Knowing that an event like the upcoming World Education Congress in Orlando, FL is just full of awesomeness, I thought I’d poll some veteran attendees (plus one or two newbies) to put together a list of what they consider to be the “can’t-miss” happenings at WEC. This was mostly inspired by me trying to help my mentees/WEC 1st-timers with learning about what will rock!!
According to @SamuelJSmith, he can’t wait to reconnect with his “Digital Event Friends” and his many European MPI friends. One of the great things about WEC is that there are people from ALL over the world to meet and/or reconnect with. I’m with Sam on this one! Sam is a WEC veteran and longtime MPI member and thought leader.
Amanda Gourgue, @mtgrevolution, is really excited to see Adrian Segar’s presentation on audience participation techniques. Agree, it should be cool! He’s always kind to his audience. Here’s a link to his video explaining the session.
The ever-handsome @GregRuby is looking forward to “Coca Cola: Evolving Corporate Client Expectations. A CSR program that combines two of my favorite things – Coca Cola & Olympics! A win-win!” Agree Greg, love the context for learning about CSR and you simply CANNOT lose with the indomitable Fiona Pelham of Positive Impact. Should be cool!
A brilliant European friend, @RuudWJanssen, will kick off the event with Simon Sinek‘s keynote, “Understand your WHY”. He is also working in the MPI Solutions Room on Monday morning. I am notorious for never sitting through an entire keynote (exception: Tony Hsieh of Zappos, a must-see), but I believe that Simon might actually capture my attention. V excited!! Also, try out the Solutions Room. I contributed to the one for MPI’s European Meetings and Events Congress and it was AWESOME. I’m sure Ruud has plans to improve it even more!
Conferences That Work author, Adrian Segar/@ASegar, is psyched to attend one of my most favorite people in the whole world, Paul Salinger’s, session, “Next Practices, When Getting Bigger Means Going Smaller.” Me too Adrian
Adrian is also going to the Meetup on Monday, sponsored by meetingspodcast.com More info here.
One of the most beautiful and intelligent women I know, Katherine Manfredi/@KManfredi, says that Elizabeth Henderson’s session, “Decarbonating Your Events” will be a fun, hands-on science experiment while learning about greening events. Oooo, count me in Katherine, that sounds fantastic!! Elizabeth Henderson never fails to deliver an outstanding session.
@RogerRickard boldly claims that his session, “Call for Action: Advocating Meetings” is the can’t-miss. He’s also speaking with one of the smarties in the hospitality industry, Michael Dominguez of Loews Hotels. If Michael speaks, you should listen. To clarify, I know Roger and I know he’s not saying this because of an ego thing. It’s because he believes so strongly in the message and education we all need in order to become better advocates for the industry we work in! The talk show format is intriguing to me also.
The brains behind the MPI mobile apps, @TrevorRoald, of Quickmobile, couldn’t settle on any one thing. He gave me a loooong list:
GREAT list Trevor. I would second the High-Impact Storytelling session. @SpeakerSue is one of the best speakers out there!!
Current UK Chapter President, SammeAllen/@MrsBarbican, weighs in with another international viewpoint. She declares that the Chapter Leadership Forum is crucial to her role as President. Being a leader of an international chapter, “Meeting other chapter leaders from across the globe not only is great for learning but it’s a fab community!”
Lovely Vanessa Laclair/@VLaclair also found it impossible to narrow down the list to one thing. She mentioned the F2F v. Technology debate (sorry, but are we still having that debate? oh, sidetrack) and meeting @EmilieBarta on her list. She also was sure to mention the fantastic tradition of BREAKFAST IN BED by Visit Montreal. Tres Bien Vanessa, Emilie Barta was my “Ms. Congeniality” of Twitter 2010 and that breakfast can’t be beat!
In typical Emilie Barta sweet-natured, kind-hearted, fashion, she says “My one can’t miss event for #WEC11 is reconnecting with old friends and making new ones!
” Oh, sweet Emilie. Make sure you say hi if you see her, she won’t disappoint!
Also struggling to make one choice, @HeatherHartland advises “Can’t miss flash point. Excited 4 LMG “field trip” Biggest can’t miss: cnxtns to industry greats irl” Hmmm, I’d love to hear who makes this Colorado Blue Bear girl’s list of industry greats! Sounds interesting, right?
Fellow SoCal girl, @ElizabethGlau, a social media consultant (and apparently informal mentee), is banking on the HIVE as well. Sounds like this will be a big draw!!
And, finally, the man, the myth, the legend whose session has topped the list of most, Paul Salinger/@PSalinger, says his can’t miss is simply seeing all the Green Meeting Industry Council members and #eventprofs community. Off the record, he also said he’s curious to see how all of the attempts at innovation play out at the event. I agree, and think we should all participate to support the spirit of experimentation.
So, that about wraps up the picks for the World Education Congress. Oh, me, my picks? How nice of you to ask. I’m excited about:
Of course, those of you that know me also know I’m a social animal. I’ll be kicking it off with a place in the fundraising event, the golf tournament, and hitting each and every possible reception/special event, from the Big Deal to Rendezvous. I encourage all the noobs to leave your reservations behind…open your mind and heart to possibilities and focus on making new business friends. You won’t be disappointed.
If you need a new business friend and don’t know where to find one, PLEASE connect with me. I love, love, love meeting new people and making connections for them. I’ll never, ever snub anyone or treat you like you’re not important enough. Just hit me up!!
<3, the AVGirl