SCHEDULE

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Schedules are subject to change.

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LINKS TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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SPEAKERS
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More speakers will be posted as we receive their bios and session info.

Session: Turning Employees Into An Advantage For Tourism	Karl Ahlrichs Karl Ahlrichs is a national expert in the people side of business. He is first and foremost a Human Resource consultant, but also has a broad range of experience in a wide range of business roles. He has trained management in Chicago, marketed software in Orlando, and launched an office of Right Management Consultants in San Diego. Karl is an SPHR (Senior Professional, Human Resources), and is qualified to administer many assessment tools.
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	Brian Blasko Happy Cruisin’ Brian Blasko is a highly motivated, nationally known speaker and trainer. His programs, inspiring individual and organizational growth, are some of the most sought after in the country. This celebrated author of Cruisin’ Through Life At 35 MPH has a Masters Degree in interpersonal communication, collegiate-level teaching experience, and is a member of the National Speakers Association, as well as NSA Ohio. Every year clients throughout the country depend on Brian to re-charge their organization and employees. Always the fun communicator, his contagious energy encourages others to feel comfortable about themselves and their personal development. Blasko is to motivation as engine is to car. Driven by his sincere interest in others, and a genuine passion for public speaking, Brian enthusiastically invites you to discover and maximize your own personal potential! Read Brian's Testimonial
Sessions: OPENING KEYNOTE Cruisin’ Through Life™ At 35 MPH Strategies to Keep Your Internal Engine Running Smoothly Building Your Team Foundation The Car Key Factor Creating Your Comfort Zone With Communication
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Sessions: Making The Most of your marketing Dollars Sell the Rapids Not the River: Welcome to the Experience Economy	Roger Brooks, CEO Destination Development A founding member of the award-winning Destination Development team, Roger has worked in tourism and economic development for more than 25 years, and has become one of the most recognized experts in the field of tourism, consumer trends, marketing, and project development in the country. Co-author of the book “Your Town a Destination - The 25 Immutable Rules of Successful Tourism,” Roger’s enthusiasm for economic development and tourism is apparent. His dynamic approach and tell-it-like-it-is style have made him a very popular public speaker. Roger’s knowledge of the industry includes dozens of case histories and interesting stories full of how-they-did-it examples. Well known for his step-by-step instructions in helping communities make something happen, Roger has assisted major destination resorts and communities throughout the U.S. and Canada in developing themes, creating branding and repositioning programs, and building tourism development plans. He has recruited more than $2.8 billion in new tourism development projects to rural communities and resorts. Roger’s wealth of experience includes assisting at the ground floor level of development resorts including Whistler Resort, British Columbia; Harbour Town, Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Sunriver Resort, in central Oregon; and Copper Mountain Resort, Colorado. Over the past ten years, he has worked with over 400 communities, assisting them with business and product development plans, marketing programs, market assessments, and guidance to increase their tourism and economic development potential. Roger is nationally recognized for his ability to get communities excited, energizing them to success. With his expertise in marketing, advertising, and public relations, Roger has developed a series of highly entertaining and educational marketing workshops, which are extremely popular. Roger’s commitment to his clients doesn’t end with the final presentation; he is motivated by the desire to see them succeed, and enjoys following up with them long afterwards to answer any questions or offer additional assistance. Clients appreciate this and will frequently send a note or make a phone call to let Roger know the success they’ve had as a result of his recommendations.
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Session: Legal Issues	Jennifer M. Brown, Of Counsel Ice Miller LLP Ms. Brown’s primary area of concentration is immigration law. She represents and advises corporations, organizations, and colleges and universities in the filing of nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly INS) and the Departments of Labor and State. Recent legal matters include obtaining work authorized visa status for key professional and managerial employees, and obtaining permanent resident status based on extraordinary ability, outstanding research, and labor certification. She also routinely advises clients on compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and income tax withholding obligations with respect to foreign national employees. Ms. Brown is also a member of the Firms Agriculture Law Initiative. She is a member of the Indiana and Indianapolis Bar Associations and the Americana Immigration Lawyers Association. Ms. Brown was elected president of the Indian Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2002-2004, and currently serves as a mentor to other AILA members. Ms. Brown is also a regular speaker on a variety of immigration topics for the Indian Chamber of Commerce and other related events. Originally from Indianapolis, Indian, Ms. Brown graduated with honors from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science in 1994. She was an intern with the Office of Senator Richard G. Lugar and the Indian House of representatives while an undergraduate student. She obtained her Juris Doctorate from Indian University School of Law, Indianapolis, in 1998. Since joining the Firm in October 1999, Ms. Brown has been actively involved in advising local pro bono organizations benefiting political refugees and low-income foreign nationals. She serves as a board member and secretary to Ambassadors for Children, a nonprofit organization focused on Ervin g at-risk children worldwide through volunteer travel programs. She is admitted to practice law in the state of Indiana.
