Work Smarter, Not Harder | March 31st, 2025 | 11 am - 12 pm Central | Domain A: Strategic Planning

Information bombardment is the single most damaging threat to productivity and collaboration. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Why not transform this threat into a sustainable competitive advantage for you and your firm? Let's start to work smarter, instead of harder. During this enlightening and action-packed presentation, you will learn how to:

•⁠ ⁠cope with information bombardment
•⁠ ⁠improve your ability to manage change
•⁠ ⁠lift productivity and efficiency
•⁠ ⁠speed up innovation through collaboration
•⁠ ⁠achieve industry-leading competitiveness
•⁠ ⁠determine what leadership action you can take tomorrow

Speaker: Nick Bontis

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This session features interpretation and translation by Wordly:

Communicate in Any Language - Everything you say, translated on the fly.

Accessibility

Platform: Zoom Meetings (more information)

Accessibility Features:

• Wordly real time AI powered interpretation and translation
• Transcriptions

Accommodation Request Contact: MPIAcademy@mpiweb.org

AI Enhanced Event Professional Certificate Course | 4.1.25, 9:00am-1:00pm CT

Domain G: Meeting or Event Design

Cost: $305 member/$405 non-member

Program Description:

In today's rapidly evolving events and meetings industry, meeting professionals must adapt to emerging technologies to create impactful and memorable experiences. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of this transformation, offering innovative solutions to enhance event planning, execution and attendee engagement. This hands-on certificate program is designed to equip meeting professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to harness AI's potential for designing meaningful and immersive experiences.

Target Audience:

This certificate program is ideal for:

• Meeting and Event Planners
• Event Managers and Coordinators
• Marketing and Communication Professionals
• Hospitality and Venue Managers
• Anyone interested in leveraging AI for event design

Program Objectives:

By the end of this certificate program, participants will be able to:

• Describe the fundamental concepts of Artificial Intelligence.
• Identify opportunities to incorporate AI in event design.
• Utilize AI tools and technologies to enhance event planning and execution.
• Develop strategies for personalized attendee experiences using AI.
• Analyze data-driven insights to improve event outcomes.
• Apply AI to a real-world case study in event design.

Curriculum Outline:

Module 1: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Events

This module serves as the foundation for the program. Participants will gain an understanding of key AI concepts and terminology relevant to the events industry. They will explore various applications of AI in event planning, execution, and attendee engagement. Additionally, ethical considerations surrounding AI use in events will be discussed to ensure responsible and transparent practices.

Module 2: AI Tools and Technologies for Event Professionals

In this module, participants delve into practical applications of AI for event professionals. They will explore the use of chatbots and virtual assistants for attendee support, predictive analytics to optimize event logistics, and AI-powered event management software for seamless planning. Hands-on activities will enable participants to set up and experiment with AI tools, gaining practical experience with these technologies.

Module 3: Personalization and Engagement with AI

Personalization and attendee engagement are crucial aspects of successful events. This module focuses on leveraging AI to create tailored event experiences. Participants will learn how to design personalized marketing campaigns, enhance attendee experiences through AI-driven solutions, and monitor engagement in real-time. Practical exercises will enable participants to create personalized event experiences using AI tools.

Module 4: Data Analysis and Improvement

Data is a valuable resource in event planning and evaluation. In this module, participants will explore data collection and integration methods, harness AI-driven insights to make informed decisions, and measure event success using AI-powered analytics. Participants will actively analyze event data using AI tools to improve event outcomes and make data-driven decisions.

Module 5: Case Study: Designing an AI-Enhanced Event

This interactive module presents a real-world event scenario. Participants will work in groups to apply the AI concepts they've learned throughout the program to the case study. They will develop strategies, solutions, and recommendations for enhancing the event using AI technologies. The session concludes with group presentations of their case study solutions, facilitating peer learning and feedback.

Module 6: Final Presentations

The program concludes with a final presentation session. Participants will present their case study solutions to the group, showcasing their practical application of AI in event design. This session also includes a Q&A and discussion to further clarify concepts.

Emergency Prep | 4.2.25

Cost: $499 members/$699 non-members

6 clock hours in CMP-IS Strategic Domain A: Strategic Planning

Your No. 1 role as a meeting professional isn’t executing on flawless experiences or driving business results for your organization. It’s ensuring the safety and security of the people you have brought together onsite. But if this is your most critical role, how prepared do you feel for stepping into it during a crisis or incident? And do you have the plans in place to ensure that you are successful?

