MPI-CAC Gears Up For Annual Industry Xchange (IX)

Hundreds of hospitality professionals across Chicagoland will descend upon Alhambra Palace Restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop from 3-7:45 p.m. Thursday, April 4, for the annual Industry Xchange (IX) 2019.

Nine local industry associations, including MPI-CAC, gather together once a year to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) with education and networking amongst the nine organizations. The other organizations include Association Forum, Catering Executives Club of America, Experiential Designers Producers Assocation (EDPA) Midwest Chapter, International Association of Expos and Events - Midwestern Chapter, International Live Events Association - Greater Chicago Chapter, National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) Greater Chicago Chapter, Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Greater Midwest Chapter and Site Chicago.

Carol McGury, Executive Vice President of Event and Education Services at SmithBucklin, will serve as master of ceremonies for Industry Xchange.

The event will feature a presentation on “Crisis Communications in the Age of Social Media” from 4:10-4:35 p.m. presented by Alex Plaxen, Founder of Little Bird Told Media. Plaxen will help hospitality professionals learn how to use social media during times of crisis and guide ways to make decisions for their organization.

Following that presentation, Sandy Biback, CMP Emeritus, CMM, will present “Human Trafficking in Our Backyard: A Conversation.” This presentation will shed light on the human aspect of this global issue and what meeting and event professionals can do to help.

At 5 p.m. a moderated discussion on the economic impact of meetings and events will take place, followed by an interactive panel with an audience Q&A. Panelists include Nan Marchand Beauvois, Senior Vice President of membership and industry relations for the U.S. Travel Association, and Dianne Budion Devitt, Chief Experience Officer for The DND Group.

Alhambra Palace Restaurant is located at 1240 W. Randolph St. in Chicago.

Cost for the event is $69 for industry professionals. For more information or to register, visit www.mpiweb.org/chapters/chicago-area.