Science of Social Distancing

This will be our first hybrid event for the Heartland PCMA Chapter with attendees both in-person and virtually. Read on for details and to learn about our guest speakers.

To register to attend in person click HERE

To register to attend virtually click HERE

Schedule of Events:

Registration & Lunch 11:30 am- 12:00 pm

Program 12:00 pm- 1:00 pm

“In this session, we will learn about the importance of considering the psychology behind an attendees’ decision to attend our event. Abraham Maslow, best known for his creation of Hierarchy of Needs lists physiological needs and safety as the first two levels that need to be met on our way to self-actualization.

We will hear from Nathan Hermiston, Sr. VP Sales & Marketing Visit KC, on the Clean KC program and Matt Cunningham, Assistant Manager of KC Convention & Entertainment facilities on the GBAC STAR certification the City facilities are working to acquire. Kelly Kirby, Director of Catering & Conference Management at Loews Kansas City will talk us through the logistics how her staff goes through the planning and preparation for a meeting with all the new social distancing guidelines.”

About Our Speakers: 

Nathan Hermiston Senior Vice President of Convention Sales and Services, Visit KC

Prior to arriving in Kansas City and Visit KC, Nathan worked at Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of both the convention sales team and its global tourism sales team. Prior to this promotion in 2017, he worked for the organization first as a National Account Executive before becoming Director and then Senior Director of Destination Sales. Nathan also worked in various small and large-market sales positions for Hilton Minneapolis and began his professional career at the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, as a Tour & Travel Group Sales Manager.

As Senior Vice President of Sales and Services at Visit KC, Nathan oversees the development of strategic plans and sales strategies to attract and promote conventions, tradeshows and other major, citywide events to the greater Kansas City area.

Nathan graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Travel & Tourism and Marketing. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2015, and is currently taking courses in pursuit of his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) Certification through Destinations International with plans of completing that this year.

Matt Cunningham, Assistant General Manager, KC Convention & Entertainment Facilities

Matt has served as the Assistant General Manager of the Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Centers for five years. He began his career working in Minor League Baseball, and then collegiate athletics before coming to the Convention Center in 2012. Matt has been an invited panel speaker on the entertainment industry, as well as on implementation of green events. He was the recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award: Missouri State University Entertainment Management Program, the 2018 Public Employee Recognition Day Customer Service Award, and the 2019 Environmental Achievement Award.

Kelly Kirby, CMP Director of Catering & Conference Management  Loews Kansas City

Kelly Kirby is a catering & conference management expert and her passion for the discipline is evident in her interactions with guests and colleagues. She started her career as a Catering Assistant at a small local hotel in her hometown of Jefferson City, MO and has spent the last 23 years of her career working for 6 hotels and 7 different brands. 21 of those years were spent in the catering and convention management world in Kansas City where she worked at the Adams Mark, Fairmont/InterContinental on the Plaza, Sheraton Overland Park and the Westin & Sheraton at Crown Center. She is currently the Director of Catering & Conference Management at Loews Kansas City and as the 12th team member, this allowed her to mark opening a hotel off of her professional bucket list. Kelly has operated within a COVID friendly meeting environment for the last 6 months hosting events from large weddings to small board meetings at the hotel and has quickly become an authority on our new meeting & event normal practices.