Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) have entered into a partnership that will focus on education and collaboration at events, the two organizations announced Wednesday.
Members of NCBMP, a non-profit organization dedicated to elevating hospitality professionals, meeting planners and association executives within the meeting and tourism industry, will have access to benefits available exclusively for MPI members. This includes member rates for all MPI events and education and certification programs through the MPI Academy.
The two organizations also agreed to collaborate on education at signature events and on quarterly combined road shows.
The two organizations also agreed to collaborate on education at signature events and on quarterly combined road shows.
Jason Dunn, chair of NCBMP and group vice president of diversity sales and inclusion at the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau, says both organizations have trained and molded some of the industry’s best and brightest hospitality professionals, and the partnership gives members of both organizations the opportunity to broaden their perspectives and bandwidth.
“Collectively, we will leverage each other’s resources to better prepare our members to reflect a more equitable workforce by providing access to education despite market segments,” he says. “NCBMP and MPI are breaking barriers by providing a platform for shared experiences, best practices and empowering our members to be competitive. In short, we are equally investing in the professional development of our membership.”
MPI, the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide, is aligning with special interests within the meeting community and recently launched MPI Communities to meet the diverse needs of special interest groups within its membership such as women, the safety and security community and association planners. The strategic effort aligns special interest groups and vertical communities that connect peer-to-peer learning and networking.
“As MPI continues to expand partnerships across the globe, we remain committed to create a more diverse and inclusive membership,” says Steve O’Malley, chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors. “The partnership with NCBMP is another example of how MPI is working to personalize the experience for every member, and we look forward to this and other partnerships that support diversity.”
“As MPI continues to expand partnerships across the globe, we remain committed to create a more diverse and inclusive membership,” says Steve O’Malley, chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors. “The partnership with NCBMP is another example of how MPI is working to personalize the experience for every member, and we look forward to this and other partnerships that support diversity.”
More than 200 national organizations and corporations from various industries and market segments—including fraternal groups, civic and religious organizations and professional associations—make up the NCBMP. Among Dunn’s goals are broadening the organization strategy to include not only meeting planners, but all black professionals in the hospitality industry in its membership.
He says NCBMP considers the agreement with MPI to be groundbreaking and “speaks to the courage of both organizations.”
“The partnership is a futuristic model for equity that can reshape the landscape within our industry,” he says. “Many organizations have committees or siloed strategies, but no muscle to push it over the finish line. We have the muscle and the strategy. The face-to-face engagement creates an environment for enlightenment, thoughtful discussion and innovation. It is our hope that this model will show other organizations that we are welcoming and just as capable.”
Dunn says NCBMP is focused on empowerment and access to education for its current and prospective members.
“The partnership is rooted in authenticity and mutual alignment,” he adds. “NCBMP’s motto is ‘We do business with our friends.’ We are not a transactional organization. Relationships drive business, transactions are a byproduct of an authentic relationship. Engagement is key to the success of this partnership."
Photo credit: Ncbmp.com
