MPI gets active to overhaul meetings

An event industry organisation is using a radical new method of meeting design. The Danish Meetovation concept will be used to design Meeting Professionals International’s European Meetings & Events Conference 2016 (EMEC). The event on 7-9 February, 2016, at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, will apply new formats and meeting design principles that offer return on attendee participation at the conference. Meetovation is a Danish meeting design concept that makes meetings and events more active, efficient and responsible, according to its inventor. The five main elements of focus include: active involvement, responsible thinking, creative setup, local inspiration and return on investment. “We integrated the principles of Meetovation into every element of the conference because we want to practice what we preach,” said Pierre Fernandez, senior director of European operations at MPI. “EMEC 2016 will focus on MPI’s pillars – education, networking and business exchange – but what will be unique is the way in which participants experience them. The result will be a higher level of learning, comprehension and retention of knowledge.” The conference will have two main facilitators, Ann Hansen and Bo Kruger, who, as co-developers of the Meetovation concept and training programme, will encourage attendees to write the next chapter in their own professional story. Over 70 percent of the subject matter experts are new to the speaker line-up at EMEC and MPI will deliver more than 28 education sessions, including preconference workshops, deep dives and campfire sessions – many of which are eligible for clock hours or continuing education units. Copenhagen is one of the most popular destinations for meetings and events in Europe. The city has been recognized by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) for several years in its annual ranking of top convention cities and it will be the third time that MPI has hosted a conference in the Danish capital. “We are honored to be hosting EMEC 2016 in Copenhagen,” said Helle Svaneborg, chair of the local host committee. “Innovation, sustainability and knowledge-sharing are all part of our DNA in Denmark and we are looking forward to now being a part of this important event for the meetings and events industry.” Other programme highlights include the MPI Hosted Buyer Programme to provide business exchange between the industry’s planner and supplier communities, and the MPI Foundation will host Rendezvous on Monday, 8 February at the Toldboden in Copenhagen. Proceeds from this signature fundraising event will go toward the MPI Foundation endowment to fund chapter grants and scholarships for the MPI community.