Why You Should Attend
Your next meeting deserves a destination that sparks creativity and connection—and Sonoma, California, delivers. Far beyond traditional conference spaces, this Northern California destination blends scenic beauty with relaxed sophistication, creating an atmosphere where business feels natural and experiences feel genuine. From intimate boutique hotels to vineyard resort–style venues, Sonoma is ideal for retreats, incentives and gatherings designed to make a lasting impact.
This event in Sonoma invites planners to explore the destination through a thoughtfully curated, hands-on experience. Attendees will connect with trusted local partners, tour stunning venues and take part in immersive moments that showcase Sonoma’s renowned cuisine, outdoor lifestyle and extraordinary scenery. This hosted buyer event offers a true sense of what the destination can deliver.
Meetings Today LIVE! West brings planners into the heart of Sonoma, offering an authentic look at a destination designed to inspire collaboration, creativity and connection—long after the event ends.
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.
Your next meeting deserves a destination that sparks creativity and connection—and Sonoma, California, delivers. Far beyond traditional conference spaces, this Northern California destination blends scenic beauty with relaxed sophistication, creating an atmosphere where business feels natural and experiences feel genuine. From intimate boutique hotels to vineyard resort–style venues, Sonoma is ideal for retreats, incentives and gatherings designed to make a lasting impact.
This event in Sonoma invites planners to explore the destination through a thoughtfully curated, hands-on experience. Attendees will connect with trusted local partners, tour stunning venues and take part in immersive moments that showcase Sonoma’s renowned cuisine, outdoor lifestyle and extraordinary scenery. This hosted buyer event offers a true sense of what the destination can deliver.
Meetings Today LIVE! West brings planners into the heart of Sonoma, offering an authentic look at a destination designed to inspire collaboration, creativity and connection—long after the event ends.
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
Sonoma | Vinarosa Resort and Spa
A special thank you to our host hotel and sponsor.
Agenda
Speaker
MEETING & EVENT PROS: YOU’RE KIND OF A BIG DEAL
Meetings and events keep the entire world moving, but the pros behind them are often the most under-appreciated, overworked and essential people on the planet. That ends NOW!
No matter your title, role or lane, you are the engine of this industry. This high-energy, straight-talk, interactive experience, facilitated by hospitality trailblazer and competitive performance expert
Deborah Gardner, dives into the real challenges, real victories and real conversations that elevate your career, your confidence and your impact.
This is a fast-paced, real-time talk-back session where YOU take the spotlight. You’ll share, collaborate, brainstorm and walk away armed with innovative ideas you can implement immediately, whether you’re enhancing relationships, delivering unforgettable events or leading your team like a rock star. If you're ready to step up, speak up and power up, this is YOUR moment. Are you in?
Takeaways:
· Learn the 3 high-impact reasons why you are the heartbeat of this industry and how to leverage them to thrive in the fast lane.
· Participate in a candid, energizing exercise that reveals your real role, value and influence, so you can accelerate your career immediately.
· Tap into a collaborative, no-fluff forum where you’ll uncover fresh, practical solutions straight from your industry peeps, with ideas you can implement immediately.
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.
The Transformative Power of Wellness
The concept of wellness is not a new topic in the meetings and events sector. However, the expectations around how we transform the eight dimensions of wellness into experiential activations has changed over the last two years. Now more than ever, attendees expect to be engaged not only physically, but emotionally, socially and even spiritually. This is reflected in the new norms associated with organizational culture, too. How are we nurturing the holistic self of each team member? How does our view of wellness as a company shape our brand alignment with our most critical stakeholders?
In this session led by MPI Academy’s Jesse States, we will discuss what the eight dimensions of wellness look like today, and how we can capitalize on their ability to transform the lives of others.
Takeaways:
· Apply the eight dimensions of wellness to your personal life and professional work.
· Consider how the eight domains integrate into your event strategy and design process.
· Include wellness as an integral element of event design strategies.
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).
