The New Legal Landscape for Event Contracts
In part two of our two-part webinar series, we will look at new considerations for contracts and legal issues planners need to be aware of while negotiating to protect their organizations. What should you be asking for in terms of cancellation, attrition, and other ways to share the risk with venues? Do force majeure clauses apply to COVID-related cancellations?
This will be a lively conversation not-to-miss!
Learning Outcomes:
- New or revised contract clauses, terms and conditions
- Guidance on what to do if you still have programs you’re looking to rebook
- Whether vaccine passes will affect attendance
Speakers
Joshua L. Grimes
Joshua L. Grimes, Esq., of Grimes Law Offices based in Philadelphia, is a leading attorney in the association, nonprofit, meeting, and hospitality industries. He is a specialist in all matters relating to meetings and conventions, as well as association & nonprofit governance.
Mr. Grimes’ expertise includes preparing and negotiating all types of meeting industry contracts. He also advises clients on avoiding liability risks. In addition, many organizations rely on Mr. Grimes to aggressively represent their interests when disputes arise, including in litigation, mediation, and other resolution procedures.
During the current COVID-19 crisis, Mr. Grimes is advising meeting planners and event hosts on legal strategies for safely returning to in-person meetings, as well as presenting hybrid and virtual events. He is advising clients on the best ways to adapt their meetings and policies in the face of continued medical and economic uncertainty.
Mr. Grimes was recently named a 2020 Meetings Trendsetter by Meetings Today magazine and website. He was also recently awarded the 2019 Partnership Award by the PCMA Greater Philadelphia Chapter.
Mr. Grimes is one of the association and meeting industries’ most prominent speakers. He has appeared before industry professionals throughout the United States, and in Europe, the Middle East, Canada, and Mexico. Aside from his legal practice, Mr. Grimes proudly serves as an elected official, as a Commissioner in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
Joan Eisenstodt
Joan Eisenstodt, an Ohio native, moved to Washington, DC in 1978. In June,1981, she founded Eisenstodt Associates, LLC, a DC-based meeting consulting, facilitation and training company. Joan has immersed herself in the hospitality industry and is considered one of its most knowledgeable practitioners.
She works diligently to create more inclusive, safe, and accessible events and negotiate fairly for clients and vendors. Joan serves as a hospitality industry expert witness in disputes often involving event attrition and cancellation. In 2020, Meetings Today named Joan a “Trendsetter” for her contributions to knowledge about COVID-19.
Joan has been honored by the hospitality industry including induction into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders, the industry’s highest honor; recognized for life-time achievement as an educator by the PCMA Foundation, for contributions to education by IACC, NSA (speakers not spies!) and HSMAI. Joan for years was a regular columnist for first MeetingNews and then Meetings Today.
Outside of work, Joan loves to read fiction, non-fiction, periodicals and newspapers (in print!); go to the theatre when it’s possible; watch British, Finnish, Welsh and other police/detective dramas and mysteries; and hang out with her spouse and their rescue cats. On Myers-Briggs she’s an INFP; on StrengthsFinders: Connectedness, Intellection, Learner, Ideation and Strategy are indicative of who she is and how she works.
Tammy Kockaya
Tammy Kockaya, CMP, CMM, has been a leader in the events industry for over 20 years. After a nearly 10-year tenure with KPMG LLP, Tammy is now a freelance consultant executing strategic initiatives and business development for the Event Leadership Institute.
During her time at KPMG, she served as Director for Strategic Event Delivery with the Events & Meetings department. In this role, Tammy led a team of over twenty event professionals responsible for the production, management, and execution of nearly 1,000 annual market development, training, and internal engagement events across KPMG’s Audit, Tax, and Advisory functions as well as Industry and Sectors, with a managed spend of over $100M.
She is passionate about growing talent, developing high-performing teams, and creating strategies to achieve organizational success. Tammy is a mentor and coach and is currently focusing her coaching efforts on supporting the many talented professionals in the job market with mindset shifts and resiliency.
Have a question for either panel? Submit your question in advance.
