Following the successful launch of global meetings, incentive travel and events industry trade show, IMEX America, last October in Las Vegas, organizers have announced developments to the format and content of ‘Smart Monday’, its pre-show, one-day educational event (Monday Oct. 08).
The free, pre-show day of professional education has been developed to become Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”. Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is IMEX America’s strategic partner and premier educational provider. This new name demonstrates MPI’s crucial role in providing the majority of content on Monday, Oct. 08 while also signalling the combined involvement and educational contribution of other important and influential associations including: ASAE, ACTE, ISES, ICCA, PCMA, Site and IAEE, who will be holding a CEM Program on the day.
Smart Monday, ”Powered by MPI”, will include a morning keynote and all day sessions which will cover topics including strategic meetings management, social media, leadership, sustainability, personal development, incentive travel, technology trends and international meetings management.
Carina Bauer, CEO of organizers, the IMEX Group explains: “We had such a positive response to Smart Monday last year with over 1,200 people attending which has really inspired us in our planning for this year’s event. This year, Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”, really does offer exceptional value and diversity of education and there will be something for everyone, regardless of job title or association membership.
“MPI’s 12 educational sessions are a key part of the day – the backbone if you like – but we are also emphasizing the incredible scope and quality of all the education and networking on offer by other participating associations. Last year industry professionals were delighted – and perhaps a little surprised – when they realised how strong the education program was. Now that the concept is well established and we have proven there is strong demand, we are really excited to be planning for 2012 and taking steps to develop it even further,” states Bauer.
Alongside innovative and inspiring education from MPI (which will be open to members and non-members), Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”, will offer specialist education sessions from many other associations. All of it will be provided free of charge to both buyers and suppliers regardless of their association membership or status.
Association Day becomes part of Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”
The IMEX America Association Day, which provides education dedicated specifically to the challenges and issues facing association meeting executives, also becomes core to Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”. Association Day is a key part of the specialist offering which IMEX America provides for association planners – whether attending as hosted buyers, or as buyer attendees. This unique event offers a specialist ‘conference within a conference’ on Monday exclusively for association planners and gives them an opportunity to network with and learn from each other in a private environment, with topics dedicated to their needs. Suppliers can meet these planners at the Association Evening which is being sponsored by IMEX America’s Headquarters Hotel – The Venetian®| The Palazzo®.
Several other large, co-located events are set to attract industry professionals throughout the week, including MPI’s Foundation Rendezvous on Wednesday Oct. 10 and Site Nite North America, which will round off Smart Monday, “Powered by MPI”, on Oct. 08.
Buyers and suppliers can pre-register their interest in IMEX America here. Registration will be opening in May. Room bookings at IMEX America’s Headquarters Hotel – The Venetian®| The Palazzo® are also now open.
