Conversation with Rob Adams, CEO, Bishop-McCann, Chair, MPI International Board of Directors
Rob Adams is roughly halfway into his year-long term leading MPI’s board. Shortly before the WEC in St. Louis, he discussed goals for the remainder of the year, examined industry collaborations and shared if anything has surprised him as Chair.
USAE: What are the goals for the remainder of your term?
Adams: As Chair, my focus for the remainder of my term is threefold: to expand
MPI’s global planner community, ensure we remain the premier source for education and professional development in our industry, and continue building on MPI’s strong financial foundation. Equally important is maintaining our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, which has been a core value of MPI since 1972. By pursuing these goals, we aim to elevate the collective strength and impact of our
MPI Celebrates 2025 RISE Award Recipients
By Todd McElwee
Honoring exceptional achievements in the meetings and events industry, MPI announced the recipients of this year’s RISE (Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence) Awards during the 2025 World Education Congress (WEC25) in St. Louis on June 18.
“It brings me great joy to celebrate the 2025 RISE Award recipients!” said MPI’s International Board of Directors Chair Rob Adams, CEO, Bishop-McCann. “Their passion, hard work, and remarkable achievements not only inspire our community but also reflect
the values that we strive to uphold every day in our industry,”
The RISE Awards feature seven honors in two categories: individual achievement and community achievement. Recipients are recognized for innovation, global transferability, impact, and influence within the industry, and will join the MPI Community of Honorees, a group composed of past MPI award winners and distinguished leaders.
The RISE Award for Member of the Year was presented to Rafael Hernandez. Hernandez joined MPI in 2013 and quickly
MPI’s staff during the during the opening celebration of the WEC at Busch Stadium on June 18. Photo by RVRB
Brittany Packnett Cunningham Explores Confidence During WEC Keynote
By Todd McElwee
In her keynote speech on June 18, Brittany Packnett Cunningham asked attendees of MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), “what if we all made our most confident contributions all the time?”
The proud St. Louisan provided some answers, delving into the development of confidence via the sharing of personal struggles and triumphs while also stressing the importance of building up others.
Packnett Cunningham spent significant time discussing imposter syndrome and how it affects a reported 70% of American adults. It has affected her at various junctions, including leading a St. Louis nonprofit at the age of 27 as well as following a rocket scientist during a TED talk in Vancouver.
During both circumstances, Pack-
By Todd McElwee
St. Louis’ Gateway Arch is celebrating its 60th birthday in 2025. Thanks to the National Park Service, here are a few facts about the world-famous landmark on the banks of the Mississippi River:
• The old St. Louis riverfront was selected in 1935 as the site of a national monument to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century. An area of some 40 city blocks was purchased and cleared, but because of World War II, further progress was halted.
• During a nationwide competition in 1947–1948, architect Eero Saarinen’s design for a 630-foot stainless steel arch was chosen as a perfect monument to the spirit of the western pioneers. Construction of the Arch began in 1963 and was completed on October 28, 1965, for a total cost of less than $15 million.
• The stainless-steel-faced Arch spans 630 feet between the outer fac-
nett Cunningham looked inward to build herself up. After a few months in St. Louis, she realized she was hired for her voice, ideas and outlook and someone saw something in her that she may not have seen in herself. She spent four years at the job.
In Vancouver, she realized her mission was not to speak to the billionaires and illuminati in the audience, but rather to her former students in Washington, D.C., and others like them. Her TED talk ended up being one of the 10 most popular of the year.
Packnett Cunningham discussed how society’s archetypes of success discourage individuals from feeling like one’s full self; we’ve all be told we don’t fit or aren’t good enough. To combat this, if everyone feels like an imposter and is wearing a mask, let’s all take them off because we’re all in the same boat, she said.
Showing up as one’s full self gives permission others to do the same, Packnett Cunningham said. Not conforming to norms in personal and professional settings and being confident in you decisions helps others develop their own confidence.
In 2020, Packnett Cunningham became Founder and Principal of the social impact agency Love & Power Works, where she works as an interdisciplinary activist, creative and strategist to curate transformative projects and partnerships across industries to transform lives. Her and her work has been featured on Netflix, Lifetime, HBO and in New York Magazine, Washington Post, Cosmopolitan and Teen Vogue
Happy 60th Birthday, Gateway Arch
es of its triangular legs at ground level.
