If you plan well, do your homework on the event and the audience, you'll be bound for success in no time! You make a great point Thom. In order to increase more interest in the event, you have try something new if you want to see some change. As you said, "Hope is not a business strategy!" I like that quote a lot! What they have to remember when suggesting new ideas, is that there will always be some ridicule and if their jobs is threatened because of an idea or a suggestion, then that's not a business anyone should be apart of. It's new ideas and suggestions that create change on a daily basis. I wish the best of luck to all in those situations.