Meetings Today LIVE! National

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 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.