Meetings & Incentives Worldwide Summit

This year, like many years before, our team had the opportunity to attend Meetings & Incentives Worldwide Summit in Schaumburg, Illinois.  We’ve been a DMC partner to M&IW for over 15 years and have had the opportunity to participate in their Summit conference, almost since the very first gathering.  Most of M&IW’s team works remote, so this is the one time of year they gather their team, their leadership, key clients and all of their partners into one place.  And who doesn’t want the one-on-one, in person interaction, that’s what we are all about in this industry!?!

Our team and I started our day in the lobby, enjoying breakfast and running into many industry friends, and clients.  After setting up our table in the tradeshow area, we quickly moved to a Q&A session with a panel represented by all departments of the M&IW team. I found the in-person Q&A discussion held my attention longer than the virtual discussion the week prior.  There is certainly value in the virtual session, as we learn a lot about what to expect in person, however, it was such a great reminder of what in-person interaction means to me.  AND M&IW re-announced all their Supplier Moxie Awards… I’m so proud that Access was awarded their 2023 DMC Partner of the Year! (doing a happy dance right now, if you can’t tell)

Then it was on to the supplier tradeshow.  The hour and a half tradeshow moved quickly, I found it wasn’t quite enough time to say hello to everyone who stopped by the table! It was a good problem to have.  I was so happy to have several Access team members attend with me, so we could say hello to more than one person at a time. We reconnected with friends, met new ones and learned about a few upcoming program needs…..all while playing a fun interactive game that many of you may remember from your childhood (see photos below).  But by far – all the hugs were the best!

Next was lunch.  Yes folks, we are only at lunchtime in our day, we event professionals really know how to pack an agenda! Everyone had worked up an appetite and we split into two different lunch areas.  Following lunch were one-on-one appointments, where we had great individual conversations with M&IW team members about upcoming programs.  Then we had a nice surprise, we got to join the end of the client general session to see a performance by the Water Coolers.  This was by far the most clever and fun performance I had seen from them yet!

We ended the day with the networking reception, and some amazing Garret’s Popcorn (if you know, you know). And now just another 345 days until the next Summit!

I’m truly grateful for our partnership with M&IW.  We have created some wonderful friendships over the years and are continuing to grow our relationship with newer team members.  I am so honored Access won the DMC Partner of the Year, we would not have received this recognition without the dedication of our team members and their passion and commitment to our clients. Or without the ability to serve the wonderful team, and clients, of Meetings & Incentives Worldwide.