Welcome 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders

Welcome all 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders and a special welcome to those of you joining your Chapter Board of Directors for the very first time. Our monthly Chapter Leader Newsletter is a summary of all the resources, information, and training to support you throughout the year. We’re excited to see all that you accomplish in 2026. Let’s go!

Chapter/Club Demographics Report

The bi-annual Chapter/Club-specific Demographic Report and the MPI Demographic Report are now available via the CLRP under the Chapter Metrics area. The Chapter/Club-specific Demographic Report provides a snapshot of your Chapter/Club’s membership profile and useful information for developing sponsorship prospectus. A quick reminder that these reports are only updated twice a year, in January and July and are based on the information your Chapter/Club members include in their Member Profile.

Reminder: Monitoring Board of Directors Membership

As you begin the year, create a process to monitor active membership for your Board of Directors. If a Board member’s membership lapses, they can no longer serve on the Board and must be removed. There are no exceptions to this compliance requirement.

Save the Date: Chapter Leadership Summit 2026

All 2027 Volunteer Chapter Leaders will be invited to attend the virtual Chapter Leadership Summit on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Please mark your calendars now and include this date in your Nomination Process to ensure new Board members attend this importing training session. Complete details will be shared as they are finalized in the Chapter Leader Newsletter.

Join the Discussion – MPI Community Forums

Each member of the 2026 Chapter Board of Directors now has access to engage with other Volunteer Chapter Leaders in similar roles across the MPI Chapter and Club network. You can ask other VP’s or Directors questions or seek advice from your colleagues serving in a similar department at any MPI Chapter or Club worldwide. Access is granted based on your role on your Chapter Board.

Visit the MPI Communities Forum to join your Volunteer Chapter Leader Department community. https://u.mpi.org/communities/allcommunities

    •    Chapter Administrators

    •    Chapter Leaders: Education

    •    Chapter Leaders: Finance & Strategic Alliances

    •    Chapter Leaders: Marketing & Communication

    •    Chapter Leaders: Membership

    •    Chapter Leaders: Office of the President

WEC 2026 Chapter Challenge

The WEC 2026 Chapter Challenge has plenty of opportunities for Chapters to win several prizes during the Volunteer Chapter Leader Welcome Reception taking place on June 2. Information about the WEC Chapter Challenge is available via the CLRP > Chapter Toolkits > Monthly Toolkits.

Chapter Dashboard Review

As we approach the close of the 2025 term, please review your Chapter Dashboard in its entirety for errors or missing information. If information requires updating, please use the Missing Dashboard Information template and submit it to your Regional Operations Manager. All updates should be submitted by Friday, January 30, to ensure they can be completed before the reporting period closes.  

EMEC 2026 Barcelona

EMEC Barcelona is just around the corner. From 21–24 February, join us in Barcelona for an unforgettable opportunity to connect with our European community and experience world-class education and networking.

We encourage chapter leaders to share the EMEC 2026 Chapter Toolkit with your members and partners to help spread the word. You’ll find everything you need in the CLRP:

CLRP > Chapter Toolkits > EMEC 2026 Chapter Toolkit

And don’t forget to register yourself and be part of the experience! Let’s make this event a success together.

EMEC 2026 Chapter Leader direct registration link

All 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders are invited to attend our European Chapter Leaders Forum on Sunday 22 morning. Register here! 

Cvent Connect Discount Codes

MPI Chapter leaders join Cvent on July 13–16 in Nashville for Cvent CONNECT—hands-on Training Camp, 1:1 time with Cvent experts, and leadership-focused sessions to accelerate your chapter’s event strategy. Enjoy 50% off your pass with code: MPI502026.

Copy/Paste Content for Chapter Communications: 
 

Level up your event strategy at Cvent CONNECT 2026 with CMP‑accredited Training Camp, 1:1 access to Cvent experts, and role-based sessions designed by event marketers for event marketers. MPI members get 25% off with code: MPI252026.

Use this link to register:  Register Online  

We’re here to support your membership efforts!

As the new year begins, remember you can always reach out to your Member Engagement Representative at MPI Global for any membership support. They can assist with New Memberships, Membership Renewals and Reinstatements, Auto-Renewal Activation/Deactivation, Membership Upgrades, Installment Plan Agreements, Membership Transfers, Unemployed Member Assistance, Retired Membership, Lifetime Membership, Profile Updates, Membership Reports, Login Assistance, and more!

If you don't know who your Member Engagement Representative is, email the Member Engagement Team at feedback@mpi.org.

Membership Update

Do you (or a member of your Chapter/Club) have 25 combined years of MPI membership and are retired? You may be eligible for Lifetime Membership!

MPI Lifetime Membership applications are due by March 31, 2026, to be considered for the current year.

Lifetime Membership is awarded to no more than five MPI members each year who have contributed significantly to the industry. This award allows for permanent complimentary membership, so the recipients stay connected and receive continuous benefits with MPI. Key details to remember: members must meet specific criteria and apply to be considered for a Lifetime Membership.

Find the complete criteria and the required application here: https://www.mpi.org/membership/lifetime-membership

December Membership Campaign Results

Thank you to all the Chapters, Clubs, and members who helped promote the Holiday Sale last month. Your emails, social media efforts, and other outreach helped us close 2025 on a high note. The sale brought in 140 new members. We’re thrilled to start a new year with them in our community!