In July 2018, the name of the park changed from Jefferson National Expansion Memorial to Gateway Arch National Park. It coincided with the return of Fair Saint Louis on July 4, 2018.
• Visitors are carried to the observation platform by a unique conveyance system: a 40-passenger train made up of eight five-passenger capsules in each leg. Operating at the rate of 340 feet per min., the ride takes 10 minutes round trip. The observation platform is 65 feet by 7 feet, with plate-glass windows providing views in the east and west directions. There is also a conventional maintenance elevator in each leg as far as the 372-foot level, as well as stairways with 1,076 steps in each leg rise from the base to the top of the Arch. The elevators and stairways are for maintenance and emergency use.
Located two blocks west of the Arch, the Old Courthouse is one of the oldest buildings in St. Louis. Construction began in 1839. It was here that the first
reopened after extensive renovations on May 3, 2025.
Brittany N. Packnett Cunningham speaks during her opening keynote at MPI’s WEC in St. Louis on June 18.
two trials of the Dred Scott case were held in 1847 and 1850. The building
RISE Award
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became engaged as a volunteer and served on the chapter board from 2014–2021. He has impacted the MPI LATAM region over the last several years through volunteerism.
“As the founder of Grupo Latin America Meetings, Rafael has made significant contributions to the international business and meetings industry,” MPI said.
The RISE Award for Young Professional Achievement was presented to Jordan Lacey, CMP. Lacey is a Project Manager, Tech Events at Capital One. MPI said she seamlessly blends expertise in event strategy and
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technology to create impactful and engaging experiences.
The RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership was presented to JC York. York is known for his extensive contributions to the meetings and events industry. A member of MPI since 2009, he quickly became an active leader within the Tampa Bay Area Chapter. MPI said his leadership was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the chapter through unprecedented challenges during an extended term as President and continuing his service through various committees, including the President’s Council.
The RISE Award for Innovative Educational Programming was presented to the MPI UK & Ireland Chapter. Held in Dublin, the MPI Impacts Event’s educational programming blended professional development with immersive, experiential learning.
The RISE Award for Marketplace Excellence was presented to the MPI New Jersey Chapter. The 2024 Golf Event, now in its 26th year, is a key networking opportunity that connects planners and suppliers in a relaxed, outdoor setting. This annual event has evolved into a Signature Industry Favorite, fostering relationships among attendees.
The RISE Award for Membership Achievement was presented to the Atlantic Canada Chapter. A Chapter Reimagined—A Legacy Redefined—the MPI Atlantic Chapter has undergone a bold transformation, emerging as a center of innovation, inclusivity, and impact. Faced with declining engagement, this chapter chose to redefine what a thriving chapter looks like through a variety of initiatives including student scholarships and leadership development. It experienced a 60.78% net membership growth.
The RISE Award for Social Impact was presented to the Ottawa Chapter. The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner is a longstanding annual event that brings together the meetings and events industry to support local charities selected by MPI Ottawa members. For more than 25 years, this initiative has exemplified social responsibility by raising awareness and funds for organizations addressing key community challenges such as education, mental health, and food security. In the past 15 years alone, the event has raised more than $300,000
“I am incredibly proud of our RISE Award recipients for their exceptional achievements and dedication,” said MPI President & CEO, Paul Van Deventer. “Their work exemplifies the values and excellence that drive MPI and our industry forward. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”
For more details on the MPI RISE Awards and this year’s recipients, visit www.mpiweb.org/RISE
Rob Adams
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entire industry.
USAE:: Has anything surprised you as Chair, and if so, what?
Adams: What has truly surprised me is the way our industry continues to embrace rapid transformation without hesitation, but with resilience and creativity. Whether it’s navigating the rise of AI, responding to economic shifts, or reimagining inclusion in a global context, our community views change as a spark for innovation. I’ve seen firsthand how constraints often fuel creativity, and I’m inspired daily by the problem-solving spirit of MPI’s members around the world.
USAE: Do you believe industry associations are maximizing their potential to collaborate, and if not, what more can be done?
Adams: There is genuine intent to collaborate across our industry, but there’s untapped opportunity to take that collaboration even further. We need to think beyond traditional roles, such as moving past planners collaborating with planners and instead approach our work as a broader, interconnected ecosystem. That includes destination marketing organizations, DMCs, agencies, suppliers, and more. When we break down silos and co-create solutions across all corners of the industry, we elevate the collective impact we can achieve.
