Unlearning is a big part of learning. This is true regardless of whether you've just set foot on your career path or have been at it for years.
We spoke with our MPI chapter colleagues—those well established in the industry—about the unique lessons they learned this year while navigating their day-to-day personal and professional worlds and career advice they have for those just entering the industry. Here are their words of wisdom.
What did you learn or perhaps unlearn this year in terms of professional development that you think would be beneficial to those who are just entering the events industry?
We are living at a very quick pace and our industry implies that we need to react fast. We therefore tend to do things quick and react quick too. Our advice is to take time to zoom out and leave it a space. Most often this leads to better outcomes, especially in conflict situations. Looking at the situation in perspective is something I learned this year.—Elina Jutelyte, president, MPI Belgium
If you’re passionate about your chapter, I learned the best way to get involved is volunteering for a board position. Volunteering as the Vice President of Communications has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my professional development. You have the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself and truly make a difference within our industry.—Brie Shimada, MPI Aloha
I've learned that sometimes your impact can be greater if you take a back seat and help others achieve their goals. You don't always have to be the driver of ideas. Sometimes it's more impactful to help shape the right environment for ideas implementation.—Tim Whalen, MPI Toronto
I have learned that problem-solving, the ability to work under pressure, team building and leadership are not the only soft skills needed to work in this industry. Work-life balance is one of the most important skills we should develop and one of the most relevant accomplishments we should aim to make for our personal and professional lives. This would benefit our company in terms of increasing productivity, creativity and positive thinking too. In the events industry, it is quite common to jump into a black hole: no time anymore for yourself. Actually, the more you work does not mean the best you do. The new paradigm should be: the less you work the greatest you do. It is only a matter of time management. However, it is not so easy to learn. I am still working on it!—Alessia Di Raimondo, MPI Italia
“Work-life balance is one of the most important skills we should develop and one of the most relevant accomplishments we should aim to make for our personal and professional lives.”
The understanding of how to determine ROI for our events. It is important to clearly communicate with our stakeholders and leaders in language that speaks to concrete benefits for our events, so that event spending is not perceived as discretionary. The MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter recently held an educational session on this topic, and it was very well received.—Peggy Andersen, president elect, MPI Atlantic Canada
To me, having an industry mentor helps emerging professionals navigate and learn early in their careers.—Sharon Collins, MPI Georgia
This year, I learned that we need to introduce transformational experiences in our events, and even more so if millennials are one of our main targets. I loved being part of the Dear World Project at WEC in Toronto, am thrilled to experience it again at EMEC 2020 in Seville in February, and was able to apply this principle during Mallorca loves MICE in Palma this week. The audience needs to be engaged, needs to actively participate in an event to enjoy it, share the vibes and learn.—Alessia Comis, MPI Iberia
As a whole board we are learning and growing all the time. We have learned that it is important to lean on each other because we all have our own unique set of strengths but together as a team we can make things happen. Surrounding yourself with people who are talented in ways you are not is a great tool for success.—Nicole Keshler, president, MPI Carolinas
I think if I could only pick one thing I learned that new industry peers should know, it would be from a session at GO WEST in January 2019 presented by Heather Reid. Founder and CEO of Planner Protect. Heather, gave us practical information about contracts that we could take away and use in the office on Monday morning. New and non-titled planners often have no idea what they're signing when they sign on the dotted line. I've seen people out tens of thousands of dollars because of a contract they didn't understand...and they didn't realize it at the time. It's quite scary.—Andrea Cliff, president, MPI Greater Edmonton
