Four students from CMU Meeting Professionals International (MPI) arrived yesterday in Orlando ready for a week of networking, education sessions, and exclusive events! The day started early for Lindsay (Senior from Marine City and MPI President) and Jordan Hathaway (Senior from Zeeland and MPI Treasurer) who received grants from IMEX to attend this year’s event.
Guest blogger Lindsay Ostin, CMU senior
Upon arrival they proceeded to registration and then attended the Future Leaders Forum, an exclusive group that encourages the best and brightest students to enter the meetings and incentive travel industry. They met several other future leaders from all over the world – Denver, Orlando, Canada, Poland, California, Virginia, and Oregon and heard former future leader, Renea Anderson talk about “Why Not You? Why Not Now?: Finding Your Significance”. Lindsay told me she was amazing and encouraged them to know “who you are, what you want, and who you want to influence.”
Next, Miguel Neves (recipient of the 2009 Foundation Student Scholarship, and Director of Online Marketing UK & Ireland Chapter) spoke on social media. He discussed the importance of having a professional presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and how EVERYONE should be on LinkedIn adding, “a recommendation on Linkedin is like a post-it note on your resume that everyone can see.” Lindsay and Jordan told them about their crazy instructor that adds them on Facebook. Needless to say, this morning I have a new Facebook friend!
They also had a chance to see 3 university challenge finalists present their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) proposals. After the session, they took the designated shuttle to EPCOT where the Land, the Living Seas, and Innovations West had been reserved exclusively for MPI to enjoy! Each area was themed and had live performers walking around. The food was gourmet and delicious! They also met people from the Detroit CVB and they promised they would give them t-shirts tomorrow that say “Viva Detroit.”
After returning to the hotel, they decided to do a little more networking before calling it a night. According to Lindsay, this event is more than she expected. “Lorie – I am loving this! Everything is too cool and the networking opportunities are endless!!” Jordan agrees, “This is like the most amazing opportunity I could dream of. I have met professionals from all over the country from Vancouver to Ireland to Germany and other ‘future leaders’ from all over the US and Canada and Germany and Poland. (I actually talked to a University Challenge Winner from Warsaw, Poland and seen his winning presentation) this is amazing Lorie!!!”
Away from the excitement of EPCOT, Courtney Stanley (past-President of MPI and MPI RISE Award winner) and Craig Zubke (former MPI Treasurer and Future Leaders Award Scholarship Winner) were busy preparing for this afternoon’s award ceremony. Craig will present Courtney with the award at 12:30 and she will give an acceptance speech in front of approximately 2,000 people!
More from Orlando soon….
