MPI recognizes leaders whose contributions of time, financial support and resources help grow and shape the future of the meeting and event industry as Industry Champions.

These recipients earn lifetime MPI membership, and a complimentary annual membership in their name is given to a young professional.

We spoke with Ken Sanders, chief development officer for Freeman and 2018 MPI Industry Champion, about his passion for MPI and the meeting industry.

“Being passionate about something is only one part of what drives me to give back to an organization,” he says. “What really motivates me to support a cause is an organization’s ability to execute against a plan that changes the landscape of the environment they operate in. For me, changing the landscape means changing people’s lives in ways that improve the industry or field they survive in.”

Sanders says when he considered making a gift of personal time and financial resources to MPI, there really was never a doubt.

“MPI has consistently committed to investing in the improvement of our industry,” he says. “From my original membership more than 30 years ago right through the recent pandemic, MPI has been a safe harbor for not only its membership but anyone in the industry to look towards for guidance, education, career and networking support. Other organizations in our industry talk about making investments in our space, but none have done it with the fortitude or the voracity that MPI has. For these reasons, I will continue to contribute in any way I can to support this very important organization.”

Sanders says he hopes to set an example of industry leadership through volunteer actions and financial investments for others to emulate and improve upon. 

“While there is still plenty of work to be done, I believe the meeting and event industry remains resilient and the most exciting career anyone outside of a rock star could wish for!” he says.

Thank you to all of our Industry Champions: Brian Stevens (2017), Ken Sanders (2018), Dave Johnson (2018), Stephen Revetria (2019) and Ray Bloom and Carina Bauer (2020).