Innovative Educational Programming: MPI Tennessee Chapter

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.

For its annual Connect Educational Conference and Tradeshow in 2023, with the goal to “educate through entertainment,” the MPI Tennessee Chapter” developed a faux TV network with a lineup of shows modeled after popular series to take the place of education sessions, trade shows and a luncheon under the network name “Connect TV.”

The chapter pursued overall goals of an inclusive planning process, inclusive education and giving back to the MPI Foundation. To achieve these aims, the chapter assembled a diverse planning group to ensure that Connect TV would appeal to a broad audience.

Enhancing interactivity, attendees were part of a live television studio audience with a variety of program formats to appeal to the chapter’s diverse membership, including an audience Q&A modeled after Top Chef, company pitches modeled after Shark Tank, a lunch-and-learn modeled after The Price is Right and more.

The chapter received its highest attendance numbers ever recorded by the chapter and gained unprecedented social media traction. The chapter believes its success can be replicated by other chapters and looks forward to implementing a second edition of the program in 2024.

Industry Advocate: MPI Indiana Chapter

This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club or student club for their achievements in promoting and advancing the meeting and event industry.

The MPI Indiana Chapter set three goals in concert with Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID): increase social media engagement, partner with other hospitality-related organizations or associations to create a larger and more inclusive network throughout Indiana and utilize GMID to raise awareness for the industry.

For its first goal, the chapter created a four-week social media campaign (“March Meeting Mania”) through which members could earn points by re-sharing posts, tagging organizers and inviting others to the GMID Celebration Event. The points could then be used in a raffle or other prize event held in conjunction with GMID.

To break boundaries and collaborate inclusively, the chapter also partnered with the Indianapolis chapters of the ILEA, as well as Minorities in Hospitality throughout the planning, marketing and execution of the event. Together, these organizations all shared costs and revenues regardless of the number of members from each group who attended to create an equitable experience.

The program was a success, with an in-person rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Membership Achievement: MPI Pittsburgh Chapter

This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club or student club for achievement in membership growth, engagement and retention. 

The MPI Pittsburgh Chapter implemented a series of targeted initiatives aimed at fostering substantial growth and retention within its membership base, with a particular focus on engaging both students and general members.

To bolster student involvement, the chapter established a dedicated Director of Student Engagement position on its board, ensuring focused attention on the unique needs of student members. Additionally, the chapter introduced reduced event registration rates to make professional development opportunities more accessible to students. Collaborative efforts with local universities facilitated targeted outreach, while involving students in the planning stages of significant events provided valuable hands-on experience. The introduction of the Sponsor a Student fund further encouraged professional members to financially support student engagement by covering related fees.

For general membership, the chapter implemented personalized outreach strategies. Monthly updates featuring new members were shared with the board, who then reached out to these members on LinkedIn to extend a warm welcome and foster connections.

These and other initiatives yielded impressive results, exemplified by a 28.57% year-over-year increase in membership.

Marketplace Excellence: MPI Wisconsin Chapter

This award recognizes an MPI chapter for developing an exceptional program that offers valuable opportunities for members to market their services.

Over 11 years, the MPI Wisconsin Chapter has developed its Strategic Partner Program to be so successful that its benefits have extended beyond local planners and suppliers, to other MPI chapters.

The Strategic Partner Program allows suppliers to secure several benefits in a single transaction, inclusive of advertisements in the chapter’s magazine, special recognition at chapter events, email blasts featuring news about the Partners, free attendance at events and more. A tier structure of benefits and pricing makes the program affordable to large and small supplier members and encourages their involvement by removing a registration barrier for chapter programs.

The chapter’s finance and event teams no longer need to seek funding for educational events every month and they have a robust budget for speakers and educational programs that cater to the diverse interests of attendees. The program has been so successful that the chapter has built a reserve fund.

Based on this financial stability the chapter has been able to help other MPI chapters in times providing over $10,000 in financial support. The chapter now raises more than 25 times what they did 11 years ago.