Calendar of Events

Details:

July 18, 2025

6-8 PM

1 PDU available for PMI Members

Members/Students: $30 (Dinner included)

Non-Members: $35 (Dinner included)

Presentation Description:

Meetings are one of the most common—and most misused—tools in project management. Ineffective meetings drain time, energy, and momentum. This interactive session will equip project leaders with practical techniques to plan, lead, and follow up on meetings that drive results. You'll learn how to set clear objectives, engage participants, manage time effectively, and ensure accountability after the meeting ends. Whether you're leading cross-functional teams, virtual sessions, or quick stand-ups, this training will help you transform meetings from routine obligations into powerful drivers of project success..

Learning Objectives:

1. Design meetings with purpose and clarity by defining clear objectives, desired outcomes, and appropriate formats.
2. Facilitate engagement and collaboration using techniques that encourage participation, maintain focus, and foster inclusive dialogue.
3. Keep meetings on track and on time by using structured agendas, time management techniques, and redirection strategies.
4. Identify and avoid common meeting pitfalls, and apply practical strategies to keep meetings productive and outcome-oriented.
5. Utilize tools and templates to effectively prepare for meetings, guide discussions, and ensure actionable follow-through.

Speaker Bio:

Ben Rutherford

Supervisor, Project Services and Support, Kern Health Systems

Ben Rutherford is a seasoned project management professional and supervisor of the Project Support Team at Kern Health Systems’ Project Management Office (PMO). With a strong foundation in both the technical and human sides of project leadership, Ben brings a unique blend of analytical thinking and creative problem-solving to every initiative he leads.

He holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management from CSU Bakersfield and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Ben is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (Purdue University), and a Certified Scrum Master (CSM), equipping him with a versatile toolkit for driving continuous improvement and agile delivery in complex environments.

In addition to his professional expertise, Ben is passionate about communication, team dynamics, and building effective processes—especially when it comes to transforming meetings from time-wasters into valuable touchpoints. Outside of work, he enjoys playing drums, writing, and spending quality time with his family.