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Stay ahead of event trends with essential learning
MPI CORRESPONDENT PAUL COOK IDENTIFIES SOME OF THE TOP TRENDS FACING MEETING AND EVENTS PROFESSIONALS AND SOME OF THE MPI TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR NAVIGATING THIS FAST-CHANGING EVENTS ENVIRONMENT
M eeting and event professionals need to be more aware and on the ball than ever before . And that means they need to have the right learning tools available .
Change is constant , with shifts in politics , society , and business all having an impact on our lives . Today ’ s event planner has a lot to consider .
New requirements in sustainability , accessibility , and inclusivity provide fresh opportunities and challenges . A lot is happening , such as the need to understand new event tech and AI developments . It feels like a seismic shift is taking place .
Robbert Weddepohl , group venue director for Stage Entertainment B . V ., a member of the MPI International Board of Directors and board liaison for MPI ’ s Sustainability Advisory Council , says : “ As we continue to redefine the purpose of meetings , sustainability , and inclusivity must take centre stage . The events we design must reflect the world we aspire to : inclusive , equitable , and representative of all voices .”
Sustainability has long been a key component in event planning , but there is an increased focus on its importance . Sustainability consultant Courtney Lohmann , CMP , says : “ Planners need to understand the regulations that have launched in 2024 and in 2025 . The EU launched the Corporate Sustainability
Above : Courtney Lohmann
Above : Robbert Weddepohl
Reporting Directive ( CSRD ) in 2024 , and California implements SD253 in 2025 .”
She continues : “ This affects much of what we do in the industry , especially on the corporate events side . Planners will start to hear more and more from their internal sustainability departments , requiring them to report on the emissions of their events . As a planner , if you haven ’ t started understanding what and how your event creates emissions , this is your call to action .”
When we look at accessibility , some countries have their own legislation , but the European Accessibility Act ( EAA ), set to come into force on 28 June 2025 , will impact event planners everywhere when it comes to hosting events in the European Union .
The impact of MPI ’ s partnerships with organisations and specialist suppliers goes towards helping planners navigate the challenges they face . For example , the Myrtle Beach Convention Center ( MBCC ) teamed up with MPI to sponsor its neurodiverse learning initiatives , which include a certificate programme and a white paper .
As with sustainability , AI is now a key tool for planners . But the only way to get to grips with it is to stop talking about it and experiment . As Sam Stanton , creator , at REDBUTTON . AI , says : “ Just start and try , even though that ’ s the hardest thing to do .”
The MPI Academy offers a number of courses that help meeting professionals with development of their skills and understanding of key issues they face . Some are new , and some have been around for a while , such as the Certificate in Meetings Management ( CMM ), which focuses on event strategy . All of these help deal with core issues and new trends that we can see and those that are yet to come . What ’ s most important is to understand the key priorities for your organisation and your stakeholders , then embrace the opportunity that learning offers . n
ISSUE 135 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 17