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Sessions: CLOSING KEYNOTE	JOIE CHITWOOD III President and Chief Operating Officer, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Joie Chitwood III joined the staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as senior vice president, business affairs on Oct. 1, 2002. In December 2004, he was promoted to president and COO of IMS and now oversees daily operations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Hall of Fame Museum and Brickyard Crossing Inn and Golf Course. Before joining the IMS executive staff, Chitwood was vice president and general manager of Raceway Associates, LLC, which oversaw construction of the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., from 1999-2002. In 2001, the track began playing host to Indy Racing League- and NASCAR-sanctioned events. During his tenure at Chicagoland, Chitwood also served on the board of directors of several Joliet-area economic development organizations. Chitwood’s connection to the IMS family of companies runs much deeper than his present position. He was one of the first staff members of the Indy Racing League, as the liaison to its teams, and in 2002 he had the honor of serving as Pace Car driver for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. His family connection dates to the late 1930s when his grandfather began competing in the Indianapolis 500. Chitwood was also an integral part of his family’s entertainment business, the well-known Chitwood Thrill Show, beginning at age 5. He began his career as a stuntman and later specialized in precision driving. The family’s business was based in the Tampa, Fla., area from the early 1960s, when Chitwood’s grandfather, Joie Sr., moved operations from Reading, Pa. In 1992, Chitwood earned a business administration and finance degree from the University of Florida. He also studied at Cambridge University in England and earned a master of business administration degree from the University of South Florida. Chitwood was born in Tampa on Feb. 20, 1969 and lived in South Tampa. He graduated from Jesuit High School. Chitwood and his wife, Susan, reside in Carmel, Ind. with their son.
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Session: The Real Secret to Success: How to Develop A 3 Month Sales Building Plan in Under 20 Minutes	Joel Cohen President, The Cohen Restaurant Marketing Group For the past 30 years, Joel Cohen has specialized in "Nothing But Restaurant Marketing." From the pioneering days of developing programs that introduced McDonald's Breakfast Entrees, Quarter Pounders and Drive-thru's to the world, to today's high tech database and restaurant Internet marketing concepts, Joel Cohen has established himself as a premier, no-nonsense, cutting-edge restaurant-hospitality marketer. He has carved out a national reputation as the sales and marketing go-to-guy to depend upon for traffic-building and revenue generating ideas that work His vast array of clients, over the years have included most of the brand name restaurant corporations, plus first class regional companies like Texas Steakhouse & Saloons, Casa Ole Restaurants, Trail Dust Steakhouses, Ninfa's Mexican Restaurants and more. For a period of five years, Joel was a key member of the strategic marketing team that was responsible for the phenomenal marketing exposure and coast-to-coast growth of Landry's Seafood Restaurants and Joe's Crab Shacks. In addition to his restaurant and hospitality consulting work, Joel publishes the monthly "Journal Of Restaurant Marketing" and has written the first ever book on restaurant Web Site and Internet marketing. The Cohen Restaurant Marketing Group, is headquartered in Raleigh with satellite offices in Houston and Toronto.
