2026 RISE Award Finalists

We will announce our finalists April 1st and recognize them during the April 23 All Hands Call. Tune in to the MPI GMID broadcast May 6^th to learn more about who the 2026 RISE Awards Finalists are and to recognize Chapters and members for their achievements. Recipients of the RISE Award will be announced on stage at WEC San Antonio June 2-4.

Leadership Guidance: Spending Chapter Savings

Following is guidance in response to inquiries about how Chapters can spend excess (non-reserve) money without being penalized in the Annual Chapter Awards program.

There are two financial metrics: Net Profit and Percentage of Reserves vs. Annual Fixed Expenses.

There should be three types of accounts (minimum) for each Chapter:

1. Operating account
2. Investment account
3. Reserve account

See this document for more information.

As noted in MPI’s governance documents, reserve funds are restricted for emergencies only. If a Chapter has excess reserve funds, there is an opportunity to “right size” that account to move excess funds to an investment (or other account) which removes the restrictions of spending for emergencies only from that fund. If a Chapter chooses to do that, keep in mind it is best practice to retain 100% of your fixed annual expenses as reserves.

Net Profit is a measure of revenue vs. expenses. Revenue is counted when it is received, and expenses are counted when they are spent. With that in mind, your Board has a choice to make when considering spending excess non-reserve money.

Should you spend excess non-reserve money, it is counted as an expense when it is expended. Therefore, it will negatively impact your net profit which may ultimately impact your Chapter’s eligibility for some Chapter awards at the end of the fiscal year. We understand that this is a hard decision to make. Please know our team has considered at length alternative ways to measure financial success outside of net profit; however, there simply isn’t an alternative measure at this time.

Our guidance when considering spending excess non-reserve money is to make those decisions with your members’ best interest in mind. If your strategic use of non-reserve funds improves the member experience, simply focus on that and not accolades at the end of the Chapter’s fiscal year. While these are hard decisions to make, we know that you will do what is in the best interest of your Chapter.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss these concepts, please contact your Chapter Operations Team representative.

theEVENT Vancouver, BC – Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals for theEVENT Vancouver, BC, is now open. Join us as 300+ meetings and events professionals gather to push the industry forward.

We are seeking dynamic facilitators and subject matter experts to deliver highly engaging sessions that:

• Challenge conventional thinking
• Spark meaningful peer collaboration
• Deliver practical, actionable takeaways

Unique formats are encouraged. Interactive workshops, immersive storytelling, and innovative experiences that take advantage of our distinctive spaces are especially welcome.
 
If you have a bold concept, an inspiring case study, or a fresh approach to share, we want to hear from you.

Submit Today

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.

GMID Toolkit Coming Soon

Help share the news about MPI’s broadcast – toolkit coming soon

A chapter toolkit will be made available in the Chapter Leader Resources section of the website beginning April 1! Make sure to check back at that time and share the message about the GMID broadcast, free clock hours and education. 

Enter to Win a Championship Weekend in Indianapolis

Copy/Paste Content for Chapter Communications: 

Support the MPI Foundation and Win a Championship Weekend in Indianapolis

Thanks to Visit Indy, two lucky people will enjoy an unforgettable weekend at the 2026 Men’s Basketball Championship Weekend in Indianapolis while supporting the MPI Foundation.

Prize package includes:

• One downtown hotel room within walking distance of Lucas Oil Stadium
Arrive Friday, April 3 and depart Tuesday, April 7, 2026

• Two tickets to the Men’s Basketball Semi-Finals on Saturday, April 4 in a private suite with food and beverage included

• Two tickets to the National Championship game on Monday, April 6

• VIP dinner experience before the Championship game with Visit Indy

• Two tickets to the Fan Experience

• Official collectible swag

• Two $500 gift cards for transportation

Raffle Tickets: $25 each
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.

Raffle closes: Friday, March 20 at 3:00 PM CT
Winner will be notified after the drawing.

Void where prohibited.

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. 

Encourage Your New Members to Attend an MPI New Member Orientation Session

Does your Chapter/Club offer a member orientation? If you do not offer new members a monthly orientation, please encourage your new members to join the MPI New Member Orientation. By attending orientation, your new members will engage with other MPI members worldwide and learn about opportunities for them to advance their knowledge and connections across MPI. 
 


Copy/Paste Content for Chapter Communications: 


New members, register for the MPI New Member Orientation (a 45-minute webinar). You’ll learn all about the benefits available to you - beyond what is offered through our Chapter/Club - and how to utilize them to accomplish your unique goals.    
 


All sessions take place on Zoom at 10:00am-10:45am, CDT.   

• Wednesday, March 18, 2026 REGISTER

• Friday, April 10, 2026 REGISTER

QuickBooks Online Payment Information

All Chapter QuickBooks online (QBO) accounts have the MPI Global corporate payment account applied for automatic payments. Each Chapter’s Business Service Fee includes access to your account. Chapters that utilize QBO to process 1099s should not add a Chapter form of payment to the QBO account. Simply process your 1099s and do not make any adjustments to your account.  

Should a Chapter change the payment card on file, the Chapter would be unnecessarily charged twice for access to the platform and MPI Global will not be able to reverse the additional charges from QBO. Therefore, please do not adjust any forms of payment on your Chapter’s QBO account.  

MPI Chapter Insurance Summary

Insurance is included in the MPI Chapter Business Service Fees. The 2026 MPI Chapter Insurance Summary is now available for your review here: CLRP > Finances > Insurance. 

2025 Metric Incentive Claim Forms

The 2025 metric incentive claim forms for eligible Chapters are due to MPI no later than April 30, 2026. The 2026 Board of Directors should approve the use of their Chapter’s metric incentive points and complete/submit the form to their respective Chapter Operations team member. 