USAE: What has MPI meant to your career?
Adams: MPI has shaped my journey in profound ways both professionally and personally. It started with a conversation at a local chapter event and
evolved into a lifelong connection with an extraordinary community. Through MPI, I’ve discovered that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about creating space for others to grow, contribute, and lead. The values I’ve gained, including collaboration, empathy, and continuous learning, are now embedded in how I lead every day, and I carry them proudly into my role as Chair of the International Board of Directors.
USAE: Please share one of your favorite WEC memories.
Adams: One of my most powerful WEC memories was our first in-person event following the pandemic, held in San Francisco. The energy and joy of reuniting face-to-face reminded all of us why we do what we do. That moment of collective reconnection and seeing our industry come alive again was not just emotional; it was transformational. It reaffirmed the power of community and the irreplaceable value of live events.
Paul Van Deventer, President & CEO, MPI (front row left); Rob Adams, CEO, Bishop-McCann, MPI Chair (front row, second from left), and the association’s International Board of Directors at the World Education Congress in St. Louis. The event ran from June 18 – 20. Photo by RVRB
Rob Adams
Wyndham launched a new ad campaign, “Where There’s a Wyndham, There’s a Way,” on June 11. The campaign, which follows the “World’s Greatest Aunt” as she attends three family functions across three different states, is “rooted in themes of accessibility, convenience, and authenticity,” Wyndham said, and unites the company’s 25 brands and its loyalty program under one voice, across broadcast, TV, social media, display, audio and other digital platforms.
Checking Inn
“This campaign is more than a new tagline, it celebrates what Wyndham does best: making hotel travel possible for all,” said Marissa Yoss, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Paid Media at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“From road trips and family reunions to beach getaways and golf escapes, we want travelers looking to Wyndham, knowing that no matter the destination, no matter the budget: Where There’s a Wyndham, There’s a Way.”
Hyatt announced on June 12 the
opening of The Wildbirch Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska’s Mushing District. The 252-room hotel is the first hotel to open in the district in 20 years and sits in the company’s JdV by Hyatt lifestyle brand.
“Watching this place come to life has been an honor,” said Haje Thurau, General Manager of The Wildbirch Hotel. “It’s very special to see our overnight guests immerse themselves in the Anchorage lifestyle, engage with locals and discover what makes our little corner of Alaska such a magical place.”
The property offers 5,200 square feet of meeting and event space, a communal outdoor deck, a signature restaurant, coffee bar, and a forthcoming craft beer tasting room.
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino announced on June 9 its newest luxury accommodation, the Imperial Sky Villa. The villa was renovated from the former Tuscany Sky Villa to celebrate and honor the “enduring legacy of Elvis Presley,” as part of the resort’s “Year of Elvis” commemorate calendar of events honoring the icon’s 90th birthday.
The luxury suite spans 13,200 square feet and offers multiple bedrooms, as well as expansive living and dining areas.
“The Imperial Sky Villa represents more than just a spectacular retreat— it’s a genuine connection to the magic that made Elvis Presley a global icon,” said Cami Christensen, President and General Manager of Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. “Guests are truly standing where the footsteps of the King once reigned, immersed in his spirit and legacy. At Westgate, we’re proud to continue setting the standard for legendary experiences
where luxury and history intersect.” Hilton announced on June 12 the appointment of Christian Charnaux to the role of Chief Development Officer with the company. Charnaux will step into the role on July 1 and will report to Hilton’s CEO Chris Nassetta.
Prior to joining Hilton, Charnaux served as Chief Growth Officer of Inspire Brands—the restaurant company that owns Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC—since its founding in 2018.
The appointment marks a return to Hilton for Charnaux, who served in several brand management, commercial and finance positions with the hotel brand.
“Having previously worked with Chris Nassetta and with many on the leadership team, I know the extraordinary culture and business to which I am returning, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it,” said Charnaux. “I look forward to working collaboratively with our teams and owners as we continue to build on Hilton’s record-breaking results.”
The Caesars Entertainment team poses with the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series Trophy during the opening celebration of MPI’s WEC at Busch Stadium on June 18.
Kevin Kirby, Executive Director of the MPI Foundation; and Cory Elford, Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications, MPI, during the opening celebration of MPI’s WEC at Busch Stadium on June 18. Photo by RVRB
Christian Charnaux
Scene At MPI/WEC in St. Louis
