ICE Conference USA – 17 JULY 2025

Join us at the first ICE Conference NYC 2025, where the convergence of minds, the sharing of experiences, and the exploration of novel approaches will shape the future of event planning.

Welcome to The ICE Conference, a dynamic fusion of enlightening keynote speakers and engaging campfire sessions. Here, you’re invited to participate in an open forum, sharing your unique events while gaining valuable insights from fellow event planners. This interactive platform transcends industry boundaries, serving as a melting pot for professionals across the UK, Germany, and the USA.

At The ICE Conference, the stage is set for lively discussions that traverse the corporate event landscape. Delve into a diverse array of topics, from virtual gatherings to in-person experiences, as you learn from the successes and challenges of your peers. This collaborative exchange of ideas is not limited by borders or sectors; it’s a unifying force that propels event planning innovation.

Below is sample format from ICE Conference UK to give you an example of what to expect at ICE Conference NYC on 17 July 2025

TITLE DATES & TIMES SUMMARY SPEAKERS REGISTRATION
ICE EXPO OPENS

ICE EXPO OPENS
10.45 - 11.00 REGISTRATION & COFFEE
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ICE EXPO

ICE EXPO
11.00 - 13.00 Welcome to the brand new ICE Expo
Anita Howard and Felicia Asiedu warmly welcome you to the new ICE Expo and set the stage for the morning ahead.

ANITA HOWARD
Co-Founder
ICE

FELICIA ASIEDU
Marketing Director
CVENT

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ICE CONFERENCE OPENS

ICE CONFERENCE OPENS
13.00 - 14.00 REGISTRATION & LUNCH
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Welcome

Welcome
14.00 - 14.10 Welcome to ICE Conference 2024

ANITA HOWARD
Co-Founder
ICE

FELICIA ASIEDU
Marketing Director
CVENT

 

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Keynote Session 1

Keynote Session 1
14.10 - 14.50 Navigating the Future of Events with AI: Return on Experience
In a world where AI is on everyone’s minds, how can we make sure our most important software (the one between our ears) can set the right course to make an event truly unmissable?

DRPG’s Senior Creative Director Tommy Joe Moore will be showcasing how technologies and disruptive creative communications are
changing the events landscape for good and forever.

Strap yourself in for a tour of just what ‘Return on Experience’ looks like when we align bright ideas and the best in personalised, immersive, disruptive, and exhilarating technologies.

Joining Tommy on stage will be James Bassett, Head of Creative Solutions and Joanna Lamontagne, Head of Creative Experiences from PwC to talk about their ‘ChatPwC’ and how they are championing its use. The three of them will discuss the journey for corporate’s using generative AI, what are the opportunities and risks.
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JAMES BASSETT
Head of Creative Solutions
PwC

JOANNA LAMONTAGNE
Head of Creative Experiences
PwC

TOMMY MOORE
Senior Creative Director
DRPG

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Campfire Sessions

Campfire Sessions
14.50 - 15.50 SKILLS CAMPFIRES - FIRST SESSION
There will be a series of case study campfires featuring a corporate event planner discussing one of their amazing events. We have great facilitators who will initiate conversations surrounding the case study.

The case study sessions will run simultaneously during the conference, providing delegates with the opportunity to cover a wide
range of case studies. To ensure maximum coverage, the sessions will be repeated following the afternoon coffee break.

Below are the sessions:
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Campfire 1

Campfire 1
JCB Family Festival
The brief: Create a family festival with a traditional country fair flair, and don’t make it too corporate ! An event manager’s dream that was both incredibly daunting but super exciting and an absolute joy to deliver - the best event in my career so far!

The Delivery : The Wootton Estate, acres of greenery and rolling Staffordshire hills creating the perfect amphitheatre for a music stage, Carters Steam Fair and two arenas for the variety of entertainment to suit all ages.

