Join NEAAPA at our Annual Meeting and Education Conference with excellent sessions, meetings, and events to get you ready for the 2017 summer season. Don't miss the Hall of Fame induction, election of officers and directors, and the President's Dinner.
Educational Session #1 - Facebook Live! How to Livestream to Engage with Your Customers & Increase Business
9:00 - 10:30am
Vanessa Cabrera, Your Social Media Mentor
Facebook, the #1 social media platform, has now made it even easier and more fun to authentically connect with your customers. Facebook LIVE is all about interacting with your audience in REAL TIME. It breaks down the barriers and creates a connection that transcends traditional marketing limitations.
Just think: what would you remember more? Reading an interesting article or watching a video that lets you become a part of the action.
In this cannot miss session, you will be introduced to the world of Facebook LIVE and the different ways the Attractions and Entertainment industry can benefit from using this exciting new platform.
Educational Session #2 - Greater Springfield Covention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) Hospitality/Ambassador Program
10:45 - 11:45am
Alicia Szenda, Western Mass Sports Commission, Director of Sales
The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitor Bureau (GSCVB) Hospitality/Ambassador Program is here to help you! We want to make sure your guests have a memorable experience and get to enjoy the many unique and great attractions located in Western, MA.
- What is a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and how is it different from a Chamber of Commerce?
- What are the benefits of partnering with a CVB?
- Tips to be successful in working with your local CVB
Educational Session #3 - Operational Compliance under the US Americans with Disabilities Act
10:45 - 11:45am
Erik Beard, Wiggin and Dana, LLP, Counsel
The U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be confounding to amusement operators in the United States. The unique environment of an amusement park or FEC creates an inherent tension between operational safety and access for disabled guests. Hear an overview of ADA law with respect to operations and, specifically, gain practical pointers for implementing compliant operations policies before a claim arises.
Educational Session #4 - 2017 Employment Law-Wage and Hour Update for Small Business
1:00 - 2:00pm
Elizabeth Milito, Senior Executive Counsel, National Federation of Independent Business
Change seems to be the only constant in the employment law and HR world. At the federal level, the new President has promised small businesses tax and regulatory relief by repealing many of President Obama’s signature pieces of legislation, including the Affordable Care Act and the new overtime rule. Meanwhile, in the states many experts are forecasting that the incoming Trump Administration’s pro-business policies will accelerate the trend of employee-friendly local and state regulations and wage and hour laws. How quickly, and in what ways, will rules governing the workplace change?
Join Beth Milito, an employment law attorney from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s largest small business association, for a timely and engaging analysis of the federal rules most likely to be repealed by President Trump and a review of new state and local employment laws in the Northeast region, including the latest wage and hour enforcement actions. The session will cover the following:
- Update on state minimum wage and youth minimum wage changes and update on status of new federal FLSA overtime rule
- Rundown of recently enacted and pending paid sick leave and paid family leave laws and legislation and the outlook at the federal level for paid leave benefits
- Discussion on loaded wages – how new federal, state, and local mandates, including predictive scheduling laws, mandated retirement programs, paid leave and higher minimum wages, impact true labor costs
- Review of independent contractor misclassification initiatives at the federal and state levels and the impact on overtime and workers compensation
Educational Session #5 - The Party Biz 411!
1:00 - 2:00pm
Dorothy Lewis, President, Fun Station Entertainment Group
Knowing what the latest trends and best practices for a successful party program in 2017 is the key for adding profits to your bottom line. Don’t sit back and assume that your park or facility can get by with simply hosting ordinary parties and events. Find out how to turn ordinary into extraordinary with simple ways to deliver that experience for little or no cost. Learn from an industry veteran who has had her finger on the party business pulse for over two decades with award winning party programs that have been host to parties of all ages delivering over the top experiences. If your business hosts parties, wants to expand its party program or if you just like to party then this session is a must for you and your team.
Vendor Showcase
2:15 - 3:45pm
Bryan Carney, Northeast Region Manager, Dippin' Dots
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with vendors and resource professionals from around the country and internationally. For the 4th year, back by popular demand, the NEAAPA Vendor Showcase is your chance to show, view and try out the latest products and services in the marketplace.
Networking Session
3:45 - 5:00pm
Sheryl Bindelglass, SherylGolf
Meet with that day's speakers to ask follow-up questions, and mix and mingle with attendees. Led by Sheryl Bindelglass, you will meet colleagues from around the industry and region, and get tips for networking both at this event and at future events.