The 365-Day Conference: Strengthening Contact Before and After Events

This webcast took place on October 29, 2025

A conference doesn't need to end with the final keynote: Participants should want to keep networking and learning long after they've headed home. In this session, industry experts will share strategies for building a robust community around your meeting that engages attendees all year long.

Takeaways will include:

• How to generate pre-event buzz via social media and other platforms;
• Tips for improving your event content and agenda with ongoing feedback from participants; and
• The best ways to build an online community for new and returning attendees to connect and network.

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Earns 1 Hour of CMP Credit 

SPEAKERS

Carine DesRoches, HMCC, MMP

Meetings & Events Director, National Kidney Foundation

Carine DesRoches is a dedicated events and program management professional with a passion for creating meaningful experiences that drive mission-focused impact. With a strong background in nonprofit work, she bring strategic coordination and heartfelt commitment to every initiative she leads.

Beth Surmont

Head of Strategy & Design at 360 Live Media

Beth Surmont is an event strategist who works with associations and non-profits to help them redesign, reinvent, and reinvigorate their events. She is fascinated by the power that events hold to drive real change in the world. With on-the-ground event planning experience spanning more than 20 years in events, trade shows, corporate, and non-profit; and as the current Head of Strategy & Design at 360 Live Media, Beth is a leading designer in what the next era of events will be. Beth was awarded the 2024 Groundbreaker award from PCMA. In 2023, Beth was a finalist for the Event Designer of the Year award from PCMA. Beth is both an ASAE Fellow and a CMP Fellow. She is a founding board member of SocialOffset, a nonprofit that encourages local donations instead of destination boycotts. She currently lives in New Jersey with her wife, dog, and cat.

DeShawn Wynn, CMP-HC

Chief Meeting Architect, Wynning Touch Event Design

DeShawn has more than 30 years of experience in the meeting and event industry. She has executed events for education, non-profit, corporate, religious and government agencies. In 2010, DeShawn established Wynning Touch Event Design, a company that specializes in strategic planning and content design.

MODERATOR

Elise Schoening

Editor, Meeting News; Senior Editor, Northstar Meetings Group

Elise Schoening is Senior Associate Editor with Northstar Meetings Group. She joined the editorial team in 2019 and covers everything from the latest news in the Northeast region to the rising importance of sustainability and DEI. In addition to news coverage and social media management, Elise oversees publication of the CCi.