More than 600 booths showcasing destinations, venues and services opened to attendees at MPI’s 2004 World Education Congress, continuing yesterday and today in Denver.

Registration for the event is 3,151, MPI officials report, making it the second-largest MPI event after the Las Vegas WEC in July 2001.

Mile-high times: The Colorado Convention Center in Denver plays host to this year’s MPI WEC.

That evening, the Convention Industry Council held its Hall of Leaders reception, dinner and ceremony, honoring George A. Aguel, Roger J. Dow, Joan L. Eisenstodt, Bruce W. Harris, James E. Jones and Peter W. Nathan.

Highlights of yesterday’s education sessions included sessions on trends on hotel contracts, risk assessment and crisis management, and strategic meetings procurement.

The night concluded with an MPI Foundation fund-raiser “midnight rendezvous” dinner at Rise, a downtown nightclub.

Sessions continue today, with the “Mile High City Lights” closing gala this evening.

MPI’s 2005 Professional Education Conference takes place Jan. 23-25 in Miami; the 2005 World Education Conference is July 10-12, also in Miami.

Good show: Visitors tour some 600 booths on the show floor at MPI’s WEC in Denver.