registration is ready the rooms are set the speakers have been secured all the microphones have batteries the exhibit hall is decorated with flowers and signs and of course there are lots of food but the hard work takes place long before the doors open to welcome attendees peter we're going to get to the agenda details a little bit later but to start when do you begin planning for the annual convention and what does that process look like

That is a great question, Amanda.

So technically, we start a couple of years in advance by reserving the space.

But if we move a little further into the future, we typically begin planning for the next year's convention around mid-September of each year, so around this time.

And it usually starts with having a conversation with the incoming MMA president about what priorities they may have for the coming year and if there are particular topics or themes that they'd like to see represented at convention.

Then we'll start searching for keynote and featured speakers.

We often will work with speaker agencies to try to identify those speakers who could speak to those themes.

So, Peter, looking at the agenda for MMA's 90th annual convention, what can attendees expect this year in terms of speakers and breakout sessions?