MPI to showcase the power of live events at EMEC in Luxembourg

Meeting Professionals International’s 35th edition of its signature European event will be hosted in Luxembourg, 3-5 March, and be focused on advancing innovation and professional development for the European business events community. The annual European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC) will this year focus on three key design tenets: 1) That the event is designed for Europeans by Europeans, 2) It’s an incubator environment for ideation and 3) MPI ensures local influence is built into the overall experiences. The content line up will feature plenary speakers, unique learning formats and concurrent education sessions and business networking through MPI’s Hosted Buyer Programme. The host venue, European Convention Center Luxembourg (ECCL), will serve as the location for the majority of EMEC’s programming over the three days. “The development of business events ranks high on our political agenda. That’s why we are thrilled to be collaborating with MPI to host EMEC in Luxembourg, a country nestled in the heart of Europe and that is renowned for its deep historical roots, its rich culture and unspoilt natural landscapes,” commented Eric Thill, minister delegate for tourism and culture in Luxembourg. EMEC’s first day kicks off with an Opening Reception on 3 March at Mudam, the Contemporary Art Museum of Luxembourg then, on 4 March, MPI Foundation’s Rendezvous will take place at Big Beer Company and there will be time celebrate the MPI Foundation’s 40th Anniversary at the event. MPI’s opening plenary features former Danish Member of Parliament Özlem Cekic who is current secretary general of Bridge Builders, an organisation dedicated to cultivating dialogue that promotes cultural understanding. On day two, facilitator and entrepreneur Michael Jackson will speak about event design and attendee engagement, while the following morning Sandro Forte will speak to how attendees can leverage their personal brand to remain competitive. The final closing plenary session will be conducted by experts from the Event Design Collective, who will unveil research that reveals the Top 10 reasons why events fail and how to strategically prepare events for success. In all, there will be 26 total concurrent education sessions and four unique hands-on Learning Journey Experiences at which participants learn in small groups and get access to places off the beaten path. This year attendees can choose from one of four different journeys: a visit to Luxembourg Air Rescue, backstage access with Song Division to a historic cinema, an exploration of hospitality and tourism of the future at Lëtzebuerg City Museum or a sensory culinary experience at Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg. Each learning journey connects to an area of professional development. “Creating atypical, immersive personal development experiences is key to the creation of EMEC, and Luxembourg has provided an extraordinary backdrop to design this opportunity for the event’s 35th iteration,” said Drew Holmgreen, MPI chief brand officer. Buyers at the event will arrive prior to EMEC on the Saturday and be treated to local fares including a Rallye Gourmand Tour of the city of Luxembourg where they will see historical sites and taste local cuisine. Updates on specific programming and education will be shared on the event website at www.mpi.org/emec