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Hyatt Coconut Point Resort & Spa |
Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Hosts MPI SEC 2010
The theme of the 19th Annual Meeting Professionals International Southeast Education Conference was "Anything But Ordinary," and the same applied to the conference setting and record-setting attendance. The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa hosted the regional event held from Aug. 19-21, which attracted the highest attendance in the history of the conference. More than five hundred meeting professionals, hoteliers, convention and visitors bureau representatives and industry suppliers convened in the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel area of Southwest Florida.
Knowledge sessions on relevant industry topics - such as business and management success and a planner/supplier forum – led to a rousing "Anything But Ordinary" general session in the Hyatt's 14,000-square-foot Calusa Ballroom. Keynote speaker Doug Keeley kicked off the session with a dramatic portrayal of the death of meeting planning as we know it. This was followed by an entry into the "new normal," and Keeley spoke of inspiring stories about ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.
"Heaven & Hell" was the theme for the opening night event held at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa, and it was co-sponsored by the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel CVB.
John Chappelear presented the keynote for the opening general session 
MPI SEC 2010 Opening General Session
Christie's Photographic Studio |
on the second day, and plenty of CEU credits were earned through continuing knowledge sessions.
Although the conference officially ended Saturday afternoon, Friday night's closing event "Kaos" was held in the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point's Calusa Ballroom.
Concern for both the environment and social responsibility were woven into the conference. At registration, attendees were given a "Spot Me" device with a full agenda, electronic business card exchange and the ability to turn on the "radar" that would alert them when a chosen attendee was nearby. The socially-sustainable conference activity focused on Southeastern Guide Dogs – a Florida-based, internationally accredited guide dog school – and the only facility of its kind in the Southeastern United States. Guide dogs are trained to assist the blind and visually-impaired, with one program specifically dedicated to assisting veterans. Southeastern Guide Dogs provides all services free of charge and attendees at MPI SEC were asked to bring supplies and donations to the conference to support this worthy organization.
The Tampa Bay Chapter of MPI hosted the 2010 Southeast Educational Conference.
Learn more about the MPI Southeast Educational Conference 2010
Learn more about the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Find more about Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel meetings |
