Registration will close January 22, 2025 at
Save the date
Save the dateJanuary 23, 202508:00 - 10:00 (EST) Add to Calendar
Venue Location
Venue Location

Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

7920 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, Virginia

Show on map
Organizer
Organizer
Organizer: FLEX: Fairfax Loudoun Event Executives
Contact Person: Claire Marble / Phil Rappoport
Event Details
Event Details

As meeting professionals, do we consider attendees as "guests"? Is hospitality already part of our planning DNA, and if it's not, should it be? What levers and strategies do you use to better engage with attendees to make them feel welcome and included throughout their in-person experience? Is there a mindset of hospitality on your executive team, or are they indifferent?


While there are many touchpoints along the way to becoming an attendee – email marketing, badge pickup at registration, in-person navigation and waypointing, social media, and more – above all, it's the in-person experience they'll remember. That's what our primary focus will be for this conversation.


We've assembled a panel of thought leaders to share what they've learned and to discuss how we can adopt some of their best practices for the meetings we organize. We'll be joined by Lisa Marie Czop, CMP, Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations & Experience for the Washington Nationals; Dale MacPhee, GM of the Conrad Washington DC; Chef Patrick Bazin of the longtime popular restaurant Bazin's on Church; and Kristin Shurr-McElwee, Senior Managing Partner at Great American Restaurants.


Thanks to our breakfast sponsors – Tourism Calgary and Visit Norfolk – and our venue host Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Conveniently located near the intersections of I-495, 267 Dulles Toll Road, and Route 123, the Hilton offers complimentary parking.


It's our first breakfast program of the year - join us!

Agenda
Agenda
  • 08:00 - 08:30

    Breakfast & Networking

    Breakfast & Networking

    08:30 - 08:50

    Welcome & Introductions

    Welcome & Introductions

    08:50 - 09:00

    Sponsor presentations

    Sponsor presentations

    09:00 - 10:00

    Panel Discussion

    Panel Discussion

Panelists
Panelists
  • Lisa Marie Czop, CMP (Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations & Experience at Washington Nationals)

    Lisa Marie Czop, CMP

    Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations & Experience at Washington Nationals

  • Dale MacPhee (General Manger at Conrad Washington DC)

    Dale MacPhee

    General Manger at Conrad Washington DC

  • Chef Patrick Bazin (Restaurateur)

    Chef Patrick Bazin

    Restaurateur

  • Kristin Shurr-McElwee (Senior Managing Partner at Great American Restaurants)

    Kristin Shurr-McElwee

    Senior Managing Partner at Great American Restaurants

Sponsors and Partners
Sponsors and Partners
Who's Going?
Who's Going?

Connect with 104 people attending this event

Refresh this page between now and the program date. Only registrants can view the list of registrants.

Tickets
Tickets

Meeting Planner/Organizer

Registration for meeting planners employed by associations, nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, NGOs, and independent meeting professionals.

Complimentary

Supplier

We welcome individuals and companies who provide goods and services to event organizers. Includes hospitality providers and properties, convention and tourism bureaus, destination management companies, audio/visual and technology providers, photography, exhibition and sponsorship sales, employees of national meeting industry organizations, consultants, speakers, publishing entities, general services contractors, Internet-related services, transportation or freight services, signage/printing companies, premium incentives, and others.

FLEX reserves the right to limit the number of representatives from the same company.

In order to maintain the integrity of a favorable planner-to-supplier ratio, suppliers will be notified if their registrations are approved, and then they may proceed to payment.

$50

Student/Faculty

Currently attending or teaching at a local college or university, with a program related to hospitality, tourism management, and events.

Complimentary
Summer Camp 2025 to be announced soon!
Summer Camp 2025 to be announced soon!

Our 7th annual one-day summer gathering on July 31, 2024 at Lansdowne Resort delivered many thought-provoking sessions, outstanding food, plus activities including golf, morning yoga, and painting for a cause. Literally 100% of our post-event survey respondents said they felt welcomed – a core description of what FLEX is all about!


Did you catch the recap video?


We are grateful to all the panelists and moderators who raised the level of discussion to new heights, and the sponsors and exhibitors who made Summer Camp possible. Special thanks to our programming advisory task force members: Kristin Shoop, Kristie Chang, Renee Shipe, Diane Ramos, Kathryne Gardette, Jane Davis, Rebecca Stannard, Stephen Jackson, Michelle Coombs, Nicole Brophy, and Kim Lysik di Santi.


Our Summer Camp participants embraced creativity and giving back! Check out their paintings which are now on permanent display at the Loudoun Free Clinic in Leesburg, which provides free health care to low income residents of Loudoun County.

2025 Dates & Sponsorship Opportunities
2025 Dates & Sponsorship Opportunities

Mark your calendars now for upcoming FLEX breakfast programs:


Thursday, March 27

Thursday, May 15

Thursday, September 18

Thursday, November 20


Possible spring or fall social event.


Breakfast Sponsorships, Venue Hosting, and Summer Camp Sponsor/Exhibitor Reserve List: contact Claire Marble at claire.marble@conferencedirect.com.


Dates subject to change. Registration announcements will be sent approximately 4-5 weeks prior. Seating is limited. FLEX members receive priority registration emails. Join FLEX for free.