Presented by Experience Grand Rapids
USAE
THE WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWS OF ASSOCIATIONS, CVBs AND HOTELS
V O L U M E 4 4 , I S S U E 2 4
JUNE 3, 2026
Rachel Andrews, Global Head of Meetings & Events, CVENT and MPI Board member, was presented the MPI Chair Award by Paul Van Deventer, President & CEO, MPI; and Rob Adams, CEO & Partner of Bishop-McCann, Immediate Past Chair, MPI, during the WEC in San Antonio on June 2.
MPI Speaker Maggie Cook Seeks Something Better By Todd McElwee Is there something better? That’s a question that’s helped propel Dr. Maggie Cook throughout her life. Speaking at the Opening General Session of MPI’s WEC on June 2 in San Antonio, Cook advocated for producing an effective power declaration, being adaptative and resilient and turning adversity into opportunity. Power declarations are designed to produce action, confidence and enthusiasm. Cook discussed the components to each one: I am, gratitude, this moment, adverb, action verb, be clear and specific, outcomes in numbers, establish a date, and or something better. Cook’s favorite is: or something better. She said if God and the universe is open to something better then why shouldn’t we be as well?
Cook grew up among 68 other children in an orphanage in Mexico. As a child, she taught herself to play basketball and was selected to play on the Mexican National Team. However, she broke her collarbone and missed the opportunity. Eventually, she immigrated to America on a basketball scholarship at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. That scholarship came about while she was playing outdoor hoops near the campus and was spotted by the coach. She said she would not Please turn to page 5
Inside Page 3 Visit San Antonio’s Tyler Orwig: My San Antonio Page 4 Conversation with Jim Russell, Global Head, Business Events Solutions, and Chairman, MPI International Board of Directors Page 5 The Future of Our Industry Depends on What We Give Back
Dr. Magie Cook, CEO and Founder, Maggie’s Salsa, speaks during the Opening General Session at San Antonio’s Henry B. González Convention Center on June 2.
Page 6 Scene at MPI/WEC