Why You Should Attend
Looking for a destination that offers more than just meeting space? St. Augustine, Florida blends centuries of history with coastal charm, creating a one-of-a-kind backdrop for unforgettable meetings and events. As the oldest city in the U.S., it offers unique venues—from historic landmarks and elegant inns to modern waterfront resorts—perfect for everything from executive retreats to incentive programs.
Attending Meetings Today LIVE! South in St. Augustine is the perfect way to experience firsthand what makes this destination so special. You’ll connect with top-tier suppliers, explore distinctive venues and enjoy curated experiences that showcase the city’s rich culture, walkable downtown and vibrant culinary scene. It’s more than a hosted buyer event—it’s a taste of what your attendees could enjoy, too!
Whether you're planning a small gathering or a large-scale event, St. Augustine offers the professional services, unforgettable setting and welcoming hospitality to make it a success. Discover why planners are turning to this coastal gem to elevate their events—and why your next one should be here, too.
We also offer a referral program! Do you know any meeting planners who would love to attend a Meetings Today LIVE! event? If you do, have them apply and name you as their referral. If they’re approved and attend the Meetings Today LIVE! event, you’ll receive a $100 gift card.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Victoria DeSilvio at:
victoria.desilvio@tradepress.com or 954-707-9821.
Looking for a destination that offers more than just meeting space? St. Augustine, Florida blends centuries of history with coastal charm, creating a one-of-a-kind backdrop for unforgettable meetings and events. As the oldest city in the U.S., it offers unique venues—from historic landmarks and elegant inns to modern waterfront resorts—perfect for everything from executive retreats to incentive programs.
Attending Meetings Today LIVE! South in St. Augustine is the perfect way to experience firsthand what makes this destination so special. You’ll connect with top-tier suppliers, explore distinctive venues and enjoy curated experiences that showcase the city’s rich culture, walkable downtown and vibrant culinary scene. It’s more than a hosted buyer event—it’s a taste of what your attendees could enjoy, too!
Whether you're planning a small gathering or a large-scale event, St. Augustine offers the professional services, unforgettable setting and welcoming hospitality to make it a success. Discover why planners are turning to this coastal gem to elevate their events—and why your next one should be here, too.
We also offer a referral program! Do you know any meeting planners who would love to attend a Meetings Today LIVE! event? If you do, have them apply and name you as their referral. If they’re approved and attend the Meetings Today LIVE! event, you’ll receive a $100 gift card.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Victoria DeSilvio at:
victoria.desilvio@tradepress.com or 954-707-9821.
The venue
Embassy Suites by Hilton St Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort
A special thank you to our host hotel and sponsor.
Agenda
Speaker
Teamwork ambitiously: Lead, Unite and Win Together
Ambition. Teamwork. Success. Three words that too often get misunderstood, but when combined create unstoppable results. In the high-speed world of meetings and events, the hustle is real, the stakes are sky-high and leadership is a full-contact sport.
Teamwork ambitiously is not a talk! It’s a turbocharged, double-espresso, Red Bull-powered experience. You’ll dive headfirst into practical strategies for building powerhouse teams, navigating tricky dynamics, embracing innovation and transforming challenges into victories.
Whether you’re leading a crew, collaborating across departments or simply looking to level up your influence, this session shows you how ambitious leaders move teams forward while keeping perspective, inspiring contribution and creating a culture of shared success.
Expect laughter. Expect “aha” moments. Expect electrifying energy. Walk away ready to work better, lead bolder and turn your team into a results-generating machine. Are you ready to Teamwork ambitiously? Let’s go!
Takeaways:
· Engage fully, share your voice and see the impact of collaboration in real time.
· Inspire, influence and elevate your team, no matter your title or role.
· Transform obstacles into opportunities with teamwork, innovation and shared success.
Deborah Gardner, CMP, CVP
President & CEO
DG International, LLC
Oh, whoa! Meet Deborah Gardner—the ultimate Triple Threat in a Skirt! This powerhouse entrepreneur is a global keynote speaker, seven-time bestselling author and certified meeting pro who wrangles logistics like a boss.
A former NBC/CBS sports broadcaster and pro athlete, Deborah doesn’t just talk the talk, she swims the swim. (Olympic trials, anyone?) Crowned Mrs. America and now a Guinness World Record Holder - Channel Swimmer, she blends ambition, action and a splash of sass to fuel audiences around the world and launches them into the fast lane of their own success.
Deborah has fired up teams at Walmart, American Express, Success Women, Marriott, Siemens and more, helping them elevate their people and crush legendary goals. Her high-voltage, laugh-out-loud programs are basically a Red Bull plus double espresso for the soul. Buckle up.
Her magnetic presence has earned her titles like Top 30 Global Gurus in Hospitality, Best of the Stage Speaker and features in USA Today, Success Magazine, Fabulous Arizona People and Meetings Today. She’s also the creator and host behind the worldwide broadcast hit Hospitality Today Live.
When she’s not igniting stages, you’ll find Deborah basking in the Arizona sun, swimming or hiking with her husband, Jerry, and their wild, lovable four-legged girl, Cami.
Practical AI Strategies for #Eventprofs
You know what generative AI is and likely use it often. But how are your peers using artificial intelligence to drive better event outcomes? And what specific tools have they found to transform the design and delivery of elevated experiences?
Join this conversation led by MPI Academy’s Jesse States to discover practical, hands-on strategies for integrating AI into your event planning processes. Drawing best practice from MPI’s AI-Enhanced Event Professional Certificate curriculum, explore how AI can streamline operations, personalize attendee engagement and unlock new levels of creativity.
Takeaways:
· Apply peer experience and new tools to improve event business outcomes and attendee satisfaction.
· Gain confidence in using AI effectively in real-world scenarios.
· Use existing AI tools to be more efficient in your everyday business practices.
Jessie States, CMP, CMM
Vice President, Consulting
Meeting Professionals International
Jessie States, CMP, CMM, is the Vice President of the MPI Academy for Meeting Professionals International, where she leads and advances MPI’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s portfolio of educational products, including live and digital events, educational experiences, professional certificate programs and educational partnerships. Jessie has received the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders and industry supporters. She has also earned spots on the lists of 25 Most Influential People in Meetings and Events (Successful Meetings magazine) and Trendsetters (Meetings Today magazine).
Supplier information
Complimentary meals, education and social events.
A minimum of 20 one-on-one appointments with pre-qualified planners with an RFP or sourcing.
Interested suppliers should contact Kirk Lewis at Kirk.Lewis@meetingstoday.com or 732.245.9816.
Thanks to our sponsors
