AI is everywhere today, but using it to genuinely improve outcomes isn’t straightforward.. Workslop — a new term from Harvard Business Review for AI-generated work that hurts productivity — is seeping into conversations as users realize many impressive uses may not be useful long-term.
The power of AI is undeniable. It was the focus of the first Skift Meetings [AI] Innovation Lab that attracted over 170 planners during the IMEX America 2025 pre-show day, Smart Monday. In a packed room, they were inspired by cutting-edge use cases and learned from each other about what works and what doesn’t. Discussions touched on hype cycles, investment, our relationship with AI, and governance examples.
Planners Choose the Smartest Prompts
The session’s finale was the ‘AI Prompt World Cup’ where participants submitted and voted on 10 AI prompts.
Two submissions stood out. The runner-up used AI to analyze attendee feedback and internal debriefs to recommend improvements for next year’s event. It produced both recommendations and rationale, identifying opportunity costs and potential savings.
The winning prompt asked AI to act as an award-winning planner and flag red flags in event plans, such as timing and staff conflicts. Inputs included planning documents, contracts, SOPs, and local labor laws. The AI generated a chart of issues. One planner shared how it helped her spot a hotel with small elevators that slowed attendee flow, forcing an adapted agenda.
Other popular AI uses included wine selection, transferring planning timelines, comparing food and beverage quotes, estimating group flight costs, restaurant recommendations, and a general event management assistant. There was a prompt for a proposal to plan Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding and an honorable mention of the Event Strategy Bot.
Human Connection
MPI and other providers offered 64 sessions to IMEX America attendees, most of which were free. Outside the sessions, AI-enhanced headshots ranked among the most popular activations.
MPI keynote speaker Rob Lawless, who headlined the day, focused on human connection. The session — moved later in the day to accommodate travelers — drew more than 800 attendees.
Another common theme of Smart Monday was the pressure on planners to perform, reflected in attendees balancing laptops and phone calls with learning opportunities.
AI Company Recognized With Leaders
The Events Industry Council’s Global Awards Celebration honored six professionals and two companies advancing the sector. AI event tech company Gevme — creator of Snapsight and Spark — won the Adaptation and Innovation Award. AI event tech company Gevme — creators of multiple AI-powered tools including Snapsight and Spark — was recognized with the EIC’s Adaptation and Innovation Award. AV production company Meeting Tomorrow received the Social Impact Award.
2025 EIC Hall of Leaders Inductees:
- Robert A. Gilbert (posthumous), Former President and CEO of Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
- Al Hutchinson, Founder of AVH Enterprise
- Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the German Convention Bureau
- Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the Consumer Technology Association
- Claire Smith, VP Sales and Marketing of the Vancouver Convention Centre
EIC Pacesetter Award: Michel Wohlmuth, Founding Partner and Director of Innovation, PCPeople.
