Underscoring its efforts to transform the industry, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has tapped internationally renowned speaker Amanda Gore to present “Transform Yourself” as its opening session headliner at the 2005 World Education Congress (WEC), July 10-12 in Miami.

And furthering the WEC lineup of higher learning offerings is the meetings industry’s first certification workshop in ROI methodology.

The opening session also is the introductory stage for Christine Duffy, MPI’s 2005-2006 chairwoman of the board and president and CEO of Maritz Travel Inc., to deliver her callto-action message: “Using Influence to Impact Key Decision Makers.” As one of the meeting industry’s highest-ranking executives, Duffy is uniquely qualified to lead MPI in driving a key objective of its strategic plan: to increase awareness and influence about the value of meetings with senior decision-making executives at corporations, associations and organizations.

“The WEC is shaping up to be the industry event of the summer,” said Colin Rorrie, Jr., PhD, CAE, president and CEO of MPI. “Registration continues to outpace all other events, with nearly 2,000 pre-registered and hotels are filling quickly. We have secured the industry’s best and brightest to deliver strategic content enabling meeting professionals to do better business in our global environment. MPI is leading the charge to make this a recognized profession with the valuable tips and tools to elevate the meetings industry to the next level.”

The industry-first ROI Methodology Certification Workshop for Meetings and Events - from MPI and the ROI Institute – will be held July 11-15, overlapping with the WEC. Built on proven models and modified for the meetings industry by Dr. Jack Phillips, the certification is a major step in standardized, results-based reporting to prove meeting value in quantifiable terms for senior executives.

The development and distribution of MPI’s ROI Methodology for Meeting and Events is made possible via a grant from the MPI Foundation and sponsorship from Fusion Productions, Gaylord Hotels & Resorts and MPI Northern California Chapter. Workshop attendees also will receive complimentary registration to the 2005 WEC.

Originally a physical therapist with a major in psychology, Opening General Session Keynote Speaker, Amanda Gore, worked in clinical practice for years before focusing on ergonomics, occupational health, and management systems. A master practitioner of neurolinguistics and an avid student of group dynamics, she now speaks on connection, leadership, lifestyle balance, relationships and how to put the heart and fun back into business.