Common Meeting Planning Mistakes — and How to Avoid Them

This webinar took place on March 26, 2025

Planners work with so many moving parts to create an engaging and informative meeting that it's nearly inevitable they overlook some details. In this lively discussion, seasoned planners Bonni Scepkowsi of Stellar Meetings and Events and Amy-Marie Lemanski of AML Events will share tips and strategies for steering clear of common pitfalls and making the meeting planning process go smoothly.

Participants will learn about:

• Common contract red flags
• The downside of multitasking and strategies for honing focus
• What not to overlook in a risk-management plan

WATCH NOW

Earns 1.0 hours of CMP credit 

SPEAKERS

Amy-Marie Lemanski

Owner, Senior Meeting and Event Manager

AML Events

Amy-Marie Lemanski began her career on the hotel side, working in everything from housekeeping and food service to large-scale event setups. As a planner, she has tackled pharmaceutical events, education and training, and both corporate and association meetings. She spent 23 years as the food-and-beverage chair for the Basilica Block Party, a 15,000-attendee music festival, and also managed the media lounge at the Mall of America for Super Bowl LII in 2018. She currently is event coordinator for Maple Grove Days in Minnesota, a five-day outdoor festival that requires extensive collaboration with city officials and community volunteers.

Bonni Scepkowski

President & CSO

Stellar Meetings & Events

Bonni Scepkowski is a seasoned and innovative meeting and event planning professional with more than 30 years of experience designing and executing impactful programs in the life sciences and technology sectors. Since founding Stellar Meetings & Events in 2000, she has been at the forefront of strategic meeting planning, managing everything from educational and CME programs to sales meetings, surgical wet labs, client events, incentive trips and team-building programs. Her expertise lies in creating customized, high-impact solutions that align with client objectives while maintaining impeccable attention to detail and financial oversight.

MODERATOR

Sarah J.F. Braley

Managing Editor

Northstar Meetings Group

Sally oversees content on Northstar’s meetings-related websites, as well as the print edition of Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings, along with covering key beats. Sally joined M&C in 1994 as a senior editor, after spending eight years at New Jersey Monthly magazine.

She holds a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a B.A. in Journalism (with minors in French, Greek and psychology) from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.