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Agenda

Thought Leaders Summit

 

Leisure Activites

See Activites

 

Introduction

MPI Foundation along with MPI Academy (MPI) plans its third annual Thought Leaders Summit to provide stakeholders a forum to network, explore a topic and create new ideas. Participants will enjoy three days of engaging, interactive activities November 4-6, 2018. This year’s event is focused on practices to support Inclusion and is part of a broader effort by MPI to help members enhance the bottom line by meeting the needs of ALL participants in a welcoming spirit.

MPI Foundation holds this event to invite strategic partners and their invited senior planners to engage in high-level education and dialogue around key industry issues. MPI also extends a research initiative to inform the development of training and tool(s) to support the Inclusion activities of members. MPI may also take this opportunity to showcase local inclusivity practices. MPI will invite a small group of experts to educate participants on key Inclusion topics and to facilitate the education portion of this event.

Educational Deliveries and Requirements

The educational experience consists of sharing new research and content that can inform discussions on current practices, ideation and behavior change among participants, who will have the opportunity to share their experiences in meaningful and satisfying ways.

Requirements for the educational experience include the following:

• MPI gains additional insight for its inclusivity education initiative
• Participants feel ownership/buy-in of content to be included in the certificate program
• Participants have opportunities for networking during educational sessions
• Participants maintain a high level of engagement
• Participants walk away with information they can apply tomorrow on the job
• Participants know how to continue their education on diversity and inclusion
• Model an inclusive spirit


Summit Outcomes

1. Increase knowledge and self-awareness around Inclusion

  • Describe the role, skills characteristics of meeting planners and event suppliers as inclusion brokers.
  • Participate in a self-awareness activity focusing on how we may perceive differences and how this perception may impact inclusion.
  • Consider the many dimensions of diversity and how they can create strengths and poses challenges to create fully inclusive environments.

2. Discuss key findings from MPI research on Inclusion.

3. Propose actions meeting planners and suppliers can take to facilitate Inclusivity. (These actions
will be considered for the certificate program and the tool)

  • Describe preventative strategies to address challenges and avoid conflicts.

4. Commit to an Inclusive Action Plan—short term, medium term, —to apply actions that
foster Inclusion.

Education Structure

The education portion of the event will span all three days with 10 contact hours, inclusive of opening remarks, closing remarks and breaks.

 

Sunday, November 4, 2018

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. (Includes welcoming remarks and closing remarks)

The focus of Sunday’s activity is on setting the stage with the concept of inclusion broker
and the role of event suppliers and meeting planners as inclusion brokers. Because it is a travel day for
many, the focus is on interaction and networking with just enough to provide common
ground and vocabulary as well as to set expectations for content and participation.

 

Monday, November 5, 2018

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Includes opening remarks and brief close plus 30 minutes for breaks)

The focus of Monday’s activity is on gaining additional content in an appealing format. In
additional participants will begin to explore actions through an Inclusive Registration form activity.

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

8:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Includes brief opening remarks and close plus 30 minutes for breaks)

The focus of Tuesdays’ activity is on reviewing MPI research in the context of what meeting
planners/suppliers need to plan inclusive experiences. Participants will share their own best practices.
2018 Thought Leaders Summit – Agenda v1 Agenda details are subject to change. 3

Detailed Agenda

 

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Arrivals – Registration opens at 11:00 AM Main Lobby

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Opening Education Session – Palmeira Lounge

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Welcome Reception – Legendary Terrace, inside and outside

 

Monday, November 5, 2018

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM Registration, Activities Transportation – Salon Foyer

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast – Salon Central 2 & 3

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Education Program - Salon Central 2 & 3

12:00 PM Boxed Lunches for activities Off-site

12:30 PM – 5:00 PM Afternoon Activities Off-site/ On-site

5:00 PM Returns to Resort

Dine Around on own at Resort – advance reservations will be made

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM Registration, Activities Transportation – Salon Foyer

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM Breakfast – Salon Central 2 & 3

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Education Program - Salon Central 2 & 3

12:00 PM Boxed Lunches for activities Off-site

12:30 PM – 5:00 PM Afternoon Activities Off-site/ On-site

5:00 PM Returns to Resort

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Closing Dinner – Terraza Náyade, poolside outside

 

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Breakfast and Departures

 

 

Program Details:  

Accommodations: Up to 4 nights stay for planners and suppliers. Sunday – Wednesday. Limited availability on hold for suppliers and planners to arrive Saturday evening from the west coast. First preference will be to accommodate planners. There is no educational programming on Wednesday. But post-visit sites can be arranged.

 

Customer Complimentary Air Travel

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer complimentary round-trip main cabin tickets for Planner Guest traveling to for the MPI Thought Leader Summit. This special offer is being extended for air travel beginning as early as Nov 3rd and ending Nov 10th.

Please make your reservations by calling Delta’s Special Events Desk at 1-888-307-7956, Monday - Friday between 9:00am - 5:00pm Eastern Time. Identify yourself as a customer attending the MPI Thought Leader Summit.

Please confirm your reservations no later than October 15, 2018 to ensure time to issue electronic tickets and email confirmations. E-tickets will be issued within fourteen (14) days after the reservation has been made.

* Please note that checked baggage fees are the responsibility of the customer.

Changes To Itinerary Once Ticketed

Customer Complimentary Air Travel - Planner Guest should contact Delta’s Special Events Desk at 1-888-307-7956, Monday - Friday between 9:00am - 5:00pm Eastern Time. An administrative fee applies to changes made after ticketing.

 

Meals and Activities: 

The resort is all-inclusive. All meals, beverages (/alcoholic) and activities for planners and suppliers are being included. There is a Dine-Around evening on Monday night. Suppliers will have the opportunity to make individual or group reservations at the facilities on-property.

 

Ground Transportation – Cancun International Airport (CUN): 

Is being provided by Q. Roo Tourism Board/ AMSTAR DMC services. For both planners and suppliers. Details will be captured in registration Special Accommodations/ Medical/ Dietary Needs: Information will be captured and accommodations ensured to create an inclusive experience.

 

Education: 

Will be conducted in one large group, with mixed tables for conversation and to maximize networking opportunities. It will be led by a group of educators specifically selected for this summit. Off-site/ On-site Activities: 3 choices for off-site activities each day, including one to accommodate anyone with a physical disability are being offered. On-site options of Spa or Poolside are being offered. Preferences will be gathered during registration.

 

Pre- FAMs:
1. MPI Mexico Chapter and Xcaret Hotel: October 30 – November 1 are holding a FAM with a cultural component for All Souls Day – Oct 31 – which will include activities and a great performance. Please indicate if you are interested

2. Q.Roo Fam – Cozumel – November 2 - 4. They are conducting a FAM and will deliver participating planners to UNICO on November 4. More information will be available soon.

 

Registration:
The Registration and MPI conference site will open following Labor Day. Planner participants will be provided the link to register.