EVENTalks by Meeting Professionals International
EVENTalks is a place where meeting and event professionals can get updates on the latest in the meeting industry.
Episodes
33 episodes since 2020
The Ups and Downs of Business Travel
Nicole Seely, director of convention and event operations for the GBTA, discusses travel challenges, cost-saving tips, words on wellness and more.
August 26, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 31
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26:00
Crafting Learning Landscapes at Meetings
Tahira Endean and Rachel Bandarenko in conversation about crafting optimal learning experiences at meetings and events, inclusive of the needs of the growing neurodiverse population.
July 22, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 30
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42:47
Essential Al Skills for Meeting Pros
Leaders in event AI share top tips for how meeting pros can best learn how to leverage the new tech across their business. This episode sponsored by IMEX Group.
June 24, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 29
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51:11
Crafting Your Culinary WEC Experience
MPI's Tanya Philyaw and Renee Simpson (Levy) take you behind the scenes of WEC F&B planning and chat about associated trends.
May 08, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 28
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29:23
Sustainability Food and Beverage Solutions
A dive into sustainable event F&B with a pair of undisputed experts: WWF’s Pete Pearson and GreenBiz Group’s Morganne Sigismonti.
April 24, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 27
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39:01
Event Industry Workforce Challenges and Opportunities
Openness is key to managing the current work landscape and setting up for a successful future.
March 25, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 26
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49:35
The Role and Importance of Inclusivity in Events
Event design, the power of diversity, bringing your true self and more, embracing inclusivity goes beyond simply ensuring attendees feel welcome.
February 29, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 25
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37:39
Holistic Wellness at Events
Two mindful meeting pros share wellness trends and discuss the topic’s relationship to inclusivity, CSR and more.
January 18, 2024
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Season 5
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Episode 24
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42:08
Closing out 2023
Closing out the year, MPI’s EVENTalks podcast is joined by two planners—Laura Kesselman and Molly Marsh—for an informed and fun conversation, looking back at the year that was and exploring expectations and hopes for 2024.
December 13, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 23
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46:20
The Haunted Episode
Exploring the intersection of events and the paranormal through four interviews.
October 19, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 21
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44:21
Food and Beverage Pros Dish on Trends in the Event Industry
Tracy Stuckrath and Chef Murray Hall join EVENTalks in conversation about event food and beverage trends with a keen eye on sustainability, inclusivity and flavorful mocktails.
September 14, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 20
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37:37
Sanctioned Discrimination and the Meeting Industry’s Future
In light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision (303 Creative v. Elenis), MPI members Janet Sperstad and John Ehlenfeldt discuss the immediate and growing threat posed by sanctioned discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and what...
August 15, 2023
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Season 4
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Episode 19
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32:03
Make the Most of Your Host Destination
The importance of planners working with DMOs early in an RFP process and expansions and new concepts for meetings and events in Palm Springs, Calif., are discussed in the latest episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by Visit Greater P...
November 30, 2022
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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14:59
The Current Event Landscape and Where We Go from Here
The current landscape of events, what to focus on for the year ahead, how to drive engagement and different approaches to sponsorship are discussed in the latest episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast. Join leaders of E-180 and Showcare for an en...
November 15, 2022
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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27:59
Harnessing the Power of Purpose-Driven Events
DMOs can help empower planners and support the purpose of organizations’ events, according to David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami CVB, in this episode of MPI’s EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by the Greater Miami CVB. Whitaker a...
June 15, 2022
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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22:36
What Gender Equity Truly Means
Women make up half the travel and tourism workforce, but less than 20 percent of C-suite positions. In this episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Convention Center, we discuss unconscious bias, why the same old thi...
March 24, 2022
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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27:25
Tech Hub Miami Stays “Two Steps Ahead” for Meetings and Events
From its status as a tech hub leading in digital currency to its international business community with particularly strong ties to Latin America, Miami is having a moment. In this episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by the Greater M...
March 14, 2022
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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18:57
Hybrid Events and the Future of Digital Experiences Overall
December 02, 2021
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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29:56
Building Confidence and Getting Back to Group Business
In the latest episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by Hilton, we discuss the recovery of business and group travel, the importance of managing expectations with meeting planners and the outlook for 2022 and beyond. We’re joined by Hi...
November 29, 2021
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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46:29
The Current and Future State of The Meeting Industry
The recovery of the meeting industry is dependent upon communicating the message that in-person events are safe. Hear Ben Erwin, president and CEO of Encore, and Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI, discuss Encore’s “We Met There” campa...
November 03, 2021
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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39:14
Podcast: The true meaning, beauty and power of diversity
In this episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by Huntington Beach, we celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month and discuss the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the meeting industry with John Ehlenfeldt and Omark Holmes fr...
October 05, 2021
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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34:03
The Shift in Event Attendee Expectations
In this episode of the MPI EVENTalks podcast, sponsored by Marriott International, we discuss pandemic-driven changes in learning formats, event design and engagement with Kathy Mouw, vice president of global sales, U.S. and Canada, for Marriot...
August 18, 2021
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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23:55
Increased Optimism for Recovery in Business Meetings and Travel
We discuss optimism for meetings and travel returning to destinations like Puerto Rico and industry recovery as a whole as we move through 2021. This discussion features Jessie States, MPI Academy, and Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.
February 16, 2021
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28:21