Every year AAEP members from non-competing businesses meet to learn from professionals in related fields and each other. A fun three days of intensive education, learning from like-minded entrepreneurs, and exciting outings will be held in Bentonville, Arkansas, the birthplace of Walmart. The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville displays work from the colonial era to the present, and offers vast grounds with forest trails, sculpture gardens and waterside pavilions. The Scott Family Amazeum offers hands-on science and art exhibits.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that we reserve the right to refuse registration to direct competitors of our members. If you received our postcard with the invitation to the conference, that is a good indication that we don't have members doing business in your area. If you are unsure, feel free to reach out to us at EtiquetteProfessionals@gmail.com.
2020 CONFERENCE AGENDA
Thursday, March 26th
1:30-5:00pm Meeting for members who conduct cotillions, or who are interested in cotillion.
Introduce your program, Open forum discussion. Possible Topics: coronavirus & handshakes, class cancellations/refunds, appropriate music selection, security,
6:00 dinner, Table Mesa Bistro, on the Bentonville square.
a welcome reception for the group before dinner. Details will be provided upon check-in for our meet and greet time.
1:30-5:00pm Meeting for members who conduct cotillions, or who are interested in cotillion.
Introduce your program, Open forum discussion. Possible Topics: coronavirus & handshakes, class cancellations/refunds, appropriate music selection, security,
6:00 dinner, Table Mesa Bistro, on the Bentonville square.
a welcome reception for the group before dinner. Details will be provided upon check-in for our meet and greet time.
Friday, March 27th
Breakfast at the Hotel, or on your own. Onyx Coffee is a short block away for specialty coffee. We will have fruit, bagels, muffins and beverages in conf. room for you.
8:30-8:45 Gather in Arvest Bank conference room (across the street from 21C Hotel)
8:45 Welcome
Who are Etiquette Professionals and how we share (review bylaws/mission statement, dues, conference calls- timing etc.) Christy Porter/Kaye Simonetta- AAEP founders
9:00 Building Relationships to grow your business, networking. Allison McElroy, The McElroy group, allisonmcelroy.org
10:00 Morning Show and Tell: each participant may share a 5-minute overview of their program and a 10-minute excerpt from your most unique lesson. 5 minutes for questions. Please include who/what/where/you teach. Highlights from classes (I hold a five-course meal…)
10:15 Making Introductions and Meeting New Friends- Martha Wright, Springfield Cotillion
10:35 Free Preview Night & Partnering w/Non-Profit to Benefit Community- Joanna Kunz, Today’s Cotillion
11:15 Golf Etiquette- Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life
11:35 Conversation Topics Lesson & Activity-Dawn Jumper
12:00-1:15 LUNCH at Tavola Trattoria
A short one-block walk.
1:15-2:00 Group Activity-Crisis management & sticky situations & how to respond? Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life discussion leader
2:00-3:00 Branding and Marketing- Becky Pittman, Communications Director, The Venture Center
Afternoon Show and Tell:
3:00 Culture and Etiquette a university grant- Patricia Tice, Etiquette Iowa
3:25 Communicating with Parents- Jennifer Chambers, North Atlanta Professional Prep
3:45 Celebrity vs Status: Introductions Christy Porter, Cotillion Academy
4:05 Girls only Tea and Workshops- Renee Swindell, Bentonville Junior Cotillion
4:25- Group: Tech time website, fb pages active
4:45-5:00 Explore the Brag Table - bring your invites, fliers business card etc. to display and collect.
5:30 Time to connect with others, refresh etc.
6:30 Social/Dinner at Eleven Restaurant at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art,
600 Museum Way, Bentonville. (5-minute drive to museum by car.)
Talk time: things you love to teach and things you’d like to do better.
8:00 Walking tour of the museum.
Breakfast at the Hotel, or on your own. Onyx Coffee is a short block away for specialty coffee. We will have fruit, bagels, muffins and beverages in conf. room for you.
8:30-8:45 Gather in Arvest Bank conference room (across the street from 21C Hotel)
8:45 Welcome
Who are Etiquette Professionals and how we share (review bylaws/mission statement, dues, conference calls- timing etc.) Christy Porter/Kaye Simonetta- AAEP founders
9:00 Building Relationships to grow your business, networking. Allison McElroy, The McElroy group, allisonmcelroy.org
10:00 Morning Show and Tell: each participant may share a 5-minute overview of their program and a 10-minute excerpt from your most unique lesson. 5 minutes for questions. Please include who/what/where/you teach. Highlights from classes (I hold a five-course meal…)
10:15 Making Introductions and Meeting New Friends- Martha Wright, Springfield Cotillion
10:35 Free Preview Night & Partnering w/Non-Profit to Benefit Community- Joanna Kunz, Today’s Cotillion
11:15 Golf Etiquette- Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life
11:35 Conversation Topics Lesson & Activity-Dawn Jumper
12:00-1:15 LUNCH at Tavola Trattoria
A short one-block walk.
