More than 450 volunteer leaders representing Meeting Professionals International’s global chapters gathered Thursday for the two-day Chapter Business Summit (CBS), the association’s annual leadership training event.
Normally a face-to-face event, the training was conducted virtually due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and attracted its largest turnout. The event usually draws around 250 chapter leaders, but all members of chapter boards including facilitators and chapter administrators were invited this year.
The format did not diminish the enthusiasm of the volunteer leaders beginning their terms July 1 among MPI’s 70 worldwide chapters and clubs. MPI is the world’s largest association of meeting industry professionals.
“When we talk about MPI, we will be doing so with one voice.”
“MPI members are in 70 different countries,” Kristi Casey Sanders, CMM, CMP, senior director of community engagement for MPI, told the chapter leaders. “But no matter where you are in the world, there are a few things that unify us. Wherever you are in your leadership journey, this next year is going to give you a masterclass in business acumen, relationship management skills and emotional intelligence that will benefit you personally and professionally.”
She challenged chapters leaders to align with MPI’s vision and mission, but “we don't expect you to activate them in a cookie-cutter way. It’s up to you, as you activate your business plan and check off the events on your calendar, how you make the experiences relevant to your local community. How do they want to learn? How can you help them innovate? What kind of opportunities for collaboration can you create? How can you inspire them to advocate on behalf of the industry?”
“If you internalize that vision and mission and customize it so that it’s meaningful and relevant to your local community of members and future members, it doesn’t matter if we speak 70 different languages—when we talk about MPI, we will be doing so with one voice.”
Steve O’Malley, chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors, and Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI, announced the recipients of the annual RISE Awards, which honor exceptional achievements by individuals and chapters
Coronavirus Resources: Podcasts, Educational Opportunities, Links and More
The day-one session, moderated by Michelle Johnson and Rick Weaver, included an opening general session entitled “After the Lockdown - Meetings & Events Post-Crisis,” led by Jessie States, CMP, CMM, director of the MPI Academy. She engaged with the attendees in a conversation on how the coronavirus crisis has changed the execution of meetings, events, conferences and trade shows, including new guidelines for social distancing, sanitization and food preparation as well as the efforts of major venues, convention centers and hotels to ensure the safety and health of guests and meeting and event participants.
After attendees participated in breakout sessions focusing on each of the leadership positions, Kevin Kirby, executive director of the MPI Foundation, gave an update followed by Van Deventer, who gave a business update on MPI finances and strategy, which have been impacted by the COVID crisis. He shared budget forecasts, new priorities, operational actions the organization had taken around strategy, long-term planning and management of operational expenses and transformation changes he has implemented in nine key areas. His presentation generated a number of discussion points given the economic impact that COVID has had on the industry, chapters and members.
The CBS concluded Friday with sessions on chapter success stories with presentations from the following people.
· MPI Toronto co-chair of the EVENT Sandra Moniz, CMP, CMM: How we dealt with uncertainties at the beginning of the outbreak and arrived at the decision to postpone our annual conference.
· MPI Southern California President Joe Martin: How we created programming that is relevant, timely and personal to our chapter members.
· MPI Belgium President Elina Jutelyte: How we used the crisis as an opportunity to build a stronger community.
· MPI Mexico President Liliana Cabrera, MPI Colombia President Sergio Vargas and Regional Director Claudia Cardona,and MPI Caribe Mexicano President Valeria Serrano: How we leveraged MPI champions in satellite cities to create new chapters and clubs throughout Latin America.
“I am continuously impressed by your resiliency and creativity.”
The attendees broke into groups for discussions in solution rooms around key chapter initiatives such as volunteer care, membership, education, communications/marketing/community engagement, finance and diversity and inclusion, and the event wrapped up with a social networking session.
“I know that the landscape doesn't look the same as it did when you signed up,” Sanders told the attendees. “The things that used to work don’t anymore. But one thing I've noticed from living in the woods … is that that when there’s a storm, anything inflexible breaks. But anything that can adapt and remain flexible survives and finds a hundred ways to thrive and become more beautiful.
“There’s been a tremendous storm battering our industry since March, but through it all, I’m proud to say that none of you broke. You’re all still here. And I am continuously impressed by your resiliency and creativity.”
Translation services were provided throughout the event.
MPI Gulf Coast’s Gwendolyn Events sponsored DJ Sohlid Gold, who led attendees through a Zoom-warmup pre-show.
MPI Atlantic-Canada’s charter member and former president Roberta Dexter provided the captioning translation service.
MPI Montreal-Quebec member and Piccles founder Chris Bent provided a breakout activity.
And incoming MPI Orlando President Sarah Soliman Daudin did a Day 1 recap video.
Presenting sponsors were Cvent and Visit Dallas.
