First time event to be delivered in Virtual Format

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *

Dallas, Texas, April 7, 2021 — Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide, recently announced Gill Hicks as its keynote speaker for their signature European event, the 2021 European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC), which takes place virtually on 15 June, 2021. Hicks will present "The Only Way is Forward" as part of the full-day education and networking programme.

Gill Hicks will deliver a keynote that challenges EMEC participants to consider their impact on the world. In a time when the meeting and event industry is poised for a comeback, this is also time for professionals to envision how the industry can transform for the better at a time of so much change.

In July 2005, Hicks was severely and permanently injured, losing both her legs, from the actions of a suicide bomber in the attack on London’s transport networks. The event changed her life and she combined her passion for design and her devotion to building peace, by forming M.A.D. Minds, an agency devoted to solutions for societal change.

She’s an award-winning artist and most recent award recipient for her live theatre at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the world’s largest open access arts festival. In addition to her work as an artist, she is also a musician, published author and mother. Prior to the bombings, Gill was a respected figure within the fields of Architecture and Design in London and has continued to be recognized and awarded for her many contributions to the arts, healthcare and peace-building.

The education at the 32^nd annual EMEC will build on its innovation and education partnership with MPI’s nearly 1,000 European members and nine chapters and clubs to produce a virtual event that is designed for Europeans by Europeans. This year’s event will create a first-ever direct link to MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), taking place 15-17 June, 2021 at CAESARS FORUM in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Register for EMEC at mpi.org/emec and read our latest blog about our keynote here. The event is available for anyone to register with at either a member or non-member rate.

About EMEC:
Serving as MPI's signature annual European event, the European Meeting and Events Conference (EMEC) is one of the world’s premiere conferences. With more than 30 editions of the event, EMEC has been recognized multiple times in Global award shows, and serves as an innovative hub for our community, an example of industry excellence and a display of the great dedication and passion of the events industry. With more than 300 in attendance during last year’s February 2020 event in Sevilla, Spain, EMEC continues to bring forward its heritage pillars focused on sustainability, locally flavored, designed for and by Europeans and industry idea incubator.

Media Contact: Christa Schelter, communications@mpi.org