Why You Should Attend
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at Meetings Today LIVE! National, set in the dynamic city of Irving, Texas—the perfect backdrop for an event like no other! This exciting event offers a chance to explore a wide variety of incredible venues, from intimate spaces to grand ballrooms designed to accommodate every type of event. Qualified planners will participate in exclusive site tours of the area’s premier hotels, including our host property, the luxurious and newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. Planners will also visit the stunning new Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and the iconic Hilton Anatole in the heart of Dallas. Explore fantastic meeting spaces and get an up-close look at the luxury options available for your next event.
And that’s just the beginning! Planners will also have the chance to meet with at least 20 top-tier suppliers during personalized one-on-one appointments, making it easier than ever to plan and book your next meeting or event. Plus, elevate your industry knowledge and skills during two dynamic education sessions that offer valuable CEU credits. These sessions will be led by inspiring experts Jessie States, vice president, consulting for MPI, and Deborah Gardner, chief experience officer of The Deborah Gardner Experience and a motivational speaker. Keep scrolling to learn more about both States and Gardner!
Throughout Meetings Today LIVE! National, you’ll indulge in exquisite food and beverage and have countless opportunities for meaningful networking. Your experience will kick off with a welcome reception at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, where you’ll enjoy a delightful Tex-Mex buffet and build-your-own margaritas beneath the stars on the property's beautiful pavilion. On Monday, lunch awaits at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, hosted by Visit Frisco, followed by dinner at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa’s Ice House, where you can enjoy barbecue and even practice your putting skills at the golf bays. On Tuesday, the excitement continues with lunch at the Hilton Anatole, capped off with a grand closing dinner at the spectacular Rayleigh Underground, featuring a live band, line dancing, a selfie station and more!
By attending Meetings Today LIVE! National, you’ll gain access to world-class networking opportunities while immersing yourself in the charm and energy of Irving, Texas, a city that stands out for all the right reasons. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event!
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at Meetings Today LIVE! National, set in the dynamic city of Irving, Texas—the perfect backdrop for an event like no other! This exciting event offers a chance to explore a wide variety of incredible venues, from intimate spaces to grand ballrooms designed to accommodate every type of event. Qualified planners will participate in exclusive site tours of the area’s premier hotels, including our host property, the luxurious and newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas. Planners will also visit the stunning new Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and the iconic Hilton Anatole in the heart of Dallas. Explore fantastic meeting spaces and get an up-close look at the luxury options available for your next event.
And that’s just the beginning! Planners will also have the chance to meet with at least 20 top-tier suppliers during personalized one-on-one appointments, making it easier than ever to plan and book your next meeting or event. Plus, elevate your industry knowledge and skills during two dynamic education sessions that offer valuable CEU credits. These sessions will be led by inspiring experts Jessie States, vice president, consulting for MPI, and Deborah Gardner, chief experience officer of The Deborah Gardner Experience and a motivational speaker. Keep scrolling to learn more about both States and Gardner!
Throughout Meetings Today LIVE! National, you’ll indulge in exquisite food and beverage and have countless opportunities for meaningful networking. Your experience will kick off with a welcome reception at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, where you’ll enjoy a delightful Tex-Mex buffet and build-your-own margaritas beneath the stars on the property's beautiful pavilion. On Monday, lunch awaits at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, hosted by Visit Frisco, followed by dinner at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa’s Ice House, where you can enjoy barbecue and even practice your putting skills at the golf bays. On Tuesday, the excitement continues with lunch at the Hilton Anatole, capped off with a grand closing dinner at the spectacular Rayleigh Underground, featuring a live band, line dancing, a selfie station and more!
By attending Meetings Today LIVE! National, you’ll gain access to world-class networking opportunities while immersing yourself in the charm and energy of Irving, Texas, a city that stands out for all the right reasons. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event!
The venue
Irving, Texas | The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas
A special thank you to our host hotel and sponsor.
Agenda
Speaker
Jessie States, CMP, CMM
Vice President, Consulting
Meeting Professionals International
Jessie States, CMP, CMM, is the Vice President of the MPI Academy for Meeting Professionals International, where she leads and advances MPI’s professional development strategy, developing and managing MPI’s portfolio of educational products, including live and digital events, educational experiences, professional certificate programs and educational partnerships. Jessie has received the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, an honor that recognizes emerging leaders and industry supporters. She has also earned spots on the lists of 25 Most Influential People in Meetings and Events (Successful Meetings magazine) and Trendsetters (Meetings Today magazine).
