3 Clock Hours | Domain E: Human Resources

According to the Future of Jobs report from the World Economic Forum rapid changes and advancements in technology are radically changing the skills organizations need from employees—and that was before the pandemic accelerated the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The jobs of today and tomorrow require less tactical and logistic work (as automation and AI absorb tasks) and more human skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, and persuasion.

Pre-pandemic, the World Economic Forum predicted that more than half of workers would require significant re- and upskilling by 2022, and while the global health emergency forced many meeting professionals to increase their proficiency in “tech fluency,” many haven’t considered how other future-ready skills are becoming increasingly critical for their roles and their businesses.

Join MPI’s first Future Skills Summit for a crucial look at the skills hiring managers say are game-changers across sectors and consider who those skills are key for the meeting strategist jobs of tomorrow. We’ll discuss how human skills are supplanting tactical ones, why “skill instability” is the buzzword for 2022, and how you can prepare by focusing your professional development on the irresistible skills of tomorrow.

Then, we will deep dive into three core skills that experts say will have a deliberate and urgent impact on the meeting and event space and share core knowledge and build proficiency so that you can apply next practices to your role, your meetings, and your business immediately.

Session Agenda

1:00 to 1:45 PM
Fast Forward: Future-Ready Skills for #Eventprofs
Presented by Jessie States

According to the Future of Jobs report from the World Economic Forum, the skills necessary for the jobs of tomorrow are far different than the ones needed for the jobs of today—and that was before the pandemic, which accelerated great technological revolution. Roles that rely on set procedures, routine and repetitive tasks are being replaced by automation, AI, and robotics, which is why the future role of the meeting professional absolutely must be a knowledge-based position. In order for meeting professionals to survive the Tech Revolution, we must redefine our roles as business drivers and strategists who contribute to bottom lines by delivering a return on investment, experience, and objectives. But what skills are necessary to excel as a meeting professional in 2030, and how can you ensure that they are part of your knowledge portfolio?

During this session, you will…
1. Imagine what your job will look like in 10 years.
2. Discover the skills you will need to be workforce-ready tomorrow.
3. Create an action plan for upskilling your future.

1:45 to 2:15 PM
The Power of Curiosity
Presented by Annette Gregg
Curiosity is one of the casualties of our fast-paced, under-resourced business lives. But what if curiosity was the secret to unlocking team potential, individual growth, and overall human connection? We will explore the benefits of curiosity, why it gets lost in our daily lives, and quick tips to get it back.

During this session, you will…
1. Learn how curiosity engages the brain
2. Understand how curiosity can unite teams and breakdown bias
3. Gain simple ways we can grow curiosity to build community and connection

2:15 to 3:15 PM
Future Skills Breakout Topics & SMEs

• Persuasion with Tammy Kockaya
• Network-Building with Meg Fasy
• Emotional Intelligence with Nancy Snowden

3:15 to 4:00 PM
Proving Your Value In A Changing Landscape
Presented by Howard Givner

Description: The pandemic has caused event stakeholders everywhere to re-evaluate their investment in event spend in general, and for in-person events in particular. Everything is being scrutinized and that includes the people who design, plan and produce the events. Events, and event jobs, must prove their value now more than ever, or risk being eliminated. The ones who thrive in this new landscape will be those who can position themselves as trusted advisors to their clients, have a deep understanding of the client’s business, and be laser-focused on creating events that advance the business goals with cost-effective ROI. This session will explore what it takes for event professionals to distinguish themselves from the pack and make them indispensable to their clients and the organizations they serve.

During this session, you will…

1. Identify the traits that separate a trusted advisor from an order-taker.

2. Distinguish between key business metrics used by clients, and how they apply to event goals.

3. Explore often-missed opportunities for planners to prove their value.

4. Apply strategies to define, hone and promote your personal brand.

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