MPINCC ACE2.021 Wrap Up

ACE2.021 took off on April 27th and 28th. MPINCC invited you to journey along and envision what lay ahead for our industry. The keynote speakers were inspirational and offered different experiences with a component that spoke to the human experience. We can all relate to wanting to connect with others and to achieve success in our professional and personal lives.

Adriana Gascoigne, Founder & CEO of Girls in Tech, set the stage for what was to come over the next two days. I loved hearing all about her personal and professional life. Her devotion to empowering, educating, and engaging women in the tech industry was amazing. We can all take a page from her book and do what we can to empower and mentor others.  A key takeaway I embraced is that we need to continue to strive for diversity and inclusion.

The education content was poignant and touched on what is happening now and how we have, as an industry, been creative during this global pandemic. Attendees were able to choose from a number of different education and networking sessions. Whether you wanted to interact with your peers or just listen to music during breaks, MPINCC had you covered. I thoroughly enjoyed the DJ sessions and even got a little stretch in during the wellness break.

The Road to Recovery: When Federal Pandemic Relief programs and Commercial Innovations Intersect session was very informative. It was great to understand how things began and evolved and the intention behind the PPP loans and how the industry is working to recover. A key takeaway is the importance of having representation in Washington, DC and working together so we can all recover and come back stronger than ever.

Ready for Take-off: What to Know Before Your Attendees Fly gave you insight directly from the airlines. Three of the biggest airlines discussed how they pivoted and set aside everything to do the right thing for travelers. Safety and collaboration being their main focus made me feel good about traveling again. Some great things came out of this pandemic. All the new cleanliness and safety protocols put in place will likely remain with some tweaks here and there. The overall consensus is that travel is expected to increase as vaccinations continue and we are certainly in a much better place than when this all began. 

The roundtable sessions were a great way to have more intimate conversations on topics such as The Return of International Meetings, CMM certifications, Career Growth, and Women in Small Business, just to name a few. It was difficult to pick just one. I wish I could have attended more roundtables sessions.

The platform was easy to navigate and gave you the opportunity to choose how you wanted to spend your time. No judgement if you spent a little too much time in the lounge checking out the Moon Jelly Room or on Peer to Peer chats.

The closing keynote, Lex Gillette, a globally recognized Paralympic track and field athlete for Team USA had me at the edge of my seat. Between listening to all he had to overcome to achieve all that he has and listening to him describe his mother was truly inspirational. His lust for life and dedication to helping children worldwide is a great example of paying it forward for the next generation. He didn’t let his disability hinder him in any way. He worked hard and is a great example of what a true champion should be. 

For the first time, MPINCC will release ACE2.021 on demand (details are being worked out).  I can’t wait to experience the education sessions I didn’t get a chance to attend. 

It was an absolute pleasure to accept the invitation to Take the Journey at ACE2.021. See you in person real soon!