Navigate. Partner. Elevate. – Partners in Progress: Navigating the Future of Meetings is more than a meeting—it’s a forward-looking experience designed to prepare event professionals, hoteliers, and suppliers to thrive in a rapidly changing industry. Through dynamic keynotes, thought-provoking panel discussions, and peer-to-peer learning, this gathering explores the trends, tools, and partnerships shaping the future of meetings and events.

Our opening keynote, “Leverage LinkedIn to Strengthen Relationships: Giving Your Brand a JOLT!⚡️”, delivers a hands-on playbook for harnessing the world’s largest professional platform to expand your network, strengthen existing relationships, and grow your business. Attendees will discover gaps in their current approach, learn a practical 5-step strategy, and walk away ready to maximize LinkedIn as a catalyst for ongoing success.

Next, industry veteran Michael Dominguez provides a powerful lens on the forces reshaping our economy, industry, and businesses in “Navigating Change: Economic Outlooks and Industry Forecasts.” From global political shifts and evolving consumer behaviors to structural changes in hospitality and meetings, this keynote delivers clarity on complex trends and actionable insights to help you maneuver confidently through disruption.

The program continues with a collaborative panel, “Tech-Forward Events: Innovation, Impact & Investment,” where AV specialists, hoteliers, and planners unpack how immersive technologies, creative production, and smart spending are redefining the event experience. From AI and AR/VR to lighting, sound, and ROI-driven investments, attendees will gain practical strategies to balance innovation with financial responsibility while creating memorable, tech-powered meetings.

Throughout the program, participants will engage in conversations that emphasize collaboration, foresight, and adaptability. Together, we’ll explore new ways to navigate change, elevate partnerships, and drive meaningful progress in the meetings and events industry.

Registration Deadline: November 10, 2025

Event Location: Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
222 North 10^th Street, Omaha, NE 68102

Hotel accommodations are available at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District with a special group rate (book by October 26, 2025). Book Your Room Here: https://book.passkey.com/e/51015421.

 

Monday, November 17th, 2025 - Heartland Connection

 

Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 - Annual Meeting

7:30am-8:30am – Breakfast

8:30am-9:00am – Welcome

9:00am-10:00am – Larry Long Jr. – Navigating your Online Presence

10:00am-10:30am – Break/Exhibits/Raffle Sales

10:30am-11:30am – Michael Dominguez – Topic TBD

11:30am-12:45 pm – Lunch/Exhibits/Raffle Sales

12:45pm-1:45pm – MPI Heartland Chapter Updates

2:00pm-3:00pm – Thought Leader Discussion – Tech-Forward Events: Innovation, Impact & Investment

3:00pm-3:30pm – Closing & Raffles Drawings 

 

Session #1: Leverage LinkedIn to Strengthen Relationships: Giving Your Brand a JOLT!

 

Imagine….could you be missing out on maximizing an untapped resource with more than 800 Million Global Users and an estimated 65 Million Decision-Makers? 

LinkedIn is ‘THE PLACE’, and platform to build brand, thought leadership, and connect with the right relationships to drive your relationships, and business forward consistently. Are you missing out on this TREMENDOUS opportunity to engage? 

Given the fact that LinkedIn is often underutilized, this hands-on and interactive session will provide an easy to implement 5-Step Plan to execute and maximize your LinkedIn presence no matter your current level (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert). 

We will explore the power of LinkedIn for establishing new, as well as strengthening existing relationships…ultimately leading to business growth and setting the foundation for continued success and thriving into the future.

 If you are committed to driving and working towards ‘BEST YOU CAN’ results…this program is for YOU!

 Be prepared to explore: 

• GAP in your current LinkedIn strategy (if there is one…) 
• Power of engaging via LinkedIn
• 5-Step Playbook for positive business results

 

Session 2: Navigating Change: Economic Outlooks and Industry Forecasts

Michael Dominguez serves as the President & CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). ALHI is the largest independent Global Sales Organization with a team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. Prior to joining ALHI, Michael served in executive sales leadership roles with MGM Resorts International as Chief Sales Officer and many brand and independent branded companies. Michael is an-award winning hospitality industry veteran. He has received multiple honors for his leadership and influence and has been recognized as a change agent by his peers. He’s also been a speaker with Fortune 100 Companies on topics ranging from disruption to the economy and a passion around Leadership and was an invited speaker at SXSW in 2018.

From disruption of technological forces that are changing the way we work and play to changes in Washington which will take time to understand its full impact, it is important to understand the context of what is taking place. The speed of change is a force that we will all wrestle with over the next decade.

As the economic environment and hotel structure continue to change at a rapid pace, it is important to understand the current outlook, economic concerns and forecasts that will dictate behavior in all business environments. The impacts of global political and economic instability still exist although the global economy is growing together for the first time in modern history

In this dynamic session, industry veteran and award winner Michael Dominguez shares perspective on the latest trends and the impact in the hotel industry and meeting dynamics. 

Gain a better understanding of the economic environment, how structural changes will have an impact in 2024 and beyond, identify ways to optimize your ability to maneuver through this quickly changing environment.  

Participants Will:

• Understand the need to get past Confirmation Bias and Narratives
• Look at the impact of global political and economic forecasts.
• Review industry forecast for the US and Global sectors
• Understand changes in wealth shifts in our consumer.
• Understand behavior changes and needs around new businesses created.

 

Session #3: Thought Leader Discussions - Tech-Forward Events: Innovation, Impact an Investment

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
222 North 10th StreetOmaha, NE