WHERE BUSINESS GETS DONE
Connect and BizBash are joining forces to empower meeting and event professionals to provide unmatched appointments, networking opportunities, education and other resources to source future meetings and events and create memorable experiences. Thousands of hosted buyers across the Association, BizBash, Corporate, Specialty and Sports tracks will participate in highly curated appointments with matched destinations and venues and, in the BizBash case, leading event technology and event experience partners. Marketplace attendees will also benefit from BizBash’s elite education content at the Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater, where industry thought leaders will participate in panels, live Q&A sessions, keynotes and more.
Click HERE for tips to get around Detroit, restaurant recommendations, and more information to enjoy your time in Detroit.
HUNTINGTON PLACE
Located downtown, Huntington Place is one of the premier convention venues in Detroit. As the 17th largest convention center in the U.S., it has over 2.4 million square feet of meeting space and a range of new developments on the way. Huntington Place recently finished a $279 million renovation, which has more than doubled the use of the facility. This includes the revamped, 40,000 square-foot Grand Riverview Ballroom and a wealth of technology updates. Innovation doesn’t end with the tech upgrades, however. Sustainability is a top priority for this LEED Gold Certified facility, for instance, it features a glass-enclosed concourse and three-story glass atrium that provides enough natural light to minimize lighting usage. When it comes to finding the perfect destination for your next business meeting or event, Huntington Place is forward thinking and equipped with everything you need.
Trade Show Floor Plan
The floor plan to the Connect Marketplace trade show is available online here. Thank you to our record number of exhibitors, who will make this show the biggest and best in Connect history.
HOSTED BUYERS
Hosted Buyers interested in qualifying for attending this event should click below.
SUPPLIERS
To register for Connect Marketplace please reach out to your sales representative or Derek Rodriguez.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
Monday, Aug 8, 2022
2-5 p.m.
Regiception
Sponsored by Pure Michigan
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
2-5 p.m.
Trade Show Opens
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
6-9 p.m.
Opening Reception, Hosted by Visit Detroit
See what the Motor City has to offer in this uniquely Detroit experience to celebrate Connect and the events industry!
Tuesday, AUG. 9
Hosted Breakfasts (Invite Only)
9-11 a.m.
Marketplace Appointments
Sponsored by Traveling Teams
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
10:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
Trade Show Hours
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
11-11:25 a.m.
Sports Tourism Update
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
11:35 a.m.-12:05 p.m.
Education Sessions, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Gather Geeks Live with David Adler
Lunch in Trade Show
Sponsored by Visit Walnut Creek
12:15-12:50 p.m.
Education Sessions, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
The Flirty Dozen: 12 Emotional Ingredients for Creating Intimate Events
12:55-1:45 p.m.
Education Sessions, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Signed, Sealed, Delivered: A Deep Dive into AV Contracts
2-2:35 p.m.
Education Session, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Digital Passports: The Future of Attendee Perks
2:40-3:20 p.m.
Education Sessions, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Under Contract: Tips for Contract Negotiating Success
3-5 p.m.
Marketplace Appointments
Sponsored by Traveling Teams
5-9 p.m.
Beach Party at Campus Martius Park
Sponsored by Visit Detroit
Enjoy a live DJ, lawn games, food trucks, and a cash bar!
5-9 p.m.
Open Night
Explore Detroit’s great culinary scene and attractions, or set-up private meetings with potential partners.
6-8 p.m.
LGBT Meeting Professionals Reception
Shinola Hotel, Birdie Room. RSVP Here.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
CMP Breakfast
Sponsored by Community Brands
Hosted Breakfasts (Invite Only)
9-11 a.m.
Marketplace Appointments
Sponsored by Traveling Teams
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
10:45 a.m.-3 p.m.
Trade Show Hours
Huntington Place; Level 2; Exhibit Hall B-D
11:15-11:45 a.m.
Education Session, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Shut Up & Learn: 15 Years of Entrepreneurship Lessons with Austin Johnston
Lunch in Trade Show
12:10-12:45 p.m.
Education, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Meet the Masters: BizBash’s Event Masters Live
1-1:45 p.m.
Education, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Fearless Females: How These SheEOs and Lauded Leaders Achieved Success
2-2:35 p.m.
Education, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Future Proofing Your Events: What the legalization of THC means for event producers
2:40-3:15 p.m.
