Conference & Meetings World Issue 123 | Page 36

EMEC

EMEC ready to rock Brighton

MEETING PROFESSIONALS INTERNATIONAL ’ S SIGNATURE EUROPEAN EVENT RETURNS IN-PERSON WHEN IT HITS THE ENGLISH SEASIDE RESORT CITY OF BRIGHTON AND HOVE , 26-28 MARCH .

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PI ’ s European Meetings and Events Conference ( EMEC ) was founded on three strategic pillars : ‘ Designed by and for Europeans , serving as an incubator for ideation and infusing local flavour ’. Relying on that foundation , EMEC seeks to rethink traditional event planning practices as it contributes towards advancing the industry in general and , most specifically , the European business events community .
With multiple industry awards for its format , EMEC features three hands-on Learning Journey Experiences for attendees , each focused on a select area of business . They span the skills development gamut , varying from sustainable , local food practices at Ridgeview Winery ; perfecting the human meeting space with creative director , Robert Dunsmore , that amplifies the Brighton art scene ; and creating sales mastery in an increasing digital world , with author Ciara Feely .
“ EMEC Brighton has been in planning stages for three years , since our last in-person event in Sevilla , Spain ,” said Drew Holmgreen , chief brand officer at MPI . “ This event , and most specifically its purposefully unorthodox formats like the learning journeys , creates a unique blend of networking , education and hands-on skill development with a heavy reliance on the destination . It is something participants really cannot experience elsewhere , and we ’ re thrilled to bring the opportunity once again to so many .”
Each day will feature focused plenaries and breakout sessions with a mixture of both hard- and soft-skill development key to the advancement of industry professionals .
James Taylor and Alison Burns , co-founders of The Ethical Futurists will devote their plenary session to
“ EMEC is our testing grounds for all things innovation .” exponential technologies such as AI , the metaverse and extended reality , which , they claim , are revolutionising event experiences and making way for new disruptive business models to emerge .
“ EMEC is our testing grounds for all things innovation ,” said Jessie States , vice-president of the MPI Academy . “ This highly visual , interactive presentation prepares delegates to harness the power of a new era while reinforcing the importance of the human dynamic .”
EMEC takes place in a vibrant seaside city , in a destination that offers ease of access from global locations . Brighton has been acclaimed as a hotspot for creativity and innovation , and the EMEC programming will aim to infuse the local influence throughout the attendee experience .
Another critical component to EMEC Brighton is its incorporation of industry associations . MPI has sought to foster global connections through its peers , including ICCA , IAEE , SITE , IACC , CityDNA , IAPCO and , strategic partners , IMEX Group , whose headquarters are located in Brighton .
“ MPI and IMEX Group have collaborated and partnered together for more than 20 years ,” said Suzanne Mulligan , engagement strategist at IMEX and co-chair of EMEC Brighton . “ Talks of EMEC taking place in Brighton began long ago and we ’ re thrilled to showcase the strength of the industry through this amazing and unique event , hosted in our own backyard .”
Updates on specific programming and education will be shared on the event website at www . mpi . org / emec .
MPI is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide and has a global community of 95,000 meeting and event professionals , including 12,000 engaged members . It has nearly 70 chapters and clubs , with members in more than 75 countries . n
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