Innovative Educational Programming

This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club, or student club for achievement in advancing the education and professional development of its members through innovative programming.

The MPI United Kingdom & Ireland Chapter’s “MPI Impacts Event” redefined educational programming by blending professional development with immersive, experiential learning. Held in Dublin in July, the event featured a dynamic mainstage program with four interactive sessions covering habit-breaking, workday management, community-building, and networking best practices.

A key innovation was "The Dublin Dialogues," replacing traditional breakouts with six curated experiences across the city. Attendees explored leadership in an art gallery, resilience in a recording studio, and mindfulness on a Viking settlement, among other uniquely tailored experiences. This approach fostered deeper engagement and transformed passive learning into active participation.

The program was highly successful, achieving a 96% satisfaction rate, exceeding attendance targets, and earning praise such as “A game-changer for educational events.” The innovative format, designed for longevity and transferability, has set a new standard for MPI programming globally.

By prioritizing diversity, sustainability, and experiential education, the event demonstrated best-in-class innovation, offering a replicable model that aligns with the evolving needs of the meeting and event industry.

Membership Achievement

This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club, or student club for achievement in membership growth, engagement, and retention. Chapters and clubs must demonstrate the impact of their campaigns, programming, overall membership numbers, and involvement in chapter/club activities and/or improvement in retention.

The MPI Atlantic Canada Chapter has undergone a bold transformation, emerging as a powerhouse of innovation, inclusivity and impact. Faced with declining engagement, this chapter chose to redefine what a thriving chapter looks like.

To start, the chapter created opportunity for new members. Their Student Scholarship Program eliminated financial obstacles, welcoming the next generation of industry leaders. Its Inclusive Leadership Initiative challenged convention by inviting non-members into key board roles, bringing fresh talent and perspectives that fuel innovation. Finally, by encouraging young leaders to take leadership roles, the chapter is empowering emerging leaders to shape the future.

Beyond leadership roles, the chapter created events customized to chapter needs. Drag Queen Bingo is more than an event—it’s a statement of inclusivity, breaking norms while raising critical funds for MPI. The chapter expanded its reach, taking programming beyond Halifax to engage a wider membership base. The chapter embraced technology by educating the community on AI and risk management. The chapter included a sense of purpose in its education, by tackling social responsibility head-on with anti-human-trafficking initiatives.

The results speak for themselves—60.78% net membership growth (MPI target: 3.1%), 79.15% retention (MPI target: 73.1%), 14.07% net profit (MPI target: 1.1%), and an astonishing 503.74% in reserves (MPI target: 75.1%). MPI Atlantic Chapter didn’t just rebuild its chapter; it set a new standard for what’s possible.

Marketplace Excellence

This award recognizes an MPI chapter for developing an exceptional program (event, website, or other business exchange) for members. Chapters will have launched an innovative program that offers valuable opportunities for members to market their services.

The MPI New Jersey Chapter’s annual golf event is a key networking opportunity that connects planners and suppliers in a relaxed, outdoor setting. This annual event has evolved into a Signature Industry Favorite, fostering relationships among attendees.

In 2024, the event was enhanced through a mobile app and additional activities to attract individuals less familiar with golf. The mobile app facilitated pre-, during, and post-event connectivity, allowing attendees to interact, access information, and receive alerts. The event also introduced new non-golf activities to engage a wider clientele as well as improved sponsor communication.

These innovations came about through attendee feedback, brainstorming and collaboration. Based on chapter feedback, the organizing committee chose to focus on two main objectives: enhancing the attendee experience and creating a comprehensive event playbook for future committees. This playbook can now ensure consistency and improve efficiency each year. The event also incorporated CSR elements by supporting local organizations, including First Tee Raritan Valley and the Food Bank of Northwest New Jersey.

The event's success was evaluated through feedback, high engagement with the mobile app, and a positive attendee survey, with 81% of respondents indicating they would return. It has become the chapter’s biggest fundraiser, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, building long-term relationships and fostering growth within the meetings and event industry.

Social Impact

This award honors an MPI chapter, club, or student club for exceptional efforts in advancing social responsibility within the meeting and event industry. It recognizes a product or service initiative such as promoting inclusivity, diversifying leadership, implementing EDI training, sustainability, amplifying marginalized voices and raising awareness of human rights issues, such as human trafficking.

The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner is a longstanding annual event that brings together the meetings and events industry to support local charities selected by MPI Ottawa members. For over 25 years, this initiative has exemplified social responsibility by raising awareness and funds for organizations addressing key community challenges such as education, mental health, and food security.

In the past 15 years alone, the event has raised over $300,000, demonstrating the power of collective action in driving meaningful change. The success of the auction is made possible through the generous contributions of event professionals, suppliers, and partners who donate items and experiences, fostering a spirit of collaboration and philanthropy.

Beyond fundraising, the event is a platform for education and engagement, shedding light on important social causes while inspiring industry professionals to integrate charitable giving into their own practices. Its inclusive and innovative approach serves as a replicable model for other chapters and organizations looking to merge business events with community impact.

The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner continues to evolve, adapting to new challenges and expanding its reach to maximize its positive influence. By uniting professionals in a shared mission, it reinforces the industry’s role in driving social change, making a lasting difference both locally and beyond.