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Session: Legal Issues	Tami A. Earnhart Partner, Ice Miller Tami Earnhart represents employers in all aspects of employment and labor law, including discrimination and other litigation before state and federal courts, claims filed with administrative agencies, and labor arbitrations. She also advises companies in making personnel decisions and creating polices that ate in compliance with sate and federal laws, including FMLA and Affirmative Action policies. In addition, she has prepared articles and is a frequent speaker on employment issues, such as sexual harassment, FMLA, Affirmative Action, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Ms. Earnhart is originally from Elkhart, Indiana and received her B.S. in Legal Administration from the University of Evansville, graduating magna cum laude. Ms. Earnhart earned her J. D. magna cum laude from Indian University School of Law, Bloomington and was elected to the Order of the Coif. While attending law school, she served as Senior Managing Editor for the Indiana Law Journal and published a Note in the Journal entitled Medicated Mental Impairments Under the ADA: Diagnosing the Problem, Prescribing the Solution. Ms. Earnhart was also the Publicity Coordinator for the Sherman Minton Moot Court Board. Ms. Earnhart joined Ice Miller in June of 1999. She is admitted to practice in all Indiana State Courts and the U.S. District Courts in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
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Session: Mystery Shopping & Measuring Customer Service	Mike Green Vice President, Hospitality Division - Speedmark Information Services Mike Green is Vice President of the Hospitality Division for Speedmark Information Services, a division of Market Force Incorporated.  His company provides customer service evaluations for clients in all segments of the restaurant industry.  Market Force clients include McDonalds, Outback, Panera Bread, Ruth’s Chris and many others. After graduating with a Hotel Restaurant and Tourism Degree from the University of New Orleans, Mike spent 15 years in the hotel, restaurant and catering industry. Wanting to focus more on customer service, he left the industry and started a mystery shopping company so he could help raise the level of service in companies both large and small.   In 2002 his company merged with Speedmark Information Services and in 2007, Speedmark became part of the Market Force companies. Mike is a charter member and past president of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association as a well as a board member of the International Mystery Shopping Alliance.   He is also a long time board member of the Texas Restaurant Association in the Brazos Valley and has spoken at conferences for the Louisiana, Texas and Georgia Restaurant Associations.
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Session: Stories from Successful Restaurateurs	Craig Huse St. Elmo Steak House -- President & Co-Owner St. Elmo, in business since 1902, serves succulent steaks, chops and seafood in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Through the years, its classic turn-of-the-century Chicago saloon décor has changed very little, beyond the inevitable expansions. St. Elmo Steak House employees 120 people, seats 360 guests and generates approximately $13 million in annual sales ranking it in the top fifty of the highest volume independent restaurants in the United States. Harry & Izzy’s Restaurant – President & Founding Partner Harry & Izzy’s is an independent, upscale American Grill located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. Its ambience exudes class and sophistication in a comfortable setting. This sister restaurant to the famous St. Elmo Steak House, shares a few classic dishes, while offering more menu variety. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Harry & Izzy’s employees 115 people, seats 265 guests and generates approximately $6 million in annual sales. Partner in 26 Arby’s Restaurant franchises operating in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and Iowa. Partner in Heartland Investments. A real estate investment company with properties in Indiana, Illinois, and Florida. First job was at Poor Richards Restaurant, in Bloomington, as a dishwasher at the age of 14. Other management experience at the following restaurant concepts: Houston’s Restaurant in Washington D.C., Checkers, and Arby’s - Indiana Current Boards, Associations & Memberships: Downtown Indianapolis Chapter of the Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana - Board Director & past President Indianapolis Convention and Visitor’s Association (I.C.V.A.) - Board Director and serves on Finance Committee My Kids – mentoring at-risk youth through Carl Brizzi’s Marion County Prosecutor’s office. - Board Director & President Restaurant & Hospitality Association of Indiana - Board Director Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Indiana Chapter - member Past Involvement: Indiana Chamber of Commerce – Board Director Indianapolis Police Department Canine Association - President KeyBank, Indiana – Advisory Board Member United States Grand Prix Formula 1 race (2000) – Co-Chair Local Services Committee of inaugural race Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Tourism, Conventions & Event Management education program – Board Director Indiana Family Business Forum directed by Indiana University - Advisory Board Member Personal information: Married 14 years to Jill M. Huse Two children – Carson and Sophia born in June 2006 Resides in Indianapolis, Indiana – Marion County Bachelor of Science Penn State University. Hotel Restaurant & Institutional Management Birth date: April 21, 1970 – Bloomington, Indiana Private pilot
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	Gerry Ludwig, CEC Consulting Chef, Gordon Food Service Chef Gerry Ludwig prepared his first batch of Coq Au Vin at age nine, graduated from culinary school at 18, and became an Executive Chef at 23. A Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation, Gerry has served as Consulting Chef for distributor Gordon Food Service, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1994. His particular passion is helping independent restaurant operators thrive in a market increasingly dominated by the chains. Through ongoing analysis of foodservice-related statistical, media and empirical data, Chef Gerry creates trends-based culinary solutions that are executed at the operator level by the company’s team of menu consultants. In addition to managing the menu solutions resources at GFS, Gerry conducts seminars and workshops at key customer, industry and ACF events across the country, and hosts annual restaurant trend-tracking tours in New York City, Chicago and the Bay Area. He contributes trend data and articles for GFS’s sales and marketing publications, and has been a columnist in the regional magazine Midwest Food Network for the past 12 years.
