The Awards Program recognizes outstanding members of the Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter
more information and nominations...
September 17, 2026
The ROI of Human Connection: Designing Moments That Matter
more information and registration...
MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter Events
September Dynamic Duo
5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - MPI After 5 Networking
The ROI of Human Connection: Designing Moments That Matter
Human connection doesn't happen by accident, it happens by design. In this keynote, Braden Eads makes the business case for treating connection as a strategic outcome of great meetings and events, not a byproduct of good luck. Drawing on his background in organizational psychology and years on stage, Braden shows event professionals and industry suppliers how intentional event design creates real engagement, and how that engagement translates directly into attendee satisfaction, loyalty, and measurable business results. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for building connection into every stage of event design, from first touchpoint to follow-up, so that meaningful engagement becomes the expectation rather than the exception.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand why human connection is one of the most valuable, and most measurable, outcomes of meetings and events.
Learn practical techniques for designing intentional moments of engagement rather than leaving connection to chance.
Connect attendee engagement directly to customer experience outcomes like loyalty, advocacy, and retention.
Walk away with strategies that resonate with both event planners and industry suppliers.
Gain a framework for demonstrating the ROI of live events through relationships and community, not just attendance numbers
| Planners | Member Suppliers | Non-Member Suppliers | Student Member | Student Non Member | ||||
| $25 | Package: $65 Education Only: $50 After 5 Only: $25 | Package: $85 Education Only: $70 After 5 Only: $30 | Package: $20 Education Only: $0 After 5 Only: $20 | Package: $25 Education Only: $30 After 5 Only: $20 |
Speaker
 Braden Eads Keynote Speaker Braden Speaks Braden Eads is a professional keynote speaker, Strategic Customer Success Manager, and former member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a background in industrial organizational psychology, and he spent years on stage before ever giving a keynote. Braden speaks on the power of authentic connection and the courage it takes to use your voice. His signature keynote, The ROI of Human Connection, shows corporate, sales, and leadership audiences why real relationships still drive real results, even in a world built on automation and efficiency. His second keynote, Finding Your Voice, draws on the stories of Rosa Parks, Noor Abdalla, and Cori Bush, along with his own journey from choir risers to keynote stages, to help audiences show up authentically even when it's terrifying. Braden has spoken for organizations including ATD, IIA, Pikes Peak Learning Center, Douglas County Libraries, NACA Milwaukee, and Customer Success Summit Denver. Audiences leave with practical tools and a renewed sense of what genuine connection can do for their teams, their careers, and themselves. He lives in Colorado Springs with his family. |
 |
|
| ||
Effortless Boulder charm meets the rugged grandeur of the Flatirons at the Boulder Marriott. Set at the foot of the mountains where downtown energy meets alpine calm, the hotel serves as a premier home base for those who want the best of Boulder within easy reach. From sun-drenched guest rooms framing sweeping Flatiron views to the full-service spa and indoor pool built for unwinding after a day on the trails, every detail is crafted for comfort.Beyond the doors, the eclectic spirit of downtown Boulder awaits. Guests can wander the shops and street performers of Pearl Street Mall, pick up a trailhead straight into the Flatirons, or stroll to the University of Colorado campus. More than just a landmark in the city's most walkable corridor, the Boulder Marriott is a destination where laid-back hospitality and mountain-town energy converge, offering an experience that is as down-to-earth as it is inspiring.
September Dynamic Duo
5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - MPI After 5 Networking
The ROI of Human Connection: Designing Moments That Matter
Human connection doesn't happen by accident, it happens by design. In this keynote, Braden Eads makes the business case for treating connection as a strategic outcome of great meetings and events, not a byproduct of good luck. Drawing on his background in organizational psychology and years on stage, Braden shows event professionals and industry suppliers how intentional event design creates real engagement, and how that engagement translates directly into attendee satisfaction, loyalty, and measurable business results. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for building connection into every stage of event design, from first touchpoint to follow-up, so that meaningful engagement becomes the expectation rather than the exception.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand why human connection is one of the most valuable, and most measurable, outcomes of meetings and events.
Learn practical techniques for designing intentional moments of engagement rather than leaving connection to chance.
Connect attendee engagement directly to customer experience outcomes like loyalty, advocacy, and retention.
Walk away with strategies that resonate with both event planners and industry suppliers.
Gain a framework for demonstrating the ROI of live events through relationships and community, not just attendance numbers
| Planners | Member Suppliers | Non-Member Suppliers | Student Member | Student Non Member | ||||
| $25 | Package: $65 Education Only: $50 After 5 Only: $25 | Package: $85 Education Only: $70 After 5 Only: $30 | Package: $20 Education Only: $0 After 5 Only: $20 | Package: $25 Education Only: $30 After 5 Only: $20 |
Speaker
Braden Eads Keynote Speaker Braden Speaks Braden Eads is a professional keynote speaker, Strategic Customer Success Manager, and former member of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He holds an MBA from the University of Utah and a background in industrial organizational psychology, and he spent years on stage before ever giving a keynote. Braden speaks on the power of authentic connection and the courage it takes to use your voice. His signature keynote, The ROI of Human Connection, shows corporate, sales, and leadership audiences why real relationships still drive real results, even in a world built on automation and efficiency. His second keynote, Finding Your Voice, draws on the stories of Rosa Parks, Noor Abdalla, and Cori Bush, along with his own journey from choir risers to keynote stages, to help audiences show up authentically even when it's terrifying. Braden has spoken for organizations including ATD, IIA, Pikes Peak Learning Center, Douglas County Libraries, NACA Milwaukee, and Customer Success Summit Denver. Audiences leave with practical tools and a renewed sense of what genuine connection can do for their teams, their careers, and themselves. He lives in Colorado Springs with his family. |
|
|
| ||
Effortless Boulder charm meets the rugged grandeur of the Flatirons at the Boulder Marriott. Set at the foot of the mountains where downtown energy meets alpine calm, the hotel serves as a premier home base for those who want the best of Boulder within easy reach. From sun-drenched guest rooms framing sweeping Flatiron views to the full-service spa and indoor pool built for unwinding after a day on the trails, every detail is crafted for comfort.Beyond the doors, the eclectic spirit of downtown Boulder awaits. Guests can wander the shops and street performers of Pearl Street Mall, pick up a trailhead straight into the Flatirons, or stroll to the University of Colorado campus. More than just a landmark in the city's most walkable corridor, the Boulder Marriott is a destination where laid-back hospitality and mountain-town energy converge, offering an experience that is as down-to-earth as it is inspiring.