OSAP Q3 2026 Education Virtual Seminar - Meeting Chaos: How Planners and Properties Solve Unexpected Mishaps

Q3 Education (Online only)

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Join Us Virtually

* Registration open until 10/23/26 at 9:30 PM (EDT)

Register Now for OSAP's Q3 Education Virtual Seminar

No matter how hard we try to cover our bases when planning events, unexpected challenges can quickly disrupt even the best intentions. Last-minute agenda changes, communication breakdowns, AV failures, staffing shortages, budget constraints, and shifting client expectations are realities that meeting planners and venue partners face every day. The difference between a successful event and a stressful experience often comes down to preparation, communication, and collaboration.

Using industry survey data and real-world experiences from both planners and properties, this interactive session explores common meeting and event mishaps and the strategies used to address them before they impact attendee experience and event outcomes. Participants will examine real-life scenarios, identify the root causes of disruptions, and discuss practical approaches for managing risk, improving communication, aligning client expectations, and making informed decisions when challenges arise.

Attendees will leave with actionable tools, proven best practices, and a stronger understanding of how planner-property partnerships contribute to event success. Whether you oversee conferences, board meetings, educational programs, or member events, this session will provide practical strategies to help you anticipate obstacles, navigate uncertainty, and turn moments of chaos into opportunities for problem-solving and success.

After participating in this session, attendees will be able to:

Analyze common event and meeting red flags identified through industry survey data and determine their potential impact on event outcomes.
Assess organizational, stakeholder, and planning risks that contribute to meeting and event challenges.
Develop proactive strategies to mitigate common disruptions related to communication, logistics, budget management, and stakeholder expectations.
Apply practical tools and frameworks to improve decision-making and maintain control during unexpected event situations.
Implement lessons learned and post-event evaluation techniques to strengthen future meeting and event planning efforts.

We want to hear from you before the event! Tell us what has happened to you at an event - or what you fear happening - so this session can assist with assuaging those concerns. Click here to submit your response.

Virtual Seminar Only:

Member: $75
Non-member: $100

^{The program will be submitted to ASAE for 1 continuing education credit toward CAE renewal.}

About the Speaker:

Molly Minnick is the Sales & Catering Sales Manager at the Dayton Convention Center, where she partners with associations, businesses, and meeting planners from a diverse market spread to create memorable events and exceptional attendee experiences. With a passion for hospitality, relationship building, and creative problem-solving, she enjoys helping clients navigate both the exciting opportunities and unexpected challenges that come with planning successful meetings and events.

When she's not at the convention center, Molly and her husband, Steven, stay busy raising their two children, Willow and Harold, and helping operate Minnick Family Farm. Life on the farm has taught her the value of hard work, adaptability, and finding solutions when things don't go according to plan, skills that translate surprisingly well into the events industry. Whether she's coordinating a large conference, spending time with her family, or working on the farm, Molly enjoys building connections, supporting her community, and creating experiences that bring people together.