Reflect - Opening Our Eyes

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix meaningful education, unforgettable experiences, and a little bit of Texas charm… well, we found out in Waco.

The MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter’s Opening Our Eyes event brought together meetings and events professionals from across the Central Texas region for a weekend that was equal parts impactful and just plain fun - the kind of event that reminds you why you love this industry in the first place.

We kicked things off Friday evening at the AC Hotel Waco Downtown with a networking reception that felt more like a reunion than a room full of strangers. (You know it’s a good sign when people are already laughing before the program even starts.)

Then came the heart of the event - an eye-opening session on recognizing and preventing human trafficking within the meetings and events industry. Susan Greenburg and Waco PD Detective David Allison didn’t just present… they challenged us. With real-world insights and practical tools, they reminded us that what we do as event professionals goes far beyond logistics - it’s about responsibility, awareness, and leadership.

And because MPI knows how to strike the perfect balance… we followed meaningful with memorable (and FUN).

Enter: the MPI Waco After Party.

The night kicked off at Barnett’s Whiskey House and quickly turned into an anything-but-average industry hangout - think whiskey tastings, bar hopping, karaoke cameos (some impressive, some… enthusiastic), and plenty of moments that probably shouldn’t be documented but definitely won’t be forgotten. Safe to say, connections were made.

Saturday morning rolled around (maybe a little slower for some than others), but Destination Waco made sure it was worth it.

From behind-the-scenes access at Cameron Park Zoo - including giraffe feeding, camel feeding, and petting a rhino (yes, really) - to strolling through Magnolia Market at the Silos, the day was a masterclass in what makes a destination truly stand out.

We wrapped things up with a hosted lunch and tour at the Waco Convention Center, followed by coffee and desserts at Hotel 1928 - because no great event should end without one last chance to connect (and one more coffee).

But beyond the experiences, the real takeaway?

This industry is at its best when we come together - to learn, to support one another, and to create events that make an impact far beyond the agenda.

Opening Our Eyes did exactly that.

And if you missed it… let’s just say you’ll want to be in the room next time.