On October 24th, planners and suppliers traveled from Oklahoma City, Northwest Arkansas, and Tulsa to Marriott Tulsa Southern Hills for the 3rd Tulsa Lunch and Learn! After time to network, attendees enjoyed a lunch and panel discuss by some of Oklahoma top meeting professionals. Our moderator, Brian Ferrell, CMP, DMCP, CTA, Factor 110, facilitated a conversation to provide insight to attendees on how to “Program, Develop and Sell Your Meeting”. The panelists included: Heatherlyn Burton, CAE, Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians, Becca Murray, CEM, National Rural Water Association, Kari Webber, CAE, Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians, and Dan Yates, The Ground Water Protection Council.

“The October Lunch and Learn was one of the best attended and most informative so far. We had a very enlightening topic of “Programming, Developing and Selling Your Meeting” with an exceptional panel. The Marriott Southern Hills impressed all with their meeting facilities and culinary capabilities.”   Thank you to our sponsors Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills and Visit Manhattan for making this event possible! –Michael Farr, CASE, CGMP | Director of Sales | Cox Business Center

On December 18th, industry professionals in St. Louis and surrounding areas had lunch at The Ritz-Carlton St. Louis for their 4th quarter St. Louis Lunch and Learn! During lunch, attendees participated in an interactive demonstration for the dessert course led by the award winning Ritz Carlton Culinary Team. During the demonstration, the culinary team took time to answer all of the top food and beverage questions.

After lunch they heard from Kitty Ratcliffe, President of Explore St. Louis. Kitty is responsible for the sales and marketing of St. Louis as a destination for visitors and the operations of both the Convention Center and the Dome at America’s Center. She took time to attend this lunch and learn to present on America’s Center Next Gen, Convention Center Expansion. She explained how this renovation is both an economic and employment expansion. Kitty is dedicated to growing and strengthening the economy of the St. Louis region through tourism development. She believes that St. Louis is a community on the rise.

Thank you to our sponsors of the Tulsa and St. Louis’ Lunch and Learn!