Session: Flavor Track 2008
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	Melissa Luebbe Midwest Travel Manager, Midwest Living Magazine & Meredith Travel Marketing Melissa's career in the tourism industry began at Great Lakes of North America where she served as Marketing Manager of the International DMO. She enjoyed the opportunity to partner with the appointed State Tourism Directors and CVBs of each state bordering the Great Lakes (including Indiana) to promote the region as a multi-day vacation getaway to travel writers, incentive planners, and tour operators in the United Kingdom and Germany. For the past five years Melissa served as the Midwest Travel Manager for Midwest Living Magazine. In 2007 she was promoted to corporate Midwest Travel Manager through the Meredith Travel Marketing group, to represent 11 publications reaching over 75 million women, with a combined circulation of 30 million. Melissa is pleased to share the results and marketing implications from a study by Meredith Corporation (in conjunction with Roper Public Affairs & Media) to show that women are an increasingly powerful force in influencing travel decisions and will be involved in spending $125 billion on travel during the next year. Given what is at stake, it is increasingly important for marketers to understand women’s motivations in order to sell effectively.
Session: “She’s Got the Power!” Meredith’s Women’s Travel Study Insights & Implications for Travel Marketers.
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	Ken Whiting Whiting's Food, Inc. Ken has committed his professional life to working within the recreational, leisure-time, and restaurant industries, focusing on strategic sales building programs, customer service initiatives, and the motivating and training of a large entry-level workforce. He has spent nearly 30 years, in the trenches, managing his family’s food service business at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and Fair & Festival business unit. Ken also consults with similar types of businesses, providing cost effective solutions to growing revenue and decreasing costs. He lectures regularly on the subjects of Teenage Workforce and Supervisory Success, to any organization that employs and develops youth, and has created the WAVES for Success system for improving workplace performance. He has employed thousands of teens and young adults, and continues to focus on ways of understanding, in today’s culture, what inspires them to participate, contribute and excel at work. He has been very involved in amusement park and restaurant industry activities. Ken currently is the Chair of the Food & Beverage Committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and has presented regularly at their annual convention. He is a past president of both the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, past board member of the local Conference & Visitors Bureau, and Restaurant Association, and been a volunteer with many industry, charitable, church and civic organizations. In his spare time he has completed over 50 marathons and triathlons, and catches an occasional wave. Married to Renee for 26 years, they have three daughters and reside in Surf City… Santa Cruz, Ca
Session: WAVES for Teenage Workforce Success
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	Sarah "Intellagirl" Robbins MediaSauce Sarah "Intellagirl" Robbins is the Director of Emerging Technologies at Media Sauce, Carmel IN and a PhD candidate at Bal State University. Her specialty is translating today's fast moving technology culture into terms that we can all understand and put into use fast. Sarah is a Web 2.0 expert and the coauthor of Second Life for Dummies. Session Hand Out Available To obtain the Session Hand Out - please email info@hoosierhospitalityconference.com with your first and last name (for attendance verification purposes) and the session or speaker name in the body of the email.
Session: Using Technology to Reach Travelers
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Session: Associative Incentives	Robert C. Roeder Principal and Senior Human Capital Consultant Mercer Bob Roeder is a Principal and Senior Human Capital Consultant in Mercer’s Indianapolis office, specializing in employee compensation and rewards. With more than 36 years of experience in human resources, he counsels a wide range of clients, from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies in both the public and private sectors. Bob’s expertise includes the following areas: • Strategic compensation planning • Employee pay program design • Gainsharing programs • Management incentive plans • Attraction and retention of employees • Performance management systems • Executive compensation Before joining Mercer in 1981, Bob spent ten years in human resources management. He served as Director of Human Resources for the State of Indiana for six years, being appointed by Governor Bowen to that responsibility. Prior to that role, he was Director of Compensation for the State of Indiana. Bob has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana. He has been a graduate instructor in Human Resources Management for Indiana University. He is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management, Compensation and Benefit Professionals of Indiana and the Indiana and American Societies for Healthcare Human Resources Administration. Bob is a regular speaker at local, state and national programs and conferences, and is highly regarded for his development of innovative solutions to strategic business challenges.
