MPI’s “the EVENT” Celebrates Sixth Edition with Strong Growth, Curated Programming and Inspirational Keynotes 

Ottawa, ON, September 24, 2024: Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world’s largest industry association for meeting and event professionals, hosted its sixth edition of the EVENT, marking the first time it has been officially incorporated into MPI’s signature events portfolio. Drawing more than 300 attendees, including over 100 planners, the EVENT has experienced significant growth in recent years. Sponsored by Ottawa and hosted by the Brookstreet Hotel, this year's event carried the theme of "Origin Stories," a powerful nod to its inaugural edition in 2018, which also took place at the Brookstreet. 

the EVENT maintained its distinct, rebellious spirit with unique, high-energy formats that delivered actionable education and networking opportunities. the EVENT’s educational content was carefully curated by the MPI Academy and featured concurrent sessions aligned with the "Origin Stories" theme, along with keynotes covering a range of impactful topics, including: 

• A reflective yet forward-looking artificial intelligence session by Amber Mac, who also spoke at the inaugural the EVENT in 2018 

• Inspirational life lessons from Michael Kutcher 

• Redefining high performance insights from Ty Bennett and his 14-year-old son, a Ninja Warrior competitor 

• Sustainable event guidance from industry expert Leor Rotchild 

• The always-popular “Solution Room” led by Ruud Janssen, sparking problem-solving and creative collaboration 

 the EVENT also leaned into creating organic connections to sponsor partners that fostered genuine interactions and engagement between brands and planners. A key highlight of the EVENT was the hosted buyer program, The Initiative Business Exchange, which brought together 40 planners and paired them with suppliers. This program generated nearly 1,000 total appointments, fostering meaningful business connections and contributing to the event’s overall success. 

The "Origin Stories" theme was further enhanced through a number of Indigenous Peoples activations threaded throughout the program. These included a micro-keynote from Dr. Daniel Brandt and a traditional lighting ceremony conducted by Inuit Elder Zakal, bringing depth and cultural relevance to the event’s overall experience. 

Drew Holmgreen, Chief Experience Officer at MPI, emphasized the importance of the EVENT, stating that, "the EVENT is a crucial touchpoint for MPI's Canadian community and beyond. It showcases the power of local leadership and creative collaboration in delivering professional development opportunities that resonate globally. As part of MPI's signature event portfolio, we are excited to continue expanding the reach and relevance of the EVENT to meet the evolving needs of our community."