EMEC 2025
Lights , camera , Istanbul action points !
M eeting Professionals International ( MPI ) met in Istanbul for its 2025 European conference ( EMEC ), 22-25 February , under the theme of ‘ Harmony in action ’.
President and CEO Paul Van Deventer welcomed delegates , saying : “ Events bring us together and then together we go forward .”
Van Deventer reported a 10 % growth in MPI revenue and 34 % in membership . The momentum was also reflected at the MPI Foundation , which , he said , had provided € 14m in disbursements as it celebrated its 40th anniversary .
Van Deventer added that the association was continuing to expand its personal development offerings from the MPI Academy , strengthening the global chapter network and enhancing its European Regional Council .
Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu , vice-general manager , tourism operations and development , Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency , also welcomed MPI delegates to Türkiye and to the Lutfi Kirdar International Convention and Exhibition Centre . She presented Türkiye ’ s Sustainable Tourism Programme which includes a stringent certification process for venues and accommodation facilities . It was a programme that , she
said , aimed to put Türkiye at the front of work on sustainable tourism and with standards endorsed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council .
Delegates then heard from keynote speaker Filiz Akdede , global VP of HP 3D Business , who has been named one of ‘ Türkiye ’ s Most Effective Women Leaders .’ She addressed the theme of ‘ future megatrends ’ and pointed out that Generation Alpha , which is made up of people born after 2010 would make up 11 % of the workforce by 2030 and be doing jobs that don ’ t currently exist .
To make the most of the opportunities and unlock our new potential , aided by technology , Akdede said we must “ unlearn and then relearn ”. Workshops on collaboration , AI , sustainability and many more key topics produced quality networking and action points for the future . Photos courtesy of Butino , also front cover n
ISSUE 135 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 35