MPI TORONTO CHAPTER'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE KICKSTARTS LEARNING IN 2025

The MPI Toronto Chapter's Professional Development Committee hosted the first session of the year on February 6, 2025, with record attendance!

Each year, MPI Toronto Chapter's Professional Development Committee plans events designed to provide new insights, training, and education for event planners and suppliers. But the challenge is in providing fresh content that Toronto event professionals find relevant.

The 2025 committee took some time at the start of the year to brainstorm solutions to this question. We had many topic ideas but weren’t sure how to help the audience resist the temptation of checking their phones—until someone suggested, "Why don’t we use the experts among us? There is so much knowledge to be shared when we’re in the same room." That idea evolved into the Peer Learning Lab.

The opening keynote address was from Toronto-based speaker, Erika Casupanan. As a young Canadian woman, Erica’s fellow contestants underestimated her ability to win the reality TV show "Survivor." Despite their doubts, she proved everyone wrong and won the million-dollar prize. Erika captivated her audience with tales of her adventure on Survivor, and how purpose and authenticity can help you win—a message that resonated with everyone.

In the Peer Learning Lab that followed, there were three discussion topics presented. First, “Cracking the Generation Code” encouraged discussion about the stereotypes and strengths of different generations resulting in a better understanding of how to collaborate. Next, “Mastering Follow Up” gave attendees an opportunity to discuss their experiences with cold outreach and what they found to be the best and worst approach as both a sender and receiver. Finally, “Are You Risk Ready?” allowed planners and suppliers to share ideas and strategies they use to reduce risk and mitigate disaster in today’s changing landscape.

The best part of the event was the wrap up when everyone had the opportunity to share their key takeaways, insights, and motivation. Not to mention some great raffle prizes for those in attendance. Special thanks to the Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport, AV-CANADA, TA Speakers Management, and all our sponsors for helping bring this event to life.

If you couldn’t join us in February, you don't want to miss our next event on May 15, 2025. We will be hosting a panel of experts to learn what human trafficking is and how we as an industry can be active participants in ending it.

Photo Credit: Pinpoint National Photography Inc.