MPI Toronto Education Conference (TEC) Scholarship Recipients Speak Out
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Scholarships to Education: A Rocking Good time to Build Relationships and Be Yourself!
Tami Adams, Sr. Events Coordinator at Speakers' Spotlight
I had the pleasure of attending the Toronto Education Conference (TEC) this year made possible by the MPI Toronto Chapter Scholarship Program. It would have been no doubt in my mind to attend; however, I was also saving for a month-long trip to Europe (being an avid traveler and all) and balancing both financially was proving an issue. The trip was happening, and I really wanted to make TEC 2016 happen too; receiving the Scholarship made this possible!
Over the course of a few days, I not only was inspired to think outside the box, try something new and challenge my comfort zone, but I also had the chance to connect on a personal level with many of my clients and peers. The experience I gained from a networking capacity was endless! At Speakers' Spotlight, we are constantly focusing on new ways to connect and build relationships with our clients, and the TEC Conference really taught me added tools and skills to do just this. While those who know me would say I am an extrovert – and I would not disagree – networking events like TEC can still make me nervous and I struggle at times with my confidence. This event has really given me the chance to build on this confidence and make these kinds of events easier over time, which in turn has and will continue to help me build on those key relationships.
The Hands-On AV Session was an amazing chance to really get an "inside look" at what AV suppliers need and the challenges they can face. This was valuable to me as someone who works with Professional Speakers and Planners. I was able to take this additional knowledge I gained and bring this back to my team to share how we can anticipate these needs better. This in turn will inevitability make our client and speakers lives a little easier by reducing the number of questions our clients have about this critical piece of the speakers presentation. In turn, this will strengthen the relationship on both sides; a simple method of managing client expectations on an accelerated level.
AV was not the only the valuable lessons I took out of TEC. I learned how to work with different generations and adjust my communication styles accordingly. I was reminded of how important work-life balance is and how that can really accelerate your career and overall mental health. Throughout the keynote sessions, I learned how to embrace and adjust to change to make it rock like the musicians do and how to cause a disturbance and stand out! Finally, I learned to simply be myself and "twirl" once in a while.
Defying Gravity
Rachel Klar, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager, National Event Management
They reached, they soared and, oh yes, they defied gravity!
The MPI Toronto Education Conference (TEC) brought together a diverse group of suppliers, planners and new members to the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls in mid-May to learn about how, in the meeting and events industry, we can leap tall buildings, make the impossible possible and, of course, defy gravity.
With more than 125 professionals in attendance, the event drove forth the key message that we must "challenge convention, push beyond expectations and break a few rules along the way."
Kicking off the TEC was the opening reception in the cellar at Peller Estates Winery with food and wine pairings to awaken the palette and spark the imagination. Roasting marshmallows over the outdoor fire pits and sipping ice wine in the 10 below Icewine Lounge was just the beginning to a wonderful event and allowed for conversation to flow and networking to ensue. Transportation throughout the event was sponsored by Community Transport Group in large, spacious shuttle buses.
Starting off our day right, Nurture U Yoga offered an early morning yoga session for self reflection and deep breathing to energize participants for the day ahead. Speakers’ Spotlight arranged for a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers including the opening keynotes, Steve Jones, sponsored by Tourism London, and Tony Conte, who opened the event with uplifting spirit and insightful inspiration to reach beyond the stars and just "twirl." The speaker lineup for the remainder of the TEC touched on relevant industry concepts and fashioned an environment for eager learning.
What happens when you put together a point system with event and meeting planners ... COMPETITION!! And who doesn’t enjoy competition! EventMobi brought out everyone’s competitive nature with a live leaderboard and an event app gamification concept that drove conversation, networking and point tracking to win a special prize courtesy of Nurture U Yoga.
FMAV ignited the learning experience by offering the latest and greatest in AV technology to support the event with colourful lighting, spectacular showmanship and personable staffing.
The Exhibitor Lounge during lunch had more than 15 exhibitors and was a wonderful means of interacting with various partners to learn about their offered services. When you add the contest element, yet again, competition ensued. The lucky winner was chosen during the closing reception (Geoff Mak) who graciously donated the Meetings & Conventions PEI prize to the Hannah House ECOS project. The prize was auctioned live for $2,050 towards this wonderful cause.
The MPI Foundation TEC Rocks event, sponsored by Fallsview Casino Resort and the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview, was a fabulous way for members to give back to the community that consistently supports continuing education, personal growth and networking. With a view overlooking the Canadian Falls, heated outdoor seating area, raffles and more, the Foundation event was a fabulous means of kicking back, relaxing and chatting up a storm.
We can’t forget the photography sponsor The Image Commission, speaker gift sponsor Baskit (don’t tell me you didn’t want one of these), registration sponsor D.E. Systems, Marquee Sponsor Ottawa Tourism/Shaw Centre, audience reaction sponsor Swarmworks, cash sponsor Niagara Falls Tourism, media sponsor Ignite, and design sponsor Omega Communications. A big thanks to all of the TEC Sponsors for their contributions and hard work towards a fantastic event and highlighting the Defying Gravity theme.
Meeting and event planners truly know how it’s done. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the TEC this year, don’t worry, there is always next year at the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort and Spa, May 7-9, 2017!
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