Meetings Today LIVE! in Myrtle Beach

Get two CEU credits for attending these two education sessions!

We’ve locked down our two speakers:

1. Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Director of the MPI Academy

7 Lies You’ve Heard About Planning Hybrid Experiences

As meeting professionals eagerly plan their first in-person experiences in more than a year, many are grappling with a new organizational truth; their businesses just aren’t interested in losing the expanded reach afforded by remote and digital participants.

The next-gen ask for the 2021 meetings portfolio? Hybrid events that celebrate the return of in-person connections while welcoming—at times—a far greater group of digital or pod attendees. And while hybrid events are far from new (MPI’s original How to Hybrid Guide dates back over a decade), they are new for many meeting professionals, and the nuances of designing multiple experiences for multiple audiences in multiple time zones can be daunting.

But it’s not necessarily as hard as you think, and correcting some commonly inaccurate myths and assumptions about hybrid can get you started in the right direction.

Join this fun conversation that pushes back against some commonly held beliefs about hybrid and decide for yourself whether you agree they are false—or not.

Learner outcomes:
- Discuss commonly held beliefs about hybrid experiences, and decide for yourself whether to believe them.

- Think about how you can actively design engaging experiences for multiple audiences groups.
Challenge your views on what hybrid means and how it can apply to your meetings.

Who is Jessie States?

Jessie States, CMP, CMM, director of the MPI Academy at Meeting Professionals International, leads MPI’s professional development strategy and develops and manages the organization's education portfolio.

2. Steve Jones (Thank you, Goodman Speaker Management!)

How to Come Back Like a Rock Star

Meetings and events are primed for an epic comeback, and rock ‘n’ roll historian Steve Jones knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity from his more than 30 years in the music industry.

From hurdling obstacles and rebuilding after catastrophe to adapting to new realities—sound familiar?—Jones will use some of the greatest comeback stories from rock history to impart lessons you can take away to ensure an encore-worthy performance as the live events industry rebounds.

This session will set you up for a roaring comeback and long-term success well into the future.

By participating, you will learn life and business lessons from rock ’n’ roll greats on how to:

- Plan your post-pandemic comeback the way Meat Loaf rebuilt his career

- Establish and maintain strong core values, like Bob Marley did

- Execute your vision day after day with AC/DC-style consistency

- Create experiences for your customers, the way Jimmy Buffett does

- Share the fun with your fans like Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters

- Embrace diversity and let it make you stronger, just like Run DMC and Aerosmith

- Like Taylor Swift does, never stop nurturing and growing your fan base

Who is Steve Jones?

Tapping into 30 years of experience in the music industry in the US, Canada and the Caribbean, Steve tells backstage stories about legendary rock stars, today’s biggest hit makers and one-hit wonders.

Point by point, Steve shows you how your business can get noticed, become famous and turn into the “rock star” of your field.

If you want to build a brand as consistent as AC/DC, as committed as U2, as unique as Kiss, and as honest as The Foo Fighters, you will want to hear Steve speak.

Steve is the author of two popular business books, Brand Like a Rock Star and Start You Up.

He is based in Toronto, Canada, and also oversees content and branding for 103 radio stations as part of the executive team at Stingray, a global music, media and technology company.