Why Join MPI?

The realities of today's global business environment? Do more business. Deliver more value. For any meeting professional - whether planner or service provider - having the expertise and resources to deliver powerful returns on investment is critical for success.

Founded in 1972, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the leading global community committed to shaping and defining the future of the meeting and event industry. As the largest trade association for the $102.3 billion meeting industry, MPI defines the return on investment and strategic value meetings bring to individuals, organizations and the global economy. MPI helps its member enhance their professional value by providing them with best practices, superior education, the latest research and trends, professional development and networking opportunities. In the last 32 years, MPI has grown to become the meeting industry's resource for networking, professional development, content and research. The MPI presence spans North and South America, Mexico, Europe and Asia, with nearly 20,000 members in 60 countries making up the diverse MPI community. Its 60 chapters - plus 4 in formation - deliver:

The Business Network

The industry's most dynamic global community, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) helps its members do more business and deliver more value by offering a myriad of content-rich, planner- and supplier-focused events and initiatives.

• World Education Congress - annual knowledge and business exchange. Traditionally held in July and drawing thousands of thought leaders from around the world.
• Professional Education Conference-North America - annual professional development event typically staged in January and featuring an intense series of educational sessions.
• Professional Education Conference-Europe - an April conference focused on relevant education for the European community and those doing business there.
• Institutes I & II-North America - five-day residential immersion programs offering concentrated training in meeting and event management usually held in November.
• Platinum Series - high-quality, interactive educational sessions developed for MPI Chapter programming at the local level.
• Women's Leadership Initiative - designed to recognize, uphold and further contributions of professional women across the meeting, hospitality and travel industries.
• Multicultural Initiative - addressing the needs of and providing leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.

Knowledge Is Power

Beyond educational programming, a valuable communications and content platform provides abundant opportunities to stay current and connected.

• The Meeting Professional - award-winning monthly publication featuring comprehensive coverage of the international meeting industry.
• MPIWeb - the Association's online community delivering late-breaking news, conference Web casts, online conference registration, a job board, planner and supplier directories and a Communities of Interest discussion forum, to name a few.
• Community NetNews - weekly e-mail summary featuring industry, Association and MPI chapter news.
• MPI Annual Membership Directory - a detailed reference providing membership listing by company affiliation and geography.
• MPIWeb Distance-Learning - a Web-based educational experience offering over 250 online courses to customize learning experiences through the Internet.
• The Chapter Leader - an online quarterly newsletter targeted to chapter leaders and members.
• Meeting Europe - a quarterly newsletter targeted to MPI's European members.
• Communique - a quarterly newsletter targeted to MPI's Canadian members.

Industry-leading certification programs add the power of proven industry acumen and personal distinction in the marketplace.

• Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) - intense residency training on the intricacies of executive-level strategic planning for senior meeting and event professionals.
• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) - certification focused on the logistics of meeting planning for those with at least three years of meeting planning experience.

Add to that the MPI Foundation ... a true knowledge catalyst through the delivery of future-focused research, program development and tools for meeting professionals to use in their every day work lives.

A Global Community

• Local perspective on issues and opportunities
• Education and business networking at the grassroots level
• Leadership training and development
• Timely news and information through Chapter Web sites and newsletters

Committed to sustaining a 50-50 ratio of planners and suppliers, MPI offers three membership categories:

• Planners: professionals who orchestrate and manage meetings
• Suppliers: those providing industry goods and services
• Students: enrolled full time in a post-secondary academic program, with emphasis on meeting or hospitality industries. Proof of enrollment is required.

We invite you today to join MPI, the meeting industry's global knowledge and business network community.