2020 MDRT
Top of the Table
Annual Meeting
October 14-17, 2020Scottsdale, Arizona
Top of the Table Annual Meeting
As of now, MDRT and Top of the Table are monitoring the current global situation and will make a final decision on the format of the
2020 MDRT Top of the Table Annual Meeting in mid-June.
EXPERT INSIGHT
Meet experts with specialized insight at this exclusive meeting for MDRT’s top-tier members.
INSPIRATION
Get inspired with highly focused and technical information from world-class speakers, and make new connections with MDRT’s top performers.
INNOVATION
Share innovative ideas, empower growth and further high levels of success.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
The Phoenician Scottsdale
The 2020 Top of the Table Annual Meeting will be located in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. Explore this beautiful setting in the Sonoran Desert with Camelback Mountain views. Participate in invigorating outdoor activities, try one of more than 800 Scottsdale restaurants, experience the Scottsdale Arts District located in Old Town and take in distinctive shopping at the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. Make a memorable trip with all that Scottsdale has to offer.
Learn More
The primary venue is the:
The Phoenician Scottsdale
6000 E. Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ
85251
To see an attached map which highlights the key areas, please click here
The Phoenician Scottsdale is the headquarter hotel for the Top of the Table Annual Meeting. Members will be able to make housing reservations when Top of the Table Annual Meeting registration opens in May 2020. The room rate is USD 359 single/double occupancy. Reservations at The Phoenician Scottsdale can be made once you complete your Top of the Table Annual Meeting registration.
Meet The Speakers
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Main
Platform -
Top of the Table Speaks
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Focus Sessions
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Open Sessions
Schedule
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Wednesday
October 14, 2020
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Thursday
October 15, 2020
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Friday
October 16, 2020
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Saturday
October 17, 2020
7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
Yoga for the Mind, Body and Soul
Stretch your mind and body and ease into the day. Beginner and advanced yoga participants welcome. No fee. Advance registration required.7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
5K Fun Run/Walk
Join us for a 5k fun run or walk. Bring your competitive spirit or just move at your own pace. No fee. Advance registration required.7 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Golf Tournament
Following the most massive renovation since opening in 1988, The Phoenician has transformed itself, introducing a diverse collection of offerings that honor both guest and destination. The centerpiece of this multi-year transformation is The Phoenician Golf Club, showcasing the unique beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Redesigned and rerouted to provide a more natural rhythm and flow, the 18-hole course plays to a par 71. In this tournament everyone will play their own ball. Green fees, access to the driving range, practice on the putting greens, breakfast and lunch are included in the fee. You may rent clubs for USD 65, or golf shoes for USD 20. Please note the registration form if you need to rent clubs or shoes. Fee: USD 2059:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Hit the Trails!
Join fellow Top of the Table members for an exclusive, southwestern experience as you spend the day working a Wild West Cattle Drive! Horseback ride as you move a herd of cattle across a piece of the Sonoran Desert. Ranch hands and wranglers will teach you how to keep the herd moving and the unique language of the open range. A cattle drive is the perfect way for any city slicker to come out and be a real cowboy for the day. After the cattle drive, you’ll enjoy a BBQ lunch (included in fee). Experienced and beginner riders welcome. Long pants, closed toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen are recommended for this activity. Shoes with a low 1-1.5” heel will help your foot stay in the stirrup. Fee: USD 19510 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Call of the Southwest
Embark on an insightful experience that will acquaint you with the diversity of the Sonoran Desert and the rich culture and resourcefulness of its people – designed especially for Top of the Table members. The first stop on this tour will be the Desert Botanical Gardens. Your guide will bring the group deep into the Gardens down the Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Loop Trail, which is one of the largest exhibits of its kind, featuring five habitats that have provided people with useful plants for food and cultural purposes for more than 2,000 years. Please wear shoes appropriate for walking; the Trail is uneven. Founded in 1929, the Heard Museum is the world’s preeminent museum for the presentation, interpretation, and advancement of American Indian art, and it is the second stop on this tour. At the Heard your docent presents the stories of the American Indian people from a first-person perspective, as well as exhibitions that showcase the beauty and vitality of traditional and contemporary American Indian artisans. The fee for this tour includes lunch at the Heard Museum cafe. Fee: USD 1601 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Registration, MDRT Store, Foundation Booth, Restaurant Reservations Open
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
First-time Experience (By invitation only)
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Welcome Event
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration, MDRT Store, Foundation Booth, Restaurant Reservations Open
7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Main Platform
10 a.m. – 10:30a.m.
