New Ideas for Working With Convention Centers

This webinar took place on Wed., Sept. 30, 2026. Watch now.

How can you get the most out of using convention centers for your events? We'll tap into the advice of experts for trending best practices to meet your ultimate event objectives. Our panel will address:

• The latest contracting tips
• Restrictions and opportunities around the vendors you partner with
• Hacks to increase efficiency and save money
  

WATCH NOW

Earns 1 Hour of CMP Credit 

SPEAKERS

Dean Fisher, CMP, CPCE

Meeting Broker, Meetings Made Easy

Dean Fisher is an accomplished Certified Meeting Professional with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades In the 5-diamond events industry of Las Vegas, largely in catering and convention services.

As a meeting broker at Meetings Made Easy, he leverages his executive hotel expertise to give his clients insightful advantages in contract negotiations and develop relationships with hospitality partners. His extensive knowledge of property sales and large event operations enables him to navigate the complexities of site selection worldwide.

Alongside supporting his client's meeting and events strategy, Dean is a podcast host and author, and he is passionate about speaking on personal growth development aimed at enhancing our industry's collective strength.

Ksenija Polla, CMP, CICE, CEF-IF

Director of International Development, Talley Management Group

Ksenija Polla is a globally recognized leader in the association and business events industry, with more than 30 years of experience spanning membership growth, international development, education and strategic engagement. As director of national & international development at Talley Management Group, she leads efforts to expand the company’s global footprint and build impactful partnerships across continents.

Before joining Talley, Ksenija spent nearly three decades at the International Congress and Convention Association, where she played a key role in launching certification programs, designing education and legacy initiatives, and strengthening the global association community. She is a frequent speaker on topics such as association transformation, human-centric leadership and the power of legacy in events.

In 2026, Ksenija was recognized by the Centre for Events and Festivals as an International Fellow, acknowledging her longstanding contributions to the global association and business events community.

Romanita Ross

Manager, Global Accounts, HelmsBriscoe

Romanita Ross (“Nita”), an award-winning event strategist based in Hammond, Indiana, joined HelmsBriscoe in 2025 as a manager, global accounts, bringing her expertise in corporate meeting planning and venue sourcing to the third-party firm. With over 30 years of experience in planning, Romanita’s career spans notable companies such as Deloitte, PepsiCo, Microsoft, The Hackett Group and McDonald’s. A dedicated MPI Chicago Chapter member, she contributed to the Education Committee and remains engaged with PCMA as well.

MODERATOR

Michael J. Shapiro

Director of Content Strategy, Northstar Meetings Group U.S.

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.

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