senior vice president of design, Freeman

Aug. 12

“Safety Dance: Considerations for the Return to Physical”

Facilitator: Dan Steiner, MBA, CPA, ARM, vice president of enterprise risk management, Freeman 

Aug. 19

“Translating Audience Research into Actionable Insights” 

Facilitators: Ken Hosinger, senior vice president of strategy and digital and data solutions, Freeman; and Kimberly Hardcastle, chief marketing strategist, mdg    

Aug. 26

“An Executive-Level Briefing on the Future of Digital Marketing” 

Facilitator: Marc Blumer, customer journey architect, mdg  

Sept. 2

“What’s Actually Working (and Not) with Online Events”  

Facilitators: Mark Fein, senior vice president of strategy, Freeman; and Jacquelyn Wells, vice president and marketing strategist, mdg

Sept. 9

“Okay, So Now What? An Exercise in Strategic Prioritization” 

Facilitators: Sara Baliti, senior account director, mdg; and David Saef, executive vice president of strategy, Freeman

To maintain a format conducive to networking, attendance at the roundtables will be limited. Qualified participants (executive-level event organizers) interested in attending should email Kate Calderazzo at kcalderazzo@mdg.agency to request an invitation to participate.

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Partner Voices
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