Michael Pinchera

Dallas, United States

Managing Editor at MPI

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Articles

The MPI Foundation brings its heart to the Heartland

2 weeks ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

No event industry rally is complete without the MPI Foundation! Annually, MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) manifests as a critical window for fundraising and storytelling for the MPI Foundation.
WEC: Safe and sound onsite

3 weeks ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

While public awareness regarding the role of safety and security at events has grown in recent years, MPI remains as dedicated as ever to its duty of care. This World Education Congress (WEC), June 18-20 in St. Louis will mark the 27th year for which P.E.E.R. (Professional Executive Emergency Resources) is providing safety, security and medical needs—24 hours a day—to attendees, board members and staff whether at the convention center or offsite gatherings.
New, notable coming to WEC St. Louis

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

The global meeting and event industry comes together for a historic rally at MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in St. Louis, June 18-20. “This year, we are going to learn a lot, but we are also planning to have a lot of fun—this rally is going to be raucous!” says Jessie States, CMP, CMM, vice president of MPI Consulting.
Business uncertainty advice from event pros, Part 4

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

This is Part 4 of a series on uncertainty advice and best practices in the global meeting and event industry. Sandy Stevens, CMPEvents Manager, American Academy of ReligionMPI Georgia Chapter“From a meeting planner’s perspective, you have to know your audience. We’ve just gone through budgeting for FY 2025/2026 and I was really challenged with how to proceed with both expenses and revenue without a crystal ball.
Business uncertainty advice from event pros, Part 3

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

This is Part 3 of a series on uncertainty advice and best practices in the global meeting and event industry. Kimberly GaiennieHead of Events, Scrum AllianceMPI At Large“When uncertainty strikes, I double down on adaptability and transparency. I prioritize gathering feedback early and often, staying closely connected to both our attendees’ needs and the shifting event landscape.
Event business optimism plummets in latest quarter

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

A majority of meeting and event professionals anticipate negative business conditions over the next year, according to MPI’s Q2 2025 Meetings Outlook survey; only 31% of respondents expect favorable conditions. This is the lowest positive sentiment seen in the survey’s 12-year history.
Tariffs, DOGE and fear impacting event pros

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

According to data from MPI’s Q2 2025 Meetings Outlook survey, a majority of event professionals are experiencing significant negative impacts on their business due to recent U.S. executive orders and policy changes. Three-quarters (75%) of survey respondents said these actions are already having a negative impact on their business. In fact, 62% of respondents report only negative effects.
Business uncertainty advice from event pros, Part 2

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

In the second part of this series, two additional event professionals share best practices and advice on managing uncertainty, based on their experience. (If you’d like to share your own insight, contact me.) This is Part 2 of a series on uncertainty in the global meeting and event industry. Lauren RiosVP, Sales + Marketing, Platinum XPMPI Kansas City Chapter“While we continue with business as usual, it changes in the sense that we get even more proactive.
Business uncertainty advice from event pros, Part 1

1 month ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

Event professionals are faced with uncertainty from seemingly every direction in the current business landscape. To help you manage business uncertainty—in 2025 and beyond—we’re asking your event peers to share best practices and advice based on their experience. (If you’d like to share your own insight, contact me.) This is Part 1 of a series on uncertainty in the global meeting and event industry.
Mexico Events Council meeting to feature anti-human trafficking education

2 months ago | mpi.org | Michael Pinchera

For nearly a decade, MPI has specifically and vocally been committed to fighting the scourge of human trafficking. To that end, the association’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee has been dedicated to spreading awareness and education to meeting and event professionals worldwide.