A week packed with world-class networking and education begins today, Smart Monday powered by MPI—the eighth consecutive year in which MPI has served as the strategic partner and premier education provider for IMEX America. More than 5,500 buyers and more than 3,200 exhibitors are expected to attend IMEX America (officially kicking off tomorrow), but there’s a lot going on today to sufficiently feed your professional ambitions.
Today begins with MPI’s first Daily Keynote speaker of the week, Julius Solaris, presenting “Legacy: The Power of Events.”
Solaris, a leading expert on event technology and innovation, will address the long-lasting legacies resulting from some of the world’s iconic events. Although he is an event technology expert, tech trends will not be the main focus of his session. Solaris plans to impart practical tips gleaned from events that planners can apply to their own meetings and events.
An essential avalanche of education sessions—free to all registered IMEX attendees—is the order of the day. On Smart Monday, attendees can receive more than 4 clock hours through education sessions such as “VR/AR Applications You can Implement Tomorrow,” “Heat Maps: How Real-time Traffic can Change the Future of Meetings” and “Redesigning Inclusive and Welcoming Events by Overcoming Unconscious Bias.”
Smart Monday also features a carnival midway theme including artists, LEGO furniture, balloon columns and high-striker, basket and milk toss games. Interactive activities will include a roaming magician, juggler and stilt walkers. Twenty education sessions will cover topics such as designing memorable experiences, leadership, contracting, heat maps, hospitality sales coaching and managing stress in the workplace. During the trade show, MPI will offer more than a dozen booth education sessions on safety and risk management, inclusive experiences, strategy and business outcomes and more.
The education on offer can help drive your professional performance, but other opportunities onsite could help propel your career. For instance, complimentary professional headshots are once again available on Smart Monday (10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 2:30-4 p.m. on the show floor) and throughout IMEX America. The headshot booth is sponsored by Visit Salt Lake and brought to you by Meeting Professionals International, The Meeting Professional magazine, Plan Your Meetings and Soliman Productions.
MPI and the IMEX Group will present inspirational keynote and masterclass presentations throughout the event. Check out the complete list of MPI’s Smart Monday offerings.
Author
Maria Lenhart
Maria Lenhart is a former editor of multiple meeting and event industry publications, and has won numerous awards for travel writing, including a prestigious Lowell Thomas Award from the Society of American Travel Writers.