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Jessie States, CMP, CMM

Vice President, MPI Academy
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).

Session: Meetings Unbound: Inspiration to Fuel Creativity for Next-Era Events

Empty classrooms. Crowded hallways. Wasted effort (and money). Participants are no-showing traditional formats like lectures, panels and “networking breaks,” using the “Law of Two Feet” to LEAVE when they are neither learning nor contributing. When they make the investment to attend an in-person event (time, money, OOO), participants want to MEET—with experts, leaders, mentors and peers. They want to ENGAGE with others to solve problems, strengthen relationships, evolve thinking, apply learning and drive change. Join MPI Academy Vice President Jessie States to gain insights from a NEW catalogue of unique experiences and consider how you can use new experience formats to help participants exchange knowledge through personal conversations and connections.

Learner Outcomes

-Find new ideas for sessions that drive greater levels of purposeful engagement.
-Use proven unique experiences and formats as a springboard for your own creative process.
-Apply a new lens to the design and delivery of in-person experiences. 

Courtney Stanley

Global Keynote Speaker
Courtney Stanley Consulting, LLC

Courtney Stanley is recognized globally as an award-winning change maker, compelling keynote speaker, energetic event emcee and acclaimed creator of the women-inspired podcast for Meetings Today, Dare to Interrupt. She has spent 10 years helping women, young professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations engage in game-changing, impactful conversations that empower individuals to tap into their true potential, improve team and culture dynamics, and drive meaningful change. Personally, she is most proud of her work to prevent sexual harassment and assault through the launch of an events-centered social movement, #MeetingsToo.

Session: The Awakened Leader: Building Trust through Empathy, Vulnerability & Servant Leadership 

Times have changed, and the skills leaders need to harness in order to effectively serve their teams have evolved, too. In this highly interactive presentation, we explore three key areas of personal leadership development: empathy, vulnerability, and servant leadership. 
 
This engaging experience empowers leaders to practice growth strategies to not only self-develop, but to inspire their team members to also leverage the winning, modern strategies that result in a healthier, happier, more productive work environment. 
 
If you’re motivated to make simple and powerful shifts that get to the heart of meaningful connection and humanize interactions to improve morale and increase long-term success, it’s time to dive deep and lean into the evolution of modern leadership. 

Learner Outcomes

-Understand how to effectively develop, translate and implement empathy practices within a team or organization.
-Explore powerful strategies that elevate peer-to-peer vulnerability, transparency, and communication.
-Adopt and apply methodology to create a culture built on trust that leads to increased performance, retention, and profitability.

Sherry Huss 

Head of Community 
Freeman Company

Sherry Huss is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a passion for innovation and community building. As the current Head of Community at Freeman, she leverages her extensive experience in the event industry to drive innovation and create memorable experiences both within and outside the company. This includes transforming Freeman's annual leadership event into a summer camp for leaders and spearheading Freeman's NextGen talent initiative.

Session: Vision Boise: Transforming Downtown Boise into a dynamic "Urban Campus" for unforgettable events.

Sherry Huss will discuss how Downtown Boise can be effectively used as an "Urban Campus" for hosting dynamic events. Drawing from her experience with Camp Buck in the summer of 2023, she will highlight the advantages of utilizing various locations throughout the downtown area. Instead of traditional venues, event organizers can use multiple hotels for accommodations, iconic sites like The Egyptian Theatre for general sessions, and versatile spaces such as JUMP for breakouts and hands-on activities. The Basque Block offers a unique setting for outdoor receptions, while The Warehouse Food Hall provides an engaging lunch venue. The Boise Centre's various entertainment offerings can serve as a vibrant backdrop for evening receptions. Local restaurants like Fork, Juniper, and Wild Root Cafe are ideal for intimate, farm-to-table dinners. Finally, venues like the new Treefort Music Hall can be perfect for unique evening events where attendees can showcase their talents. Sherry will illustrate how this innovative use of urban spaces can inspire others to create memorable and engaging events in Downtown Boise.