The Bureau's sixth annual Meeting Professionals Summit took place on Fri., July 12, at The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport. The event was a tremendous success, offering a full day of insightful sessions, networking and collaborative activities for meeting professionals from the surrounding region.

The summit featured outstanding speakers who captivated the audience with their insights and expertise. The day began with "Elevate Your Focus: Defeat Your Distractions for Peak Performance" by Marcey Rader, who shared practical tips to minimize distractions and enhance workplace focus, while Odell Bizzell's session, "TRUE IMPACT^® The Six Levels of Influence," emphasized clear communication and intentional influence in building productive, cohesive teams.

Additionally, GRCVB president and CEO Dennis Edwards gave a "State of the Industry" update, providing valuable insights into current trends and future outlooks. And the MeetingMinds session then offered a collaborative environment for meeting professionals to discuss and share best practices.

One of the highlights of the summit was the collaborative activity with Oak City Cares, where attendees built 300 "blessing bags" filled with items like toothbrushes, sunglasses and water bottles for individuals in the Raleigh area experiencing homelessness. This initiative not only provided much-needed support to the community but also brought an extra sense of purpose and camaraderie to the event.

Key takeaways from this year's summit:

• Raleigh is experiencing significant growth, with exciting developments at PNC Arena, Raleigh Convention Center and RDU International Airport. The Raleigh Convention Center expansion will present new opportunities for organizing and hosting meetings and events in a vibrant and dynamic environment.
• Marcey Rader's session highlighted practical strategies to manage digital distractions, such as turning off smartphone badges and notifications, and closing email apps when possible. By reducing "micro-distractions," professionals can achieve peak performance and enhanced productivity.
  • Also, starting the day with a mindful routine—including 10 minutes of meditation, a mindful breakfast, time spent in nature, gratitude journaling and exercise—can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. These practices help in maintaining mental clarity and emotional well-being.
• Odell Bizzell's session on "The Six Levels of Influence" highlighted the impact of intentional and clear communication. Leaders can build more productive and cohesive teams by developing strategies to engage team members, eliminate apathy and foster a collective culture.
• Getting to know others in your industry can help you discover new practices and more effective ways to do things. Networking activities during the summit provided valuable opportunities to connect with peers, share insights and learn from each other’s experiences.

Overall, the 2024 Meeting Professionals Summit was a resounding success, providing attendees with valuable knowledge, meaningful connections and a sense of community. Special thanks to the speakers, Marcey Rader and Odell Bizzell, for their inspiring sessions, and to all the participants for making this event memorable.

Have questions or want to know more about Raleigh, N.C.? Contact our sales team today.