What new developments are you most excited about for 2020 and why?
I’m excited about the digital marketing landscape and how we can reimagine trends that can impact meetings and events. There is so much opportunity to use video, leverage content and strategically using social media.
What meetings trends emerged in your neck of the woods this year and what do you think next year's biggest trends will be?
The goal at the MPI Atlantic Chapter is be more sustainable and accessible. The recent Mobius Awards at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel produced this event with no food waste, the decorations were in mason jars and dry spices were sent to Soul Harbour following the event.
I have seen a tremendous increase in polling at events. Whether it be TimePlay, Poll Everywhere, Kahoot, etc. everybody loves to have audience participation at events and audience response systems are becoming more and more popular.
What do you feel was your chapter's biggest accomplishment this year?
Our Chapter hosted our Largest Gala to date back in June, at the new Halifax Convention Centre. With over 140 people, we celebrated the industry with six awards throughout the evening, it was an amazing event.
We have also completed our 4th ECOS project, where members of MPI gathered with Soup Sisters, to make soups for Bryony House, a local shelter for women and children in Halifax.
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?
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.
What New Year's resolution should the events industry make for 2020?
Focusing on sustainable, welcoming and accessible events. We are shifting the culture of events in a more sustainable and inclusive direction.