Build and maintain an understanding of the risk management and emergency planning process with this six-hour certificate course, developed in partnership with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi. Discover processes for risk assessment and emergency preparedness, adapted from the best-in-class experts in marathons and World Cups. Deep dive into incident management strategies as needed for the prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from all-hazard emergency incidents. Discover techniques to prevent and respond to everything from ordinary incidents such as fights or drunkenness to extraordinary crimes, violence, terrorist attacks and natural disasters.

Learn how you can ensure the safety and security of all attendees, limit damage and restore services in the event of emergencies. Helping your organization host successful meetings begins with creating events that are safe and secure for all attendees and stakeholders. Give yourself the tools you need to effectively plan for and respond to crisis and deliver on your responsibility to your attendees and your organization.

You’ll Be Able To:

• Differentiate between events and incidents for managing risk onsite at meetings and events of all kinds
• Identify various stakeholders in communication and collaboration for meeting and event emergency preparedness
• Apply risk assessment and management techniques to mitigate, transfer, accept and/or avoid risk
• Implement and execute the critical components of the emergency planning process
• Create post-event reports and lessons learned and implement tactics for continuous improvement

Participants Also Receive:

Emergency Preparedness for Events Certificate

6 clock hours in CMP-IS Strategic Domain A: Strategic Planning

Contract & Negotiation Specialist

Cost: $505 Member/ $705 Non-Member

Domain B: Project Management | 6 Clock Hours

Contracting and negotiation are crucial—yet complex—roles for meeting professionals and understanding legal terminology and common contract clauses (and the liabilities they protect against) allows meeting professionals to negotiate from a position of strength. Even if you know what to look for, contracting is dynamic, and negotiation strategies change with market conditions, competition, and the economy. Solid knowledge of contract law and negotiation tactics enables meeting professionals to protect the interests of their organizations. With knowledge comes power, especially when it comes to legal matters.

Negotiating contracts involves managing financial and liability risks and protecting your business, particularly when considering the performance clauses (attrition and cancellation) that are standard in most venue contracts. No contracts are the same; words and phrasing vary and need to be carefully reviewed and edited. Sometimes, additional clauses must be added to balance the risk and liability between parties. And what of force majeure, indemnification, and the host of clauses that deal with issues that range from nuisances to calamities, such as construction and remodeling and incompatible groups?

It’s said the only right answer in the law is “it depends.” This certificate program will illustrate legal principles with examples from the news, the instructor, and your peers. Bring success and horror stories to share with other participants, enhance your legal knowledge, and fulfill your role to negotiate contracts that protect your organization from the financial and liability risks associated with your meetings and events.

You’ll Be Able To:

• Explain the purpose of the primary contract clauses found in venue contracts.
• Give examples of how contract language may result in financial or liability risk.
• Prioritize issues for negotiation, determining “hot buttons” based on your meeting specifications.
• Distinguish between contract language that is merely unfavorable and that which puts a party at significant financial or liability risk.
• Negotiate key performance and liability clauses in at least three different ways so that the result is multiple options and not just a win-lose scenario.
• Modify venue contracts based on knowledge of meetings contracts, meeting specifications, market conditions, and knowledge of the venue.

Credits Available 6.00 Contact Hours

Event Psychology Strategist

Domain A: Strategic Planning

Cost: $305 member/$405 non-member

Target Audience
This certificate program is ideal for:
• Event Planners and Event Strategists
• Event Marketing and Communication Professionals
• Hospitality and Destination Management Specialists
• Anyone interested in applying behavioral science, neuroscience, and psychology principles to enhance event design and attendee experience

Program Overview
Applying behavioral science, neuroscience, and psychology to event planning and marketing, aka 'event psychology', is a strategic approach that holds the key to more significant and lasting impacts for attendees, stakeholders, and organizers.

As experiences inherently start and resonate in people's minds, they should be designed for how people think.

The Brain-friendly Experience Ecosystem Certificate Program is designed to provide event professionals with in-depth knowledge on how these sciences can inform and enhance every aspect of event design and help them gain low-cost, high-impact solutions for their personal and professional growth.

Program Objectives
By the end of this certificate program, you'll be able to:
• Understand the fundamental concepts of behavioral science, neuroscience, and psychology as they relate to event planning and marketing.
• Apply research-backed strategies for enhancing attendee engagement, learning, and interaction.
• Adopt a behavioral perspective to experience design and evaluation.
• Integrate science-based practices to enhance personal and team growth and wellbeing.

