KCMPI Wins the 2014 WEC Challenge!

 KCMPI was well represented at MPI’s 2014 WEC. In fact our chapter was one of four to win the WEC Challenge sponsored by the Great Wolf Lodge. As a challenge winner, we will receive either $1,000 for our chapter or three WEC 2015 registrations. More to come on this in our next issue!

So what happened at WEC 2014? For starters, Minneapolis truly knew how to welcome participants and roll out the red carpet. They had countless volunteers working around the clock helping the more than 1,000 attendees and exhibitors. There was not a corner at the convention center without a warm Minneapolis smile.

Discovery was a constant word at WEC, which seemed to focus on the main areas of personal and professional growth; and technology. This was accomplished through three main styles of learning: general session, interactive breakouts, and peer-to-peer learning. It is impossible to cover every aspect of WEC, so following are a few of my highlights:

Opening remarks from MPI’s CEO Paul Van Deventer who shared the focus of MPI.

• Simple and focused vision and mission.
• The MPI Foundation, which has provided more than 1 million in grants and scholarships.
• Investing in professional development.
• Rebuilding the infrastructure of MPI.
• Advocating for the meetings and events industry.

Dr. Deepak Chopra: Among many of his accomplishments, he has invested his talents and time to working with Delos Living to create Stay Well meetings. Look for more details in future publications as this trend continues to grow! Dr. Chopra shared with us a few interesting tips on how to live each day:

• Don't multitask; it ruins your mind.
• Set your intentions each day and live them with energy, compassion and likeness of mind.
• Meditate.
• Never suppress grief.
• When speaking to someone ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Have your conversations be ones that create joy in your listeners. Words can heal, harm, and kill. So be very careful with your word choice.
• Have love and compassion.

Nolan Bushnell: The founder of Atari and Chuck E Cheese’s – and he hired Steve Jobs! He was a favorite because of his wisdom and simplicity. Some things to note:

• Look for creativity, intensity and passion when looking for new hires.
• Don’t be a ‘nay-sayer! Don’t be a "devil’s advocate," and don’t have them on your team.
• Be willing to fail, but don't try to fail.
• Experience the different.
• Play the dice game. Come up with 11 things you want to do – think big. Roll the dice and that number is your focus for the year.
• The more uncomfortable you are the better off you are. When you become comfortable with something it’s time to change.
• Expose yourself to new things in life.
• Technology will change beyond our own imaginations in the coming years!

Laura Schwartz: She was the White House Event Director under President Clinton. Hysterical and a ball of fire, she went deep into how to successfully network and create your opportunities. Her presentation was titled: Must be Present to Win!

• When networking, ask yourself what you can do for the person vs. what they can do for you.
• Look at attending an event as an opportunity not an option.
• Do your homework. Read the news and know a little about a lot.
• Define your goals and practice. It can be as simple as meeting two people or collecting two new business cards. Your networking confidence will grow.
• Be on time!
• Have the power of appearance: emotional and physical.
• Listen!
• Write down facts of people you meet in your contact info for future reference.
• Answer this question: What makes you stand out? Find out what that is.
• Follow-up.

 Each day, participants looked forward to the Flashpoint Idea Assembly at the General Sessions, which were short 15-minute previews of upcoming breakout sessions.

Campfire sessions were engaging 30-minute sessions with the ambiance of a campfire! These sessions covered topics anywhere from negotiations to health to partnerships.

Yoga Express Break! What better way to re-energize than a 30-minute gentle yoga class. WEC offered several opportunities to learn more about health and how to incorporate it into your meetings and everyday life. Look for more on this topic at a future KCMPI program!

 So much more information can be found on the WEC 2014 web pages. Be sure to check it out!

Save the dates for WEC 2015 in San Francisco 
July 25-28, 2015!