“The perfect start to the week” – although Camila Pelaes, a Hosted Buyer from Colombia, was speaking about Jon Bradshaw’s opening MPI keynote session on Monday, she captured the thoughts of many of the 1,000+ meeting professionals who were in Las Vegas for Smart Monday – powered by MPI – before IMEX America opens on Tuesday.
With 66 sessions arranged by MPI, plus the PCMA Business School, Association Focus, Executive Meeting Forum, the Playroom and a new Sharing Economy panel discussion, there was something for everyone at every level of seniority and experience – and plenty of opportunities to acquire CE credits.
After Jon Bradshaw shared insights and advice from behavioral psychology to help people interact more effectively, Carol Gaughan, a meeting planner from Connecticut, said, “It made me feel energized, really upbeat and positive.”
Rebecca Lovelace of New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, sponsor of Monday’s MPI Keynote said: “This was a great start to Smart Monday. It will help to keep in mind the power of interpersonal communication throughout the week.”
Rewarding
Shannon Wayt Sessions of EY Group (Ernst & Young) was one of over 40 senior corporate meeting executives from major corporations at the Executive Meeting Forum, an exclusive day of discussion, learning and networking with industry colleagues.
“This is the best and most professionally rewarding day of my year. Sharing knowledge with my peers is priceless” was Shannon’s opinion on the event. Kelly Curry of Office Depot said: “It’s been incredible. The program has been great and sharing experience with my peers stimulating.”
The Playroom brought creativity to Smart Monday. Participants bounced around ideas and tried out new creative play techniques. Kim Estep and Shari Melillo of Convention Nation thought: “This is a wonderful idea, a great break from the classroom, it’s personal and hands-on. We love it.”
Creating even more customization, Association Focus had a new, highly-tailored program including a new C-level learning stream led by John Graham, President and CEO of ASAE.
PCMA Business School attracted a lively audience to learn persuasive presentation skills facilitated by Richard Cox from Stanford University. Cathrine Seidel Tvede of Copenhagen CVB said: “It was great to have someone from outside the industry sharing his insights. He made me realize that using emotion achieves so much more than details. It was really informative.”
The MPI sessions throughout Smart Monday are designed to help with key skills that meeting professionals need to move onward and upward in their careers. Many exhibitors including Roman Muska of the Prague Convention Bureau also took the opportunity to update their knowledge before the exhibition opens. “There’s plenty that is really valuable for exhibitors to learn as well as buyers. I’d warmly recommend it,” Roman said.
Suzanne Arteaga, a Hosted Buyer from the National Fisheries Institute said: “Paws for a Break is a lovely new feature. Being able to interact with dogs during the show makes me happy.”
Finally, Ramon Bocarro of State Farm Insurance said, “IMEX delivers the best ROI of any conference! The education today is superb.”
IMEX America is currently taking place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian® | The Palazzo® Las Vegas from October 18-20, 2016, preceded by Smart Monday on October 17.
