By Jennifer Beale In the meetings and events industry, one of the key predictors of your success is your ability to build relationships with influential people who connect powerfully and create high-trust relationships fast. And just like them, you can learn to effortlessly create profitable, winning relationships with anyone you want. While industry events are ideal places to find potential customers and partners, often the results are disappointing. You do everything the experts say: shake hands confidently, look people in…
Career Development
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Shaw Conference Centre announces new general manager
The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Wong in the role of General Manager, effective November 6, 2017. “We are excited to welcome Richard to the EEDC family as the new General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre,” says Brad Ferguson, President & CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. “Richard brings an exceptional history of leadership experience, augmented by deep community involvement and passion for our city. I am confident the Shaw Conference Centre will…
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Industry veteran Julie Coker Graham to co-chair Meetings Mean Business Coalition
The Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMBC) has appointed Julie Coker Graham, president and chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB), as its next co-chair. Coker Graham will join Paul Van Deventer, president and chief executive officer of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), in leading the coalition and promoting the value of face-to-face meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions. “We are very excited to have Julie be the first CEO of a convention and visitors…
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MPI appoints Christine Roberts as executive director of Foundation
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Christine Roberts to serve as Executive Director of the MPI Foundation. In this role, Roberts will be responsible for setting strategic and financial goals as well as directing fundraising and operational activities for the foundation. She officially begins the role on September 18, 2017, reporting to Darren Temple, COO of MPI and Executive Vice President of the MPI Foundation. Roberts has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality and meeting and event industries. She…
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PCMA announces proposed 2018 Board Officers and Directors
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Nominating Committee met on August 25, in Chicago, IL, to determine the final slate from the extraordinary nominee applications for the 2018 open board officer and director positions. After vigilant due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2018 PCMA Board of Directors. According to the PCMA Bylaws, this official announcement of the proposed slate is to be sent to the membership by Oct. 1.…
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MPI appoints Darren Temple as Chief Operations Officer
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has named Darren Temple as its new chief operations officer (COO). Temple previously served as the association’s Chief Business Development Officer leading strategic business development and global sales planning. He will continue to report to MPI president and CEO Paul Van Deventer. As COO, Temple is charged with driving strategic business plans and execution, established operational excellence, revenue growth and brand consistency throughout MPI. He will manage the Education & Events and Marketing & Communications teams…
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MPI announces new advanced-level education offerings and plans to develop more security and risk management programs
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has introduced several new education offerings from the MPI Academy as part of its new Executive Education Series, including the Women in Leadership Program and a designation program for the highly-regarded MPI Experiential Event Series. In addition, the association formally announced it is collaborating with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi to develop educational programming and resources, with the first course – Emergency Preparedness for Meetings…
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The future of talent in meetings and events
By Issa Jouaneh Meetings and events are about bringing people together. This is an industry that combines art and science to create unforgettable experiences, and relies heavily on talent within to manage the seamless execution of those experiences. To succeed, it takes a special kind of person with the right training, a firm grasp on new technology, passion and integrity. My team at American Express Meetings & Events has explored the future of talent in the meetings and events industry,…
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How to be more creative and successful
When it comes to the concept of innovation, it’s not uncommon for many enterprises and individuals to struggle – big ideas seldom happen, or come to fruition, overnight. But to overcome these initial stumbling blocks, and be more creative and successful in business, all it often takes is a slight shift in thinking – one which can quickly send your prospects soaring into overdrive. Case in point: What people don’t realize is that innovation is often about evolution, not revolution.…
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Free speech: It is worth the price
In January of this year, a mob attacked a building at the University of California, Berkeley. Their purpose was to prevent someone with whom they disagreed from speaking. In April, another speaker invited to address an audience at the same university was similarly prevented from speaking due to threats of violence. These incidences and many others like them have raised serious questions about the legitimacy of a right that once was taken for granted – free speech. Indeed, there are…