WEC San Antonio Hosted Buyer Applications

Copy/Paste Content for Chapter Communications: 

Hosted Buyer Applications are open for WEC San Antonio. For more information around the program and to apply, please visit our website HERE. We hope you will consider this incredible opportunity to attend WEC as a Hosted Buyer! 

Registration for GMID 2026 is now open!

Registration is live! We would love to have you participate in MPI’s annual Global Meetings Industry Day broadcast on May 6, from 8:00am – 4:00pm CT. Register now!

If you or your Chapter/Club is interested in participating in the live broadcast, please email Lexi Roberts at lroberts@mpi.org.

Register for Upcoming Events!

QuickBooks Online Training and Support Session

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

March 26 at 10:00am CT - Register here

EDI Office Hours

Join us for a special session hosted by the MPI Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Global Advisory Committee. These office hours will provide Volunteer Chapter Leaders with an opportunity to discuss current EDI initiatives, share ideas, and collaborate. We will also explore key global EDI efforts and discuss how they can support and strengthen regional initiatives.  
  
We encourage Volunteer Chapter Leaders to actively participate, share their experiences, and help develop solutions that are both locally relevant and globally aligned. Your input is essential in shaping a more inclusive future for everyone.  

March 30 at 12:00pm CT - Register here

Chapter Leaders Forum @ IMEX Frankfurt

Come connect, collaborate and share the successes at your chapter or find a solution from the seasoned experts in the room. This session is designed for seasoned volunteer leaders to share their expertise and for newly appointed board members to soak up the knowledge from others in similar positions across the MPI Chapter or Club community. All 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders traveling to Frankfurt for IMEX are encouraged to attend!

May 18^th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Kap Europa, convention center Messe Frankfurt – Register here

WEC 2026 San Antonio Volunteer Chapter Leader Registration

All 2026 Volunteer Chapter Leaders, Chapter Administrators, and Regional Council members (Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Chapter Representatives) 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 rate: Register Online Today!     

Cvent Connect

MPI Volunteer 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  

WEC 2026 Chapter Leader Lounge Activities

We’re excited to welcome you to the Chapter Leader Lounge at WEC 2026, where you’ll enjoy special programming and gatherings just for Volunteer Chapter Leaders. Make sure these sessions are on your calendar!  

• Tuesday, June 2, 2026, 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT, Volunteer Chapter Leader Reception
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 8:30am – 8:45am CDT, Effective & Efficient Board and Committee Meetings
• Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:30am – 12:15pm CDT, Conflict Resolution in Volunteer-Led Boards
• Thursday, June 4, 2026 - 11:15am - 11:45am CDT, AI for Chapter Leaders
• Thursday, June 4, 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT - Succession and Leadership Transition Readiness

And that's just the beginning! Stay tuned for the full agenda with more sessions and connection opportunities.

MPI Foundation Updates

Let’s Celebrate EMEC!
EMEC 2026 in Barcelona was incredible! It was wonderful connecting with chapter leaders at Club Vous at SeaSea Club and celebrating together. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello!

March Highlights & Deliverables

Annual Chapter Impact Report
Coming soon to your inbox! This report highlights the impact of the MPI Foundation and the meaningful work supporting chapters and members across our global community.

Annual MPI Foundation Pledge
As part of your 2026 planning, chapters will be asked to confirm their Foundation commitment. Not sure where to start? Easy options and ideas will be provided — and remember, every contribution makes a difference and is sincerely appreciated.

Chapter Grants Available

Funding is available to support chapter education, special projects, and member experiences.

Copy/Paste Content for Chapter Communications: 


Take advantage of MPI Foundation scholarships, including support for:

• WEC & theEVENT registrations
• MPI Academy courses
• Memberships and more

 We look forward to supporting you throughout the year. Questions? Reach out anytime to Darlene Kelly-Stewart at stonehouse@bellnet.ca. 

Complete the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Training

Creating spaces where every individual feels welcome, valued, and empowered remains at the heart of our industry. For more than 50 years, MPI has understood that a true community is built through intentional inclusion by fostering environments where people can learn in different ways, connect meaningfully, and grow as leaders within our global network.

As Volunteer Chapter Leaders, you play a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of those who engage with us, whether at Chapter/Club events, board and committee meetings, or any gathering where MPI is represented. Your leadership helps ensure our community continues to be a model of innovation, belonging, and impact across the event industry.

To uphold this commitment, MPI requires ongoing engagement with our annual Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training. This training reflects the dedication of our community and reinforces why EDI remains essential to our work. It highlights the inspiring progress happening across the MPI network and equips you with practical tools to strengthen inclusion within your Chapter, Committee, Board, or Workplace. To complete this training, click on the link below to let us know you pledge to view this training and create an open and accepting environment for all.

We are deeply grateful to the current and past members of the MPI Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for their thoughtful leadership in developing this resource for our global community.

  Volunteer Training Sessions

This training is for all MPI Staff, International Volunteers, Volunteer Chapter Leaders, Chapter Administrators, and MPI Verified Facilitators who are serving MPI in 2026 and have not previously taken this training in 2025. 

Leading with Purpose: Your AHT Ambassador Is Here to Support 2026 Education

MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking Committee is pleased to share that we are organizing our Chapter Ambassadors to support you in developing Anti-Human Trafficking educational content for 2026.

As a reminder, providing Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) messaging to your members is a requirement for all Chapters/Clubs and your assigned Ambassador will be reaching out by the end of March to answer questions and offer guidance as you plan.

In the meantime, if you have an immediate need or would like assistance, please feel free to contact Anti-Human Trafficking Committee Chair Jill Rasco at jill@attendeenet.com.