Spring Conference
2023 AENC SPRING CONFERENCE
May 4-5, 2023 | Hilton Raleigh North Hills | Raleigh, NC
(In person or virtual, your choice!)
Pricing: $85 (members) | $35 (retired members) | $100 (non-members)
Schedule (In-Person)
Thursday, May 4, 2023
All Tracks
12:30 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. Registration, Networking with Exhibitors
5:15 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Networking Social
Track 1
1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. Microsoft Bootcamp: Outlook and Excel
2:00 P.M. - 2:15 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
3:30 P.M. - 3:45 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
Track 2
1:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. Helping Hands: AENC FUEL Young Professionals Edition (FUEL Young Professionals Only, pre-registration required, limited to 20) | Sponsored by Visit Raleigh
3:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
4:00 P.M. - 5:15 P.M. Experience EDUTAINMENT: Pairing Education with The Wine Detective
Track 3
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Breakout Session
- Option 1: Communications Workshop: A Chat Among Friends (streamed for virtual audience)
- Option 2: Meeting Planner Roundtable (Meeting Planners Only) | Sponsored by Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
2:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. General Session 1: Connecting Communications to Strategy
3:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
4:00 P.M. - 5:15 P.M. Experience EDUTAINMENT: Pairing Education with The Wine Detective
Friday, May 5, 2023
8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Breakfast with Exhibitors
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. General Session 3: The Ultimate Tech Stack; Thinking like 2023 and Beyond
10:00 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. General Session 4: Understanding of the Ease and Effectiveness of Grassroots Legislative Advocacy
11:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Networking Break with Exhibitors
12:00 P.M. - 12:15 P.M. AENC President Updates
12:15 P.M. - 1:45 P.M. Lunch Live Interviews - Innovative Ideas for Meeting
Schedule (Virtual)
Thursday, May 4, 2023
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Communications Workshop: A Chat Among Friends
2:30 P.M. - 3:30 P.M. General Session 1: Connecting Communications to Strategy
Friday, May 5, 2023
9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. General Session 3: The Ultimate Tech Stack; Thinking like 2023 and Beyond
10:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. General Session 4: Understanding of the Ease and Effectiveness of Grassroots Legislative Advocacy
12:00 P.M. - 12:15 P.M. AENC President Updates
12:15 P.M. - 1:45 P.M. Lunch Live Interviews - Innovative Ideas for Meeting
Education
3.5 - 7.25 CEUs possible depending on your track selection!
Track 1 | Track 2 | Track 3 | Virtual |
3.5 CAE & CMP | 7.25 CAE & 7.0 CMP | 6.75 CAE & 6.5 CMP | 5.5 CAE & CMP |
TRACKS: (Choose 1 of 3)
Track 1: Microsoft Bootcamp: Outlook and Excel

Instructor: Ginny Hupp, New Horizons Raleigh
In this session, participants will get an overview of Mail and Calendar with some exciting tips and tricks then dive into Excel with a deeper understanding of formulas and functions with a focus on excel worksheet formatting and workbook management.
Track 2: Helping Hands: AENC FUEL Young Professionals Edition
(FUEL Young Professionals Only, pre-registration required, limited to 20)

Sponsored by: Visit Raleigh

Moderator: Meg Palumbo, Director of Customer Strategy, Novi AMS
A brand new session concept aimed at providing a safe space for AENC/FUEL Members to work together to help solve each other’s “real-time” business-related problems. The session will be moderator-led and will follow a protocol to ensure a disciplined and focused approach. All Members participating will hear from colleagues and will benefit from the sharing of collective knowledge and Members will have a chance to gain a deeper connection with fellow AENC Members/Colleagues. Click here for more details (including process and structure of the session).
Track 3: Choice of 1 Roundtable
Option 1: Communications Workshop: A Chat Among Friends (streamed virtually)

Moderator: Mike Collins, The Perfect Workday Company
What if you were relaxing with a group of friends and someone said, “I’m having a challenge at work. What should I do?” In “A Chat Among Friends” we’ll discuss a number of workplace and life issues suggested by AENC members and provide program participants opportunities to suggest practical—or, imaginative—solutions to the challenges. This program will be a wonderful opportunity to both give and receive ideas that may help others and yourself.
Option 2: Meeting Planner Roundtable - Negotiating Now: New Challenges, New Partners and New Contracts (Meeting Planners Only)

Sponsored by: Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Moderator: Lindsay Myers, Director of Global Sales, Associated Luxury Hotels International
Join Lindsay Myers with Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) for a brainstorming solution session. Lindsay will lead an interactive discussion where all are invited to share negotiation learnings, experiences, and challenges.
General Sessions
General Session 1 - Connecting Communications to Strategy

Available to Track 3 only
Speaker: Frank Williams, Pioneer Strategies
Every communication activity should be designed to help achieve your overall organizational strategy. Frank Williams will discuss practical ways to ensure that your communication program is aligned with your overall strategic plan.
General Session 2 - Experience EDUTAINMENT: Pairing Education with The Wine Detective

Available to Tracks 2 & 3 only
Instructor: Danielle Galmore, Touchpoint Wines
Join us for a unique experience showcasing how we pair education with a reinforcing wine experience. After an abbreviated education portion around collaboration and decision making, you will play Wine Detective. Wine Detective Experience: YOU are the detectives! Using a blind wine tasting format, you will work in small groups to solve the case, putting into practice what you learned around collaboration and decision making.
General Session 3 – The Ultimate Tech Stack; Thinking like 2023 and Beyond

Speaker: Aubie Knight, CIC, CRM, CEO, IIANC
Learn how one leading association is incorporating cutting-edge technology to improve efficiencies and enhance the member experience.
General Session 4 – Understanding of the Ease and Effectiveness of Grassroots Legislative Advocacy

Speaker: Patrick Haggerty, Keynote Speaker, patrickhaggerty.com
Motivate your members to be SUCCESSFUL and ENTHUSIASTIC grassroots legislative advocates in both Raleigh and Washington, DC.
General Session 5 – Lunch Live Interviews – Innovative Ideas for Meetings
Talk show style interviews where two industry experts will join Jennifer on stage to discuss innovative ideas for meetings within their respective roles.
With Jennifer Johnson, The Johnson Meetings Group
Featuring: Keri Epps-Rashad, NC REALTORS®; Lisa Prince, NC Egg Association; Molly Johnson, CMP Fellow, Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau; Rebecca Bolton, Durham Convention Center, Oak View Group; Melissa Klingberg, CAE, THM, Your Association Management Professionals; Jill Santa Lucia, Catering Works
Tabletop Exhibits
Tabletops are sold out.
Email madi@aencnet.org if you have questions.
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are sold out.
Location
Hilton Raleigh North Hills | 3415 Wake Forest Road Raleigh, North Carolina, 27609Accommodations
A room block is set up at Hilton Raleigh North Hills for $159/night (plus tax)
Book your group rate for AENC 2023 Spring Conference
OR
A secondary room block is set up at the AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills for $159/night (plus tax)
Book your group rate for AENC 2023 Spring Conference
Thank you to our Event Sponsors!
Host Sponsor
Hilton Raleigh North Hills
Lunch Keynote Sponsor
Visit Greenville NC
Morning Session Sponsor
Explore Cabarrus County
Networking Social Welcome Sponsor
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Badge Logo Sponsor
Rocky Mount Event Center
Closing Sponsor
Map D: Nextech Event Solutions
Podium Logo Sponsor
HillStaffer
Thursday Session Sponsor
GrowthZone
Audio Visual & Technology Sponsor
EZAV
Signage Sponsor
Southport Graphics
Photography Sponsor
IWP Photography & Video