INSIGHT LIVE

If you’re ready to hear what real progress sounds like, this episode is for you. 

Hear from the President & CEO of ALHI and one of our industry’s leading-edge thought leaders, Mr. Michael Dominguez.  Michael brings forward-thinking clarity to where our industry is headed and what real progress looks like today in an ever-changing landscape. His perspective is sharp, refreshing, and shaped by years of guiding our industry through both calm and chaos.  Get ready for a conversation that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Do not walk, run to your favorite podcast app and listen now! In this episode of INSIGHT LIVE, keynote speaker Angela Gargano shares her journey of finding strength in the toughest times and turning obstacles into opportunities. You’ll walk away feeling energized, empowered, and ready to tackle anything life throws your way. Planners, this is the kind of keynote energy your audience will thank you for.

Step behind the scenes with Cory Ferguson and Lauren MacQueen for your all-access look at the Texas Education Conference (TEC 2025). From game-changing sessions to powerful networking, TEC is where Texas meeting and event professionals level up.

This episode gives you insider insight into what’s waiting for you—and why you don’t want to be the one hearing about it after it’s over.

Tune in now, then grab your spot at TEC 2025 before it’s too late!  Head to Texas Education Conference (TEC25) to register or grab a booth.

In this episode, Sidney gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to be an Executive Producer for live events. From managing stress in high-stakes environments to calling flawless cues, Sidney shares the mindset, methods, and magic behind show-day success. You'll also learn how to tell when your event needs an Executive Producer, and what a difference the right one can make.

Sidney Stoper is the Executive Producer at INSPIRE Solutions, where he’s spent more than 12 years bringing events to life with precision, creativity, and calm under pressure. Before joining INSPIRE, Sidney built a strong foundation in the hospitality industry, with over 15 years in hotel operations and event management. He is a past chair of the Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado and a past president of the Greater Denver Chapter of NACE (National Association for Catering and Events). His contributions to the industry have been recognized with the Industry Legacy Award in honor of Sandy Gerety from the MPI Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Tune in as we talk with Carol Lynn Huttel, CMP, CMM about the CMP Certification, and why it matters now more than ever.  

Carol is a Managing Director with HelmsBriscoe and a champion of continuing education in the meetings industry. With decades of experience in hotel operations and sales—from Hilton to Omni—Carol has helped shape the professional journeys of countless event professionals. She holds multiple certifications, including the CMP, CMM, and HMCC, and in 2017, she founded The CMP Experience Boot Camps—a program designed to guide and inspire others on their path to certification. Carol is not only a leader, but a mentor and motivator, deeply committed to lifting others as she climbs.

With over 12 years at the Austin Convention Center, Amy Harris is a leader in driving business growth, forging strategic partnerships, and maximizing revenue opportunities. As Director of Sales, she leads a high-performing team dedicated to attracting top-tier conventions, corporate events, and short-term business, ensuring the Austin Convention Center remains a premier destination for event planners nationwide.

Before joining the convention center, Amy held leadership roles in luxury hotels and resorts, refining her expertise in high-end hospitality sales and customer experience. A proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, she is an active industry leader, serving as the Co-Chair of the IAVM Sales Sector for Venue Connect.

With a passion for connecting with people and creating unforgettable experiences, Amy is committed to making Austin the ultimate event destination.

In a powerful and entertaining crossover episode with The Marketing Starter Podcast, we welcome global keynote speaker and business coach Tim Hines to MPI Live. Tim is on a mission to help meetings professionals grow by becoming more collaborative, innovative, and influential. This special extended episode doesn’t just talk about the power of AI, Gen Z superpowers, and entrepreneurial thinking—it puts them into action.

Tim has partnered with leading organizations like Accor, Air France, IMEX, Northstar Media, and even the CIA, helping them embrace change through an entrepreneurial mindset. He’s also served on the Community Advisory Board for the Future Founders Foundation, supporting underserved youth in exploring entrepreneurship, and taught marketing and entrepreneurship with the University of Illinois Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies.

Tim is the author of The Marketing Starter: How an Entrepreneurial Spirit Will Make You a More Savvy Marketer - a must-read for anyone ready to shake up their strategy.

Join us as we talk with Donna Harbers, your 2025 MPI Texas Hill Country President. Donna is also Artist and Chief Joy Officer for JoyShine, the company she founded to help people embrace creativity to live happier, more confident lives. As the 2025 MPITHCC President, she is excited to work with an incredible board of directors and provide tools and information that empower planners and suppliers to work together more effectively.

After almost 25 years in the hotel industry, Angele du Passage took a bold leap—leaving behind an established role in the corporate world to co-found Cypress Planning Group, a site selection, meeting and event management company with two trusted colleagues, Kathan Dearman and Ashley McCoy. Having worked together for over 15+ years on a hotel sales team, the trio leveraged their deep-rooted industry knowledge, contract negotiation expertise, and undeniable chemistry into a thriving business.

Angele joins us to share the “why” behind their big move, the challenges, and triumphs of building a team from the ground up, and the invaluable lessons she carries from her years in the hospitality industry. If you’ve ever considered seeking career advancement, making a career move, starting your own venture, or just love to hear other women succeed, check out this episode.

James is a speaker, emcee, voice-over talent, and presentation coach for youth and adults; I guess you could say he's a man who wears many hats (literally has more than 30 "B" caps!)  James is known for his commanding voice and interactive approach.  As former All-American track star and award-winning National Sales Executive, James' unique expertise as a leader and teammate (on the track and in corporate America) has paved the way for him to be an asset to various organizations by drawing on “championship principles” to succeed and stay connected in "THE XCHANGE ZONE!"  He is inspiring, engaging, and provides practical solutions.  He challenges everyone to adopt a “championship mindset,” motivating people to see everyone they meet as a customer!