On May 14, KCMPI hosted its annual professional education conference with over 100 attendees and exhibitors at the Ball Conference Center in Olathe. Lawrence Andre, emcee for the day’s events, kicked off the morning by energizing everyone to think about their personal brand and vision, and doing the exercises necessary to take their business and life to the next level. Shawna Suckow, CMP, with the Senior Planners Industry Network (SPIN), then challenged the group by breaking into teams with specific assignments to creatively plan a Zombies convention in the year 2030. If you weren’t there, you probably have a puzzled look on your face right now, but the group had a great time working with each other and putting their "zombie hats" on to deliver a successful convention.

Morning breakouts included a fantastic session by James Spellos whose company, Meeting U, specializes in helping people become more productive and comfortable with technology. Yes, there is an app for just about everything, and the crowded room was excited to absorb his many recommendations on the coolest and most useful apps out there. Mr. Spellos repeated this session in the afternoon, which was equally well-attended. For more information, see page 18 of the attached Meeting Professional Magazine. https://www.mpiweb.org/docs/default-source/Magazine/TMP_0514.pdf

KCMPI’s own Lorie Salts, CMP, conducted a great session on MPI certifications. We all know Lorie is an expert in this arena, and we thank her for sharing her advice and expertise.

Those wanting to learn more about healthier eating and nutrition were treated to a session hosted by Caryl Lombard, a Certified Health Educator, who discussed the science behind what we eat and our health, and how we can produce fresh, healthy, great-tasting produce right in our own backyards.

During the conference, attendees had the opportunity to network and visit with the various exhibitors, and everyone enjoyed the numerous prize drawings throughout the day.

Following a fabulous lunch catered by delish!, Corbin Ball, one of MPI’s long-time and most well-respected speakers, gave a presentation on how to do more with less, and the rise of free or very low cost web tools for meeting professionals. As always, Corbin’s expertise and vast experience were well received by the audience.

In the afternoon, Rick Sheahan with TaxesPlus, Inc., provided a very informative session on tax issues for small business professionals that was of particular interest to independent planners and suppliers, and KCMPI’s own Patti Gaughan, CMP, provided a session on Meetings & Events 101. Even well-seasoned planners always enjoy Patti’s presentations on tips, tools and tricks to creating successful meetings and events.

For the final session of the day, attendees were treated to an "unconference". This session was hosted by KCMPI’s own Rob Wilson, MCSE. The unconference is a session designed to start discussions around topics that may or may not be covered during the education conference and continue those discussions beyond the boundaries of the set conference agenda. Attendees were asked to write suggested topics on wall posters throughout the day, which generated great discussion and interaction among the attendees during the unconference session.

At the conclusion of the day, everyone enjoyed the networking reception to relax and visit. As always, it was great to reconnect with old friends and colleagues, and to meet and establish new friends and great industry relationships.

Many thanks go to all of our wonderful sponsors. We are truly grateful for their generosity. Thank you also to our exhibitors and speakers, and a very special thanks to the PEC Planning Committee for the many hours of their time and talent they donated to making PEC 2014 a great success!