Lissy,
At the IMSC conferences there are a few sessions for everyone (in the big conference room.) At other times there will be 2-3 smaller workshop or "breakout" sessions going on in smaller rooms, allowing the shopper to select what most interests them. This also allows for more interaction between member and the speakers, since it is easier to take questions during the session. Atlanta will be a special conference because instead of 2 days of varied sessions being included, those two days PLUS a full day of video camera/shop training will be included. I think (but am not certain) that the video day is all video, with no other sessions going on, but I could be wrong. Either way, at $79 that's a TON of sessions for everyone. For shoppers wanting to ramp up their MS careers there is usually a session on learning to route shop. And, I know that in Atlanta I will be leading a workshop on the first step toward route shopping: learning to develop a profitable 1 day route, before moving up to multiple days "on the road.
Sessions that often occur at IMSC conferences (but are not guaranteed to happen at every conference) include: understanding IRS tax rules for independent contractors; a panel of editors, MSC owners, and schedulers who will answer lots of audience questions about shopper peeves or quandaries; something on hotel and/or fine dining shops; personal safety while shopping whether near home or on a route; changing your appearance when shopping; handy-dandy tech and low tech items to have in your "shopper's kit"; new technology solutions for common MS problems. Usually, more than half of the session are presented by experienced shoppers who can speak to issues that appear ACROSS MSCs, not just what one or two different MSCs (or clients) want from their shoppers.
IMSC planners are just now lining up workshop speakers/leaders for Atlanta, so if there is a topic that is one you want to see on the program, be sure to speak up. You can go to
info@imsc.com or I will be glad to pass along ideas to the planners to consider. I am NOT one of the general planners for IMSC conferences, btw.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.