General Sessions

The focus of the WEC general sessions will be on the impact we all have on our world, through our meeting and event business and through our commitment to humanity. At the 2010 WEC, MPI will host two Opening General Sessions—one on Sunday morning and one on Tuesday morning.

Sunday's general session will dive deeply into some of the environmental, legislative and economic drivers affecting our world today. Meetings and business events are powerful channels for driving business and spreading key strategic messages. We'll learn about the change drivers that exist today and how meetings and business events play a key role in evolving our views on human rights, environmental sustainability, and business success.

Tuesday's general session will focus more on the impact you can have personally within your business landscape and how you can affect positive change and drive business results for your organization. Because it’s not just about creating better meetings and events, it’s about showing the world the difference you make to people and to the bottom line.

Are you prepared for the future? Get ready. Because when we meet we change the world.

About the Presenters

John Furlong

As the CEO of the 2010 Vancouver Organizing Committee, John Furlong’s professional world changed forever as he lead the team that produced the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in the city. Learn how one of the world’s largest events, which affects participants, attendees and arguably mankind, can inspire ideas for your next event.

Speaking Inquires: Sandra@JohnFurlongSpeaks.ca

Emmanuel Gobillot

Described as ‘the first leadership guru for the MySpace generation’ and ‘the freshest voice in leadership today’, Emmanuel has worked with organizations ranging from Astra Zeneca to Zurich Financial Services via Google and The United Nations. For over 10 years, his interventions have focused on creating the capability in organizations to deliver results through world-class leadership underpinned by his mantra that ‘there must be a better way and together we will find it’.

One of Europe’s most sought after leadership speakers, he is the author of Kogan Page’s UK and US bestseller ‘The Connected Leader’ published in 2007. His new book, ‘Leadershift - Reinventing leadership for the age of mass collaboration’ establishes him as one of the foremost thinkers on new leadership models.

In 2007 he left his role as Director of Leadership Services at Hay Group (where he had occupied the role of Head of Consumer Sector Consulting) to set up Emmanuel Gobillot Limited as a way to concentrate on his writing and speaking career whilst developing best-in-class solutions with world-class clients. Prior to his consulting career Emmanuel worked in financial services where he held a number of positions in line and project management.

A French National, Emmanuel moved to the UK in 1985. He holds an International Baccalaureate from the United World College of the Atlantic, a Masters of Arts with Honours from St Andrews University and a Diploma in Management Science from the Nottingham Trent University.

Jeremy Gutsche

Innovation expert, author of the #1 book Exploiting Chaos, and the founder of TrendHunter.com, Jeremy Gutsche knows how to unlock cool. Jeremy will show you the secret to viral trends and how to methodically generate creative ideas. You'll learn how to follow the lead of iconic companies founded during periods of economic recession, and you’ll learn what it takes to become the catalyst for dramatic change that leads to new market needs. With a background in management consulting and web 2.0, Jeremy brings a rare perspective on innovation within a business context.

Sunday, July 25, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m./10.00 - 11.30

John Furlong

Speaking Inquires: Sandra@JohnFurlongSpeaks.ca

Tuesday, July 27, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m./08.30 - 10.30

Jeremy Gutsche

Tuesday General Session entertainment provided by:

Las Vegas Meetings By Harrah's Entertainment

Back by popular demand, entertainment by the musical comedy observations of The Water Coolers! This Broadway-style troupe provides non-stop laughs and topical entertainment that everyone in the meetings and events industry can relate to. Simply put, it's your world... but killer funny!

Get a sneak peak here.