The 36th edition of the conference, hosted by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world’s largest global meeting and event industry association, brought together approximately 250 global industry professionals for a packed programme of learning sessions where industry experts shared their knowledge and ideas, to spark innovation, collaboration and immersive education.
Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, Vice-General Manager of Tourism Operations and Development division at the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, kicked off EMEC 2025 with a plenary speech on a new project of a sustainable Türkiye. Filiz Akdede, global VP of HP 3D Business, one of Türkiye’s most effective women leaders, took the stage next and talked about the importance of understanding people and their needs in this sector. She combined that with a quick look at the future of the industry, including the human factor, AI technology and sustainability efforts.
Other inspirational keynote speakers included Nils Roemen, experience designer at Experience Experts, who focused on the importance of mindset and the power of stories in the events and meetings industry. Nils highlighted the moral obligation of event planners to create memorable events that aim for the heart; events that leave a lasting impression. Nils urged event planners: “Adventure is all around you. Start designing it”. The last to take on the big stage was Richard Newman, CEO of Body Talk, who urged the audience to perfect its storytelling skills – in the era of AI, developing communication skills is the single most important human skill of the present and future, because according to Richard, successful communication is the only way we can make change in the world.
EMEC 2025 featured a diverse educational programme, with 15 sessions and workshops covering the most pressing topics of the industry now: technology, event design, sustainability and human connection. Some of the speakers included Gabrielle Austen Browne, Founder of Diversity Alliance, who helped attendees see that inclusivity is more than just talk – she discussed how to make events more user-friendly, and inclusive for attendees coming from all over the world bringing their needs and wishes to the events. Attila Laszlo, President of the MPI Belgium-Luxembourg chapter from Mondorf Park Hotel & Spa, discussed the importance of the wellbeing of attendees at events and showed a few tips and tricks for relaxation. Nick Bramley, from World Wide Group, joined the topic of relaxed networking, while MPI’s Asli Yildirim talked about the journey of personal growth, or as she put it, “Saying yes to adventure”.
EXPLORING THE VIBRANT LIFE OF ISTANBUL
The final afternoon of EMEC offered a choice of five Learning Journeys
- The Timeless Passage: Unity Candle Lighting Ceremony, a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus
- Fragments of Harmony: Mosaic Art in the Heart of History
- Mysteries and Memories: Cocktail Workshop at The Pera Palace
- The Art of Turkish Coffee: Bridging Tradition and Modernity
- Flavours of the Crossroads: A Culinary Journey Through Istiklal’s Hidden Gems
These experiences allowed participants to engage with the Turkish culture firsthand, spark creativity, and feel the city’s historic energy embracing Istanbul’s rich and dynamic spirit.
The closing ceremony brought EMEC 2025’s theme of harmony full circle, featuring keynote speeches accompanied by the Beşiktaş Children’s Choir and the debut of an original MPI song composed by SongDivision.
AMPLE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES
EMEC 2025 provided ample opportunities for attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships in memorable settings. The opening reception, which took place at the stunning Rixos Terane event venue, once a boat-storage building; sent the attendees on a sensory journey across Türkiye. Regional Turkish cuisine, traditional Turkish music and folk dances set the tone for an event rich in cultural experiences and new connections. Similarly, the Rendezvous Closing Celebration at the IZAKA Terrace at CVK Bosphorus, a luxurious hotel with views over the Bosphorus, provided guests with an elegant yet relaxed space, for creating meaningful connections and cultivating new business and personal friendships.
