MSAE Education & Membership Meeting

COVID 19 turned the meeting and events industry upside down, as everybody knows. Now that events are happening again, how are contracts changing? What things need to be addressed, and which do not? Lisa Sommer Devlin, an attorney that has represented hotel chains for thirty years, and who has been at the “front lines” of dealing with contract issues related to COVID 19 will give us our insights on where the industry is heading and how to better handle event issues and contracts going forward. While she exclusively represents hotels, her presentation is designed to help both planners and their supplier partners.

Participants in this program will learn to:   

• When is a party excused from a contractual obligation in the current climate, and when is it not?
• How to handle the situation when your event can’t go forward as contemplated.
• How to negotiate contracts going forward that fairly protect both parties from the uncertainties in the industry.

About the Speaker:

Lisa Sommer Devlin has practiced law since 1984, and has concentrated in hospitality law for almost 30 years.  She negotiates contracts, provides legal training for sales staff and handles convention and meeting related litigation nationwide for major hotel companies, and many independent hotels. In 2002, Lisa was named one of the 25 most influential people in the meeting industry by Meeting News magazine.  In 2006, the magazine gave her the honor her again, stating: “More than anyone else, she is the legal voice for the industry.” She has served as a member of the Legal Advisory Counsel and on the Contracts panel for the APEX Initiative sponsored by the Convention Industry Council, and was President of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys 2012-2014. In 2015, Meetings and Conventions magazine included her in its “M&C’s Top 25 Women in the Meeting Industry.” Lisa is a sought-after speaker and trainer. She has spoken at events sponsored by Meetings Professional International, Professional Convention Management Association, Exhibitor Show, Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International, Society of Government Meeting Planners, Conference Direct, Experient, Connect Meetings, Elite Meetings Alliance, and many others. PCMA named her one of its “Best in Class” speakers for 2012. She and her colleague, Barbara Dunn, an attorney who represents groups and associations, host a popular video series addressing contracting issues, called “Legalese With The Ladies,” available on YouTube. She graduated from the University of Iowa with High Distinction in 1981, and the University of Iowa College of Law in 1984, Order of the Coif. She is married to Matthew Devlin and has four children and two grandchildren.

PropFuel and VideoAsk: Online Tools to Engage and Recruit Existing and Lapsed Members 

Email is still a viable tool to reach members but often there is very little two-way interaction and engagement between the association and its members. Todd and Kara will discuss how they have used both tools to solicit feedback, increase membership and target specific membership categories, such as lapsed members. They will provide a brief introduction to both tools as well as case studies of their success at MSTA and examples of both tools in action. 

About the Speakers:

Todd Fuller is the Marketing and Communication Director for the Missouri State Teachers Association.  Todd has been with MSTA for more than 20 years. In addition, Todd teaches one of the AdZou Capstone courses for graduating Strategic Communication students in MU’s School of Journalism. Todd’s students are advertising and marketing executives in corporations throughout the world including Maybelline, Pandora, Taylor & Pond and Call of Duty at Activision. Todd has taught at MU for 18 years.

Kara Potter is a digital strategist and project manager for the Missouri State Teachers Association (MSTA). She is in her eighth year at MSTA and worked in a variety of communication roles for more than a decade prior to joining the organization. She began using PropFuel and VideoAsk to engage with members while she was working from home, often with one of her two young children in her lap.