During the 2008 World Education Congress, MPI energised members with elevated content, new programs, exciting announcements, expansive networking, and enhanced corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Upholding an ongoing commitment to a richer educational experience, MPI delivered over 100 knowledge sessions designed to enhance professional skills and increase member success. An enhanced marketplace experience also leveraged creative concepts initially pioneered at MPI’s MeetDifferentSM event in February, featuring open environments and connection spots as an alternative to the traditional trade show.

“MPI members have a thirst for knowledge and business opportunities in an increasingly competitive environment. We created a transformational event. According to preliminary survey results, over 94 percent of our members felt this event would improve their job performance and productivity. Moreover, they confirmed that WEC was a worthwhile investment in their career,” said Bruce MacMillan, CEO and president of MPI. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Las Vegas community and look forward to carrying the success of this event to Salt Lake City in July of 2009,” he added.

During the opening general session, MacMillan unveiled MPI’s new magazine, One +TM, which evokes MPI’s revitalized brand essence - connecting members to knowledge, relationships, and marketplaces. One + has a new, bold, vibrant look that mirrors the revitalized MPI brand and global community, with elevated content that engages and informs at a new level. Following the One + launch, this week MPI revealed a new and enhanced website effectively delivering the content and connections that support members’ success.

“Our membership’s response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said David Basler, editor-in-chief of One +, “Readers have immediately embraced the new magazine, excited about the thought-provoking, co-created content that is igniting conversations around the world.”

MPI continues to pursue robust growth opportunities in emerging markets, adopting strong collaborative industry relationships, and exploring opportunities for community expansion and content business enhancement. As an integral part to this enhancement, last September MPI began revamping its awards program to recognize exceptional performance and best practices within the context of MPI’s new vision, mission and strategic imperatives. During the opening general session at WEC, Larry Luteran, chair of MPI’s Board of Directors, announced MPI’s new RISE Award program - Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence. Seven annual awards will be featured, recognizing excellence in organizational, individual and community achievement. The RISE Award’s new recognition categories and criteria reflect our changing industry and better alignment with MPI’s drive to build a rich global meetings industry community.

MPI’s commitment to lead in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was reflected in new initiatives at WEC. Attendee volunteers from WEC participated in a community outreach program at Opportunity Village. The organization employs disabled people through several channels in Las Vegas, including a fund-raising thrift store and two campuses.

Recognizing the importance of this group, WEC volunteers traveled to the Opportunity Village thrift store and spent a fun-filled morning painting the expansive rooms a cheery light blue. Leading by example in sustainability best practices during WEC as well, MPI implemented re-usable water bottles and re-filling stations positioned throughout the convention center, utilized china service or biodegradable disposable service ware rather than paper or plastic service ware, MPI staff uniform shirts were made from an innovative cotton/bamboo blend, and the Onsite daily paper was printed by a Forest Stewardship Council-certified printer on paper that contains 10 percent post-consumer recycled content and soy-based ink.

WEC 2008 raised the bar in many ways -with record-breaking attendance, elevated educational content, exciting unveilings of publications and programs, and enhanced CSR initiatives. When asked, “How do you do it?” MacMillan replied, “The answer is simple: a vision of what success looks like, members who help us push the envelope and co-create a passionate team for which success is the only option, and partner relationships around our shared vision of success.”

July 11-14, 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah, is scheduled to host the MPI World Education Congress.