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	Cheryl Schutz, Director, Account Services DK Shifflet & Associates Ltd. Cheryl has worked in market research for over 16 years currently as Director of Account Services at DKSA where she leads the research accounts group. Her expertise is in syndicated and custom market research methods as well as consulting with clients on various aspects of research and analysis. Before coming to DKSA she was VP of Research at PERQ/HCI, a Nielsen company specializing in syndicated and custom research in the health care industry. Cheryl has an MS in Industrial Psychology from California State University at Long Beach and a BA in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Session: Trends & Lodging
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	Janie Wiltshire Due West Company Janie Wiltshire is a hotel VETERAN with a hotel career that spans over 25 years. She began her career as a desk clerk and worked her way through the industry with positions including Guest Services Manager at Hyatt, Director of Sales at Sheraton, General Manager at Residence Inn, and Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing. Janie opened the first Homewood Suites for Hilton Hotels and operated their training center property. Over a decade ago Janie started Due West Company and has worked with thousands of hotel and motels worldwide. She works internationally as a recognized public speaker and trainer for the hospitality industry. Today Janie lives in Greenwood, SC with her fourteen year old son, Campbell. Janie travels extensively spreading her dynamic message of inspiration. She shares her vibrant experience and delivers with passion. Don’t miss an amazing presentation on connected customer service and your focused sales efforts. Read Janie's Testimonial
Session: SALES: Driving the Revenue Train Customer Service: Get on the Right Track
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Session: Stories from Successful Restaurateurs	Scotty Wise Education Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana Bachelor of Science, December 1995 Major: Marketing. Minor: Public Relations • Golden Key National Honor Society • Dean’s List, graduating GPA 3.67/4.0 • Public Relations Society of America • Ball State University Alumni Association • Delta Tau Delta Fraternity Experience September 1996 - present Scotty’s Brewhouse President/CEO • Development of concept into new markets • Oversee Corporate Management Team • Menu development • Marketing and PR May 1995 – August 1996 Oshman’s Sporting Goods Corporation, Houston, Texas Advertising Copywriter • Coordinate, plan and implement advertising campaigns for divisional and buyer-level merchants • Created sales oriented copy for sports merchandise for over 1,000 newspapers across the U.S. August 1994 – May 1995 Network Property Services, Muncie, Indiana Director of Public Relations • Design and develop housing/apartment marketing brochures • Development of lease agreements • Lead leasing tours Awards • Indiana Restaurant Association – Board of Directors • West Point Financial - Blue Chip Award Winner • Indiana Business Journal – Forty Under 40 Award Winner
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SESSIONS
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More sesssions will be listed periodically as we receive the information.

(not currently in chronological order)

	KEYNOTE Tuesday March 18, 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Cruisin’ Through Life™ At 35 MPH Strategies to Keep Your Internal Engine Running Smoothly SPEAKER: Brian Blasko Life is a journey…enjoy the ride! This exciting program offered by Brian Blasko invites you to discover and maximize your personal and business potential. Our lives and careers are like vehicles, and we are the engines that keep them running smoothly. Come learn how to gain some “fuel” for your internal gas tank. While traveling on this journey Brian will share a few strategies for successful leadership, teamwork and personal growth. The strategies have all been test-driven and proven road-worthy. Do not let life’s little road blocks keep you stuck on the side of the road. Come have some fun and learn how to push your tourism “pedal to the metal!” Cruisin’ Through Life At 35 MPH is a delightful road trip top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 10:45 – 12:00 a.m. “She’s Got the Power!” Meredith’s Women’s Travel Study Insights & Implications for Travel Marketers. SPEAKER: Melissa Luebbe Melissa Luebbe, Midwest Travel Manager for Meredith Travel Marketing and Midwest Living Magazine, speaks about the increasingly powerful force women have in influencing travel decisions; from the stages of travel planning to what factors drive each stage. She will also cover trends in the travel marketplace that account for women’s $125 billion impact on the travel industry. