Designing Your Event Experience

Our industry is changing and it's changing fast.  Today's conference attendees have new desires, expanded expectations, and different needs than in the past. We no longer are planning meetings and events, but designing experiences that help attendees learn from the experts, build their community connections, and network with the best of the best in the industry we know and love!

Experience a full-day conference focused on the latest innovations in our industry and how they will enhance your event career, inspire your personal growth and open your mind to the infinite possibilities to create a buzz in our industry. 

2019 Hive Agenda

Tom Norwalk President & CEO, Visit Seattle	Jeffrey Blosser President / CEO, Washington State Convention Center	Brian Tennyson, AIA Principal, LMN

Who Makes up the Colony?

This year’s HIVE will create a buzz in our industry, gathering  the meeting and event industry heroes from MPI, ILEA, and ESPA together for a full day of informative keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking activities.

What's In the Hive?

Continuing Education: All educational general/keynote and breakout sessions have been submitted to the Events Industry Council for review. Up to 6 hours of continuing education credits are pending.

State and Evolution of the Industry: Learn about the latest trends in the "business" of our industry and the innovations we see happening in the coming years. Visit Seattle President and CEO Tom Norwalk and Washington State Convention Center President and CEO Jeff Blosser will share their insight, along with Brian Tennyson from LMN Architects, designers of the WSCC expansion.

The New Paradigm: As recently highlighted at MPI's World Education Congress, our industry is no longer "planning events," but "designing experiences." We will explore how the industry is responding to this emerging shift and learn about innovative space, crafted catering and meeting design evolution.

Customized Breakouts: A series of breakout sessions will allow attendees to focus on topics of most interest to their role in the meetings and event industry.

Networking Opportunities:  The HIVE will offer dedicated time for attendees to network during extended breaks and our end-of-the-day cocktail reception.

Join the conversation @ #MPIHIVE

By Attending the Hive, Attendees Will:

1. Gain a better understanding of the current state of the meetings and events industry both nationally and regionally;

2. Learn about the increasing demand to develop new ways to stage and execute events;

3. Understand how destinations and venues are addressing the changing needs of the industry; and

4. Obtain perspectives on how to “design an experience” rather than “plan a meeting.”

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Why The Hive?

Bees are a social group.  To successfully manage their colony, they rely on communication, complex construction of their nest, environmental control and division of labor.  Sounds like the life of a Meeting and Event Professional! A beehive is what we humans build to house the bees so they are able to develop their fruitful honeycombs.  The HIVE is designed to help you develop your fruitful career.  See you at the HIVE!

 

About the Venue

Meydenbauer Center is Bellevue, Washington's premier convention center and event venue with the largest meeting space on the Eastside just 9 miles east of Seattle. With over two decades of experience clients and attendees alike can expect an elevated experience. From your one point of contact through sales, planning, and day of, to catering featuring fresh, local ingredients our space is designed to make you feel at home. We take immense pride in what we do and we can't wait to work with you.

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors.

Become a Hive Sponsor

Ready to showcase your product to hospitality industry leaders in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California? A HIVE sponsorship is the a great way to create buzz and maximize your ROI!

What is Your Sponsorship Return on Investment?

• Access to a targeted audience to showcase your products and/or services.

• Opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the growth and development of the meetings and hospitality industry.

• Visibility to MPI – Washington State Chapter will create goodwill between your organization and the membership.

Download the 2019 HIVE Sponsorship Prospectus

Important Know Before You Go Information

Parking and Directions to Meydenbauer Center

Please be aware, on the 26^th the Meydenbauer Center will be hosting numerous other programs and their parking lot, and possibly the overflow lot, will sell out.  It's Bellevue...parking is always at a premium.  We strongly suggest that attendees carpool or take public transportation to the event. Plus it's good for the planet and the bee hive! 

Parking and Directions to Meydenbauer Center

Badges are BYOB!

As part of our efforts to Design Your Event Experience, and to “bee” kind to the environment, we are asking you to Bring Your Own Badge!  Add your own flair to an old boring badge hanging around your office and make it a statement piece for the day. We will award a prize to the most buzz-worthy badge! Go crazy, creative or witty. Visit our decoration table to add bling to your badge! It's BYOB and that means the rules don't apply! 

Don’t have an old badge? Forget to bring one?  We will have a limited supply of name badge stock for you to design your own creation.

Please note: All attendees are required to have a name badge adorned with a Hive Colony Sticker verifying your registration. 

Meet Your Bee Keepers at Registration

Registration and a continental breakfast will be in the lobby of the Meydenbauer Theater from 7:30 am – 9:00 am. After 9:00 am, registration will move to the 4th floor.

Agenda

Nearly 20 expert speakers, up to 8 CEs, and 11 cutting-edge sessions will provide you with the education you need to design exceptional experiences for your next event. Check out the agenda and session details HERE.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, plus one drink and noshes at the reception, are all included with your registration.

Reception Libations

You will receive one drink ticket when you check in. You will be able to purchase other drinks via cash or credit card. And please, if you find that you have had a tad too much fun and find yourself a bit buzzed, call that Uber or Lyft. Enjoy yourself, but drink responsibly!

Sponsor Shout Out

Many thanks to all of the HIVE SPONSORS & PARTNERS. Without your generous support, this program would not be possible. To help us share the love with all our great sponsors and partners, during the event, we invite you to take a SELFIE WITH A SPONSOR and post it to your feed with the hashtag #MPIHIVE.

Dress

The HIVE is a business casual kind of place. All activities are inside, but we recommend that you bring a light jacket or sweater for the day since sometimes meeting rooms can be chilly.

Give Back to the Washington Hive

Hives are cooperative environments that rely on everyone helping each other. We invite you to participate in our CSR program at The HIVE. During the morning and afternoon breaks on the 4th floor, in conjunction with MPIWSC’s CAST Committee,we will assemble personal care bags for a local non-profit to support efforts to combat human trafficking. 

Business Card Exchange with CamCard

Download CamCard on your smartphone today!  Business cards are great when you have them, remember to bring them, and they are up to date, but why waste another card when we can all exchange cards onsite with CamCard? We will show you how to virtually exchange cards so you can get to know your colony.

Hive Courtesy Housing Block

Are you a bee who needs to get your zzz’s in Bellevue? We have secured a HIVE courtesy room block at the Hilton Bellevue. Rooms in our courtesy group block are $169.00/night plus taxes.
Please call 452-455-1300 and use group code HIVECI to secure your group rate.
The courtesy housing block will close on September 20th! 

Hilton Bellevue 
300 112th Avenue SE, Bellevue WA 98004

Get Social @ the Hive

#MPIHIVE is the official Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram hashtag for the day. Tag us is your posts and follow us during the conference to see what is buzzing in the Hive!