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, which is scheduled for Monday, October 8, 2012.
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, October 8, 2012, while also signaling 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 that will cover topics such as strategic meetings management, social media, leadership, sustainability, personal development, incentive travel, technology trends and international meetings management.
“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,” said Carina Bauer, CEO of organizers, the IMEX Group explains. “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.”
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.
“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,” said Bauer. “Last year, industry professionals were delighted – and perhaps a little surprised – when they realized 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.”
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 that 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.
