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Speakers and Sessions
The 2025 National Education Conference (NEC) will take place on May 6-8, 2025 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. Our theme is “Charting the Course.” Earn up to 7 hours of continuing education and professional development on a variety of topics of interest to government meeting planners and suppliers.
Keynote Speakers
Sharon Gai
 Leading the AI Revolution: Event Planners' Role in Shaping Public Sector Innovation
As AI continues to transform the world, event planners who work with government and public sector organizations have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving this change. This session, led by digital transformation expert Sharon, will show how event planners can create impactful events that help public sector leaders harness AI as a tool for innovation. Traditionally seen as slower to innovate than the private sector, the public sector is now in a position to take bold steps with AI—especially with the right strategic direction.
Sharon Gai is a culture fluid expert in AI, ecommerce and innovation. She helps organizations become agile disruptors in their industries so they can increase revenue and retain users. In her tenure at Alibaba, she advised brands and heads of state in crafting their digital strategy with programmatic marketing and AI. She has worked with TEDx, Singularity University, UBS, Deloitte, Walmart, LVMH, Nestle, Tetra Pak and Twilio. She is in the AAE list of Top Keynote Speakers in 2023. She is also one of 2024’s RETHINK Retail’s Top Retail Expert and a LinkedIn Top Voice in Public Speaking 2024.
Adam White
 MADE FOR GREATNESS: The 7 Habits That Unlock Greatness Within
The difference in success or failure in life, work and business are hidden within habits. Habits are the essence of what separates people who achieve greatness and those that don't. In this powerful program based on the book, "Made For Greatness: The 7 Habits that Unlock Greatness Within", leadership keynote speaker, Adam White delivers the 7 Powerful Habits every Individual can develop to master these leadership challenges.
Adam White is an in-demand national speaker, a bestselling author, and one of the most inspiring, influential leaders in this generation. Society of Government Meeting Professionals and Western Region International Professional Management Association has both named him one of the best and most articulate speakers they have ever heard. As one of the most requested motivational speakers, Adam has shared the stage with Mayor Garcetti of Los Angeles, former Mayor Goodman of Las Vegas, John Maxwell and many other great influencers of this era. His live seminar events are "must-attends” and continue to be a breeding ground for entrepreneurs, authors, speakers, and influencers all over the world.
Learning Labs
Stadium Tour (50 max) - 1 hour: Logistics
2:30pm - Meet in the hotel Lobby
Join SGMP at CityPark Soccer Stadium for a one-of-a-kind tour of the facility. Learn about sustainability initiatives and strengthen your offsite hosting skills. Learn how to produce a successful event at a sports venue and gain valuable insights you can apply to your job.
St. Louis Union Station Hotel Back of the House Tour (45 max) - 1 hour: Facilities & Services
2:30pm - Meet in General Session Foyer
Join SGMP and the staff of the St. Louis Union Station Hotel for a unique back of the house tour of this historic property. Learn about the hotel's human resources, housekeeping, laundry, cafeteria, security services, main kitchen, bake shop, stewarding, main plant, purchasing/loading bay, and banquet back hall. Manage your future events like a boss with the inside information you've always wanted to know!
America's Center St. Louis (30 max) - 1 hour: Logistics
2:30pm – Meet in hotel Lobby
Whether your meeting is large, small or somewhere in between, the America’s Center Convention Complex offers unique and flexible meeting facilities and superior services for any event. Receiving the 2022 Stella Award for Best Convention Center – Midwest, America’s Center is home to four distinct meeting facilities under one roof: Cervantes Convention Center, The Dome at America’s Center, the St. Louis Executive Conference Center and the Ferrara Theatre. In addition, the convention center features six exhibit halls, a ballroom and more than 95 meeting rooms. Join SGMP for a tour of the center and an insightful session on working with Convention Centers.
Additional options for onsite learning will be available during the learning labs hour.
Breakout Sessions
SGMP 2025 National Education Conference will feature fourteen (14) breakout sessions on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8. Stay tuned for more details!
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