By MiKayla Milburn
The Future Leaders Forum is a program during which more than 8,000 students come together to learn and compete in the International University Challenge. These future leaders of the meeting and event industry network with each other and with career professionals while learning more about the industry, and the ways they can impact destination communities.
“People who have attended the Future Leaders Forum have gone on to incredible success and even leadership roles within our industry,” says Jessie States, director of the MPI Academy. “I can think of several who formed MPI chapters or already launched their own companies that are extremely successful. Many have joined our industry’s leading associations as staff members, so it’s a really incredible program.”
The program is taking place Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Room 401, Terrace View. Future Leaders Forum is led by States and will feature conversations with the following speakers.
- Michael Owen, CEO and Founder of EventGenuity (9:30-10 a.m.)
- Samme Allen of Samme Allen Ltd. (1-1:20 p.m.)
- Courtney Stanley, motivational speaker/writer and co-owner of SarahxCourtney (2-2:30 p.m.)
The first International University Challenge of the year will take place from 2:45-3:30 p.m. Three finalists will each give a 10-minute presentation on their bid before their peers and a panel of judges.
The contestant’s bid will showcase a strategic event destination and incorporate plans on an “event for good” that will leave a positive impact on the destination’s community.
“It’s not just an exercise in coming up with, designing and creating an experience, these can actually have lasting, permanent legacies,” States says.
Finalists and their bids:
- Tamara Kaczmarek – Showcasing Loveland, Colo.
- Christine Mack – Showcasing Detroit
- Elizabeth Hays – Showcasing Edinburgh, Scotland
The winner of this challenge will continue to the IMEX Gala Dinner and awards ceremony in Frankfurt to compete against other regional winners. The winner at IMEX will attend next year’s World Education Congress or European Meetings & Events Conference, the costs of which are covered by the MPI Foundation’s Visit Dallas scholarship.
