I recently attended the European Chapter Leader’s Forum (ECLF) in connection with IBTM in Barcelona, and it once again consolidated the support I enjoy from my extended MPI family.
Getting together with chapter leaders and members from all over Europe really gives me an energy boost that I need in an otherwise busy event life.
Because MPI is all about relations! It is about creating and nurturing relations with likeminded meeting professionals. And nurturing is key, because when we know each other and understand each other’s role in the industry, it is easier to get in touch about future collaboration, quotes, help and so on. And at ECLF I had the perfect chance to meet new and well-known MPI friends – to both create and nurture relations.
Do you nurture your relations?
I once heard someone compare an MPI membership to a gym membership, and that is the perfect comparison: You get out of it what you put into it! I have to say, though, that we laugh a lot more in MPI than at the gym. By the way, thank you for the great metaphor, whoever came up with these wise words!
So, how do you get more opportunities to create new relations or meet new industry colleagues? Here are a few suggestions:
- Attend MPI events, both locally and internationally. MPI events are the perfect setting for interacting with fellow members and industry professionals, and there is always something to talk about. If you haven’t yet, I strongly recommend you attend one of the international events like World Education Congress (WEC) or European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC). These events have been a real eye-opener for me and expanded my network beyond belief. Add to that the educational opportunities and I dare you to find a reason not to attend.
- Make use of the endless number of online opportunities you can find on MPI.org. Webinars, magazines and research might not be a ‘relation maker’ at first sight, but it will expand your knowledge and give you something to talk to other members about at the next MPI event. And who doesn’t want to become wiser?
- Volunteer with a chapter or committee to really get to know people, expand your knowledge and develop yourself. It is a fantastic opportunity to try yourself out in a role you have always dreamed of taking on: Want to be in charge of communication? Volunteer with MPI. Want to chair a committee? Volunteer with MPI. The hours you spent on volunteering will come back to you in the form of relations, experience and confidence. I highly recommend you try it.
Make a difference
Together, we can make a difference in the industry, but we need to get to know each other better as to use each other’s strengths to the benefit of all of us.
So, go out there. Get to know new people and build on existing relationships to get out of your membership what you put in it. And remember: When we meet, we change the World!