Coffee Break
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m
Networking Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Daily Debrief
5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Open Evening For Dinner
8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sweet & Greet
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration, MDRT Store, Foundation Booth Open
7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Main Platform
10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Coffee Break
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Daily Debrief
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Dinner & Dancing
7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Registration, MDRT Store, Foundation Booth Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m
Main Platform
REGISTRATION & PRICING
Registration opens on June 30, 2020, and is open to approved 2020 Top of the Table members on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early to secure your place. Availability is not guaranteed. We encourage you to book your hotel room at the time of registration.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION
Registration with valid payment received on or before September 15, 2020
USD 995
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Registration with valid payment received after September 16, 2020 - October 1, 2020. (Registration after October 1, 2020 is based on availability only, and is not guaranteed.)
USD 1,195
Registration cancellation and refund policy
Meeting registration cancellation for the Top of the Table Annual Meeting must be received by written notice via e-mail at tot@mdrt.org to be eligible for any type of refund. The Top of the Table Annual Meeting registration refund policy is as follows:
- Cancellations postmarked by the post office or received by e-mail at tot@mdrt.org on or before September 14, 2020, will receive a full refund less an administrative fee of USD 50.
- Cancellations postmarked by the post office or received by e-mail at tot@mdrt.org between September 15 and September 28, 2020, will receive a 50 percent refund.
- Cancellations postmarked by the post office or received by e-mail at tot@mdrt.org after September 29, 2020, will not receive a refund.
General Information
Men and women are encouraged to wear business casual, comfortable clothing to the daily sessions. Restaurants in Scottsdale range from casual eateries to fine dining; attire aligns with the restaurant. Attire for the Welcome Event (Wednesday) and Sweet and Greet (Thursday) is casual. The closing Dinner and Dancing (Friday) is semi-formal. Men will be comfortable in a sport coat or suit and women in a cocktail dress or suit.
Top of the Table Annual Meeting attendees are invited to bring one guest. Although there is no additional fee, guests must be registered to obtain their official meeting badge. Please include their information at the time you register. A guest is defined as a spouse, significant other or child over the age of 21. If your spouse/guest is a Top of the Table member, please note they are not considered guests and must register as an attendee. Policy dictates that all Top of the Table members must pay the full member registration fee.
The Top of the Table Advisory Board has determined children under the age of 21 may be present at the meeting site, but will not be permitted to attend any of the meeting sessions or social functions. Meals, activities, etc. for your children will be at your own expense. Please visit the hotel concierge to find out about children’s programs offered by the hotel.
Scottsdale stays warm well into the autumn months. The average daily maximum temperature for October is 87° Fahrenheit (31° Celsius). The minimum temperature is usually 62° Fahrenheit (17° Celsius).
Registration and attendance at or participation in MDRT meetings or other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to MDRT’s or its licensees’ use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant’s or attendee’s image and voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions and audio recordings of such events or activities.
By attending this meeting, you acknowledge that participation at the meeting and in all related activities are voluntary and optional, and that participation in any of these events are at your own risk. You agree to hold MDRT harmless from any claims, costs or expenses arising from any injury or illness to you or any person included in your registration fee.
By attending this meeting, you acknowledge that participation at the meeting and in all related activities are voluntary and optional, and that participation in any of these events are at your own risk. You agree to hold MDRT harmless from any claims, costs or expenses arising from any injury or illness to you or any person included in your registration fee.
MDRT welcomes approved 2020 Top of the Table qualifiers and their guests to the 2020 Top of the Table Annual Meeting. Click here to apply for membership and to submit qualification for the Top of the Table.
Your official Top of the Table Annual Meeting name badge must be worn for admittance to all sessions and events. Registered guests must also wear their name badge.
Start your day with a hot breakfast buffet, coffee and plenty of opportunities to network with your peers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Thursday and Friday, continue the conversation over lunch. This is a perfect opportunity to share ideas and catch up with friends.
The Top of the Table Annual Meeting provides simultaneous interpretation when 10 or more attendees request interpretation in the same language. The deadline to request simultaneous interpretation is August 3, 2020.
There shall be no negative discussion of commercial companies or products. There shall be no discussion or activity for the purpose of any legal compliance preventing any person or persons from gaining access to any market or customer for goods or services, nor any agreement or understanding to refrain from purchasing or using any material, equipment, services or supplies. There shall be no discussion or activity that may be construed as forestalling or limiting research and development. We, of course, expect your consideration and full compliance with these guidelines, both while in attendance at this meeting and at all times in your business.
MDRT will be live tweeting and updating our Instagram and Facebook stories, and we want you to join us. Follow #mdrttot2020 to join the conversation about the Top of the Table Annual Meeting. With Twitter, you can connect with speakers and ask questions, look for restaurant advice, meet members who have the same interests as you, and post pictures taken with your smartphone.
Handouts will be provided in electronic format via the MDRT website and event app. Attendees will be able to download, save, and print all handouts.
Audio and video recordings, streaming and photography are prohibited in ALL sessions, including Main Platform. To avoid any disturbances to the speakers and other attendees, please ensure all sound-emitting electronic devices are either turned off or set to silent mode during the sessions.