MPI Houston Area Chapter

🔥 FRIDAY AT TEC26? You’re going to want to be in the General Sessions.

Two keynote speakers. Two very different perspectives. We start with a bang and end with a bang... One powerful day of learning, connection, and inspiration.

🎤 MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ
Hospitality sales & leadership expert | President & CEO, ALHI
With more than 30 years in the hospitality industry—including senior leadership with MGM Resorts International—Michael knows what happens on BOTH sides of the negotiation table.
His keynote will tackle a question every meeting professional has asked: How do you ask a hotel for what you want—and actually get it?
Walk away with practical strategies for asking for concessions, understanding what matters to hotels, communicating your value, and building stronger partnerships.

🎤 MATT KOVATCHIS
Certified Coach | Keynote Speaker | Advocate for Self-Compassion & Emotional Intelligence
Matt’s story is one of achievement, burnout, healing, and finding a more meaningful definition of success. After leaving a successful career in corporate banking, he turned his experience into a mission to help others navigate self-compassion, emotional intelligence, and mental health.
His message is honest, relatable, and deeply human—and you’ll leave with real tools you can take with you long after the conference ends.

✨ WHO: Meeting & event professionals, hospitality partners, industry leaders & emerging professionals
📅 WHEN: October 28–30, 2026
📍 WHERE: Kalahari Resorts - Round Rock, TX
🎯 WHY: Three days of education, connection, inspiration, CEUs, and a little Meetings in the Wild adventure.
🔥 FRIDAY: Two keynote experiences designed to make you think differently, negotiate smarter, and lead with greater intention.

TEC26 isn’t just another conference. It’s where Texas event professionals come together to learn, collaborate, recharge - and leave better than they arrived.

If you haven’t registered yet… what are you waiting for? 🌵🔥

🎟️ Register now at mpitec.org

Join MPI today. We're offering 40% off for two days only–September 22 and 23! Join us now to unlock a world of networking, professional development, and endless opportunities.

Use code FLASH26.

www.mpi.org/flash26

🚨 KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

TEC26 is about to get a whole lot more interesting. 👀🔥

We’re THRILLED to announce Luke Goetting as our keynote speaker for Texas Education Conference 2026! 🎤

A Future of Work expert, author, TEDx speaker and 2024 MPI Greater New York Speaker of the Year, Luke brings the kind of energy, insight and “wait…why have I never thought about it that way?” moments that make a keynote stick with you.

Get ready to explore the future of work, generational dynamics, AI and what it takes to build stronger, more connected teams — all with plenty of audience participation, humor and practical takeaways along the way. 👏🤖

And if you haven’t registered for TEC26 yet…what are you waiting for?! 👀

📍 Kalahari Resorts & Conventions | Round Rock, TX
📅 October 28–30, 2026
🌵 Meetings in the Wild

Come for the education. Stay for the connections. Leave with some serious inspiration.

🎟️ Register now at mpitec.org

🌟 Volunteer of the Month 🌟

Join us in celebrating our July 2026 Volunteer of the Month, Cory Ferguson!

We’re grateful for everything you do—thank you, Cory! 💛

🎉 Limited-Time Membership Special: Save 20%! 🎉

Now through October 31, enjoy 20% off a NEW Preferred or Premier Membership with the MPI Houston Area Chapter using promo code TEC26MPI.
Expand your network, grow your career, and connect with the meetings and events community through valuable education, resources, and events.

🔗 Join today: https://www.mpi.org/membership/join
⏳ Offer ends October 31, 2026
🎟️ Use code: TEC26MPI

Valid for new Preferred and Premier memberships only. Excludes renewals, Essential, Student, and Faculty memberships.