The global meeting and event industry comes together for a historic rally at MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in St. Louis, June 18-20.

"This year, we are going to learn a lot, but we are also planning to have a lot of fun—this rally is going to be raucous!" says Jessie States, CMP, CMM, vice president of MPI Consulting. "At WEC St. Louis, our community will find what it needs: inspiration to ignite next-level thinking, connections that will grow and evolve business and the people who will awaken what’s possible. WEC St. Louis will be where people rally—for their events, their business, their community and themselves."

From Learning Journeys and micro-sessions to deep dives and an expansion of the popular Campfire format, there are a lot of exciting new or enhanced professional education and networking elements at WEC St. Louis.

Earning widespread praise when implemented at MPI’s European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) in Istanbul this February, Learning Journeys make their WEC debut on June 19 as a selection of afternoon field trips around St. Louis through which participants can discover best and next practices in unusual and one-of-a-kind, historic venues.

Sprinkled throughout WEC, 30-minute-long micro-sessions are positioned to help combat post-lunch lethargy. These are then followed by immersive afternoon deep dives offering introvert-friendly learning environments with actionable takeaways and practical application.

While the education on offer at WEC cover key knowledge buckets so as to be applicable to the expansive events community— including tracks for Design/Trends, B2B (logistics, F&B, audiovisual), People (wellness, diversity and inclusion, sustainability), Sales, Executive (leadership, strategy), Tech and Medical—the content and associated discussions will not shy away from the myriad new and evergreen challenges with which event professionals must contend.

"We won’t be afraid to have difficult conversations at WEC St. Louis," States says. "Look for sessions that take on today’s social, economic and political landscape in safe environments where all voices are lifted. Discussions will include allyship; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; ethics; artificial intelligence (AI); psychological and physical safety; the law; and much more!"

MPI is excited to introduce Bonfires at WEC St. Louis— an approach and vibe similar to that of the Campfire and located within the Marketplace area, but able to accommodate more attendees. Expect a variety of subject-matter experts, product showcases, local legends and more.

"I think the Marketplace is going to be a great highlight of WEC," says Tanya Philyaw, CMP, senior meeting planner, MPI, when asked to pinpoint an aspect she’s most eagerly anticipating. "We have three, 200-person Bonfire areas with education that is already committed to being amazing. For our Marketplace networking lunch, we will be showcasing some St. Louis staples and throwing in some Kool-Aid pickles. And those Learning Journeys—they are going to be the icing on the cake!"

With the surge in new and evolving tech options that promise to innovate events and optimize the energy of event professionals, expect a greater selection of related education including, of course, many facets of AI. (You can even earn the AI-Enhanced Event Professional Certificate from the MPI Academy during WEC thanks to an onsite class on June 18.)

In addition, the Tech Zone returns to the WEC show floor for the first time since 2018, in partnership with the Dahlia+ Agency. This avails event professionals the opportunity to explore a wide range of tech tools and services both hands-on and by engaging directly with experts.

RALLY TO GET BUSINESS DONE

MPI’s highly rated Hosted Buyer program kicks off WEC 2025 on the afternoon of June 17. After all, what better way to rally event professionals to get business done than through dedicated face-to-face meetings to discuss future bookings and needs?

Indeed, 97% of last year’s WEC Hosted Buyer participants were satisfied with the overall program; 93% said that the program connected them with people and businesses that match their needs.

"Hosted Buyer planners and suppliers will gather for a welcome kickoff reception and roll right into their best-match appointments, finishing the day off with an exclusive reception in the heart of downtown St. Louis," says Allison Burkey, director of Exchange Programs, MPI. "Our acclaimed Hosted Buyer program will continue to match suppliers and planners with mutual business needs, providing a maximized opportunity to connect with industry partners and making the appointments a great return on their investment."

Not only will participants of the Hosted Buyer program enjoy these hand-selected professional appointments with industry colleagues, but there are additional opportunities and experiences designed for them to connect on a more organic level, Burkey says. An estimated 150 hosted buyers and 125 suppliers are expected to participate in this year’s program.

