Marie-France Watson, Ryan Young, Tim Whalen, TheEVENT #DESIGNtoCHANGE Year +1 PODcast Ruud Janssen

Snapsight Link English = https://www.snapsight.com/live-channel/69f5e7f9-fd27-4daf-a445-70300fcc69d3/e1be71ca-a1cb-4f34-8ecd-1d9e0efd487e/attendee?tab=takeaways In this engaging episode of the #DESIGNtoCHANGE podcast, Ruud Janssen hosted Marie-France Watson, Tim Whalen, and Ryan Young, co-founders of The Event, to reflect on its evolution and future. Originally conceived by three MPI chapter presidents from Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, The Event has grown into a national gathering for event professionals, now under the stewardship of MPI Meeting Professionals International. This year’s edition, held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, marked a pivotal moment, showcasing the destination’s charm and proving the concept’s viability, while attracting local planners and fostering Canadian pride.

The curated closing keynote featured the SOLUTION Room℠, a peer-to-peer learning format that empowers attendees to develop actionable takeaways, complemented by the human spectrogram activity, which visualized shared challenges. Participants mailed themselves postcards as reminders of their goals, a design element praised for its ingenuity. Fredericton’s breakout rooms were uniquely branded by destination partners, enhancing the immersive experience. The MPI Foundation’s involvement and the karaoke with a live band added vibrancy to the event’s atmosphere.

 Marie-France Watson, curator of the previous year, emphasized the importance of maintaining The Event’s rebellious spirit and sandbox for creativity. Tim Whalen likened its growth to his ultramarathon journey, underscoring resilience and adaptability, while Ryan Young celebrated Hilton’s milestone of 200 hotels in Canada, reflecting on the industry’s expansion. The co-founders urged MPI and future host destinations to embrace risk-taking and innovation, commending Fredericton’s success in setting a high standard.

The Event’s transition to MPI ownership has sparked friendly competition among destinations vying to host future editions, signalling its growing national impact. With its roots in collaboration and its ethos of community-driven design, The Event continues to evolve, inspiring attendees and shaping the future of event planning in Canada. The session concluded with reflections on the power of gathering and the importance of sustaining The Event’s unique identity and purpose.