I'm not sure. Here is the info: [
www.mspa-na.org]. The format did not come across since this forum is text based, but this should give you a better idea of what's available. I am pre-registered so I was sent an email to this Agenda page this morning.
Agenda
Print
All events, sessions and speakers are tentative and subject to change
Friday, June 24
6:30 pm – 7:20 pm Mystery Shopping 101 (This session is open to the public for free - contact MSPA-NA headquarters for details at mspa@hqtrs.com)
Rich Bradley, ath Power Consulting
This comprehensive overview of the industry history and current status/opportunities is especially designed for brand new independent contractors and those who may have heard about mystery shopping, but not taken an assignment yet. We will talk about how mystery shopping started, what clients and MSPs have as expectations of mystery shoppers and how to distinguish legitimate companies from scams and frauds. Veteran mystery shoppers are welcome to attend; however most experienced shoppers will likely already have a substantial understanding of the material being presented here.
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm Opening Night Networking Reception
This Grand Opening Networking Reception will be your chance to get to know your fellow shoppers and dozens of Mystery Shopping Providers (MSPs). The MSPA North America Board of Directors and other companies will be in attendance. There is no other place where you can get this much quality face time with the industry’s leaders than at ShopperFest! Don't miss the kick-off to a great weekend!
Saturday, June 25
8:30 am – 9:00 am Your Association and You
Mike Mershimer, HS Brands International
9:00 am – 9:50 am
Veteran Shopper Track Maximizing Your Profits & Minimizing Your Expenses as an IC
Adrienne Dobson, Customer Impact
9:00 am - 9:50 am
New Shopper Track First Year Shopper Toolkit: From Gigs to Scams - 5 Things You Need to Know
10:00 am - 10:55 am
Veteran Shopper Track Stop Feeling Taxed - How to Get the Most Out of Legitimate Business Deductions
Ronald Perry
Sue Stevenson
10:00 am - 10:55 am
New Shopper Track Setting Yourself Up in Business
Mike Mershimer, HS Brands International
11:00 am - 11:55 am
Veteran Shopper Track Merchandising - More Opportunities for ICs
11:00 am - 11:55 am
New Shopper Track New Shopper Forum
Lety Gonzalez, QSI Specialists
Angela Megasko, Market Viewpoint
Doug Rector, Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants
Paul Ryan, Secret Shopper / Sights on Service, Inc.
12:00 pm – 1:20 pm Lunch with the MSPs / Shoppers' Choice Awards
1:30 pm – 2:20 pm MSP Roundtable - Whaddya Wanna Know?
Guy Caron, BARE International
Stan Hart, Alta360 Research, Inc.
Mike Mershimer, HS Brands International
Cameron Watt, In-Touch Insight Systems
2:30 pm – 3:20 pm
Veteran Shopper Track Shopping Las Vegas (and the Rest of Nevada)
Donald Evans, Elite CX Solutions
Lety Gonzalez, QSI Specialists
Kevin Ingram
Joey Lidgett, Elite CX Solutions
2:30 pm – 3:20 pm
New Shopper Track The Mystery Shopping Scheduler - Finding Ways to Connect with Your New BFF
Angela Megasko, Market Viewpoint
3:30 pm – 4:20 pm MSP Roundtable - Landing the Highest Paying Gigs
Adrienne Dobson, Customer Impact
David Hartley, Elite CX Solutions
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Closing Remarks
Rich Bradley, ath Power Consulting
5:00 pm – 7:30 pm Open Networking
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm The Rat Pack is Back!
(Additional fee of $55 for show ONLY)
(Additional fee of $75 for dinner & show)
In its 18th smash hit year, The Rat Pack is Back comes to the Copa Room at the Tuscany Casino. Frank, Sammy and Dean perform the classics hits and unforgettable group sets showcasing exactly why Las Vegas was (and continues to be) the hippest place on earth. Their cool vintage charm and stage demeanor truly create a spiritual reincarnation of the original Vegas legends.
