Meeting Magazine
The magazine of the MPI Toronto Chapter
Spring 2020
Our world has been turned upside down in a matter of months, and we are forced to respond to crisis situations, manage massive cancellations (with tact) and dust off our risk management plans. Not to mention figuring out a new way to work without any of the physical human connection we are all used to. We must take a good look at how we can thrive in this new space and grow beyond what we thought was possible.
This is not an easy task and event professionals are being asked to utilize their resilience, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to come out on top. We, as an industry, have been forced to find any resemblance of a silver lining in all of this. A task that is not easy, but one that is attainable.
Perspective and finding silver linings have been truer to me now than ever! Like many others, my employment was affected by the current state of our world and industry today. At first, I felt like the largest storm hit and was spinning me around with no chance of knowing where I would end up when it settled. It was a true “gutted” feeling losing something you know, love, take comfort in and have a huge passion for. How could this happen to me and how could this happen in just a few months? These were the questions I asked myself until one important strategy came to me that I had: Perspective!
Perspective is defined as a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something, a point of view. This is something we have in all of us, the ability to choose how we look at a situation and what we take from it. We must look past fear, anxiety, uncertainty and embrace new and different opportunities that will come out of all this craziness!
This issue is packed with impressive perspectives from industry experts and peers to help you during this time. Here are some amazing key take-aways to watch out for:
- Learn how Anh Nguyen and event professionals across the world came together to bring #GMIDGoesVirtual to our industry in a matter of weeks!
- Take a sneak-peek into what hotel management could look like post-COVID-19 and what needs to be considered according to Ioanna Antonopoulos.
- Get a positive perspective on how integrating live and virtual events will help us move and expand our industry beyond what we thought was possible from Anthony Vade.
- Learn just how important it is to manage relationships during this time and how collaborating with other industry professionals can make us stand out from the crowd by Sasha Saladziak.
- Check out some helpful apps and websites provided by Hailey O’Bright to upskill yourself at this time.
Remember the old saying “This too shall pass”? I honestly believe it will, and what will come from it is a massive ray of sunshine and brightness shining down and elevating our industry like never before!
Until the next issue, happy reading.
