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BizBash IdeaFest Chicago Is Tomorrow

Register today for BizBash's annual Chicago expo.

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The BizBash IdeaFest Chicago will take place tomorrow at the Merchandise Mart, and there's still time to register online.

New this year is the Event Innovation Forum, which will include two 90-minute sessions with insights from marketers, designers, and other inspiring professionals in the event and meeting industry. Registration for the forum includes access to a networking luncheon, the trade show floor, the preparty at John Barleycorn River North, and the post-show party at Cuvee.

In addition to exhibitors and entertainment, the trade show floor will feature Eventbrite's pop-up lounge, sponsored by Cort, with tips and one-on-one sessions on current social media trends, measuring R.O.I., and tracking event data.

There's also a mobile app this year. Mobile technology provider DoubleDutch and BizBash have partnered to create a custom social event app, allowing attendees to check in to sessions, bookmark favorite exhibitors, navigate an interactive map, and browse a photo feed. The BizBash IdeaFest app is free, available for Android, iOS, and HTML5, and it can be downloaded here.

The schedule for the BizBash IdeaFest Chicago, including the Event Innovation Forum and the Workshop Series, is below; attendees can register here.

7:30 a.m.
Registration Opens

8:15-9:15 a.m.
Workshop Series Session I
(Open to Workshop Series Registrants Only)

Social Media and the Future of Event Marketing
Ian Sohn, executive vice president of emerging platforms and partnerships, Ogilvy & Mather

Translating Trends Into Special Events
Bridget Frizzie, creative director, Kehoe Designs

Storytelling: Using Creativity to Help Sell, Connect, and Differentiate
Craig Chaplin, creative director, Jack Morton Chicago; Shari Glickman, senior vice president of strategy and creative, Jack Morton Chicago

8:15–10:15 a.m.
Event Entrepreneur Roundtable (Open to Workshop Series Registrants Only)
David Adler, C.E.O. and founder, BizBash
Seth Zurer, co-founder, Baconfest Chicago

9:30-10:30 a.m.
Workshop Series Session II
(Open to Workshop Series Registrants Only)

Social Media and the Future of Event Marketing
Ian Sohn, executive vice president of emerging platforms and partnerships, Ogilvy & Mather

Translating Trends Into Special Events
Bridget Frizzie, creative director, Kehoe Designs

Storytelling: Using Creativity to Help Sell, Connect, and Differentiate
Craig Chaplin, creative director, Jack Morton Chicago; Shari Glickman, senior vice president of strategy and creative, Jack Morton Chicago

10:30 a.m.
Trade Show Floor Opens (Open to All Attendees)
Eventbrite Pop Up Lounge Sponsored by Cort Opens (Open to All Attendees)

11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Event Innovation Forum Session I (Open to Event Innovation Forum Registrants Only)

How to Let Guests Shape Your Event
Chad Issaq, executive vice president of business development and partnerships, Superfly Marketing Group

How Social Media Is Changing Event Design
Debi Lilly, chief eventeur, A Perfect Event

What Event Professionals Can Learn From Amazon
Brian Rothenberg, senior director of marketing and user growth, Eventbrite

The Future of Food & Catering in Events
Brittany Ferrin, executive chef and owner, Truffleberry Market
Sam Toia, president, Illinois Restaurant Association
Alfredo Sandoval, partner, Mercadito Hospitality

1-1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
(Open to Event Innovation Forum Registrants Only)

1:30–2:30 p.m.
Trade Show Floor Entertainment
(Open to All Attendees)

2:30–4 p.m.
Event Innovation Forum Session II
(Open to Event Innovation Forum Registrants Only)

Digital to Physical in Event Marketing: the Era of Shape-Shifting
Billy Jurewicz, C.E.O., space150

The Business of Relationships and Why It Matters
Lori Luna, vice president of event operations, BlogHer

How to Think Like Google, Disney, and Other Innovative Brands
Kevin White, chief strategist, XPL

Building Trust: Why McDonald's Focuses on Sustainability at Events
Julie Larson, project manager, McDonald's Meetings & Events

A New Way of Thinking About the Old Fund-Raiser
Alex Balestrieri, director of events, Redmoon

3:30–5 p.m.
Holiday Party on the Trade Show Floor
(Open to All Attendees)

5 p.m.
Trade Show Floor Closes
Eventbrite Pop Up Lounge Closes

5–7 p.m.
Post-party at Cuvee Chicago
(Open to All Attendees)

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