MPI Top Speakers Database

Be sure to check out the database on the CLRP > Education Forms and Documents > Top Speakers at MPI Chapters – List of Speakers.

If you’ve had a great speaker at a Chapter/Club event recently, consider recommending them to other Chapters/Clubs using the form found here: CLRP > Top Speakers at MPI Chapters – Recommendation Form.

Register for Upcoming Events!

January All Hands Call

MPI Chapter Leader All Hands Calls inform Volunteer Chapter Leaders with crucial information and updates about our organization. All 2026 Board Members are encouraged to attend and ask questions directly to MPI Senior Leadership. Register online for the Zoom calendar invite.

January 22 at 10:00am CST -

Sitefinity Training

 Training will be held for Chapter website administrators or anyone making updates to the Chapter website. Learn tips to be more efficient, tactics to help engage your audience, and best practices to save you time. Plus, a Q&A with MPI's IT team so bring any issues you need assistance with.

February 4 at 10:00am CST - Register here

European Chapter Leaders Forum

All 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders are invited to attend our European Chapter Leaders Forum (ECLF) taking place in person at the SLS Hotel Barcelona on Sunday 22 February 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the start of EMEC.

Use this link to register: Register here

EMEC MPI Volunteer Discounted Registration

All 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders, Chapter Administrators, International Volunteer Committees (task forces, advisory boards, advisory councils), and Regional Council members are eligible for a discounted registration rate. You must be an MPI member in good standing at the time of registration.

• Planners: 465€
• Suppliers: 565€

Use this link to register: Register here

QuickBooks Training and Support Session

 This session will provide general guidance on how to use QuickBooks, share best practices, and answer any specific questions you may have. Bring your questions! Open to any Chapter Leader or Administrator using QuickBooks at an MPI Chapter.

 March 26 at 10:00am CST - Register here

WEC 2026 San Antonio Chapter Leader Registration 

All Volunteer Chapter Leaders, Chapter Administrators, and Regional Council members are eligible. You must be a member in good standing at the time of registration.     

WEC 2026 San Antonio Rates:     
    •    Planner Member = USD 720  
    •    Supplier Member = USD 1,190    


Use this link to access the leader discount: Register Online Today!     

Cvent Connect

MPI Chapter leaders join Cvent on July 13–16 in Nashville for Cvent CONNECT—hands-on Training Camp, 1:1 time with Cvent experts, and leadership-focused sessions to accelerate your chapter’s event strategy. Enjoy 50% off your pass with code: MPI502026.

Use this link to register:  Register Online  

MPI Foundation Updates

Let’s Celebrate 2025!

Simply put – WOW! – Chapters currently embracing a Foundation Friendly strategy, your success is showing! Chapter donations for the MPI Foundation have hit a new high. ($50K+). We are excited to see participation from Chapters is edging toward 60%, and we trust all Chapters will participate moving forward.

Every donation amount makes a difference and supports members, not just in your Chapter but in every Chapter and Club. Scholarships and Grants make a difference. As Volunteer Chapter Leaders, you are doing that, and you are making a difference.

Coming soon - we are working with MPI to recognize Chapter success in their support of the MPI Foundation, more to follow on this program very soon.

Plan Ahead for 2026

In February, you will receive the Annual Chapter Impact Report. This includes your 10-year tally celebrating the number of scholarships and grants that have been received by your own Chapter and members. The report also provides recognition for the funds that you have generously provided to the MPI Foundation. Along with your tracked data, you will also receive information about what we do with the money raised and why. Please share this presentation and information with your full board.

In addition to your impact report, you will be provided with information on how to submit your 2026 Annual MPI Foundation Pledge. We know you have planned for 2026; submitting your MPI Foundation Pledge form lets us know your intentions and how we can help support you best.

Sharing Opportunities

One way to ensure your Chapter members maximize their education and experience is sharing access to MPI Foundation Scholarships. Scholarship offers are updated regularly and their scope includes MPI conference experiences, MPI Academy courses, MPI memberships and more. Opportunities exist for all member types and levels. Easiest for you is to copy and paste the link below with your regular and ongoing Chapter messaging. If there is something special coming up, we will let you know in this section of the CLN. Scholarship opportunities are updated regularly. 

Remember, Chapter Grants are also available. Whether it is for day to day or planning for special projects or education, let us know how we can help you deliver enhanced experiences for your membership.

The MPI Foundation looks forward to being on this journey with you and extend our support to you as Volunteer Chapter Leaders throughout the coming year.  Questions? Get in touch: stonehouse@bellnet.ca

Anti-Human Trafficking Committee Off to a Strong Start

MPI's Anti-Human Trafficking Committee is off to a strong start this year.  We are fortunate to have another engaged, energized team that will continue to provide educational content, messaging, and the tools chapters needed to raise awareness and understanding of the crime of human trafficking in our industry. This committee is YOUR resource for any questions on how to present content to your Chapters/Clubs this year; please don’t hesitate to get in touch for any reason: New Committee Chair: Jill Rasco / jill@attendeenet.com.

Looking forward to working with you in 2026!