HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
Lunch Co-Sponsor: Raleigh Convention Center
Badge Logo Sponsor: Explore Cabarrus County
Facebook LIVE Sponsor: Explore Cabarrus County
Trade Show Speaker Showcase Closing Sponsor: Marriott Winston Salem & Benton Convention Center 70th Anniversary Tote Sponsor: Identify Yourself
Show Booth Services/Registration Counters: SES
Best Booth Awards: FiveStar Awards & Engraving
Online Booth Map: mapD
Signage: Southport Graphics
Audio Visual: EZAV
Photography Sponsor: RTP Photo And Video
SPAM WARNING: Trade Shows are notoriously targets for phishing and other spam emails promoting ways to purchase the attendee list or a hotel room. AENC does not charge for (or sell) our attendee list. We will send the full list of attendees out to Exhibitors in the days leading up to the event (when the list actually exists). Also, the only room block we currently have is the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel at the link above. If you see another email advertising hotel rooms that is not from AENC.
ScheduleFloor MapLocation & AccommodationsSpeaker ShowcaseExhibitorsAENC Gives BackAttendee Registration
AENC Speaker Showcase, presented by Attended Events, will take place Wednesday, December 11th from 8:15AM – 10:30AM at Raleigh Convention Center, prior to the 2024 AENC Trade Show.
Earn 2.5 CAEs for CAE/CMP
SPEAKERS & TOPICS (in show order):
Order Out of Chaos: Transforming Adversity Into Empowerment
In an increasingly unpredictable world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if behind the chaos lies hidden order? This talk explores powerful universal principles that can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. Drawing from my personal experience—including a manic episode that led to my expulsion from medical school and 23 months in jail—I’ll share how these hardships became a foundation for resilience and empowerment. Discover how prioritizing mental well-being and applying these principles can help you navigate obstacles and achieve lasting success.
Speaker: Rohan Sharma
The Last Transaction
Many of us learn early on that we must change ourselves to be liked or valued. This session will tell the story of a young child who realizes at an all too early age that he must hide a part of himself to avoid ridicule. It’s a common survival strategy for many of us at any age. Without realizing the consequences, we give our authenticity away to be part of a more desired or larger group. This habit follows us into adulthood, where we continue changing to fit into different peer groups. In this session, I will discuss the importance of authenticity and authentic communication within the groups to which we belong. We all must ask ourselves: who am I, and do I want to be different?
Speaker: Deanna Marie Jones
Brain & Time Optimization for Peak Performance™
Simple, effective, and fun exercises to stimulate new neural pathways, creativity, and innovation. Time methods that support presence, focus, and efficiency.
Speaker: Laurece West
Becoming the Guardian of Your IT Galaxy
In a world where cyber villains lurk around every corner, your role as the ultimate protector of your organization has never been more critical. In this action-packed session, you’ll embark on a journey to transform into the Ultimate Cyber Guardian - The Human Firewall, the first line of defense against the most notorious cyber threats.
Through interactive storytelling, Rafe profiles the villains targeting your company’s data, from social engineers to ransomware attackers, and exposes their deceptive tactics. Then, Rafe arms you with the Guardians’ Arsenal—including cyber hygiene tips, AI tools, and the most powerful weapon of all: Training!
By the end of this session, you’ll have the knowledge, strategies, and mindset to thwart cyber attacks and claim victory as the Guardian of Your IT Galaxy. Get ready for an engaging experience that blends boot camp intensity with the intrigue of a crime show, where you’ll walk away prepared to defend your organization from the forces of cyber darkness—armed, ready, and unstoppable!
Speaker: Rafe Martin
Beyond the Grind: Strategies for Redefining Success and Rediscovering Joy
We’re all hustling, but what if the grind is grinding us down? In this talk, we’ll dive into how to step off the hamster wheel and redefine success on your own terms—without sacrificing your sanity. I’ll show your team how to rediscover joy in both their work and personal lives by breaking free from the pressure to constantly be "perfect". Together, we’ll explore strategies to create a balanced, fulfilling life where success isn’t just about the title, but about feeling good while you’re doing it.
Speaker: Erika Brown
The Future of Work & Your Early Talent
By 2030, 30% of the workforce will be Gen Z. That’s why intentionally engaging & developing early talent will be a significant driver in your organization’s success. With the fast growing population entering the workforce, Gen Z, employers must assess relevant methods to engage, develop & retain this segment for future impact. Amid significant global, economical, and organization change, employers must also take into account growing values & preferences of a new wave of talent, while maintaining a future focus on skills vital for growth.
In this talk, talent leaders will explore how to engage and develop the early talent segment for their organizations. They will explore Reimagine Talent’s case studies supporting a portfolio of employers, education institutions and non-profits across the United States committed to the future outlook of the Gen Z workforce.