Think Car Fest but on a more intimate level.
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CAROLINE ORME
Worldwide Events Manager
JCB

VICKI COLEMAN
Director of Business Development
TOBACCO DOCK

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Campfire 2

Campfire 2
Chorus Arts - The Art of Authentic Collaborations
As the industry adapts to a growing demand for cultural and creative immersion, clients and their guests now hold higher expectations regarding the creative experiences within events. This session aims to discuss strategies for fostering creative collaborations and delivering authentic, innovative art-led event experiences.

MARIA KATEHIS
Head of Chorus Arts
Chorus Arts

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Campfire 3

Campfire 3
Airbus - Airbus Unlock the Power of Protocol: Enhance Your Corporate Events and Avoid Reputational Risks
You might think that you don’t need protocol, but without it there is the risk of offending and reputational damage. From international diplomatic events to corporate networking it ultimately always comes down to: who else is going, what everyone else is wearing and how we interact with guests.

KATHERINE LAST
UK Events & Protocol Manager
AIRBUS

SARAH JOHNSTON
Corporate and Agency Sales Manager
ACC LIVERPOOL

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Campfire 4

Campfire 4
ITV - The Fortune Hotel Experience
ITV orchestrated a complete takeover of a stunning boutique hotel, rebranding it as The Fortune Hotel in anticipation of the show launch. Ten pairs of content creators were invited to partake in this immersive experience, where every aspect, from branding to challenges, and even food and beverages, was meticulously tailored to the new reality format. more... ...less

FIONA ALWIN
Project Manager
ITV

AOIFE MURRAY
Corporate Account Manager
ICC Belfast

 

 

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Campfire 5

Campfire 5
Aviva - BIBA Drinks Reception
The BIBA Drinks Reception, held at AVIVA Studios in Manchester, was an exclusive evening event coinciding with Aviva’s 27-year partnership with BIBA. Transforming one-third of the event space to host this event, starting from a blank canvas. This was the first reception Aviva hosted in the warehouse at the studios and the largest gathering to date.

Over two days, an empty concrete warehouse was transformed into a vibrant party space. The event featured huge multimedia screens hanging overhead, comfortable lounge furniture, and bubbles adding a whimsical touch. Guests enjoyed gourmet street food and were entertained by a dynamic local band playing popular songs with brass instruments and fabulous outfits. The lively atmosphere even inspired some dancing, making it a memorable and engaging evening. This event successfully showcased Aviva’s commitment to BIBA and celebrated their long-standing partnership in a unique and memorable setting.
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KELLY HANCOCK
Senior Account Manager – Corporate Events Team
AVIVA

MICHAELA SCHMIDT
Deputy Head of Sales
AUSTRIA CENTER VIENNA

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Campfire 6

Campfire 6
KFC – The Power of Moments
At KFC, all of our events are centred around our people, 30,000 to be precise. From Team Members starting their careers to our Restaurant General Managers (RGM) and Head Office Teams, our events have to cater to, and be special for, every single person. For us, that is where the Power of Moments come in. We all have defining moments in our lives – experiences that stand out in our memories, and for the Events Team at KFC, creating these meaningful moments, and not leaving them to chance, is crucial. But creating them in an environment with rising costs, greater expectations and shorter time frames, is a challenge. So, how do we transform ordinary experiences into unforgettable ones? more... ...less

SOPHIE ASHMORE
Employee Communications, Events and Engagement Partner
KFC UK&I

LUCY SPENSLEY
Venue Account Director
FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL

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Campfire 7

Campfire 7
Brands at Work - Talking Transformation
Building an effective change strategy isn’t easy.

It’s important to overcome resistance at all levels. That’s where an exceptional communications and employee engagement strategy comes in.

From exploring how to reframe mindsets to examining the importance of great leadership, in this session Brands at Work will identify what’s needed to achieve
internal buy-in. more... ...less

NATALIE ALLEN
Head of Client Services
Brands At Work

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Campfire 8

Campfire 8
NatWest Group - Championing Team GB Athletes with NatWest Group
Championing Team GB Athletes with NatWest Group

Last September NatWest Group announced the exciting news that they are an official partner to Team GB, starting with this year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Join this campfire to find out how the NatWest Group Events Team supported with launching the partnership for their
60,000 colleagues across 5 days. more... ...less

JOSHUA PETRIE
Senior Events Manager
NATWEST GROUP

NICK MOORE
Senior Business Development Specialist
CVENT

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Campfire 9

Campfire 9
DRPG Labs Live
This fun and interactive exhibition will allow you to get hands-on with game-changing technologies that’ll be shaping the future of face-to-face and hybrid communications.

