MPI St. Louis Education Meeting - November 19, 2026

Why can't your group book the dates you want and what leads to a Business Review denial? Jump into this lively, hands-on game and discover the art of revenue management. Whatever your role, you'll have fun, sharpen your perspective, and leave with something new to consider.

Originally from Mascoutah, Illinois, Erika Barkhaus attended Illinois State University, where a Friday night job at Pizza Hut helped spark her love of hospitality. Helping children celebrate their Book It! awards showed her how much she enjoyed creating memorable experiences.

Erika got her start in hotels with Hyatt in 1989, working in housekeeping at Hyatt Charlotte. After a decade plus doing Reservations, in 2004, she joined Hyatt’s first class of Revenue Managers. Her first big event? The 2004 World Series in St. Louis. Let’s just say the hotel probably had a better week than the Cardinals-but oh how the Cardinals taught her short-term compression in 2011!

Since 1992, she has passionately championed St. Louis, enthusiastically selling her hometown at the Hyatt at Union Station and then Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch.

This program has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) for CMP Preferred Provider review for 1.0 credit hours. MPI St. Louis Area Chapter has been approved by the Events Industry Council as a Preferred Provider of the above-listed continuing education course, which qualifies for CMP continuing education credit. Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC's endorsement or assessment of education quality.

At the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, we welcome corporations, organizations and individuals to rent our facilities for an exceptional event experience. Our unique spaces provide a beautiful venue for events of all kinds that are easily transformed from daytime meetings and luncheons to an evening affair carried out with style and sophistication. All spaces are compatible with state-of-the-art AV.