What has MPI planned for their European Conference in Barcelona?
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The event aims to combine education, connections, and destination-driven experiences, to keep professionals up to date in a changing and challenging market. “This year’s program puts a strong emphasis on leadership mindset and decision-making, explores human-centered topics like AI adoption, neuroscience, trust, influence, and collaboration, and features real-world, high-stakes case studies that pull back the curtain on complex global events,” said Paul Van Deventer, MPI president and CEO.
Progressive learning experience
Rather than traditional session hopping, the conference emphasizes a progressive learning experience that builds insight over time. This includes more than 18 breakout sessions and three general sessions that explore leadership, influence and innovation, such as:
- The Power of Choice: Exploring the Neuroscience of Influence and Experience: An interactive plenary where participants shape the session in real time, exploring executive presence, authority, and the brain science behind memorable experiences.
- Make AI Work for You: A practical session focused on how event teams are using AI today to improve workflows without losing creativity or humanity.
- When the World Was Watching: Inside the NATO Summit in The Hague: A case study examining trust, security, and decision-making under global pressure, from both government and venue perspectives.
- Tech Meets Tourism: Barcelona as a Launchpad for MICE Innovation: Featuring insights from Barcelona’s digital and innovation leaders on how technology is reshaping destination strategy and event impact.
Learning journeys: education beyond the conference room
These journeys are immersive educational experiences that take attendees out of the conference room and into Barcelona, transforming the city into a living classroom, a way to foster reflection, dialogue, and hands-on learning, including:
- Casa Bellesguard: Art, History & Hands-On Creativity: Hosted at Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Bellesguard, blending architectural exploration with a mosaic workshop inspired by Gaudí’s trencadís technique.
- Barcelona Marina: Innovation, Blue Economy & Waterfront Regeneration: A real-world case study of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration along Barcelona’s waterfront.
- 22@ Innovation District Architecture Tour: Exploring how urban design, public space, and architecture influence creativity, collaboration, and attendee experience.
- Alta Alella Winery: Leadership, Place & Sustainable Stewardship: A reflective learning experience set within a Mediterranean vineyard, connecting leadership, sustainability, and sense of place.
Networking and cultural experiences
EMEC Barcelona also features networking experiences, like the Opening Reception on Sunday welcoming attendees to Barcelona, and Club ‘Vous on Monday evening, an event benefiting the MPI Foundation (which has distributed over the years $14.8 million to the industry, including 25,000 members). EMEC Barcelona also offers an hosted buyer program.