From ethical facial analysis, AI avatars and digital twinning through to the latest innovations in audience participation and ROI analysis. You’ll leave with a better understanding of
how and why smart augmentations can unlock the best in audience experience, now and in the future. more... ...less

TOMMY MOORE
Senior Creative Director
DRPG

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Campfire 10

Campfire 10
Bain & Company - Measuring Value from Sponsorship and Event Activations during Global Moments
As companies invest significant resources into sponsorship initiatives and activations, understanding the return on investment becomes crucial. In this session, we'll explore the critical yet often challenging aspect of corporate sponsorship, measuring its impact and value.

Using real-world examples, we invite attendees to share their experiences as we discuss
effective strategies for measuring sponsorship success, from setting clear objectives to evaluation metrics. Whether you're new to corporate sponsorship or looking to refine your measurement techniques, the session offers insights to help turn sponsorship investments into measurable business value. more... ...less

SARAH HAMLYN
Manager, Global Marketing Events
Bain & Company

STEPHANIE BEATTIE
Head of Corporate Sales
SEC

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Campfire 11

Campfire 11
INVNT - Crafting Connections: Enhancing ROI and ROO Through Personalised Engagement
In this session, we will confront a stark reality: 99% of event organisers struggle to quantify their event's return on investment, a daunting prospect given the financial stakes involved. How can we move into the elite 1% who can justify their event's value?

Amidst 150+ potential metrics, we'll prioritise actionable
starting points. What incremental changes yield the greatest impact on ROI? In an era of tight budgets, should we pursue extensive measurement frameworks or focus on achievable gains?

Join this campfire to uncover practical insights and identify overlooked "low-hanging fruit" opportunities to optimise event outcomes effectively and empower organisers with strategic ROI assessment approaches.
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PETER CLARKE
Director Of Business Development
INVNT

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Coffee Break

Coffee Break
15.50 - 16.10 COFFEE & NETWORKING
Grab yourself a refreshment and take the opportunity to connect and network with each other.
TBD
Keynote Session 2

Keynote Session 2
16.10 - 16.40 Fireside Chat with Hitachi Vantara
David Kolundzija, Global Head of Events for Hitachi Vantara, spearheaded the business’ return to live events in 2023/24.

In this Keynote session, David will share the trials, tribulations, and ultimately—the incredible success of a three-region global event series that resulted in historic net promoter scores, revived customer affinity and an injection
of business momentum for Hitachi Vantara. David will share what made this program unique, working globally across multiple regions, and how Hitachi Vantara is using these events as best practice example as they forge ahead in 2024 & 2025. more... ...less

DAVID KOLUNDZIJA
Head of Global Events
HITACHI VANTARA

CLAUDIA STEPHENSON
Managing Director, EMEA
INVNT 

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Campfire Sessions

Campfire Sessions
16.40 - 17.40 CAMPFIRES - SECOND SESSION
Another round of campfire sessions.
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Sofa Session

Sofa Session
17.40 - 18.30 The Things I Wish I Knew Then
It back! Our panel will be sharing hilarious stories of running events and the hi's and low's of running events.

JO MORRIS
Vice President, Brand Experiences
ITV Studios

ANDREW SWANSTON
Head of Sales – Conferences & Events
ExCeL London

CAROLINE ORME
Worldwide Events Manager
JCB

CLAUDIA STEPHENSON
Managing Director, EMEA
INVNT 

Moderated by:

SUE MUNRO
Business Events Professional Consultant

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ICEAWARDS24

ICEAWARDS24
18.45 - 23.00 ICEAWARDS24
Welcome cocktail and canapés before being seated for main course followed by the awards ceremony. Desserts and drinks will be served after the awards
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