Throughout my career, I have witnessed how collaborations inspire, motivate and kickstart ideas, projects and organizations. Just this past month at MPI’s European Meetings and Events Conference (EMEC20) in Sevilla, Spain, I saw firsthand how communities from different backgrounds and perspectives came together to overcome obstacles and utilize creative problem-solving—all while growing personally and professionally. 

Collaboration is not only key in the workplace; it is vital in our communities. At MPI, collaborations with key industry organizations expand our reach, enabling our platform to provide innovative opportunities to our members while allowing us to build our global footprint, expand our community and amplify our advocacy voice.

Composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the Broadway hit Hamilton, certainly has experienced the impact of collaboration. “The fun for me in collaboration is, one, working with other people just makes you smarter; it’s proven,” he says.  

And it is proven at MPI. We are approaching our 19th year collaborating with our strategic partner, the IMEX Group, a global leader in the business events industry. Through collaborative delivery of cutting-edge education and programing to our shared communities, we have raised the profile of both organizations while fulfilling on our tagline, “Stronger and smarter together.”

Across the marketplace we continue to actively seek partnerships to benefit our community; just in the past few months we developed some significant collaborations that will be fundamental to our growth and sustainability. We recently announced a collaboration with the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) that will provide both organizations with unique and unparalleled educational experiences. And as we remain committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive membership, just last month we announced a collaboration with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP). The partnership with NCBMP, as well as our educational partnership recently launched with the International Live Events Association (ILEA), is an example of how MPI is working to personalize the experience for every member. 

MPI is committed to providing endless opportunities to our members, volunteers and chapter leaders, while providing the platform to personalize your experience to meet your particular priorities and engage with our diverse community. Please reach out to me about any ideas you have on collaborations that can strengthen our community and our industry, because when we meet, we change the world.

Paul Van Deventer
MPI President and CEO
pvandeventer@mpiweb.org
Follow me on Twitter @MPICEOPaul