MPI delegates experience the Danish meetings concept

Tuesday, 12.01.2016

Meetovation. As the Romans knew, you don’t study well on a full stomach (“Plenus venter non studet libenter”). Too much food and, above all, the wrong kind of food makes it difficult to learn. The Danes have taken this on board and made it an integral part of Meetovation. The Meetovation conference-design concept was conceived […]

Meetovation. As the Romans knew, you don’t study well on a full stomach (“Plenus venter non studet libenter”). Too much food and, above all, the wrong kind of food makes it difficult to learn. The Danes have taken this on board and made it an integral part of Meetovation.
The Meetovation conference-design concept was conceived and then further developed around 12 years ago by VisitDenmark together with Wonderful Copenhagen CVB, the Danish meeting industry and industry experts in order to improve the quality of conferences in Denmark. The elements that make up the concept are not necessarily new. A top-down approach to learning is avoided, for instance, while subtly differentiated conference formats that make use of different equipment, furnishings and arrangements are embraced. “The concept does not consist of entirely new ideas by any means,” explains Steen Moller, head of business events at VisitDenmark. What is unique, however, is the discipline with which conference organisers adhere to it.

But Meetovation is about more than just interactive conference formats, special room configurations or easily digestible food that stabilises blood sugar levels. Sustainability is firmly embedded in the concept, and MPI members attending the EMEC (European Meetings and Events Conference), which is being staged by MPI (Meeting Professionals International) from 7 to 9 February 2016, will eat regional food and experience sustainable resource utilisation. “The setup, the environment, the interaction, the increased number of networking sessions – it will be different from other conferences,“ emphasises Ulrika Martensson, head of communications for meetings and conventions at Wonderful Copenhagen CVB. As president elect and vice president of communications and finance of the MPI’s Denmark chapter, she was able to bring MPI’s European conference to Copenhagen in 2016 – in a close cooperation between MPI Denmark and Wonderful Copenhagen CVB.

Not only will EMEC delegates encounter Meetovation in the sessions taking place throughout the conference; they will also get to experience the idea behind it. They will be staying at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, where they will be immersed in the Danish concept straight away. Built in 1972, this 544-room hotel offers a maximum plenary capacity of 1,750. With its Think Planet CSR programme for greater environmental protection and its Experience Meetings initiative for sustainable, successful meetings, the hotel is fully committed to the Meetovation idea. Inge Merete Broberg, senior consultant for meetings and events, is particularly proud of her “brain food” and outlines its six principles: “more fish, less meat; regional, organic cuisine; refined sugar kept to a minimum; reduced fat; and an emphasis on stable blood sugar levels as well as appearance and taste.”

Ulrika Martensson carefully selected all the venues included in the EMEC16 programme to enable the delegates to get a proper experience of Meetovation. The welcome reception, for instance, is taking place at Copenhagen Street Food in a newspaper’s former paper warehouse, where there are 35 stands serving international food in an area of 2,300 square metres. All of them aim to offer sustainable, organic, diverse food. Up to 500 delegates will be able to enjoy anything from smørrebrød to fish and chips or Thai food. And get talking about it, as well: “This room makes people talk because of the diversity on offer. Food stimulates a lot of senses,” says Anne Marie Barsoe, making the connection to Meetovation.

The MPI Leaders will dine in the Langelinie Pavilion. The newly renovated former club house, which can be used as an event venue for up to 700 people, was taken over by the current owners only last summer and promptly underwent an extensive programme of renovation completed at the end of 2015. The rooms have been virtually returned to their original state, creating a tasteful, elegant, retro look straight out of the 60s. Delegates will able to enjoy views of the water and the iconic Little Mermaid.
The Past Leaders Dinner will be held on the last evening of the EMEC, followed by the MPI Foundation Rendezvous at the Toldboden, a venue with a capacity of 750 where everything is recycled. The tables and benches, for example, are made of salvaged wooden floorboards. The food consists primarily of local, sustainably farmed produce and thus fits in well with the Meetovation concept. Not only will the EMEC delegates learn about the concept here; they will also get a taste of it.

SocialMedia Links:

Official Hashtag EMEC: #EMEC16
Others: #Meetovation, #WriteHistoryinCPH, #Copenhagen, #eventprofs, #meetingsdesign, #MPI, #MPIDK

Wonderful Copenhagen CVB:
Webpage: www.copenhagencvb.com
Twitter: twitter.com/Wonderful_CPH
Instagram: copenhagencvb

VisitDenmark
Webpage: www.businesseventsdenmark.com
Twitter: @BizEventsDK
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/business-events-denmark

MPI, MPI EMEC, MPI Denmark Chapter:
Webpage: www.mpiweb.orgwww.mpiweb.org, www.mpiweb.org/Events/emec-2016www.mpiweb.org/Events/emec-2016, mpidenmark.dk
Twitter: @mpiinEurope, @mpi

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel:
Webpage: www.radissonblu.com/scandinaviahotel-copenhagenRadisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel
Facebook Fanpage: www.facebook.com/radissonbluscandinaviacopenhagen

Copenhagen Street Food:
Webpage: www.copenhagenstreetfood.dkwww.copenhagenstreetfood.dk
Twitter: @CHPStreet
Facebook Fanpage: Copenhagen Street Food
Instagram: @CopenhagenStreetFood
Video: Copenhagen Street Food