Insider Experience – WEC San Francisco

Basic details of the event: 
Title: WEC San Francisco
Date: June 21 to 23
City, Country: San Francisco, USA
Host Venue: Moscone West Convention Center
Website: About WEC | WEC San Francisco 2022 (mpi.org)

Specific Planning Questions:

Organizing Team

• MPI Global

Number of Attendees: 17,000

Goals of WEC 2022: To provide attendees with incredible insights, innovative ideas and volumes of immediately actionable takeaways. Attendees will be more enlightened, energized and indispensable than ever before.

Specific Event Questions:

Who participated to WEC? MPI members and other industry representatives

Where were the attendees from? All over the globe, primarily North America.

What was the main objective of this conference? To provide relevant industry education to MPI members and others in the industry; to bring MPI members together to innovate and share ideas.

What was your favourite session/keynote? Why? The opening plenary with Riaz Meghji, Canadian television host. It was all about making meaningful connections and being “assertively empathetic” which was so timely after dealing with two lonely years of the pandemic. Riaz spoke of his own personal experiences in interviewing illusionist, David Copperfield and participating in the anniversary relay of Canadian Legend, Rick Hansen. He also spoke about his loss of both parents over the span of two years. By the end of the session, the room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. During the keynote, the audience was given the opportunity to discuss their most meaningful or important conversations in their lives amongst their tables. It was a nice way to get the participants to interact and truly was a great way to kick off the conference and set the tone for the event.

What was your favourite moment? Making connections with fellow MPI colleagues.

Why? It was so nice to be able to connect and share ideas, especially other Canadian chapter leaders. We don’t get too many opportunities to do this face-to-face and there were even some ideas thrown around on how we can be more collaborative in the future.

What are the highlights from WEC 2022?

It’s always cool to see the creative set-ups WEC comes up with. Many of the sessions were held “campfire style” in the sunny foyer of the Moscone West Convention Centre. Participants were seated on little ottomans or stools or even just large cushions on the floor. It made for a less formal, collaborative session and it worked great to encourage interactivity amongst participants.

Also, it can’t go unmentioned that WEC throws the best parties! The opening party was held on the field of Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants and it did not disappoint. We danced the night away until the lights came on. The closing party was held at the San Francisco City Hall which is a beautiful building and the event was just as stunning with food stations, a contemporary violinist, stilt walkers, a live band and a DJ which of course meant more dancing!

What people are saying about WEC San Francisco? It was an amazing three days filled with innovative sessions and lots of new friendships made in the beautiful city by the Bay.

What are your expectations for future events in 2022?  I think we can certainly expect to see more in-person events come back now that the health climate has improved somewhat and comfort levels are increasing. A great win for our wonderful industry!

 Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services