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Chapter Education and Networking
Thursday, January 22, 2026
The Madison Concourse & Governors Club
Madison, WI
Lead with Calm: Conflict Resolution That Strengthens Event Teams
Listening with Purpose: Building Trust from First Contact to Final Detail
Dave Molenda
Positive Polarity
#MPIWI
Join us in Madison, WI for MPI Wisconsin Chapter’s January Event at Madison Concourse Hotel!
You survived 2025 and another year of successful programs and events! Our January event kicks off on Wednesday evening, January 21, with Zenception 2026... the most delightfully unbuttoned reception of the season — where cozy vibes, creativity, and conversation collide. Slip into your comfiest clothes and slippers and mingle in a spa-style lounge filled with candlelight, aromatherapy, and soft seating designed for effortless networking. Stir up a handcrafted seasonal cocktail, build your dream cookie, grab a slice of Ian’s, and jump into interactive engagement stations that spark imagination and connection — from oversized games to mini art projects that guarantee laughs and conversation starters. It’s the perfect blend of chill energy and playful engagement, all wrapping up with a grounding meditative yoga moment that sends you off relaxed, inspired, and connected with new industry friends.
The main event takes place on January 22, featuring dynamic speaker Dave Molenda, founder of Positive Polarity, a Midwest-based business coaching firm that challenges the status quo with positivity and purpose.
Dave will lead two insightful sessions: Lead with Calm: Conflict Resolution That Strengthens Event Teams. This session will help teach us how handling challenges effectively can foster stronger teamwork and enhance event success. The second session, Listening with Purpose: Building Trust from First Contract to Final Details will help discover the power of active listening in building trust, identifying hidden needs, and creating exceptional experiences. Dave is also the author of Growing on Purpose, an Amazon #1 Best Seller in three categories, offering practical strategies to elevate team performance and improve client satisfaction.
Are you interested in obtaining your CMP or are studying for the big test? Our wonderful, Naomi Tucker, CMP, is presenting the CMP 101 session from 11:00 am – 11:45am.
We will be collecting items to benefit The Road Home Dane County at registration. The Road Home Dane County is committed to ending the issue of family homelessness in our community. They do this by developing long-term relationships with homeless families with children that change lives. High-need items include paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and full size bath and shower product. Click here to view a list of needed items.
This January program is an unmissable opportunity to learn, grow, and connect, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Madison Concourse Hotel in Madison!
Agenda
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Madison Concourse Hotel
| — PM — | |||
| 6:30 - 9:00 | Zenception 2026 - the most delightfully unbuttoned reception of the season — where cozy vibes, creativity, and conversation collide. Slip into your comfiest clothes and slippers and mingle in a spa-style lounge filled with candlelight, aromatherapy, and soft seating designed for effortless networking.
| ||
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Madison Concourse Hotel
| — AM — | |||
| 9:00 - 11:00 | Board of Directors | ||
| 11:30 | Registration | ||
| — PM — | |||
| 12:00 - 1:00 | Lunch and Networking | ||
| 1:00 - 4:00 | Announcements and Program Lead with Calm: Conflict Resolution That Strengthens Event Teams
Listening with Purpose: Building Trust from First Contact to Final Detail
Dave Molenda, Positive Polarity | ||
| 4:00 - 4:45 | Reception and Raffle | ||
Event Pricing
| Member: | $70 ($85 after 1/16/2026) | |
| Non-Member: | $100 ($120 after 1/16/2026) | |
| Student Member: | $35 ($45 after 1/16/2026) |
Pay it Forward Rate: $0 - Available for registration to any current member that is currently "in between gigs" and without industry employment. Please contact the chapter office to request this rate.
Lead with Calm: Conflict Resolution That Strengthens Event Teams
In the fast-paced world of event planning, teamwork is everything. With tight deadlines, high client expectations, and countless moving parts, even the most cohesive teams can face conflict. Whether it’s a miscommunication between vendors, differing creative visions, or pressure-fueled disagreements within your core team, how you manage these challenges directly impacts the success of your events—and your business. This session explores practical, actionable strategies for navigating conflict within event planning teams, equipping planners with the tools to resolve tension swiftly, foster open communication, and maintain momentum—even under pressure.
Listening with Purpose: Building Trust from First Contact to Final Detail
In the event planning industry, your ability to listen can be your most powerful tool. From the first client consultation to final event execution, truly understanding a client's vision, concerns, and feedback can make or break the success of an event.
This session dives into the often-overlooked skill of active listening—a key ingredient in building trust, uncovering hidden needs, and delivering exceptional experiences. You'll learn how to:
- Go beyond surface-level communication to understand what clients really want
- Use active listening techniques to build rapport and avoid costly misunderstandings
- Navigate difficult conversations with clarity and empathy
- Respond with intention, showing clients that their voice shapes the event journey
- Enhance team communication, improving collaboration across all stakeholders
By mastering the art of listening, event planners can transform everyday conversations into powerful opportunities for connection, innovation, and client loyalty. Whether you're meeting with a corporate client, a wedding couple, or a vendor partner, your listening skills can turn good events into unforgettable ones.
Speaker Bio: Dave Molenda
After 30 years of starting his own company and growing it to $10 million in annual sales before selling it, Dave Molenda realized that his passion was helping companies thrive by overcoming their natural tendencies to retreat, not talk about the hard stuff and spin their wheels on the wrong things. Dave’s current company, Positive Polarity, is a Midwest business coaching firm that acts as the opposing force against the easy way of doing business – the way it’s always been done – with a positive and encouraging approach.
Dave’s book, Growing On Purpose, was an instant #1 Amazon Best Seller in three categories and will help strengthen your team and improve your customer’s experience!
Dave’s latest project, Positive Polarity Podcast, has over 270 episodes! Recently, the Positive Polarity Podcast achieved the top 2% of all podcasts in the world, according to Listennote.com! On this podcast, Dave and his guests discuss the intersection of business growth and personal growth. Each week they invite guests on that have found their passion in their business and together, talk about how this looks in business and how successful the outcome actually can be!
Location, Map & Lodging
The Madison Concourse Hotel
1 W Dayton St., Madison, WI
Room Rate: $129
Room block Cut-Off: 01/14/2026
Group Direct Booking Link- No login/Attendee Code needed.
Reservations by Phone - 800 356 8293
