As the final day of this year’s WEC took flight, Andrew Weir, executive vice president, destination development of Tourism Toronto, welcomed assembled media to MPI’s morning press conference.
“WEC has been front and center, laser focus for us for some time now. This [MPI] team is a team that pushes innovation,” Weir said. “We always want to work with organizations and clients that are pushing like that—we want to be pushed and, frankly, we’ll push you back,” he continued, citing innovation as the outgrowth.
MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer shared some key metrics for WEC19, inextricably viewing this year’s event as a success building off of the incredibly successful WEC18 in Indianapolis, which was named the best association meeting by Eventex.
WEC19 by the numbers:
- 2,500+: Number of attendees
- $220,000: Amount raised at Rendezvous for the MPI Foundation
- 19: Number of clock hours of professional education offered
Those numbers represent a sincere and hopeful challenge for WEC 2020, to take place June 6-9, 2020, in Grapevine, Texas, mere minutes from MPI’s headquarters.
“We continue to look at how to grow this community is a responsible way,” Van Deventer said, explaining some of the human growth seen in the association and its offerings to members, such as an enhanced focus on diversity and inclusion, signing The Code to help end human trafficking, the development of women’s leadership education and much more. “MPI is your community—there’s a place here for you.”
Your association is also expanding its international footprint through partner events, fundraising opportunities and education. This is truly worldwide, from approval of the new MPI Caribe Mexicano Chapter to the multi-year education agreement with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau. Speaking of the international reach, take note that early bird registration for MPI’s European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) ends June 30—so act fast!
