MPI’s World Education Congress Heads to Grapevine, Texas in 2020
March 27, 0018
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has selected Grapevine, Texas, as the destination for its World Education Congress (WEC) in 2020.
The association will collaborate with the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau to host the conference, which is scheduled for June 6–9, 2020, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
Grapevine is centrally located between Fort Worth and Dallas, where MPI is headquartered.
WEC is MPI’s signature event through which it delivers premier education, business and networking opportunities in North America.
It attracts more than 2,000 attendees annually, including corporate, third party, and association planners, suppliers, students, industry faculty and more.
MPI follows a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process for its signature events and considers factors such as location benefits, meeting venue facilities, pricing, hotel offerings, destination accessibility, unique options and local support.
“We are elated to partner with the Grapevine CVB to bring WEC to Grapevine in 2020. This is a great opportunity to showcase some of the unique venues and charm of North Texas, which I have had the pleasure of enjoying since relocating here when I joined MPI almost five years ago,” said Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI.
He added, “With the Gaylord Texan, we will be able to host and house the majority of our attendees under one roof, and they will also have easy travel access with the nearby Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport.”
The City of Grapevine features a historic downtown district, special event venues with more than 1 million square feet of meeting space and 20 hotels with 5,400-plus hotel rooms.
It is also home to the Grapevine Urban Wine and Craft Brew Trail, has three public golf courses, including the Cowboys Golf Club, the world’s only NFL-themed golf course, and was named a “World Festival and Event City” by the International Festival and Events Association in 2012.
“Grapevine has an international reputation as a top meetings destination and we look forward to welcoming MPI’s members for the 2020 World Education Congress,” said Brady Closson, managing director of sales and marketing, Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Closson added, “Grapevine’s rich history and warm hospitality give attendees an authentic Texas experience as they immerse themselves in our city’s world-class accommodations and meeting facilities. For those that have the opportunity, Grapevine has a full range of attractions, unique shopping and dining, nightlife and so much to see and do. We encourage attendees to explore our incredible destination.”
The year 2020 will mark the second time MPI’s WEC has been held in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
In 2006, WEC was hosted at the Dallas Convention Center, which was renamed the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in 2013.
“There is a bit of comfort knowing we will be hosting WEC in our own backyard. Plus, we have strong local support from the MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter,” Van Deventer said.
This year’s WEC will be held June 2–5 at the Indiana Conference Center in Indianapolis.
To learn more or register for WEC18, visit www.mpiweb.org/wec-2018
Partner Voices
Here at Mandalay Bay, venues are inviting and innovative. As one of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center has recently undergone an exciting upgrade. This renowned venue now offers everything your business needs, with a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, as well as an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're searching for a venue that is both inviting and innovative, Mandalay Bay is the place to be.
Mandalay Bay is committed to investing in a new wave of enhancements, not only in the convention space but also throughout the entire resort. With new restaurant openings and remodels, spectacular entertainment, and updated rooms, Mandalay Bay promises to deliver new and exciting experiences to its guests until 2024.
To create a truly effective conference venue, Mandalay Bay has carefully considered what businesses require. The right technology, capacity, and inspiration are essential to take ideas to the next level. The refreshed Mandalay Bay Convention Center has been designed with your business in mind. Every room is equipped with newly-upgraded technology, enhancing our ability to support bandwidth demand and overall data capabilities. Additionally, the addition of 10 new digital walls provides bigger and more dynamic ways to display customized content messages.
Mandalay Bay offers world-class conference space and service. The venue options range from ballrooms to ample pre-function spaces, catering to teams of any size while accommodating multiple large groups simultaneously. Our certified planners work collaboratively with you to understand your specific event requirements, anticipating your business needs and offering the best-fit solutions.
In addition to providing exceptional conference facilities, Mandalay Bay is also dedicated to sustainability. We strive to give our guests an unforgettable experience while minimizing our impact on the environment. As part of our sustainable energy efforts, you'll find refillable water stations throughout the property, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles and reducing unnecessary plastic usage.
Mandalay Bay is proud to offer an upgraded and enhanced experience for businesses seeking a venue that combines innovation, convenience, and sustainability. Whether you're hosting a conference, meeting, or other business event, Mandalay Bay's refreshed convention space, world-class service, and commitment to sustainability make it the ideal choice. Come and discover the new wave of experiences awaiting you at Mandalay Bay on the Las Vegas Strip. Wherever your organization is going, getting there starts with being here.
Add new comment