Anyone who has ever worked as a meeting professional can tell you about their favorite meetings and proudest moments onsite. When planners and suppliers begin swapping those war stories, they’re usually talking about meetings that changed the world.
When Fusion Productions and The Conference Publishers set out to gather testimonials in advance of MPI’s 2010 World Education Congress, they received a small deluge of stories and memories from some of the world’s leading meeting professionals. Here’s what some of them said:
“As a supplier to a global leadership meeting like the G8/G20 Summit, you see first-hand the interactions among the various country delegations and leaders. Without the opportunity to meet, it would be difficult if not impossible to accomplish anything. Whether it is world leaders or boardroom meetings, it’s much easier to reach consensus when you are face to face.”
- François Brunet, D.E. Systems Ltd.
“When our group brought together 40 tobacco control researchers from developing countries, we changed the world by finding ways to prevent a new epidemic of cigarette addiction before it starts.”
- Claire Fitzpatrick, CMP, CF Conference & Event Management Services
“When our client, Zonta International, held its 2010 convention in San Antonio, they raised well over $110,000 to help end human trafficking, combat violence against women, and support many other social projects around the world.”
- Jeff Rasco, CMP, Attendee Management Inc.
“The small changes that builders and contractors made to their construction practices add up to big energy savings, greenhouse gas reductions, and delay the building of new power plants. For attendees, the business and green building skills they develop at the conference also give them a competitive edge in generating new projects and creating jobs.”
- Marge Anderson, Energy Center of Wisconsin
“When we meet, we help millions of people live longer, healthier lives. In the last century, Canadians’ lifespans have increased by 30 years, and 25 of those years are due to advances in public health.”
- Sarah Pettenuzzo, Canadian Public Health Association
“I work with a group that changes lives though high school, middle school and elementary school programs. There are 3,800 teachers and administrators preparing to change the world as a direct result of a single meeting. Over a series of eight summer institutes, our client will train more than 18,000 teachers who will return to their districts and schools and affect the future of more than 400,000 students in the next year.”
- Doug McPhee, CMM, CMP, Experient
“When I plan the American Heart Association’s annual Scientific Sessions, I help to further our mission to build healthier lives by preventing, treating, and defeating heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers.”
- Jason Ware, American Heart Association
“When our members meet, they learn how to keep children and adults physically active through the events they ultimately host…Sports as a whole keep kids on the straight and narrow, and can often lead to college scholarships, a chance to represent their country in a major international event like the Olympics, or a career as a professional athlete or coach. Even for those who don’t make sports their career, participation in sporting events provides invaluable life lessons.”
- Beth Hecquet, CMP, National Association of Sports Commissions
“When our group meets, we share strategies to make women around the world more economically independent, educated, and secure.”
- Joan Eisenstodt, Eisenstodt Associates, LLC
“When we met, our goals were to emphasize the huge opportunities for improving the lives of people with Lupus by maximizing the potential in Lupus research, education and care. While the overall focus is to update every aspect of all three, there are major attempts to narrow the gaps of Lupus world-wide, support the next generation of Lupus scientists and reduce barriers between lay and professional, different disciplines, and different cultures.” Quote from Dr. John M. Esdaile MD, MPH, FRCPC, FCAHS, Chair, 9th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
- Carol MacKenzie, Advance Group Conference Management Inc.
“Nothing will ever replace the interaction of a face-to-face meeting, where ideas are spawned and generated into a reality that makes our world better—whatever that world may be. For the American Association of Corporate and Public Practice Veterinarians, this approach has reenergized the organization.”
- MaryAnne P. Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM, Bobrow & Associates