Elodie Lortal, CMP, shares her European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) experience along with gratitude for the MPI Foundation scholarship that made it possible.

What motivated you to pursue a scholarship for EMEC?

I really wanted to attend EMEC 2023 in Brighton which was the first EMEC after two years of pandemic and my return on the European continent. Stakes were big: I needed to rebuild my network in Europe and I needed the education to continue developing my skills in sales and business development. Starting a new job and a new life in France, I was not financially able to afford the trip. That being said, I knew how life changing the conference could potentially be. One of my friends recommended that I apply for this scholarship and my company agreed to send me to Brighton. WOW—it was incredible.

What were your expectations for EMEC before attending and how did the on-site experience match up?

My expectations pre-show were to meet other MPI France-Switzerland Chapter members, to talk to MPI Foundation Executive Director Kevin Kirby and to MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer and to present the work of the European Advisory Board to the MPI Global team. The show really surpassed my expectations. I met Global Board of Trustee members, made new friends from my chapter and from other European chapters and I had a lot of fun while networking and learning about key tourism trends.

Were there any moments that really stand out from your time at EMEC?

My unforgettable party moment was Rendez-Vous at Palm Court on Brighton Palace Pier. I walked down the beach by sunset before arriving at the glass-fronted restaurant. Upon arrival, the music, the light and vibrations; the ambiance was joyful and cosy. Nice seafood and fish and chips were served with beer or wine. Live music was played, the ambiance was incredible, we “danced the night away.”

The funniest networking event was spending an afternoon in the vineyard with the “going local and ridgeview vineyard” tour. We spent the afternoon visiting the field, tasting wine and cheese.

My most memorable education moment was the Plenary Power Parlay: Supercollaboration in the New Era of Business with Alison Burns and James Taylor. I even took a selfie with James at the end of the session. 

Have you seen any changes in your personal or professional life that you attribute to your attendance at EMEC?

Thanks to EMEC, I got more involved in the MPI France-Switzerland Chapter and started interviewing other MPI members, interviews that are posted on a monthly basis on LinkedIn, and shared my experience of EMEC with Mr. Laurent Mauguit, general manager of Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel and we talked about hosting an MPI France-Switzerland event at Novotel. Moreover, I brainstormed with our chapter president Veronique Holveck and maybe EMEC will happen in France someday!

Do you believe others should attend EMEC? If so, why?

I definitely recommend attending EMEC which is the best way to connect to MPI members and the global team face to face. It is a unique opportunity to grow your network and skills while having fun. My friend Disa Cameron once said: “With MPI you get as much as you put in.” If you attend the EMEC conference, the return will be worth it.

Elodie Lortal, CMP, is a corporate sales executive at Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel and graduate of Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon, France. She has a passion for events and business development and looks forward to pursuing her career in the Accor Corporate Office. 

More information about scholarships from the MPI Foundation.