Event Recap: MPISCC at WEC Las Vegas by Chrissy Thompson

Starting with my always-favorite subject: the venues. Conference sessions were hosted at the brand new Caesar’s Forum, which was stunning and offered the best conference food and beverage I’ve ever had. The menus were inventive, the food was fresh, and it was all served in COVID-friendly individual packaging that was compostable where possible. They even served Matcha Cocktails and Stumptown Cold Brew Mocktails for an afternoon break.  

The welcome party was hosted at the new Allegiant Stadium and was my favorite event of the week with oversized lawn games on the field, a Pass, Kick, Catch, Run activation, a Press Room and Locker Room tour and plenty of entertainment including a DJ, drumline and roaming Raiders cheerleaders. MPI members celebrated the successes of the chapter and recognized RISE Awards winners at the President’s Dinner, held at the new Virgin Hotel Las Vegas. And finally, attendees closed it out at The Venetian pool deck for the Rendezvous Party. 

Throughout the conference, attendees were able to benefit from a variety of programming including pre-conference certifications (I got my certification in hotel contract negotiation!), general sessions, workshops, breakouts across multiple learning pathways and short TED-talk style sessions. I came away brewing with excitement and new ideas. It may have helped that Usher kicked things off at the opening session. But our dynamic duo emcees Christine Cashen and Tami Evans (aka “emcee2") kept that energy up across the conference and really brought in the hybrid element by often engaging with the digital audience live and on-screen on stage.

I also have to share I was very happy with the coordination that the MPI WEC planners did around COVID-19 Duty of Care. Beyond following state requirements, they surveyed attendees on how we preferred things be run and incorporated that feedback into the event. I happily wore my “Hugs Welcome” ribbon on my badge and respected those who indicated that they preferred an elbow bump or no contact. 

 

Whether or not you attended, I encourage you to watch the recap video here to experience or remember the magic that was MPI WEC 2021.  

And I hope to see you at MPI WEC 2022 in San Francisco for MPI’s 50th anniversary!