Outcomes:
1. Understand the differentiating factors impacting the workforce & workplace through the lens of early talent i.e. gen Z.
2. Gain practical tools to audit your organization’s policies, programs, and practices to consider its impact on early talent.
Speaker: Chelsea C. Williams
Front & Center - How Association Executives Use Personal Branding to Stand Out
In a world where skills are commoditized and people are replaceable, how do you stand out from the crowd? Stop building a resume and start building a reputation with personal branding. In this session, join personal branding expert and 20-year advertising strategist Brandon Birkmeyer as he discusses how to build a personal brand that creates authority, influence, and credibility in the marketplace. It’s your time to step up and stand out.
Takeaways:
- Explore the best practices for creating content to build authority in your industry.
- Unpack the secrets to building influence through networking, partnering, and public speaking.
- Learn how to build credibility with actions that make an impact on the people around you.
Speaker: Brandon Birkmeyer
Preparing for the Age of Caregiving: 3 Steps Every Business Should Take Now to Support Employees and Prevent Burnout
Preparing for the Age of Caregiving: 3 Steps Every Business Should Take Now to Support Employees and Prevent Burnout is an essential session for business leaders and HR professionals navigating the increasing demands of caregiving in the workforce. With more employees balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, organizations must proactively create supportive environments to prevent burnout and improve retention.
In this program, Dr. Anna Thomas will outline three critical steps organizations can implement: prioritizing caregiver well-being by promoting self-care resources and mental health support; fostering collaborative care environments through open communication and understanding between employees and management; and developing a culture of support and empowerment by training leaders to advocate for caregiver needs and creating policies that prioritize caregiver resilience.
Participants will leave with actionable strategies to future-proof their organizations for the age of caregiving, ensuring a compassionate workplace culture that enhances employee satisfaction and productivity.
Speaker: Anna Thomas, MD
From Adversity to Advocacy: A Journey of Healing, Reform, and Leadership
In this inspiring and transformative session, Cassandra Cean-Owens, affectionately known as the "Chief Compassion Officer," shares her powerful journey from adversity to becoming a leader in criminal justice reform and advocacy. After serving 4½ years in federal prison, Cassandra emerged not only with a renewed sense of purpose but also with a deep passion for driving change in the justice system, healthcare reform, and community leadership.
Through personal storytelling, Cassandra will discuss how her experiences shaped her into an advocate for justice-impacted individuals and how she turned her challenges into opportunities for healing, reform, professional and personal success. As the Director of the REFORM Advocacy Institute and the leader of a national daily prayerline, Cassandra has touched the lives of countless individuals, offering both practical solutions and spiritual support.
Attendees will leave with:
--> Insights on transforming personal challenges into pathways for leadership and advocacy
--> Strategies for building strong community support networks
--> Tools for fostering resilience and inspiring change within their own organizations
--> Real-world examples of reform initiatives in criminal justice and healthcare that attendees can apply to their own advocacy efforts
Cassandra’s story and strategies will equip attendees to lead with compassion and make meaningful impacts in their professional and personal lives.
Speaker: Cassandra Cean-Owens
Resilience In the Face of the Known & Unknown
Exploring the critical need for adaptability and resilience in our ever-evolving world this presentation will delve into strategies for navigating both anticipated challenges and unforeseen events, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and the ability to pivot in response to new information. Miller will draw on his extensive experience in fundraising and organizational management to provide attendees with actionable insights for building resilience in their personal and professional lives, ensuring they are prepared to thrive amidst uncertainty.
Speaker: Ken Miller
Building for the Long Game: Why Succession Planning is Critical to Scaling Success
Growing a business without a succession plan in place can create unexpected challenges and limit long-term potential. In this session, we will discuss why proactive succession planning is essential to achieving scalable success. Attendees will learn how to identify and nurture future leaders, ensure a smooth leadership transition, and build a legacy that sustains business growth for years to come. By prioritizing succession planning early, leaders can position their businesses to thrive long after they've moved on from day-to-day operations.
Speaker: Ivy Slater
Creating Guardrails: Presence in a Hyper-Connected World
Feeling more connected to your device than the people around you? Can’t remember your last unplugged vacation?
Say goodbye to an ‘always-on’ culture and hello to intention and meaning. We don’t have to give up our phones or go on a digital detox. Downsizing our tech can reset and restore the brain and body and help us return from time off feeling recharged.
It’s time to be present in a hyper-connected world!
Learn to:
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- Establish guardrails with digital downsizing
- Establish screen-free and low-sensory times
- Prepare and return from time off - recharged
Speaker: Marcey Rader