1:15-2:00 Group Activity-Crisis management & sticky situations & how to respond? Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life discussion leader
2:00-3:00 Branding and Marketing- Becky Pittman, Communications Director, The Venture Center
Afternoon Show and Tell:
3:00 Culture and Etiquette a university grant- Patricia Tice, Etiquette Iowa
3:25 Communicating with Parents- Jennifer Chambers, North Atlanta Professional Prep
3:45 Celebrity vs Status: Introductions Christy Porter, Cotillion Academy
4:05 Girls only Tea and Workshops- Renee Swindell, Bentonville Junior Cotillion
4:25- Group: Tech time website, fb pages active
4:45-5:00 Explore the Brag Table - bring your invites, fliers business card etc. to display and collect.
5:30 Time to connect with others, refresh etc.
6:30 Social/Dinner at Eleven Restaurant at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art,
600 Museum Way, Bentonville. (5-minute drive to museum by car.)
Talk time: things you love to teach and things you’d like to do better.
8:00 Walking tour of the museum.
Saturday, March 28th
Breakfast at the Hotel, or on your own. Onyx Coffee is a short block away for specialty coffee.
Fruit, bagels, muffins and beverages will be available in the conference room
9:00 The history of some common etiquette rules- Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion
9:25 Using Puppets to promote Politeness- Janine Gerzanics, Junior Manners Company
9:40 Online payment Discussion: what do you use? Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion discussion leader
10:00 Using Chopsticks! Chinese Etiquette- Patricia Tice, Etiquette Iowa
10:20 BREAK
10:45-12:00 Spark Kindness Campaign, Social Media, & Corporate Etiquette questions. Catherine Sanders, Senior Director for Global Communications at Walmart
12–1:15 LUNCH at Pressroom Restaurant, across the street
Break out time; sit with programs you’d like to learn more about
1:15 Group Activity-Top 10-What etiquette topics we should all be teaching? Christy Porter, Cotillion Academy discussion leader
2:30- Etiquette Jeopardy- Tina Hayes, School of Etiquette and Decorum
3:00- Tell Better Story- Social Media- Debbie McElroy, nwastorymarketing
3:55- Group Discussion: Dress Codes-what has changed? Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life discussion leader
4:15- Blogs…group participation! Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion discussion leader
6:30 DINNER at River Grille Restaurant
1003 McClain Road, Bentonville.
(5-minute drive by car)
Wine tasting dinner by Jim and Sue Langman, owners of California’s Langman Estate Winery.
Breakfast at the Hotel, or on your own. Onyx Coffee is a short block away for specialty coffee.
Fruit, bagels, muffins and beverages will be available in the conference room
9:00 The history of some common etiquette rules- Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion
9:25 Using Puppets to promote Politeness- Janine Gerzanics, Junior Manners Company
9:40 Online payment Discussion: what do you use? Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion discussion leader
10:00 Using Chopsticks! Chinese Etiquette- Patricia Tice, Etiquette Iowa
10:20 BREAK
10:45-12:00 Spark Kindness Campaign, Social Media, & Corporate Etiquette questions. Catherine Sanders, Senior Director for Global Communications at Walmart
12–1:15 LUNCH at Pressroom Restaurant, across the street
Break out time; sit with programs you’d like to learn more about
1:15 Group Activity-Top 10-What etiquette topics we should all be teaching? Christy Porter, Cotillion Academy discussion leader
2:30- Etiquette Jeopardy- Tina Hayes, School of Etiquette and Decorum
3:00- Tell Better Story- Social Media- Debbie McElroy, nwastorymarketing
3:55- Group Discussion: Dress Codes-what has changed? Kaye Simonetta, Manners for Life discussion leader
4:15- Blogs…group participation! Kathleen Joiner, Little Rock Junior Cotillion discussion leader
6:30 DINNER at River Grille Restaurant
1003 McClain Road, Bentonville.
(5-minute drive by car)
Wine tasting dinner by Jim and Sue Langman, owners of California’s Langman Estate Winery.
Sunday, March 29th
Table talk over breakfast.
Etiquette Professionals going forward: 2021 conference location and dates.
Next meeting
Future topics
Conference call agendas
Questions about other programs, brainstorming ideas for your program
Table talk over breakfast.
Etiquette Professionals going forward: 2021 conference location and dates.
Next meeting
Future topics
Conference call agendas
Questions about other programs, brainstorming ideas for your program
"Good manners are just a way to show people we have respect for them." Bill Kelly