Reflecting on MPI - the EVENT 2024, in Ottawa

As I look back on the incredible experience that has been MPI - the EVENT, I am filled with immense pride—not just for the city of Ottawa, but also my corner of Kanata, our MPI family, and the meetings and events industry!

From the very first moment the energy was undeniable. The collaboration between MPI Global and the Brookstreet Hotel was nothing short of spectacular, perfectly showcasing beauty and potential with the use of indoor and outdoor venue space. Brookstreet Hotel’s exceptional service and stunning surroundings along with their culinary offerings, from the opening reception until the Prix Prestige gala, provided the ideal setting for top-tier education, innovation, celebration, and networking.

The lineup of speakers was bang on, hitting great notes in education and motivation, and offering fresh perspectives and valuable insights for industry professionals. It was especially rewarding to see local talent shine on such a prominent stage.

I want to give a shout out to Ottawa Tourism’s Lizzy Low and Brookstreet’s Shawnne Cranston, CRDE, CHT, and Stephanie Lapensee, incoming MPI Ottawa VP of Communications. Their outstanding session on combatting human trafficking, where they were joined by VoiceFound CEO Cynthia Bland and members of the Ottawa Police Human Trafficking Unit, left a lasting impact on taking action, recognizing the signs and learning more about the tools available to us—know that any small gesture can help. The session was a powerful reminder of the role we all play in making our communities safer!

MPI Ottawa strongly encourages readers to learn more about Ottawa Tourism’s action plan and about how MPI is raising awareness of human trafficking and its impacts on our cities!

Reflecting on the EVENT and preparing for 2025’s presidency, I am energized and excited for what comes next. The connections we made, the knowledge we gained, and the ideas we exchanged will undoubtedly propel us forward in our work and collaborations.

I am proud of the way our Chapter’s city was showcased and find myself motivated for the future. Here’s to more events like this, that elevate the meeting and event industry and shine a spotlight on our incredible cities and the unceded lands that we are fortunate to live and work in.

Thank you to the amazing volunteers, generous sponsors, MPI Global, the Brookstreet Hotel, and everyone who contributed to making the EVENT 2024 a resounding success!

*Images used in this article are provided by Pinpoint National Photography Inc.