We spoke with Brie Shimada of MPI’s Aloha Chapter about the trends that emerged in her region this year and what resolutions the events industry should be making for 2020. Here's what she had to say.
What new developments are you most excited about for 2020 and why?
I’m most excited about designing new and innovative events for our chapter that help members connect locally, grow personally and succeed professionally. I’m also looking forward to working with fellow board members to better engage members and strengthen recruitment. I’m extremely passionate about our organization and am constantly looking for new ways to add value to our membership.
What do you feel was your chapter's biggest accomplishment this year?
The Aloha Chapter’s biggest accomplishment this year is being recognized as a Top Performing Chapter for the first time.
What meetings trends emerged in your neck of the woods this year and what do you think next year's biggest trends will be?
After attending WEC in Toronto, I’m starting to see the concept of “eater-tainment” come to life more. People are finding news ways to share food as an entertainment experience rather than just a simple dining experience. In Hawaii, we are constantly using food to tie in the cultural significance and spirit of aloha into an event.
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?
If you’re passionate about your chapter, I learned the best way to get involved in 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.
What New Year's resolution should the events industry make for 2020?
A great resolution for 2020 should be building new connections and working together as an industry to design out-of-the-box shared experiences for others.