Beyond the Hosted Buyer program, there will also be dedicated time for additional speed networking.

"This is an amazing opportunity to meet with qualified partners through short, high-impact, introductory conversations," Burkey says.

FLEXIBILITY, COLLABORATION AND LOCAL EXPERTISE

Since last hosting WEC in 2012, St. Louis’ event scene has experienced many changes, not the least of which is the $256 million expansion and facelift at the America’s Center Convention Complex. One constant over the years that remains to this day: the skill and dedication of the region’s event professionals.

"Our St. Louis team is simply amazing," Philyaw says about MPI’s local partners. "They are committed to supporting this event and making sure that it is a complete success for MPI and St. Louis."

In fact, WEC’s "Let’s Rally" theme is a direct result of the impressive teamwork that MPI staff saw in action during site visits to St. Louis.

"Jennifer Poindexter and the incredible team at Explore St. Louis showcased the city in the most authentic and meaningful way, taking us to different neighborhoods, meeting people and immersing us in the local culture," says Jeff Daigle, vice president, brand for MPI. "The biggest thing that stood out to me was that everybody has each other’s backs. St. Louisans are there for each other, they pick each other up, they support. That spirit of rallying together—and for each other—is also what MPI is all about. Add to that the incredible sports town that St. Louis is, it was the perfect wave to ride, and the starter DNA for an amazing WEC."

Poindexter, director of Meet St. Louis, says the WEC Host Committee, which she chairs, leveraged this collaborative approach to planning by engaging with the area’s robust hospitality community to incorporate surprise moments throughout the event designed to leave a lasting impression on attendees.

"Flexibility and collaboration have been key throughout the planning process," she says. "Our goal was to integrate authentic St. Louis experiences into every WEC activation— whether that’s through food, entertainment, architecture or storytelling. We’ve crafted a mix of immersive experiences—some big, some small—that will showcase what makes our city truly special.

"Personally, I find great inspiration in the collaboration that makes events like WEC possible," she says. "Seeing our community come together—from hotel partners and event professionals to local businesses—to create something extraordinary is incredibly rewarding. This event isn’t just about showcasing St. Louis; it’s about demonstrating what’s possible when an entire city rallies around a shared vision—#LetsRally."

THE MPI FOUNDATION BRINGS ITS HEART TO THE HEARTLAND

No event industry rally is complete without the MPI Foundation! Annually, MPI’s WEC manifests a critical window for fundraising and storytelling for the MPI Foundation. Leveraging a successful anniversary yearlong effort in 2024 while celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the MPI Foundation is flipping the spotlight to focus on every scholarship recipient.

"Celebrating our scholarship recipients’ story and where they can impact our industry is paramount," says Rebecca DeLuca, vice president destination sales with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and 2025 chair of the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees. "Since 1984, we’ve impacted over 25,000 individuals across the industry and around the world. WEC provides a unique platform to create touchpoints for our recipients to engage with donors as well as allowing our trustees to develop fundraising events that maximize the awareness and donations!."

To that end, DeLuca says the Foundation has developed alternative ways for industry professionals and organizations to donate throughout WEC.

"We’ve introduced a Pickleball Tournament on Wednesday morning for those not into late-night parties," she says. "During the June 19 President’s Dinner honoring an MPI Foundation past-chair, Stephen Revetria, we’ll have some dynamic items up for auction for that exclusive audience. And throughout WEC, we’ll be featuring amazing trips and experiences available via our Silent Auction (closing the evening of June 20)."

Of course, no WEC experience is complete with the Foundation’s renowned RENDEZVOUS.

"This year, we take over The Pageant, a storied live music venue in the heart of the St. Louis music scene," DeLuca says.

To get involved with the MPI Foundation in whatever way you prefer, visit mpi.org or mpi.org/foundation for more details—and follow @MPIFoundation on social media.