MPI-CAC’s NEXT’ 19 Returns With Latest In Event Trends, Tech

More than 300 event industry professionals will descend upon Loyola University Chicago’s Lake Shore Campus Wednesday, March 6, for a day of education and networking at MPI-CAC’s annual NEXT conference.

NEXT, which stands for Networking Education Experience and Technology, will feature a variety of sessions curated for new, experienced and veteran planners and suppliers. Known for its high-quality education content delivered by industry professionals and influencers who are experts in their field. 

Session topics for this year’s conference includes emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, safety and security as well as building business relationships and sales management.

Amanda Jackson, CMP, of Network Services Company serves as MPI-CAC Board of Director for NEXT.

“NEXT is a unique opportunity for the seasoned and novice planner alike to gain knowledge and insight on events industry hot topics such as safety and security, diversity and inclusion, and earn valuable CEU credits all in one place,” Jackson said. “Even better, attendees can design their own education experience by selecting the topics that are relevant to them and choosing how to spend their time, either a half-day or full-day is available.

“This is a must-attend MPI-CAC event.”

Keynote speaker is Tom Weber from ITA Group. He will open the day with “Discover Your Memory Power” and close it with “Using Your Memory in the Real World – Learn the habits and routines that will help you achieve peak performance.” Weber, a third-party planner, teaches memory training techniques to corporate clients worldwide. He is the co-founder of PlanetFreedom.com, an online training platform with memory training workshops.

Additional speakers for the event include:

Lisa Carrel, CEO and Co-Founder at Proxfinity, a Chicago-based wearable engagement and analytic solution for meetings and events.
Sharon Dawson, a CMCG Senior Consultant. She has more than 30 years of experience in governmental and private sector preparedness.

David J.P. Fisher, (also known as D. Fish) is a speaker, coach, and author of eight books, including the best-selling “Hyper-Connected Selling and Networking in the 21st Century: Why Your Network Sucks and What to Do About It.”

Matt Getz, an accomplished marketing and communications leader providing both creative advertising and business leadership.

Barb Harris, CSEP, DMCP, Vice President, Event Services for CTC Destination Management is known for her playful energy, dedication to greatness, and commitment to industry advancement.

Jessica Levin, President of Seven Degrees and author of “Everyone Has Sh*t: Unsolicited Advice for Being Human” and host of Talkin' Sh*t: The Unsolicited Podcast.

Dan Markin, president of The Dan Markin Company, is an author, international keynote speaker and provides leadership training and consulting services to various institutions and organization.

Katrina Whaley helps organizations tell their stories through audiovisual design, but for more than 10 years, she has also chaired events for teenagers and young adults.

Registration is available for both full-day and half-day through March 5. On-site registration will also be available. For more information and to register, visit www.mpiweb.org/chapters/chicago-area.

About the Author: Warthen is Chief Events Officer for 22nd Century Media, an award-winning media company specializing in hyperlocal content in Chicagoland. Hired as its first employee in 2005, she is a former award-winning journalist and photographer who now manages the planning, logistics, marketing and executing of more than a dozen community events and expos. She is co-chair for the MPI-CAC Marketing & Communications Committee.