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 10:45 – 12:00 a.m. Building Your Team Foundation SPEAKER: Brian Blasko Is your staff running on all of its cylinders? Would you feel comfortable in the car for an 8-hour journey with your co-workers? These are tough questions to answer, but not impossible to achieve! Come join Brian Blasko as he shares his team building strategies for success. A team of co-workers is like a Pit-Crew, everyone is important. In this high-energy program participants will gain a wealth of practical tips for team cohesiveness. - Learn the positive benefits of “Interdependency” - Learn how to deal with “team” apprehension - Learn how to build, trust, rapport and credibility with others - Learn the 5 characteristics of an effective team player - Learn how to have fun and be productive together top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 10:45 – 12:00 a.m. Turning Employees Into An Advantage For Tourism SPEAKER: Karl Ahlrichs, SPHR In this entertaining and fast paced session, Karl Ahlrichs will share "next practices" that you can immediately use to make your employees more valuable and give you an advantage in the marketplace. Karl has broad experience in Human Resources and has collected a recent sample of what works and what falls short. Topics to be covered include: -Legal ways to hire the "best fit" for jobs at all levels -Keeping high value employees and removing or remaking the bad ones -How to "clone" your top performers -Motivating and managing for the long term -Plus answers to your specific HR questions Issues will include new methods for looking at the workforce, clever interview questions, and practical advice on building competent supervisors, all focused on producing better performance and maximum return. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 10:45 – 12:00 a.m. Trends & Lodging SPEAKER: Cheryl Schutz Selected Indiana visitor trends for 2006 will be presented and compared to the Nation as a whole. Possible explanations for similarities and differences will be explored as well as implications on future travel to and through Indiana. top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Flavor Track 2008 SPEAKER: Gerry Ludwig, CEC In this seminar, Gordon Food Service Consulting Chef Gerry Ludwig, CEC will report on the most significant flavor trends that are impacting foodservice today. By combining hard data with real-world examples, Chef Gerry will share many of today’s hottest menu ideas. Through photographs taken during his intensive restaurant trends tours, Gerry will take you on a visual journey that highlights the best and brightest from the culinary mainstream and cutting edge. This year’s Hoosier Hospitality Conference is particularly well timed, as it takes place just after Gerry’s return from his latest trends tour of New York City. Be the first to see the hottest breaking trends from America’s most diverse restaurant city. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Community Branding: Actions Speak Louder Than Words SPEAKER: Steve Chandler This session will discuss how brand identity builds a community’s reputation while brand actions support that reputation by building a community’s character. Examples from successful communities will be used to demonstrate the importance and impact of both brand identity and action in creating lasting community brand equity and increasing citizen value. John Wooden said it most simply: “Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”  This idea translates well to community branding. Communities who develop cohesive brand identity packages (logo, tagline, website, advertising, etc.) are working to promote or enhance their reputation -- what others think of them.  This is also known in the marketing world as getting everyone speaking in one voice about your community. Certainly, developing a strong unified reputation is important, but without the character to back it up that reputation will not really take root. In the words of Henry Ford, “You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.” Thus the most effective communities move beyond just communications to brand actions, designed to help them wear their brand like a second skin. This shift occurs when a critical mass of public and private sector businesses and organizations develop and promote new and existing “stuff” – public policy, events, ideas, products, buildings, art, etc. – that support the strategic truth of the brand.    top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Legal Issues SPEAKER: Jenifer M. Brown & Tami Earnhart Coming Soon. top ...............................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Scoring with the Media SPEAKER: Media Relations Panelists Moderator: Bob Shultz, Director of Communciations & PR - ICVA Panelists: Laurie Borman, Executive & Editorial Dir, Rand McNally and Travel Columnist; Elizabeth Grandger, Freelance Travel Writer; Barbara Morrow, Editor - Midwest Living A tantalizing and energizing discussion about effective media relations. Members of the media and PR pros will dig deep into what makes relationships work to bring about the best results and media placements for your destination, hotel or attraction. Cut through the clutter as you learn from the best -- sharpening your pitching skills; broadening your exposure; expanding your contacts. Don't miss this lively media panel of travel writers who'll lead you to more ink and air time. top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. How to Hire Lucky People SPEAKER: Karl Ahlrichs It never fails. Hospitality is based on good customer service, and a few “unlucky” staff cause a high percentage of an organization’s customer service problems. Wouldn’t it be great if you could spot “bad luck” BEFORE you make a hiring offer, or coach “fortunate” skills in existing employees? Given the importance of luck to our industry, it is vital to understand and measure it, and then assess and hire or train for it. Take a look at a key area of the workforce from a fresh viewpoint. This presentation is based on ongoing research on the psychological and behavioral foundations of fortunate behavior. Engaging the audience with a data-based examination of luck, the presentation uses assessment methods and psychological theory to develop a better understanding of fortunate behavior, and closes with direct, practical advice on reducing the “victim” mentality in an organization. Topics covered include: - Survey results on general population re: lucky/unlucky - Strong tendency for people who said they’re lucky in one area to also be lucky in others. - Lucky vs. Unlucky: - The four main differences between lucky and unlucky people - Luck isn’t divine intervention—It is a combination of attitudes and behaviors. - Benefits of luck in the workplace - How to screen and hire for luck - How to make unlucky people more fortunate top ...............................