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Behind the Scenes of WEC 2025 Panel Recap
MPI St. Louis hosted an engaging and insightful educational panel at the beautiful Marriott St. Louis Grand, the official host hotel for MPI’s Global World Education Congress 2025. The event brought together St. Louis meeting and event professionals for a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration, strategy, and execution required to produce a successful citywide conference of this scale.
Moderated by MPI St. Louis President-Elect Valerie Fox, the panel featured leaders from across the destination and hospitality community who played integral roles in bringing WEC 2025 to life. Jennifer Hollenkamp of Explore St. Louis shared insights on marketing engagement, performance metrics, local partnerships, and volunteer involvement that helped drive awareness and success. Representing the planner perspective, Julie Holtgrave, MPI Planner, highlighted pre-event collaboration, strategic positioning, and the value of strong committee partnerships.
From the host hotel perspective, Corri Roberts of the Marriott St. Louis Grand discussed hospitality execution, VIP experiences, and pre-event activations that elevated the attendee journey. Aaren Muex of Divine Events offered a creative lens, sharing how downtown activations and vendor support enhanced the overall event experience. Julie Krull of Destination St. Louis spoke to DMC sponsorship activations, logistical support, and transportation coordination, while Sara Newell of LHM highlighted multi-venue coordination, hosting the VIP President’s Dinner, and creating a seamless and elevated guest experience across properties.
Together, the panel showcased the power of partnership and the dedication of our local industry leaders. Attendees enjoyed meaningful conversation, exceptional food and beverage, and the opportunity to connect with peers in the heart of downtown St. Louis. A heartfelt thank you to the Marriott St. Louis Grand, Valerie Fox, and each of our panelists for their leadership, collaboration, and commitment to making this educational event a true success.
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