More than 600 international meeting and event professionals are expected to attend The European Meetings and Events Conference, co-created by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), on 18-20 April 2008. The event, formerly known as the Professional Education Conference-Europe, is the first international meetings and events industry educational conference hosted in London.

While the name change is the most visible element of the evolution, it is the radically new approach taken by MPI to design and execute what is now the largest pan-European educational conference for meeting professionals that will elevate the experience for all.

“The European Meetings and Events Conference in London elevates the traditional MPI European conference experience,” said Bruce MacMillan, MPI president and chief executive. “By co-creating the event around what meeting professionals need to be successful today and tomorrow, we identified critical experience environments that became the basis for the design and delivery of the conference in a way that offers unprecedented value to our member community.”

This new process, initiated in June, aims to ensure a more relevant, engaging and elevating experience for the participants. As an example, The European Meetings and Events Conference will offer a dual curriculum. One, targeting executive meeting professionals, will significantly elevate the conversation by featuring MBA-level presenters for more advanced business skills development. The other part of the curriculum, for early to middle stage professionals, will follow the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) structure in competencies such as legislation, marketing and finance. MPI will also continue to elevate awareness and conversations around corporate social responsibility and sustainability, weaving these vital topics into The European Meetings and Events Conference sessions and planning.

As part of its global community building vision, MPI is reaching out to UK national meeting industry associations to involve them in this pan-European event as well.

Commenting on the event, David Hornby, commercial director of Visit London and London host committee co-chair, said: “We look forward to welcoming new faces, and attracting those who may not have considered the benefits of being part of this global community in the fabulous city of London. This conference will offer speakers and sessions that not only inspire but also explore the issues of today and engage individuals at all career levels.”

Meanwhile, Vanessa Cotton, managing director of ExCel London and London host committee co-chair, noted: “By enhancing the traditional role of a host committee, MPI involved both members and non-members in a co-creation process aimed at producing the most relevant learning and networking experience for meeting and event professionals.”

The European Meeting and Events Conference in London will run just prior to IMEX 2008 in Frankfurt on 22-24 April 2008. Attendees, especially those traveling from North America to Europe, will be able to take advantage of a cost-productive travel schedule with both events making for an interesting week of cutting-edge knowledge, rich contacts and abundant marketplace opportunities.

Registration for The European Meetings and Events Conference will be available in mid-October 2007 at www.mpiweb.org