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. The Real Secret to Success: How to Develop A 3 Month Sales Building Plan in Under 20 Minutes SPEAKER: Joel Cohen Why do we spend more time planning out our vacation or our kid's birthday parties than we do planning the success of our own restaurants? Simply, no one has ever taught us how to write an effective and easy one-page plan. Having a plan is the real true secret to getting to where you want to go. Without it, you'll be distracted, lose focus, and spend each day "putting out fires" rather than building your business. You'll end up as just another average ordinary unremarkable restaurant. In this special one-of-a-kind hands-on workshop, Joel Cohen of RestaurantMarketing.com will first, using a baseball stadium analogy, teach you how to write a sales-building plan that is fun and exciting for you and your complete restaurant team to implement. Then, he'll guide you as you map out your own plan for your own restaurant - a plan that will build sales and keep you focused on a fast track towards the level of sales you have always dreamt of. top ...............................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Using Technology to Reach Travelers SPEAKER: Sarah "Intellagirl" Robbins Internet technologies are a key part of our daily lives. From buying a car to sending pictures to grandma, our computers are important extensions of our lives. Sites such as Travelocity and Orbitz have begun to replace local, trusted travel agents. Travelers no longer rely on travel books to choose destinations. They go online, surfing for attractions and hotels. They read location reviews from real people who have visited locations and then hop to a Google map to plan their route. Rather than thinking about the internet as the enemy of travel, we should all begin to think about it as a valuable tool for creating interest in local attractions and to increase marketing efforts for Hoosier businesses. This session will explain today's technologies, provide examples of how they can be utilized, and give attendees ideas on how to get started. top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. The Car Key Factor Creating Your Comfort Zone With Communication SPEAKER: Brian Blasko Effective communication is the “key” to success. In this fun-filled program Brian Blasko will share his ideas and research regarding the 4 general personalities we communicate with everyday. Come find out if you’re a 4x4, Volvo, Sports Car or Minivan. When you start your car, the correct key is essential. People are the same way. We need to be using the right keys to ignite the right personality engine. The program will include extensive examples of how to interact with each unique individual. (customers, staff, family & friends) - Using clear and concise communication - Learn the difference between communication and perception - Learn attributes and characteristics of the 4x4, Volvo, Sports Car and Minivan - Learn how to successfully “read” signs of connection - Create a comfort zone with others top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Two Wheeled Tourism: How Bike Trails and Bikeways Bring Bucks SPEAKERS: Moderator & Panelists Moderator: Steve Morris, Acting Director DNR Division of Outdoor Recreation Panelists: Lenette Freeman, Executive Director Cardinal Greenways Jonathan Juillerat, Advocacy Director Hoosier Mountain Bike Association Christopher W. Hancock, Executive Director Indiana Bicycle Coalition, Inc. Ray Irvin, Director of Greenways & Bikeways Indiana Department of Transportation This panel of cycling experts will tell you why Indiana is perfect for growing tourism opportunities related to bicycling and trails and how you might develop this in your community.  Find out why families want to spend another day to visit trails such as the Monon Trail or the Cardinal Greenway and how events like the Hilly Hundred bring thousands of cyclists in from all over the country.  The same promises to be true for mountain biking.  And the great thing about cycling tourists is that they burn lots of calories and love to eat! top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Associative Incentives SPEAKER: Robert C. Roeder Regardless of the organization or its business focus, the employees that make and/or deliver the products and services drive the success of the organization. This is particularly true in service and hospitality industry. Therefore the effective use of an organization’s human resource investment dollars is critical to an organization’s success and viability. The design and implementation of a total rewards (historically called total compensation) program is essential to the retention of competent, effective employees and the attraction of highly-qualified applicants. Learning Objectives - Provide a framework for understanding Total Rewards - Define the Total Rewards components and their importance - Provide a linkage between Total Rewards and employee attraction and retention top ...............................................................................................
