Legalweek 2019 is less than two weeks away. This will be our 20th year heading to the big apple for a legal tech, legal business, legal operations submersion. This will be Mark Fried's first as President at ALM Events (he's also company CFO), a position he assumed last February. With 11 months to learn the ropes and get a lay of the legal land, what's Mark's vision for not only Legalweek but all ALM events? What's in store for Legalweek 2019? and what are some of the 'must attend' sessions? Let's find out!
IL: Mark, what have been your priorities for ALM Legal Events since taking charge?
MF: Firstly thank you for the opportunity to discuss our events and solutions at ALM. My priorities at ALM regarding Events have been to grow registrations on every event. At the core of this growth is the premise that we will offer best in class programming and speaker line ups for every conference while we build in enough time and rigor to adequately launch, market and sell each event. This requires a full 12-18 month outlook on every event with an eye on developing target markets and audience. Integrating and aligning our program development with editorial focus and priorities has been at the heart of commitment to quality and integrity within our conference programs. As a leader in the legal media, I want to ensure our audience knows we are equally a leader in live events.
IL: What overall program updates/changes have you initiated and why?
MF: In 2019, our attendees will continue to benefit from Legalweek as a week in time, where all disciplines of the business of law gather to exchange ideas and address the future of the legal industry. In addition to Legaltech, Legalweek’s largest and most established conference, Legalweek features 4 other conferences focusing on the various areas within the business of law: LegalCIO, LegalMarketing, Business of Law Forum, and Legal Diversity & Talent Management Forum.
We are reinventing the 2019 exhibit hall. The exhibit space has been purposely designed to let exhibitors showcase their products and services for maximum exposure, with new features on every floor ranging from the Emerging Technology Sessions Theater on the Americas Hall I, to CLE Sessions held on Rhinelander to Product Innovation Finalists conducting demonstrations on the Grand Ballroom exhibit floor. Additionally we have added lunch on the exhibit floor for master pass attendees & conference attendees to LegalCIO, Legal Marketing, Legal Diversity & Talent and Business of Law.
IL: What are your expectations for Legalweek 2019?
MF: We will continue to provide an event format where attendees will find relevant communities to make new connections, and glean new and pertinent information and tools that enable them to do their job more efficiently. Our expectation is that Legalweek will continue to build its reputation as THE place where the business of law happens and grows. I am excited to integrate the content offers with the exhibit hall and look forward to further innovations where technology and the business of law meld throughout every attendees entire experience.
IL: Please provide us with the Legalweek highlights from your perspective and what's new in 2019.
MF: The highlights of Legalweek 2019 include a Product Innovation Competition and the Emerging Technology Sessions that will take place right on the exhibit floor. We will also feature new program formats, with a mix of workshops, panels and traditional presentations – all designed to encourage a higher level of attendee engagement. We are introducing Alexa Navigation Pods and attendees will enjoy an updated registration area as well as expanded Keynote seating.
IL: What should a Legalweek 'first timer' not leave NY without?
MF: 32% of Legalweek attendees are “first timers”. With that number in mind, in 2019 we’ve developed a Newcomer Orientation, which will take place on Monday, January 28th. This program will guide new attendees through the best way to navigate the various conferences and not be overwhelmed, tell them what they need to know about visiting the exhibit hall, and explain how to take advantage of everything they will encounter over the course of the coming days. First timers should leave feeling invigorated and motivated with the most current knowledge and best practices regarding legal technology, innovations and the business of law ... including new peers, contacts, vendors and solutions that will positively impact their law practice in 2019 and beyond.
IL: Our InsideLegal audience is primarily legal technology executives and law firm leaders. Can you recommend a Legalweek session or two you view as 'must attend' for this audience?
MF: Starting off the State of the Industry and Opening Keynote featuring both Alberto Gonzales and Loretta Lynch is definitely a must see event. Other top 2019 picks to check out include:
• Why Lawyers Are Adopting AI Faster Than You: Law Firm Leaders Share Technology Strategies
• Leveraging Data Analytics: Getting More Done, without Doing More
• Innovation, Client Collaboration, and Business Development Through Document Automation
• The International Legal Cloud 2019: Discovery, Security, and Business Considerations
• Innovative Law Departments: New Roles Highlight the Importance of Innovation in Law Departments
Click here for a list of all Legaltech conference sessions; here for the LegalCIO agenda; here for LegalMarketing sessions; here for the Business of Law Forum agenda; and here for Legal Diversity & Talent Management content details.