Earlier this year at the European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC19) in The Hague, MPI committed to “Changing the Game.” Changing the game in how we develop and deliver education; how we design and execute events; how we support our volunteer leaders; and, critically, “Changing the Game” in providing support, best practices and value to our community in all global markets. And in June, when we gather as a community in Toronto for the World Education Congress focused on “Designing Shared Experiences,” we will leverage the global reach and diversity of our community to learn from each other through networking and the sharing of best practices.
As the largest and most influential association supporting the live event industry, MPI’s unique differentiator is our diverse community—a community connected through an extensive global chapter network and led by a passionate and engaged group of volunteer leaders. MPI is the largest event association in the U.S., Canada and Europe with more than 15,000 members in the U.S. and more than 1,200 members in both Canada and Europe. Additionally, we have vibrant and growing communities in both Latin America and Asia.
To ensure we are hearing the voice of our global communities, responding to their unique market needs, engaging with local industry leaders and leveraging their collective experiences and acumen, MPI has installed advisory councils in Europe, Canada and Latin America (Page 22). These councils will be supported by dedicated MPI staff, and their strategic guidance and input will be conveyed directly to MPI’s International Board of Directors through actively engaged board liaisons. In addition to MPI’s team members working directly in Canada and Europe, Julie Holmen and Federico Tojo, MPI has engaged Angeles Moreno as strategic development senior advisor to ignite our efforts across Europe.
To build awareness of our global efforts, MPI will launch a concentrated campaign to elevate our brand, expand our reach and provide robust opportunities for continued, unparalleled and localized education offerings across these critical markets. We’ll also build awareness in the meeting professional market while creating the buzz and excitement of joining the MPI community, MPI will be launching a targeted media campaign in Europe and Canada this summer.
Looking forward to 2020 and EMEC20 in Seville, Spain, Feb. 9-11, MPI will continue to Change the Game, delivering a vibrant and innovative event—beginning with the design process itself, where we are utilizing the #EventCanvas methodology to engage European members, volunteers, chapter leaders and other meeting professionals to deliver an experience designed and created by Europeans for Europeans. Registration for EMEC20 Seville will open during IMEX Frankfurt this month.
As we continue to invest in our global infrastructure and advance our strategic plans targeted on delivering enhanced value to our members, I am excited to demonstrate the positive impact MPI can have on our industry, partners and community.
Thank you for being part of this incredible community.
Paul Van Deventer
MPI President and CEO
pvandeventer@mpiweb.org
Follow me on Twitter @MPICEOPaul
