Stephen Revetria, President, Giants Enterprises, understands the urgency of the moment. Chair of the MPI International Board of Directors in 2021, Revetria is intent on fulfilling the strategic initiatives determined this year by tackling today’s pressing issues and laying the foundation for a bright future.
“Working with our Board, MPI staff and a consultancy group throughout 2020, we established transformative strategic initiatives that will drive MPI through 2025, ensuring the organization’s relevance and growth in this ever-changing environment,” Revetria told ASAE. “My primary goal in 2021 is to accomplish those must-win-battles that lie immediately ahead of us, while helping MPI create that framework for the entirety of our plan.
“Perhaps the highest priority in 2021 will be personalizing the individual journey, with the word ‘individual’ being key. We are investing in technologies that incorporate machine learning, emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence to help understand the needs and wants of every individual, so we can customize the MPI experience down to their precise need.”
Revetria’s term commences Jan. 1, 2021. He follows Steve O’Malley, Enterprise Vice President, COO, Maritz Global Events – who served a two-year term. Days prior to the World Education Congress (WEC) at Grapevine, Tx’s Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center O’Malley expressed his optimism for meetings and events, a sentiment Revetria echoed.
“First and foremost, I have immense confidence in our industry and its recovery based on our proven resiliency, and in MPI to lead that path forward, as WEC Grapevine, and its innovative 100% live hybrid experience format, is demonstrating,” said Revetria. We’ve been through crises before – terrorist attacks, economic crashes and more – and we come back strong.
“This particular hurdle is a significant one, obviously, but the optimism and fight shown by our industry to innovate, adapt and push ahead shows its perseverance to overcome challenging times. Perhaps one of the most recent indicators has been recovery among our supplier community. Sadly, so many of my colleagues found themselves jobless or furloughed, but there recently has been a surge in growth among suppliers, which shows we are already starting to make our way back.”
Involved in meetings and events since 1992, Revetria served as MPI Foundation Chairman and co-chaired WEC in both 2003 and 2015, overseeing the 2015 Opening Night Celebration at Pier 48 which won an ILEA Live Espirit Award for “Best Event Produced for a Non-Profit.” Active in the MPI Northern California Chapter (MPINCC) he has been honored numerous times by the group including induction into its Hall of Fame.
Revetria is proud of his longtime involvement with the association and MPI’s efforts during the pandemic.
“Seeing how proactive this organization became in putting not only its members, but the industry and community in general, was nothing short of remarkable,” Revetria said. “It started with putting an enormous amount of effort behind resources that members and non-members needed to relearn, reskill and reconnect, despite being isolated. GMID was a great example – whereby we had nearly 15,000 people registered. We also provided education resources – much of them complimentary – to almost 40,000 professionals. Perhaps what I am most proud of, was the financial support that MPI has offered to over 1,700 members (and counting) to ensure they could retain membership; and it’s critical to call out both the MPI Foundation and IMEX Group for having provided that incredible support.”
Under Revetria’s leadership Giants Enterprises has received recognition for its programming during the 2007 All-Star Game and the 2010, 2012 & 2014 World Series, including, Official World Series Galas and downtown ticker-tape parades. In the wake of COVID-19, he was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve on California’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. He also serves on U.S. Travel Association’s Executive Committee; was the Chairman of the San Francisco Travel Association; and in October 2016, attended the inaugural Sport at the Service of Humanity Conference arranged by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Revetria lives in San Francisco with his wife, Elizabeth and their two children.