KCMPI’s 2011 Professional Education Conference (PEC) kicked off in the Crown Club at Kauffman Stadium on May 19th  in the midst of spring storms.

Rain, rain, go away! Thanks to our Weather Sponsor, Missouri Meetings & Events magazine, the skies blued-up just in time for the Royals’ batting practice and a classic tailgate dinner in the Hall of Fame Suites.

Thanks to a new format this year—the meeting taking place in just one day—created a great networking atmosphere. Attendees had great opportunities to meet with colleagues, vendors and new potential clients.

There’s nothing like spending time in a major league stadium to make planners and suppliers play nice. The atmosphere was cozy, energetic and expectant.

As our emcee, Jim Mathis, was crisp and amusing, while his presentation offered simple, bold truths about reinventing ourselves for the coming year.

Throughout the conference, groups exchanged views on industry challenges and possible solutions for those issues. Keynote speaker Kristi Casey Sanders is creating a white paper based on the challenges that we identified via a text-poll. Topics included short lead times, budgets, work hours, airline changes, the competition ‘giving it away and more.

Dianna Booher rounded the bases with her keynote on communicating with confidence. Everyday situations that any referee would call "out." Dianna gave real-life tips and responses to unexpected foul balls.

Jeff Havens took the after-lunch slot and had us rocking in our chairs with laughter. His goal to Uncrapify Our Lives was a lesson on reverse psychology for work, home and society in general.

A very special Thank You to all of our generous sponsors. They eagerly participated in our baseball theme and made it a great day for fun, friends and baseball.

Lastly, a big KCMPI thanks to Amy Bornhorst, CMP, and Shana Hoy for leading the committee in another successful PEC. See you at PEC in 2012!

For more information, go to:
www.kcmpi.org/edcon or visit our Facebook page.