This year, Meeting Professionals International is aiming to do more than just educate attendees at its annual World Education Congress. In response to the challenges facing the industry, the conference, which takes place July 11 to 14 in Salt Lake City, Utah, will focus on helping attendees elevate their careers while enhancing the value of meetings and events.

The opening general session lineup features three keynote speakers who will present strategies for moving business forward in a time of economic recovery. They are:

• Ben Stein, a former speech writer for President Nixon, author, economist, civil rights lawyer, college professor, and actor who voluntarily wrote an article titled “Don’t Blame the Business Meeting” in defense of meetings
• Betsy Myers, widely known as the “meeting planner” for the Obama Presidential Inauguration, and co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Forum
• Gary Loveman, chairman, CEO, and president of Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.

The MPI-WEC program also includes more than 100 educational sessions in nine different tracks. In addition to strategic meetings management, technology, and green meetings, MPI is introducing new educational tracks this year including:

• Thriving in a Complex World (focusing on the current economy, global expansion, and the future of meetings)
• Personal/Professional Development (focusing on career advancement and work/life balance)
• The Insider’s Exchange (with content provided by suppliers and geared toward helping planners work with suppliers).

Before the conference begins, MPI will present its first RISE (Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence) award for Organizational Achievement at a reception on July 10. The RISE awards are part of the association’s newly revamped awards program.

MPI is also running a free webinar series to give attendees a preview of what will be offered at WEC. The MPI Meetings Matter Webinar Series is an eight-part educational program held weekly and running through June.

Early-bird registration discounts for WEC are available through June 12. For more information or to register for the conference, go to MPI’s WEC Web site.