Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced yesterday 2009 conference dates and locations. As the 2008 World Education Congress draws near, MPI demonstrates its global reach is stronger than ever, as WEC is the largest meeting and event conference to date. North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia will all host MPI conferences in 2009.

“2009 will be another inspiring and elevating year for MPI members with events in Atlanta, Torino, Abu Dhabi, Salt Lake City and a new location in Asia,” says Bruce MacMillan, CA, President and CEO of MPI.

MeetDifferent(SM) – On February 7-10, the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta will host MPI’s MeetDifferent 2009, introduced in Houston this year and formerly titled the Professional Education Conference – North America. MeetDifferent focuses on innovative meeting design, alternative learning strategies, and emergent technologies from around the world.  The spirit of this event is to challenge conventional thinking, allowing meeting professionals to test pioneering concepts in a risk free environment and apply the results in their native work environments to enhance business success. Following the Atlanta conference, the traditional tradeshow marketplace experience in 2010 associated with MeetDifferent will be re-defined. MPI members will continue to experience new and innovative methods that connect the buyer and seller.

European Meetings and Events Conference– After hosting the Winter Olympics in 2006, and being named as the first World Design Capital in 2008, Torino, Italy welcomes MPI on March 1-3, 2009 for its annual European Meetings and Events Conference. The event will be held at the famed Lingotto Conference Centre - a unique and modern space ideal for MPI.

Not only was Italy the first to form an MPI chapter in Europe, but Torino was also the first capital of Italy and is preparing the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy in 2011. Additionally, Torino prides itself for being an environmentally conscious metropolis. Their sustainability initiatives will be highlighted at the event and will complement MPI’s focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Gulf Meetings and Events Conference– The United Arab Emirates will once again host the Gulf Meetings and Events Conference. This year’s conference will convene in the emirate Abu Dhabi. On March 28 - 29, 2009, MPI will attract many of the top meeting and event professionals who will gather at the Intercontinental Abu Dhabi to discuss educational, business and networking opportunities for the Gulf region. Attendee response exceeded expectations last year in Dubai with over 170 participants.

Working in conjunction with international museums such as the Louvre and Guggenheim, Abu Dhabi aspires to establish itself as the richest cultural center in the Gulf region.

The Gulf Meetings and Events Conference will be held just prior to and in partnership with the Gulf Incentive Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition, also held in Abu Dhabi. The two events will constitute the Gulf Meetings Week providing a week long platform for education, networking and marketplace development.

World Education Congress – The 2009 event is scheduled for Salt Lake City July 11-14. Host of global events such as the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and hundreds of conventions every year, Salt Lake City is home to a thriving film, television and commercial industry. Known also for its environmental beauty and commitment to sustainability, Salt Lake City will be the ideal backdrop for the 2009 World Education Congress.

Asian Meetings and Events Conference – MPI’s first conference in Asia and in conjunction with ITB Asia, is slated for October 24-25, 2008 in Singapore. Messe Berlin is the organizer of the largest annual show in leisure tourism, ITB, located in Berlin. This year, Messe Berlin will launch ITB Asia in Singapore. As MPI’s premiere event in the Asia-Pacific region both organizations are working together to co-locate and co-promote both ITB Asia and Asian Meetings and Events Conference. Registration is now open for the 2008 conference and the 2009 conference location is currently pending.