	Breakfast Round Tables Wednesday March 19, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m. 1. Welcome Centers 101 Come learn about the opportunities available to you at the Welcome Centers in the state. Moderators: Anicia Richardson and Juana Johnson from IOTD. 2. Email Marketing 3. Culinary Tourism 4. Agritourism SPEAKER: Brian Blackford Come willing to learn and share your stories of agritourism in your area. Join Brian Blackford from IOTD as he gives some background on the role agritourism has played at state tourism and how it continues to grow as a niche for travelers. 5. Small Hotel Properties 6. IH&LA - How to Make It Better? top ...............................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Tuesday March 18, 1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Stories from Successful Restaurateurs Moderator: Steve Delaney, Sitehawk Retail Real Estate Group SPEAKERS: Scotty Wise, Scotty's Brew House Craig Huse, St. Elmo's & Harry & Izzy's Martha Hoover, Cafe Patachou What's the recipe to turn your restaurant into a leading restaurant? From new start-ups to veteran entrepreneurs, hear the stories that lead to their success. top ...............................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Driving the Revenue Train SPEAKER: Janie Wiltshire The Sales Train has left the station…are you on it or under it? This is the year to take your revenue to levels you’ve never seen before. Don’t settle for mediocrity! 2008 has the steam to blow you away and the power to beat your competitor! Learn the 5 tasks that, when practiced, will consistently drive your revenue up the tracks. Find out what salespeople and managers are doing everyday to guarantee their permanent sales success as the conductor. All aboard with Janie Wiltshire and the amazing Sales Train! Hear why Janie has been a part of Hoosier Hospitality since 1999. It’s all about you and your sales results! top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Making The Most of your Marketing Dollars SPEAKER: Roger Brooks Tips and tricks for getting the most bang for the marketing dollar: how to get free publicity, how to cater to niche groups, how to build a professional photo library inexpensively, how to develop a press kit and make it work for you, how, where, and when to place ads to maximize budgets, the power of partnerships and buying co-ops, and marketing to niche markets. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Technology Purchasing Primer SPEAKER: Coming Soon. top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. Indiana Product Development Showcase SPEAKER: Panelists (listed below) David Attaway Switzerland Co. CVB Karen Niverson Marion/Grant Co. CVB Mike Huber Elkhart County CVB Several Indiana communities have enhanced their offerings to visitors by developing new tourism products and enhancing what they have in innovative ways. These CVB case studies explain their processes and challenges. top ................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. WAVES for Teenage Workforce Success SPEAKER: KEN WHITING How to Recruit, Educate, Motivate and Retains Today’s Teens top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 11:00 – 12:15 p.m. Customer Service: Get on the Right Track SPEAKER: Janie Wiltshire In today’s ever so fast business climate, it’s never been more important to have your engine on the right track. The customer track is the ONLY one that matters! What happens when you switch tracks and lose focus on the customer? Attend this workshop and be the engineer of your business Customer Service Train. Don’t let your customer service hit the tracks! Learn the ties that will bind you to your customers’ tracks for life. Janie Wiltshire will deliver a passionate message that you won’t forget! Woo, woo! top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 11:00 – 12:15 p.m. Sell the Rapids Not the River: Welcome to the Experience Economy SPEAKER: Roger Brooks In this fascinating and entertaining general session address, you’ll see how communities are using show-stopping experiences to brand (or re-brand) their communities or regions. Through video clips, dozens of photos and case histories, discover the steps to creating outstanding or wacky experiences that set you apart from the competition and keep visitors coming back for more. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 11:00 – 12:15 p.m. Revenue Management SPEAKER: Coming Soon. top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 11:00 – 12:15 p.m. People, Planet and Profit - Triple Bottom Line A Goal Toward Sustainability SPEAKERS: Panelists (listed below) Brenda Myers Hamilton Co. CVB Derek Smith In an increasingly recognized global environment, businesses, and especially the private sector, are asking how best to define success that includes economic, environmental and social performance measures. Learn how these companies are finding ways to operate and succeed in a world that demands social responsibility not just profitability.   top .................................................................................................
	BREAKOUT SESSION Wednesday March 19, 11:00 – 12:15 p.m. Mystery Shopping & Measuring Customer Service SPEAKERS: Mike Green After 15 years in the hospitality industry, Mike realized his real passion was customer service and not the kitchen.  After doing training for friends in the industry, he realized the real issue was not training but following up on the training.  As they say, “What Gets Measured, Gets Done”.  He started a mystery shopping company to help owners and managers get an unbiased view of their operations and to pinpoint opportunities for improvement and more importantly profits. Mike has worked with over 100 restaurant concepts providing insight into their operations.  He will share why measuring customer service is vital to your success; outline different methods of service measurements and review the do’s and don’ts when setting up a mystery shopping program. top .................................................................................................
	Closing Keynote Wednesday March 19, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Closing Keynote SPEAKERS: Joie Chitwood Mr. Joie Chitwood, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will discuss how to provide a unique fan experience upon a platform of motorsports entertainment. top .................................................................................................