Connect Missouri

Orlando, Florida Orlando World Center Marriott

General Information

Missouri Means Business

Connect Missouri is an education conference and appointment-only trade show. The event brings together the most active planners, suppliers and experts in Missouri association, corporate, specialty, and sports meetings and events for two days of career-boosting education, preset appointments and quality networking.

Connect Missouri is the business marketplace, where RFPs are placed, dates are secured and relationships are developed for future business.

Planners information

Register and Pay.

Get your $200 registration fee back after completing all scheduled Marketplace appointments.

Travel to Connect.

Attend the hosted-buyer event designed for association, corporate and specialty professionals.

Connect with Peers.

Meet with pre-selected suppliers in one-on-one appointments.

Learn from Experts.

Enjoy in-depth, interactive education on in-demand topics while earning continuing education credits.

Unwind and Mingle.

Continue networking at our fun receptions.

Registration cost

Registration starts at $200.

Frequently asked Planners questions

Suppliers information

  • Face–to-face meetings with qualified planners
  • Only planners who can book business qualify
  • 1:1 planner-to-supplier ratio
  • Full contact information for all meeting planners
  • Training with industry experts
  • Numerous networking opportunities to do business
  • ROI that is evident before you leave the conference

Registration cost

Registration starts at $4,450.

Frequently asked Suppliers questions

2019 Agenda

All Times Eastern

Monday, Oct. 19

Connect West Appointments

Sponsored by Visit Oakland

RECONNECT Virtual Happy Hour

Meeting planners: Enjoy this virtual happy hour experience from the comfort of your guestroom. Everything you need will be in your hotel room, just grab some ice and enjoy! Cheers!

Mask-erade Opening Reception

Tuesday, Oct. 20

Hosted breakfasts (invitation only)

Trade Show Opens

Association/Specialty/Faith Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Visit Sacramento

Lunch

Corporate/Luxury Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Open Night

Wednesday, Oct. 21

Trade Show Opens

Association/Specialty/Faith Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Explore Utah Valley

Lunch

Corporate/Luxury Appointments

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Powered by Visit Oakland

Education

Sponsored by Visit Tucson and The Westin La Paloma

Closing Cocktails

Trade Show Hours

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

2020 Location

Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32821

Experience the world of possibilities of Orlando World Center Marriott. Only minutes from the Disney theme parks, the Lake Buena Vista, Florida hotel provides a convenient shuttle service included in the resort fee. Relax and recharge in spacious hotel rooms that feature featherbeds, mini-refrigerators, reading chairs, large desks and Wi-Fi. Many rooms offer balconies with views of the nightly light show or the pools. Play 18 holes on the challenging golf course, work out in the modern gym, take the plunge in one of the outdoor pools, relax in one of the cabanas or ride on one of the two 200-foot waterslides. Rejuvenate before or after a busy day in the full-service spa and indulge at one of the exceptional hotel restaurants. This Orlando resort is also ideal for large-scale corporate events and special celebrations, boasting more than 338,000 square feet of sophisticated event space.

2019 Education (2020 Coming Soon)

Subject to change

Monday, Nov. 11

| Welcome Education Session Sponsored by Lake of the Ozarks

Amp Up the Energy

Tuesday, Nov. 12

| General Session

Innovate Your 4x4 Event Strategy

 

Frequently Asked Planner Questions

What is a reverse tradeshow?

Our innovative Marketplace system matches planners and suppliers for individual appointments based on their requests, as well as additional factors. Planners sit at designated tables and suppliers have 1-2 minutes to travel between appointments. A chime signifies the beginning and end of each appointment.

How much does registration cost?

Qualified planners pay a $200 registration fee that will be returned at the end of the conference if all Marketplace appointments are kept.

When will I get my registration fee back?

Once all Marketplace appointments have been fulfilled and the final set of Marketplace appointments have concluded, refunds will be available at a designated location.

How does the appointment process work?

Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.

You will receive an email prior to the show with instructions for logging into the appointment portal.

Is transportation covered?

If applicable, you will receive a preset transportation reimbursement at the conclusion of all scheduled appointments. We do not cover parking expenses, so be prepared for this additional cost.

When will you book my hotel room?

You will receive an email confirmation from the host hotel for a secured room about two weeks prior to the event. It might show a room rate, but attending as a planner, you will not be responsible for this charge. However, you will be asked to put down a credit card for incidentals when you check into your hotel. Incidentals are not covered by Connect.

What is Connect's refund/cancellation policy?

A Hosted Buyer is required to pay a fee to guarantee registration. Once a Hosted Buyer completes all of the preset appointments, the fee will be refunded. If a Hosted Buyer misses any appointments, cancels attendance after the appointment portal opens, or cancels attendance at any point 24 hours after flight booking, the deposit refund is forfeited and the Hosted Buyer's credit card on file will be charged the entire amount of the airline ticket, (As well as costs incurred in securing non-refundable hotel accommodations in the planners name for the duration of the event.) Hosted Buyers also forfeit their fee if the meeting qualification information presented to our staff is falsified, if the data on the registration page is false or exaggerated, if the Hosted Buyer does not have any influence on the decision process, or if there is any misrepresentation by the Hosted Buyer. If the Hosted Buyer's application is denied, the Hosted Buyer will be refunded the respective deposit.

 

Refund will be available after fulfillment and final set of appointments at the event have concluded. It is the sole responsibility of each planner to pick up their refund before leaving the event. The attendee agrees to settle all disputes regarding their deposit, reimbursement, refunds, and incentive within 30 days post-event. All disputes not settled within 30 days post-event will be null and void and no deposit, reimbursement, refunds, or incentive will be eligible to be collected.

Frequently Asked Supplier Questions

What is a reverse tradeshow?

Our innovative Marketplace system matches planners and suppliers for individual appointments based on their requests, as well as additional factors. Planners sit at designated tables and suppliers have 1-2 minutes to travel between appointments. A chime signifies the beginning and end of each appointment
 

How much does registration cost?

Registration starts at $4,450. Non-appointment attendee registration is $2,000. Talk to your regional sales rep for more information.
 

How do I book my hotel room?

Please book your room using the official supplier reservation portal

Note: Suppliers opting to book a room outside the designated block will incur a $350 non-host hotel fee.

How does the appointment process work?

Planners and suppliers will receive an email stating that the appointment request process is open. Mutual requests get priority, then planner requests are granted, followed by supplier requests. It is not a first-come, first-served process. As long as you complete your requests by the designated end date, your appointment selections will be granted the appropriate priority.

You will receive an email prior to the show with instructions for logging into the appointment portal.