Training
A variety of intensive hands‐on training will be offered on Monday and Tuesday, October 3-4. These sessions provide in-depth focus on specific topics and are limited to 12 delegates. Laptops are provided. Prerequisites will be outlined in the Conference Agenda, however, trainers will contact you directly to ensure you meet all prerequisites as these prerequisites will be strictly adhered to.
Special Events
Welcome Reception — Hollywood Red Carpet
Tuesday, October 4 | 7pm-11pm
Arizona Biltmore Hotel, Gold Room
This year's venue for Agresso Connects has a celebrated, historic association with Hollywood, and has welcomed as guests some of the biggest stars of Hollywood‘s “golden age” (Fred Astaire, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner to name a few). Irving Berlin composed the song “White Christmas” sitting poolside at the Biltmore – simply everything about the hotel reflects the elegance and glamour of “old Hollywood.”
Hollywood also offers tremendous scope as a backdrop to play with the theme of “Embracing Change.” Just think of the technology changes from the days of silent movies to the current wave of 3D films…it is an industry that has been embracing change for over 100 years!
Free to Conference Delegates. You may register a guest for $50 USD (fees are to cover costs only)
Gala Dinner — Gone Western
Thursday, October 6 | 7pm - Midnight
Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse
Join us for a spectacular dinner and western experience at the 1880s town of Rawhide! This authentic frontier town is Arizona's largest western-themed attraction. Rawhide has a chuck wagon full of fun in store for you -- gunfights, stunt shows, shootin' gallery, rock climbing, stagecoach rides, desert train ride, burro rides, live country music, Sundown Cookouts, a real blacksmith, and much more.
Upon arrival at Rawhide, you will have the chance to explore the frontier town at your own pace. Then onto a steak or chicken dinner and a full evening of authentic Western hospitality. Get ready to line-dance the night away, and don't worry, we'll make sure you get to and from the hotel safely!
Free to Conference Delegates. You may register a guest for $150 USD (fees are to cover costs only)
Speakers
Few speakers connect as deeply with an audience as does Ian Percy, Agresso Connects 2011's keynote speaker. Ian's ability blend insight and unending humor, and to draw out the passion and purpose of every individual, enables you to harness that power to unify your team, get through difficult times, successfully carry out complex change, build loyalty with your customers, or surpass an impossible revenue goal - whatever your intention.
Thinking Without a Box: how changing your thinking can energize your profitability
It’s shocking to know that the phrase thinking outside the box comes from a puzzle book published in 1914! That’s almost a hundred years ago and we’re still trying to figure out what it means because we only do it when we’re desperate. Come to think of it that’s pretty often these days. Organizational psychologist Ian Percy insists if you can even see a box you’re not thinking outside of it. “In fact,” he goes on, “we’re generally stuck in 16th century Newtonian bureaucratic thinking and we’re in danger of throwing away unimaginable opportunities.” If you want to own the ‘next big thing’ in your industry, you’d better be in the front row for this session!
There is little point in having the most advanced technology on the planet if we don’t change that old mindset. It’s like having a horse pull your Ferrari. We are surrounded by infinite possibilities but seeing and acting on them takes a new way of thinking. If we’re willing to do that, we’ll release an energy throughout our organizations that will propel us to new heights of passion, performance and profitability. We’ve got the guy who will help that happen.
Ian Percy helps organizations transform by changing how they think so they see the possibilities all around them. What is particularly fascinating and entertaining is how he takes proven principles from the world of quantum physics and energy science and shows how to use them for exponentially greater competitive advantage and profitability. Renowned for his unique ability to blend depth of insight with uplifting inspiration, Ian’s impact has been felt globally by small and large organizations in virtually every sector.
He’s the author of seven books including the breakthrough book on leadership titled Going Deep, and the provocative book on corporate vision titled The Profitable Power of Purpose. Successful Meeting magazine declared him “One of the top 21 speakers for the 21st century” and he has the rare honor of being inducted into both the US and Canadian Speaker Halls of Fame. Ian has dual citizenship and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona where he’s taken up an interest in Quarter horses because he’s pathetic at golf.
Conference-goers will also hear from various presenters from the UNIT4 R&D team.