Thinking Outside the Convention Center

This webinar took place on April 9, 2025.

Convention centers and big-box hotels offer numerous benefits to large groups — but what happens when you need to think outside the so-called big box? Do you find yourself scrambling for creative concepts and original ideas for off-sites, alternative venues or the great outdoors? Join us for this interactive online session of idea-sparking and creative-juice flowing, and pick up some great ideas — as well as tips on how to tap into your own creativity.

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Earns 1 Hour of CMP Credit 

SPEAKERS

Kate Patay, CPCE

Vice President of Global Engagement
Terramar, a DMC Network Company

Kate Patay is an influential event professional and thought leader, known globally for unique events, strategic partnerships and impactful experiences. She speaks internationally on relevant industry topics, serves as the chair of the SEARCH Foundation and is obsessed with concerts and getting a poodle.

Among her list of achievements and recognition are the coveted Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, the 2023 Richard Carbotti Humanitarian Award and the honor of producing the surprise and delight elements of Dreamforce. Over the past eight years, she has been named to a dozen top influential event professionals lists.

Edward Perotti, CMP, CMM

Principal
EP Events & Experiences

Award-winning event designer Edward Perotti is known for pairing impeccable detail with refined sophistication to create memorable events, applying his unique creative vision to everything from corporate incentives for several hundred people to Hollywood premieres to user conferences for more than 10,000 attendees. He began his career as a hotel catering manager before running meetings and events programs for prominent Fortune 300 companies, and has since held leadership roles within Meeting Professionals International and been inducted to the BizBash Hall of Fame.

MODERATOR

Michael J. Shapiro

Director of Content Strategy
Northstar Meetings Group

Michael has covered the transformative effects of technology on meetings and travel for more than a dozen years at Northstar, where he also plays a key role in developing content around topical industry trends, hospitality, and a wide variety of destinations. He is a writer, editor, photographer and recently returned expat, following a lengthy stay in Guadalajara — aka the Silicon Valley of Mexico.