If you choose show only - dinner is on your own.
If you choose dinner and show - dinner will be before the show at an eligible restaurant.
9:00 pm Solving the Mysteries of the Mystery Shopping Providers Game
This free optional activity is full of mystery...will you be able to uncover it?
Sunday, June 26
MSPA-NA University Certification Courses
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Track One (Video Shopping I and Video Shopping II), Track Two (Professional Industry Writing and Professional Responsibility and Ethics) or Track Three (TBD)
MSPA-NA University develops general and specific curriculum in order to strengthen our industry shopper pool. It is completely voluntary, but does become a part of our MSPA record for providers to see who has taken certifications. It is the association’s intention to offer in-person certification at least once a year, while developing on-line versions and exploring the cost/benefits of additional on-site seminars throughout the year.
9:00 am – 10:25 am
Track One Video Shopping I – On Site Certification - $50
More industries and MSP companies are requesting and embracing hidden video shopping. There are logistics and legalities to be aware of to both protect your own interests and to help you provide the best possible video shop results that you can, and thereby earn you more work at some of the industry’s highest pay rates.
MSPA-NA Video Shopping-I covers the basics of conducting hidden video mystery shops, particularly in the industries of new homes, multi-family (apartment) homes, automotive and education. You’ll learn about client expectations, camera positioning, common errors and the laws surrounding the recording and use of hidden video. Passage of a written exam is required to become certified.
9:00 am – 10:25 am
Track Two Professional Responsibility and Ethics On-Site Certification - $25
Serious independent contractors who complete mystery shopping realize that the final output of their work product can impact many people…from themselves to the workers at the mystery shopping provider companies…to the lives of the employees of the ultimate clients, themselves. Being a model representative for the industry involves being set up properly in business, knowing the legal and industry accepted standards in place, and having a clear sense of the ethics expected by all. This course is a comprehensive review of all these factors. Students must pass an exam to be certified in Professional Responsibility and Ethics. This course is an MSPA-NA Common Core Course, and certification in this course is required before taking MSPA-NA advanced courses (Video Shopping I & Video Shopping II are exempt from this requirement).
9:00 am – 10:25 am
Track Three TBD On-Site Certification - $25
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Track One Video Shopping II – On Site Certification - $50
(Prerequisite: Video Shopping I)
More industries and MSP companies are requesting and embracing hidden video shopping. There are logistics and legalities to be aware of to both protect your own interests and to help you provide the best possible video shop results that you can, and thereby earn you more work at some of the industry’s highest pay rates.
MSPA-NA Video Shopping-II is a practical hands-on lab in which students role play and experiment with hidden video equipment in order to master the use of, and receive feedback on, their demonstrated handling of the equipment. Students must pass another exam to become MSPA-NA Video-II certified.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Track Two Professional Industry Writing On-Site Certification - $25
Well-written and descriptive reports are the keys to a successful mystery shop. This is important for two reasons. Your precise and intentional use of vocabulary helps to convey your exact impression during your shop. Secondly, the use of proper English and grammar cuts down on the time that mystery shopping provider edits and proofreaders have to put into your report once submitted. Those companies are looking to use most frequently the independent contractors who submit the best reports needing the least amount of editing because it breeds confidence in the submission of the report to the client and it saves the MSP money in reduced editing and proofreading time. This is your chance to stand out as a certified Professional Industry Writer by completing this course and passing the corresponding exam. Editors and proofreaders spend the bulk of their time fixing the same typical errors: generic writing, improper choice of vocabulary and inconsistency in writing. Join us for a crash course in attacking these areas and then demonstrate your understanding by passing the course exam for certification in this class. This course is an MSPA-NA Common Core Course, and certification in this course is required before taking MSPA-NA advanced courses (Video Shopping I & Video Shopping II are exempt from this requirement).
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Track Three TBD On-Site Certification - $25
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Certification Awards and Lunch