Education, Presented by BizBash
Visit Sacramento Speaker Showcase Theater
Destination Decentraland: Metaverse Events 101
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Marketplace Appointments
Sponsored by Traveling Teams
4:30-6 p.m.
Closing Ceremonies
Sponsored by Meet Minneapolis, Hubilo, Visit Milwaukee, Meet Chicago Northwest and Visit Tampa Bay
Grand River Ballroom
Click here for a downloadable version of the agenda.
Women in Sports Tourism Agenda
Women in Sports Tourism Summit occurs in Meeting Rooms 141 and 140C of Huntington Place.
Monday, Aug. 8
9:15-10 a.m.
Keynote with Erika Swilley, Vice President, Community & Social Responsibility, Detroit Pistons
10:15-11 a.m.
Inspiring Creative Collaboration
Strengthen teamwork and embrace healthy collaboration through this game-based experience, focused on the power of celebration. When teams encourage innovation, laughter, and inspiration, success follows. Led by Elise Rodriguez of Game On Nation, participants will experience the value of building authentic connections and relying on shared experiences to help create a community that demonstrates the power of “I’ve got your back.”
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Round Tables
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch
What They’re Saying
Connect Marketplace will continue to be at the top of our list of trade shows. We have walked away from each event with a number of successes, new connections, creative activations, and new revenue producing opportunities. The Connect team has always been immensely supportive of all our Great Wolf properties, and aligned us with opportunities to make more connections with planners. This year at Connect Spring Marketplace in Puerto Rico, we walked away with $1.4 million in new lead opportunities. This is a first for our brand. We look forward to many more successes as we head to Connect Marketplace in Detroit this August.
I have to say it was one of the BEST ones I’ve attended, and I’ve attended many. The team was amazing, and everything seemed to go so well. I have to say the sports track was really, really good. Overall, it was 10 out of 10 in my books. Good appointments, great location, and a team that blew me away.
OUR SPONSORS
Official Airline Partner
SPEAKERS
Cathy Song Novelli, CMO, Hubilo
Ronnie Yoked, Head of Experiential, Anheuser-Busch
Heather Reid, Founder and CEO, Planner Protect
Valerie Bihet, Director, Vibe Agency
Scott Frankel, President, Animatic Media
Jennifer Savica, Vice President and Head of Corporate Events, New York Life Insurance Company
Jes Gordon, Owner/Creative Director, JesGORDON
Robyn Fink, Director of PR & Partnerships, CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
Lauren Harwell, General Manager, Las Vegas, Imprint Events Group
Melva LaJoy, Founder, LaJoy Plans
Jitter Garcia, Senior Director, Event Marketing, Univision
TJ Stouder, CEO, Holistik Wellness
Barry Ross Rinehart
Taylor McGurk, Executive Sales Director, Bandwango
Austin Johnston, CEO & Founder, AKJOHNSTON
Katherine Frost, CEO & Founder, ORO
Elise McRoberts, Founder, The Hashinista
Vanessa Oliver, CEO, Infin8ly Elevated Events
Alexis Dean, Founder & CEO, Dovetail and Dovetail Summit
HOSTED BUYERS
Hosted Buyers looking to qualify for and attend this event should click below
SUPPLIERS
To register for Connect Marketplace please reach out to your sales representative or Derek Rodriguez.
Terms and Conditions: By registering for and attending the event I consent to and agree to abide by the terms, conditions and code of conduct posted here.
Connect Cancellation Policy: Connect requires registration to be paid in full to access any live event. Any special billing or payment arrangement must be made in writing and agreed upon between Connect management and the client seeking event access. Please see below for cancellation policy. Cancellations requested inside of 30 days to event date – Client forfeits 100% of registration fee. Cancellations requested 31-90 days prior to event date – Client forfeits 50% of registration fee and the remaining 50% can be used towards a new product purchase in the same calendar year. Cancellations requested over 90 days to the event date – Client may apply 100% of the registration fee to a new product purchase or service in the same calendar year.
Photo Release: Connect and its legal representatives and assigns, retain the right and permission to publish, without charge, photographs taken during this event. These photographs may be used in publications, including electronic publications, or in audio-visual presentations, promotional literature, advertising, or in other similar ways.
Medical Release: With registration, the attendee agrees and acknowledges they are participating in the conference on their own free will. While Connect does its best to provide the safest possible environment for the events, the attendee acknowledges freely and knowingly that as a result of their registration and participation, they hereby assume responsibility for their own well-being and safety, releasing Connect of any harm.
