1 Clock Hour | Domain I: Marketing

Sales and marketing professionals have access to a wealth of information nowadays through CRM systems, metrics and analytics platforms, and industry-related research and reports. There is so much data, it’s overwhelming. However, based on a recent survey by eMarketer, less than 25% of sales and marketing executives worldwide said they had a comprehensive view of customer data, what data they have available, and how to use the data to make strategic decisions. In order to start converting data into usable insights, sales and marketing professionals need to learn how to be data-driven, analytical, and strategic in all their decisions.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

For 47 years, MPI and its members have been shaping, advancing and defining the meeting and event industry—imagine the stories they could tell! At MPI WEC in Toronto, we give the stage to our community members who stopped planning meetings and started designing experiences. This storytellers’ plenary is dedicated to the professionals in our community and their stories. Meet our speakers

Melissa Majors | The Story of Us

We gain power and wisdom through shared stories that motivate and spark inspiration. All of us have the power to inspire greatness in others, but these impactful stories often go untold. Our Storyteller’s Coach, Melissa Majors, explores the purpose of this moment, shares a glimpse into its preparation and enables you to share your own unforgettable story.

Marie-France Watson, CED; Tim Whalen, CMP; Ryan Young | The Conquerer — Collaboration, Cultivation, Elevation: The Story of the EVENT

Learn how these MPI chapter leaders from Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal/Quebec pooled volunteers and resources to offer a multi-chapter, rotating event that elevates the delivery of content to members, with the common goal of providing innovative educational experiences. The inaugural edition in April 2018 delivered on that—and much, much more.

Janet Traphagen | The Veteran — The Power of Experiences

Discover Janet’s journey, from a corporate meeting professional to her experiences at multiple third-party organizations, and the lessons she’s learned about the importance and power of designing experiences. Discover how and why her organization developed the human-centered design methodology, i|xperience ®, focused on changing participant behavior through intrigue, inspiration, influence, impression, interruption and immersion.

Marc & Craig Kielburger | From Event to Movement: The Power of WE

Learn how the Kielburgers evolved a single WE Day event into an annual series of 19 filled stadiums across the U.S., Canada, UK and the Caribbean, where tickets aren’t sold, they’re earned. WE Day supports an international social enterprise committed to empowering young people. How did they do it? The brothers explain their vision and unique approach to global engagement and empowerment.

Not for Clock Hour Credit

Take a trip to the forest with tall evergreen trees and a huge sky. Beyond the trees is an amazing river. Its purpose is clear and release energies that are blocking you from your full potential and the highest expression of yourself. Take this trip of clearing negativity, self-doubt, and worry as you enjoy the vibrational nourishment.

1 Clock Hour | Domain F: Stakeholder Management 

Ever get in over your head because you tried to do it all? It was easier to “do it myself” than explain or show it to someone else? Run out of time and not delegate it because it is the last moment and it is embarrassing?

Very few of us can (honestly) say this has never happened to us. In the world of meetings and events, no matter how much we plan, things change daily and as it gets closer, hourly. By the time we get on site, it becomes moment by moment. Becoming comfortable with the delegation, and developing a strategy do so, can be the difference between things happening effectively, and total chaos.Session sponsored by Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design 

From Pac-Man and Tetris to Overwatch and Fortnite, video games have been a cornerstone of our culture. With the rise in ESports events, there is a lot we can learn about community, engagement and human behavior. In this session, we’ll break down the impact of gamification and game theory on our attendees, while exploring best practices for your own events. Session sponsored by Great Wolf Lodge.

1 Clock Hour | Domain C: Risk Management 

Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights that affects almost every country in the world, and Canada is not exempt. The meetings and events industry has a powerful role to play in the fight to end human sex trafficking, as Hotel employees are often in the best position to see potential signs if they know what to look for. What is human sex trafficking, what does it look like in Canada, and how does it relate to the meetings and events Industry? What can we do as industry professionals to help stop human trafficking? Canadian Survivor Michelle Furgiuele, and awareness advocate Tania Ferlin with MPAHT, Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking, will lead you through this educational and eye-opening session. This is an interactive session and audience participation is encouraged so bring your questions for a solution-focused discussion. Session Sposnored by Delta Airlines.

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design 

Jade Simmons is a creator of Transformational Mainstage Experiences that matter. Her concert adventures go from Rachmaninoff to Rap and have revolutionized classical music presentation. Jade will empower us to produce unforgettable, transformative experiences that only happen once we pivot from planning to impress audiences to intentionally impacting them instead.

Powerhouse Speaker and Rockstar Concert Pianist Jade Simmons is a creator of Transformational Mainstage Experiences that matter. After an artistic epiphany on stage, Jade dramatically shifted from playing the piano merely to impress audiences to using the instrument as a vehicle to profoundly move them instead. Today, her concert adventures have revolutionized classical music presentation, going from Rachmaninoff all the way to Rap, garnering acclaim from The White House to the SXSW Festival

Harnessing the tools she’s gained from delighting unlikely audiences in unexpected places, Jade will empower us to produce unforgettable, transformative experiences that only happen once we pivot from planning to impress audiences to intentionally impacting them instead. This session is perfect for those searching for new and exciting ways to enthuse attendees, while also infusing a sense of personal passion, power and purpose back into the planning process. Jade Simmons is a creator of Transformational Mainstage Experiences that matter. Her concert adventures go from Rachmaninoff to Rap and have revolutionized classical music presentation. Jade will empower us to produce unforgettable, transformative experiences that only happen once we pivot from planning to impress audiences to intentionally impacting them instead.

Not for Clock Hour Credit 

Have Questions about the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) Process? There are approximately 11,000 CMP’s worldwide. Have you wondered if it was something you should do? Have lots for questions? Wondering if the things you have been told are true?

• This session will cover:
  
• Overview of the Certified Meeting Professional designation
  
• What you need to apply
  
• What materials you need to prepare
  
• Information about the structure of the exam (not material on the exam)
  
• Where to find resources you may need
  

And your questions!

1 Clock Hour | Domain G: Meeting or Event Design 

Let’s face it, planning daring, out-of-the-box experiences is risky business! The combination of answering to doubtful overseers, serving jaded audiences, and trusting the mic to new talent is almost too much to bear. That’s why in this session, Jade Simmons, creator of Transformational MainStage Experiences that matter, breaks down the ABC’s and lays out the ROI on creating life-altering events. She’ll give a strategy for incorporating and managing elements of risk, capitalizing on change, and intentionally adding opportunities for surprise and the unexpected. You’ll also face down certain fears specific to producing experiences for audience consumption, and you’ll learn how to tame your inner control freak in order to add a transformation to your menu of offerings.

1 Clock Hour | Domain A: Strategic Planning

The value of face-to-face (F2F) meetings is invaluable for building relationships, bringing buyers and sellers together and conducting business around the world. F2F meetings are the primary marketing medium for business-to-business activities. This session will provide a high-level look at key findings from the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) on ways that show organizers grow attendance, along with tactics exhibitors use to engage attendees leading up to and during an event.