What a Waste: Food Waste Prevention for #Eventprofs
Food waste is a pressing global issue with significant environmental, economic and social impacts, and is a major issue for meeting and event professionals and their organizations that value sustainability.
Learner Outcomes:
In this enlightening session led by MPI Academy’s Jessie States, participants explore effective strategies to prevent food waste at meetings and events. Gain insights into the scale and causes of food waste globally and explore innovative solutions to tracking, managing and reducing food waste at meetings and events. Discover practical knowledge and tools to combat food waste effectively.
Deborah Gardner, CMP, CVP
President & CEO
DG International, LLC
Oh, whoa! Meet Deborah Gardner: the ultimate “Triple Threat in a Skirt!” A dynamic entrepreneur, Deborah is a global keynote speaker, seven-time bestselling author, and certified meeting and event expert who masters logistics like nobody else.
As a former NBC and CBS Sports broadcaster and pro athlete, Deborah doesn’t just talk the talk, she ambitiously swims the swim—Olympic trials, no less. Crowned Mrs. Arizona and Mrs. America, she is a business royalty with a mic, blending ambition, action, and a splash of fun to motivate audiences around the globe to shake up the status quo, supercharge their dreams, and dominate the fast lane.
Deborah has partnered with industry giants like Walmart, American Express, Success Women, Marriott, and Siemens, helping them prioritize their people and achieve legendary results. Her laugh-out-loud, high-energy presentations are like a Red Bull and double espresso for the soul—guaranteed to get people out of their seats and into action.
Her magnetic presence has recently earned accolades like Top 30 Global Gurus in Hospitality, Best of the Stage Speaker, and features in USA Today, Success Magazine, Fabulous Arizona People, and Meetings Today. She’s also the creator and host of Hospitality Today Live, a worldwide broadcast sensation.
When she’s not lighting up the stage, you’ll find Deborah soaking up the Arizona sunshine, swimming, or hiking with her husband, Jerry, and their rambunctious furry 4-legged lover boy, Bear.
LEAD AMBITIOUSLY
Navigating Chaos to Empower Your Confidence and Influence
Leadership in the meeting and event space isn't for the faint of heart. With rising stakeholder and client demands, elusive talent, tight budgets, and the ever-spinning tech treadmill, the chaos is real. But here's the good news: ambition isn't just a buzzword—it's your secret weapon.
In this high-energy, caffeine-powered program, we’ll recalibrate your approach to lead yourself first. Learn how to turn challenges into opportunities, build powerhouse teams, and ignite an authentic culture where shared success shines.
From embracing change to strategic action, transform your ambitions into unstoppable results—whether you’re managing internal dynamics, pioneering innovation, or simply trying to keep pace in this wild, wonderful industry.
This isn’t your average program—it’s a laugh-out-loud, game-changing experience designed to shake things up. Are you ready to lead ambitiously? Buckle up. This is your moment!
Golden Nuggets:
-Adapt like a pro, boost your confidence and keep a clear vision on your goals while navigating uncharted waters.
-Gain tools to cultivate unshakable self-assurance, turning resistance into clarity and leading yourself, even when the pressure’s on.
-Participate with a fresh mindset and take bold, decisive steps with impact and command influence, no matter what chaos comes your way.
TESTIMONIALS
This is my first experience with Meetings Today LIVE! and it has been absolutely phenomenal! I honestly can’t wait for the next one. Meetings Today LIVE! is amazing!
-Loretta Grissom, Attendee
Meetings Today LIVE! is one of the best-organized events I've attended, and I've been to many in the industry. It's truly top-notch—10 out of 10, highly recommend!
-Cheryl Oswald, Attendee
This is my second Meetings Today LIVE! event, and I absolutely love the fully hosted buyer experience!
-Emiko Beck, Attendee
At Meetings Today LIVE! I made great connections and have already reached out to two destinations for events. Timing was absolutely perfect!
-Lani Beggs, Attendee
Meetings Today LIVE! exceeded my expectations. I'm quite happy with all the connections I made and the effort that went into the excursions, education, and meals.
-Maddy Wilfley, Attendee
Meetings Today LIVE! was a great opportunity to meet and reconnect with suppliers and, most importantly, network with fellow planners.
-Deborah Kunns, Attendee
