Chile played host to some of the brightest up and coming students in the international meetings and incentive travel industry when the IMEX – MPI Future Leaders Forum met in Valparaiso at the COCAL Congress (Federation of Organising and Allied Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean) last month (March).
The Future Leaders Forum initiative was developed, and is organised jointly, by the IMEX Group, and MPI (Meetings Professionals International). It offers talented young students the chance to gain an unrivalled insight into how to build a successful career within the global meetings, incentive travel and events industry. The IMEX Group is already well known for its award-winning trade show, IMEX in Frankfurt, with a second show, IMEX America, launching October 11-13 in Las Vegas.
“We are investing in the future”, says Carina Bauer, CEO, IMEX Group. “The Future Leaders Forum effectively assists up and coming meeting and event organisers in developing their talents and enhancing their understanding of the market so that they are equipped with the knowledge needed to one day lead the industry. Proof of this is the fact that the Forums have now become hunting grounds for savvy employers who want to snap up the best students at the very start of their careers.”
Students attended specialist presentations from some leading meeting industry professionals who discussed their personal experiences of working in the industry and offered advice on how to build a successful career.
Arnaldo Nardone, Marketing and Convention Director at Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre Montevideo and President of ICCA, began the proceedings with a presentation on “The Meetings Industry – Not a Job but a Career!”, which provided an overview on how the industry has developed and the trends likely to emerge over the next 10 years. Other high profile speakers included Maria Jose Alvez, Manager, Latin America ICCA and Julio Urban, Director of Idealiza Eventos, Sao Paulo.
Students also took part in a creative challenge where they were tasked with working in groups to put together a bid to host an event designed to appeal specifically to appeal to Generation Y participants.
Monica Sievers Peppel, Dean of the Tourism Faculty at Duoc UC University in Valparaiso, commented: “It has been an honour to welcome these bright and enthusiastic young students and to hear their passion and desire to learn. The Future Leaders Forum is a very good focus that helps students on their way to an inspired and successful start to their career. Hats off to IMEX and MPI for continuing to invest in the development of our industry’s future! We are delighted to play our part in supporting that growth from an already expanding and upbeat Latin American sector.”
In addition to this event, IMEX – MPI Future Leader Forums take place throughout the year at destinations as widespread as Abu Dhabi, the USA, China, South Korea, Germany and Serbia. Over 4000 students have passed through the programme since its launch in 2003, 90% of whom have said that they are more likely to enter the industry as a result.
Students attending Future Leaders Forums also benefit from ongoing communications, networking and mentoring programmes which allow them to stay in touch with peers from around the world and continue to build their industry knowledge.
Carina Bauer finished: “The Future Leaders Forum is a life-changing experience for many of the students that take part. Most come away with the knowledge and experience that sets them apart from the crowd when looking for that all important break-through into their dream job. Many are also successful in securing internships and jobs through the Forum. Furthermore, it offers the mentoring and educational opportunities that will help to secure the future of the industry by producing a new generation of inspired and well-informed leaders.”
