First Time Attendee
MeetDifferent 2010 has plenty of opportunities for first-time attendees to connect with peers and get to know more about MPI. Simply locate an MPI staff member and he or she will be glad to answer your questions. Be sure to bring your business cards and get ready to increase your connections to ideas, relationships and marketplace resources.
Below are a few suggested sessions that, as a first-time attendee, you may be interested in attending:
Your MPI
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Time: 7-8:30 a.m.
Description: Connect with new members and first-time MeetDifferent attendees. Take this opportunity to learn how to get the most out of your MPI membership. The growing, global community of MPI allows you to create your experience and map to professional success. Also, MPI staff members answer your questions about MeetDifferent. Be sure to bring your business cards to this session for an easy but effective networking exercise that will increase your connection to ideas, relationships and marketplace resources in mere minutes.
Sponsored by:
Creating Meetings that Excite the Brain for Optimal Learning
Date: Sunday, February 21, 2010
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Description: For optimal learning to take place, the brain has to be focused and excited. Creating events that will tap into the different components of the brain takes both knowledge and a strategy of information processing. This session will teach you not only how the brain processes information, but also why the color of the tablecloth really does matter.
Dealing with Difficult People
Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Description: How do you make your point known when you know others will disagree? How do you influence a manager who is frightened for their own job and isn't letting you do yours? If you've ever stressed because someone else had a different agenda, attend this session. You'll leave with the exact steps needed to help the other person give you the result you want. Yes, you can communicate to maintain your dignity and get what you want - you just need to know what to say and how to say it!
The Disaster Experience for Meeting Planners
Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Description: How do you make your point known when you know others will disagree? How do you influence a manager who is frightened for their own job and isn't letting you do yours? If you've ever stressed because someone else had a different agenda, attend this session. You'll leave with the exact steps needed to help the other person give you the result you want. Yes, you can communicate to maintain your dignity and get what you want - you just need to know what to say and how to say it!
Partnering with Hotels to get What You Need
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Description: Many meeting planners do not have a good grasp on the financial decision making process utilized within a hotel. Frequently professional planners do not have a complete understanding of the financial value of their piece of business. This session allows us to introduce the concept of the "revenue manager" and discuss how hotels evaluate a specific piece of business.
Next Steps for the Meeting and Events Industry
Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 1:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Description: This interactive discussion featuring panel members from MPI’s international board of directors and the MPI Foundation board of trustees (planners & suppliers) will address pertinent issues facing our industry. The topics to be addressed will include: battling attrition, validating the investment for a meeting and event, driving attendance, finding new revenue streams to support your events, and engaging with senior leadership. Discussion will also cover the questions: What's the best thing happening in your business? What are the benefits of what's transpired over the last 12 months?
For a list of all sessions, please click here.