Media Contact: Sonya Thorpe sthorpe@mpiweb.org +1 972.702.3098 MPI Foundation Concludes Final Phase of “Future of Meetings” Research Tools and Support Materials to Be Rolled Out at WEC 2013 JUNE 25, 2013, DALLAS ‐ After concluding its third and final phase of the Future of Meetings research, the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation will roll out tools and educational assets, which include a social media white paper and case study, to industry professionals beginning next month at the World Education Congress (WEC) 2013 in Las Vegas, ensuring planners are “future‐ready.” “This initiative has far reaching implications for the entire meeting and event community” says Vince LaRuffa, MPI Foundation Chairman of the Board 2012‐13. “Thanks to our sponsors, this breakthrough research project became a reality.” The Future of Meetings research is the culmination of an analysis of two surveys polling the values, demands, motivations and expectations which combined gained responses from more than 1,600 delegates and potential delegates from four continents. Planners will learn about innovations and technologies that are just around the corner and what they can do right now to transform their meeting spaces. In a series of five interactive WEC sessions, attendees of all levels will learn what they can do to stay ahead. They’ll gain insights into future research, share perspectives with colleagues on current and future practices and be among the first to experience new dimensions in both printed and computer‐generated reality. “The insights and multiple perspectives we’ve culled in the latest phase of this research initiative will ensure industry professionals are well positioned to seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” says Jackie Mulligan, principal lecturer and director of enterprise who has led the research at the International Center for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality at Leeds Metropolitan University in the U.K. The first phase of Future of Meetings research combined results from a survey of 1,600 meeting planners and data on future trends to produce strategic takeaways for industry professionals. Insights were first presented at IMEX America 2012, and a series of related research papers was released in the months following. The second phase involved interviews with subject specialists, innovators and social media experts from outside the meetings and events industry as well as analysis of focus groups conducted in 11 countries and live social media tracking of events worldwide. The findings were presented earlier this year at the MPI European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC) 2013. The Future of Meetings Thought Leadership research initiative is made possible with support from PSAV Presentation Services and Omni Hotels & Resorts and Jumeirah Group. Media Contact: Sonya Thorpe sthorpe@mpiweb.org +1 972.702.3098 About The Future of Meeting Sessions at WEC 2013 The Future of Meetings: Learning to Use Future Scenarios to Innovate Date: Sunday, July 21st – 2pm ‐ 3:30pm Talking ‘Bout the Generations: Meeting Design for Four Generations Date: Sunday, July 21st – 4pm ‐ 5pm The Final Future of Meetings Imagineering Tour at WEC 2013 (Pre‐registration required.) Date: Monday, July 22nd – 10:45am ‐ 11:30am Campfire session – The Future of Event Technology Date: Monday, July 22nd – 11:15am ‐ 11:35am Campfire session – AV to Enhance Learning, Memory and the Meeting Experience Date: Monday, July 22nd – 11:45am ‐ 12:05pm Campfire session – Wheel of Fortunes Date: Monday, July 22nd – 2pm ‐ 2:20pm Campfire session – ‘Mystic Mulligan’ Date: Monday, July 22nd – 3:30pm ‐ 3:50pm Campfire session – Twitter Twaddle: The Future and the Now of Social Connection Date: Tuesday, July 23rd – 4pm ‐ 4:20pm About the MPI Foundation Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Foundation is passionately committed to bringing vision and prosperity to the meeting and event community worldwide by investing in results‐oriented initiatives and programs that shape the future and bring success to the industry. MPI is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association, comprised of approximately 20,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. For more information, visit www.mpifoundation.org. About ICRETH The International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality (ICRETH) at Leeds Metropolitan University undertakes high quality research ethically and disseminates the findings through research reports, articles and books, bespoke programmes of continuing professional development, consultancy, short courses and specialist events. In addition to University investment, research is funded by various international, national and local agencies or businesses. In recent years, these have been as diverse as the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), European Commission, Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD), the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and government departments, NGOs in various European, African and Asian countries, sports governing bodies and private companies. If you would like to discuss projects of mutual interest please email: r.thomas@leedsmet.ac.uk<mailto:r.thomas@leedsmet.ac.uk> or visit our web site for further details of our work www.leedsmet.ac.uk/icreth<http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/icreth. ###