The SE Chapter is excited to invite you to attend the 34th anniversary of our Southeastern Classic, an educational and networking event. This year’s SE Classic will be held in-person on July 17 — 18, 2025 in Athens, GA. Theme: Connect and Collaborate: Building Tomorrow Together

Dates: Thursday, July 17, 2025 - Friday, July 18, 2025

Location: The Classic Center in Athens, GA

CE Credits

For those seeking CEM certification or recertification, participating in the IAEE SE Classic could result in up to 10 CEM clock hours being awarded to attendees.

Full Conference

• Members(Planners/Suppliers): $500 NOTE: The first 10 planners to use the discount code 2025ClassicPlanner will receive $50 off their registration

• Guests(Planners/Suppliers): $650

• Students: $200

One Day Only (Thursday, July 17th)

• Members(Planners/Suppliers): $350

• Guests (Planners/Suppliers): $425

Register

SCHEDULE
Click here to download the Classic brochure

Thursday, July 17th

• 7:30 am - 8:00 am: Breakfast & Registration
• 8:00 am  Welcome & Opening Keynote - Session 1  How to Create a Winning Mindset
  Jack Bauerle, former Olympic and UGA Head Swim Coach
  SPONSORED BY: GES
• 9:15 am: Break
• 9:30 am: Session 2 Fuel the Team: Powering Collaboration with Energy, Emotion & Mindset
  Freddie Broome, Director of Community and Workplace Culture at the Georgia Municipal Association
• 10:30 am: Break
• 10:45 am: Session 3 How to Deepen Exhibitor Relationships and Grow Event Revenue
  Jefferson Davis, President, Competitive Edge
• 11:45 am: Photos
• 12:00 pm: Session 4 Lunch & Learn Panel Discussion - Meetings Matter
  Moderated by Gwen Venable,  Executive Vice President, Expo and Communication Services, US Poultry
  Panelists: Tara Brashear, Shepard, Deb Ferbrache, NurnbergMesse North America, Katherine Puckett, The Classic Center and Elyse Worthey-Harris, Visit Athens
  SPONSORED BY: PROJECTION
• 1:30 pm: Break
• 1:45 pm: Session 5 Greener Events: Driving Sustainability in the Meetings and Exhibitions Industry
  Denise Young, Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department
• 2:45 pm: Break
• 3:00 pm: Session 6 Clarity-Driven Communication: How to Communicate with Anyone
  Debbie Peterson, Keynote Speaker and Author with Getting to Clarity
  SPONSORED BY: IAEE EDUCATION FUND
• 4:00 pm: Announcements
• 4:15 pm: Community Service Event 
• 5:00 pm: Break
• 6:00 pm: 34th Annual Celebration Dinner and tour of the Georgia Music Collection
   

Friday, July 18th

• 7:30 am: Breakfast
• 8:00 am: Session 7 Rooted in Community: Connecting Hospitality Education with Industry Impact
  Dr. John Salazar, PhD, CHE University of Georgia Hospitality and Food Industry Management Major Coordinator and Associate Professor
• 9:00 am: Break
• 9:15 am: Session 8 Cash In, Cut Costs: Winning Revenue Tactics for your Expo and Sponsorship Programs
  Michelle Mobley, Manager, Exhibits and Sponsorship, American Society of Landscape Architects and
  Rich Vallaster, Senior Director of Industry Relations, Personify
  SPONSORED BY: IAEE EDUCATION FUND
• 10: 15 am: Break
• 10:30 am: Session 9 From Scenarios to Strategies: Crafting Event Success with AI
  Rich Vallaster, Senior Director of Industry Relations, Personify
  SPONSORED BY: US POULTRY
• 11:45 am: Closing Remarks

Lodging:  Click here to book!

The Hyatt Regency is attached to the Classic Center

Price: $185+ (Room block closes 30 days prior. Contact the hotel directly after that date.)

Hyatt Place Athens/Downtown
412 N Thomas St, 
Athens, GA 30601

Parking Information: 

Parking is available for $10/day in The Classic Center Parking Deck to the extent available. Parking is also available at the Hyatt for hotel guests.