Curriculum details

Module 1: Making event learning stick
This module explores how the human brain's intricate processes affect your audience's learning and engagement. Through a deep dive into the science of attention, memory, and senses, you'll learn strategies that will dramatically improve your event's learning outcomes, whether online or face-to-face.

Module 2: Mastering the art of connection
You’ll learn what makes or breaks communication and what hidden factors influence networking at events. This module tackles common misconceptions and biases in communication, guides you on how to foster trust and belonging, and shares tips on preparing attendees for effective communication.

Module 3: Unveiling the psychology of influence
In this module, you’ll explore the psychological mechanisms behind people's choices, the nuances of emotional marketing, the impact of words, and how to leverage less known psychological tactics to elevate your event's appeal.

Module 4: Designing welcoming and engaging environments.
From the psychology of space to DEI through a behavioral lens, this module helps you create welcoming and enticing environments for your attendees. You'll discover how choice architecture can subtly influence participant experience and behavior, ensuring your event leaves a lasting impression.

Module 5: Evaluating what truly matters
Shift your perspective on event success by adopting a behavioral approach to evaluation. We'll discuss deep motivations, feedback biases, and the true impact of your event through behavior change. The goal of this module is to think beyond traditional KPIs and assess the intangibles that matter.

Module 6: Gaining advantage through team and personal well-being
You'll learn ways to empower yourself and your team with concepts like psychological safety and empathy. In this module, we explore science-based practices for personal growth and how to embed them into your day-to-day activities.

Each module is carefully designed to empower you with knowledge, strategies, and tools that are not just theoretical but immediately applicable. With this program, you will learn solutions that are grounded in human psychology, so you can create truly impactful and successful events.

Credits Available 4.00 Contact Hours

Sustainable Event Strategist Course 

Domain A: Strategic Planning

Cost: $305 member/$405 non-member

Program overview:

The meeting industry's focus on sustainability is changing. As planners, part of that means being able to answer questions from chief sustainability officers and executive-level stakeholder(s) and clients, particularly those whose focus is organizational support of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting. The industry has been talking about sustainability in events for years and many of us have implemented small changes, but now we have to go further and redefine how we plan. MPI's newest micro-certificate dives into specifics around sustainability, government regulations, community impact, food & beverage, carbon offsets and tracking and supply chain engagement. Get the boost you need to start implementing real change in your planning process.

What you’ll learn

• Gain a deeper understanding of how to imbed sustainability in your planning processes.
• Use tools for success around several key areas of event, including carbon emissions, food and beverage, single-use items reduction, supplier engagement and social impact.
• Align your event sustainability goals with the overarching goals of your organization or clients.

Credits Available4.00 Contact Hours

Event Data Analysis Course

Domain A: Strategic Planning

Cost: $305 member/$405 non-member

Program Overview:

This comprehensive three-part course dives deep into the role and significance of data analysis within the meetings and events industry. From understanding relevant data types to applying analytical tools and techniques, participants will gain insight into how data can transform event outcomes and drive success.

This course is tailored for professionals keen to harness the power of data in revolutionizing the landscape of meetings and events. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to stay ahead in this ever-evolving industry.

Course Details:

Module 1: Introduction to Data Analysis in the Meetings and Events Industry

• Importance of Data Analysis in the Meetings and Events Industry
• Types of Data Relevant to Meetings and Events
• Insight into various data sources within the industry.
• Overview of diverse data types, including registration data, participant feedback, and social media analytics.

Module 2: Tools and Techniques for Data Analysis in the Meetings and Events Industry

• Common Data Analysis Tools
• Techniques for Data Visualization
• Emphasis on the significance of data visualization for deriving actionable insights.
• Introduction to various visualization techniques and best practices to effectively narrate data-driven stories.

Module 3: Applying Data Analysis to Enhance Meetings and Events

• Case Studies and Examples
• Presentation of real-world instances where data analysis has been effectively employed in the industry.
• Discussion on specific use cases, like refining meeting logistics and tailoring participant experiences.
• Strategies for Data-Driven Decision Making
• Introduction to methods to infuse data analysis into the decision-making framework.
• Stress on the need for continuous improvements based on data-derived insights.

Credits Available 4.00 Contact Hours