Behind the Mic at MPI WEC: Amani’s Digital Hosting Recap from St. Louis

mgraziano45
Jul 7
3 min read

The World Education Congress (WEC) is more than a professional conference — it’s a flagship experience for Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and one of the most anticipated gatherings in the events industry. Held this year in St. Louis, the 2024 event welcomed over 2,000 in-person attendees and more than 300 virtual participants, all coming together to explore trends, share insights, and reimagine what’s possible in the world of events and hospitality.

For Amani, this was his third year serving as MPI’s digital host, and each year has brought new challenges, new tech, and an evolving sense of community around the event.

28 Interviews. 15-Minute Sprints. A Digital Studio on the Trade Show Floor.

What does it take to deliver meaningful content in a high-traffic, high-noise environment? Amani gives us the scoop on what it’s like to host a fully operational digital media studio right on the trade show floor.

This year’s setup included:

A 4-camera rig with lighting, branding, and real-time streaming
Live broadcasting to the MPI app, LinkedIn, and Facebook
15-minute interview slots running from 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM
Spontaneous drop-ins from speakers, partners, and attendees walking the floor

Compared to his first year in Cancun — where things were a bit more DIY — this production was sleek and seamless. The energy from the surrounding conference fueled every interaction. People wandered by, peeked behind the scenes, and many stuck around to watch the interviews in real time. It wasn’t just content creation — it was community-building in motion.

Highlights from the Interview Lineup

With 28 interviews in three days, there was no shortage of memorable moments. Amani shares a few standout conversations from the digital studio:

Simone Faure, a local pastry chef and culinary force, offered a hot take on the Drake vs. Kendrick rap feud — in dessert form. Yes, themed pastries were involved, including one with mustard as a filling. (You had to be there.)
Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned autism advocate and animal behavior expert, joined for a thoughtful and honest conversation on neurodiversity, innovation, and education.
A high-energy visit from Freestyle Plus, a performance group that blends rhythm, rhyme, and connection through interactive music and spoken word. The beatboxing? Next level.
Local leaders, artists, MPI board members, and reps from Visit St. Louis and Visit San Antonio also stopped by to share their vision for building experiences that matter.

These interviews weren’t just filler content — they added real value to the digital experience for those tuning in remotely and created a buzz that rippled through the live crowd.

Keynotes, CEUs, and Takeaways

In between interviews, Amani carved out time to attend all four general sessions, each of which delivered something unique:

Dr. Temple Grandin was a crowd favorite, offering authentic, unpolished insight on how different thinkers shape the world.
Daniel Lewis, the closing keynote, delivered a high-energy presentation packed with both humor and tangible takeaways.
Freestyle Plus lit up the stage and reminded everyone of the power of creative engagement.

Whether you were attending for certification credits or fresh ideas, WEC didn’t disappoint. Attendees could earn up to 13 CEUs toward their Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential, with a range of breakout sessions tailored to industry-specific challenges and innovations.

St. Louis Shows Up

While the programming was top-tier, the host city deserves its own standing ovation. Amani highlights some of his favorite local experiences, including:

Toasted ravioli (a St. Louis must)
Touring the women-led Major League Soccer stadium
The live brass band performance at the Rendezvous welcome event
An elegant and emotional President’s Dinner hosted inside Union Station

There was a clear effort by MPI and local partners to celebrate St. Louis not just as a backdrop, but as a key part of the experience.

Final Thoughts from Amani

It’s easy to assume that hosting is about looking good on camera or hitting your marks. But for Amani, it’s about being present, prepared, and plugged into the community. Every interview is a chance to shine a light on someone else’s story — and to reflect the energy of the larger event.