Testify! Meetings and events change the world, and these stories prove it. “Working with Opportunity International’s annual conference in Uganda helped the poor build businesses, providing three meals a day for their children as well as sending them to school. We helped future generations move out of poverty and know that they are beloved.”
– Kevin Olsen
“At the American Society for Training and Development, not only did I discover a place to share ideas, I realized that I had ideas to share.”
– Lenn Millbower
“At a recent childcare conference, several people approached me with not only praise for my speech, but with the resolution to change the life of a child through early education.”
– Amy Vanderbilt
“Attending the EIC conference allowed me to realize this was an industry I really wanted to focus my career direction on.”
– Henry B.
“The Obama Presidential Inauguration in D.C. was the most moving experience of my life.”
– Kevin D.
“Planning the 2012 Olympic games, we created the BS8901 sustainability accreditation, changing London’s event industry and the way the Olympics are produced in the future.”
– Tracy Halliwell
“Because of the Beijing Olympics, we have better public transportation, better facilities for our own people, and our eyes were opened to the world outside of China.”
– Beijing Tourism Administration
“A Youth Volunteer Corps conference literally changed my life at age 14. The holistic view of humanity and lifetime connections gave me passion for working in the non-profit world.”
– Sebastian Dillier
“At WEC 2008, I met Julie Holmen of Tourism Toronto, and brainstorming on niché markets led to a year-long road show, keeping two employees busy—and more importantly, employed.”
– Carvie Gillikin
“While at Caltex in Australia, I attended a meeting that was a key milestone in the achievement of new behaviors and the transformation of the – it couldn’t have been done without this meeting.”
– Neen James
“Attendees say our first attempt of Open Space Experience changed the way they viewed meeting design. I now have a no-fear mentality that allows me to challenge myself and my attendees.”
– Tatyana Jones
“For the Plan Your Meetings Executive Team, it had become apparent that we needed to come together, face to face, and reconfirm that we were still on the same page. After the meeting, each of us are refreshed, renewed, and fully aware of our primary goals for the balance of 2009 and into 2010.”
– Evan Casey
“When I returned from PEC 2007 I tossed my entire plan for an upcoming meeting and totally restructured it based on the meeting designs I experienced. My new and improved session was the highest rated event of the entire conference. Without experiencing Open Space first hand I never would have brought that element into my own meeting. I meet to become brave.”
– Carol Norfleet, CMP, DMCP
“The WEC trade show has given me contacts I would have never had the opportunity to meet and do business with.”
– Karie Kohn
“My most vivid and fond memories revolve around taking my Mother to a meeting I did in Israel years ago. This was an intense convention and she brought stability and levity to situations as only a mom can...even to the project team and senior executives. She even had dinner with a supreme court justice. I think my mom had the makings of a great meeting planner! Even though she's passed on, I know she's still around keeping an eye on my difficult meetings.
– Judith Miller
“I attended WEC in Vancouver and the warmth and enthusiasm of the attendees plus the great education and networking helped to persuade me to give meetings a try. 7 years later I’m still here and planning to attend many more WECs.”
– Carina Bauer
“It’s refreshing to see the themes of industry conferences get back to focusing on real business issues and not about when the tee time is.”
– Todd W.
“Our project team includes members from all over the world, and after virtual meetings, teleconferences and webexes, we decided to bring the group together. The talent of our team is incredible, and we couldn’t have learned that outside of the meeting format!”
– Cindy D’Aoust
“Meetings MOTIVATE! I very much look forward to combining a meeting with motivation. Not only can you raise expectations when you motivate and team build but a motivated, re-energized team will always exceed expectations time and time again.”
– Bob Schuler
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“I still have goosebumps remembering how a threeday AIESEC meeting impacted 50,000 students and global companies toward global and cultural understanding.”
– Eric Rozenberg
“MeetDifferent 2008 was my pivotal moment. My whole world began to shrink, and I made connections immediately that catapulted me into new success.”
– Mitchell Fielder
“Everyone walked away with inspiring stories and a sense of the direction of our industry. National Meetings Industry Day was powerful.”
– Louisa Davis
“It is profoundly moving for me to sit in a general session and hear the words I wrote, the concepts I pitched and the speakers I recommended.”
– Patty Regar
“At EMEC Torino, I was a student networking with VPs and CEOs. Where else can I do that? This one meeting gave me my career.”
– Peter Edinger
“I met Arlene Sheff at an MPI conference in the 90s. She and I are now great friends, and are both educators teaching certificate programs.”
– Bonnie Walsh, CMP, CMM
"Even in today’s world of online social media, there is no substitute for face-to-face meetings. The structured education events are valuable for the information you learn, and the people you meet (or re-meet) strengthen your network of alliances.
– Todd Hunt
“The DigitalNow Conference was an awesome experience that prompted me to get out of the old and into the new technology.”
– Ellyn E.
“We meet to engage with colleagues who can further our education, networking opportunities and so we may in turn, return to share our ideas with others.”
– Dawn Penfold
“In 1995 I attended a motivational seminar along with 8 colleagues from my state government office. Now I get to travel across North America speaking to audiences like the one I was a part of. Who knows how many people I’ll influence because I had the good fortune to attend that one meeting!
– Kyle Eastham
“We come to meetings to learn—they’re energizing and keep me coming back.”
– Joan L. Eisenstodt
“Meetings are the original social media, and we bring people together to make the world a better place.”
– Corbin Call, CSP, CMP
“Not a week goes by without someone commenting on what a great experience they had at WEC 2008.
– Richard Harper
“When I worked at the Quaker Oats Company, my greatest learning experiences came from the focus and exciting vibe of our inside sales meetings.”
– John M.
"While I was a speaker at a tradeshow in Berlin in 1982, I met the woman who would later become my wife.”
– Bill LaViolette
“American Airline’s Global Sales Meeting gave everyone a connection to the power of our company’s brand, and the leadership and tools to take us to the next level.”
– Mark A. Nickells
“The result of the Book Expo was profound as I found the courage of my own voice, an amazing distributor, and the support to start my own firm.”
– Amy Vanderbilt
“Personal connections and professional networking is what I love about attending industry conferences. We all have the same interests and it’s great to share best practices.”
– Sandi S.
“The Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series brought to the stage people who did extraordinary things with their lives to showcase leadership and achievement.”
– Susan Sarfati
"Let’s get this vital business tool – business meetings – back on its feet and start yesterday."
– Ben Stein