MPI Potomac is an inclusive community of meeting professionals who embrace learning, collaboration and your development.
As
MPI's leading chapter in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) we do not
take lightly the responsibility to our members, and ourselves, to continue to
grow, learn, improve, advocate and act on what is best for our chapter,
communities and industry. As part of that mission we will continue to update
this page and we would encourage you to also review the resources available on
MPI Global: It
Starts with Us!
Dear Friends,
I’m proud to share this page with you. As you can see on this page, there are loads of resources with meaningful content that you might find useful for your personal and professional life which will help all of us achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion in our culture.
In 2017, MPI Potomac was the first MPI chapter to elevate DEI from a concept to a task force to a director-level seat. The effect of that commitment is that we see all our decisions – education programs, social events, communications, board representation, industry advocacy, and more – through the lens of DEI.
There are many instances in our daily lives that continue to test our faith and intentions to create a world of fairness and respect.
As meeting professionals – organizers and designers of meetings large and small, anywhere in the world – we’ve embraced the reality that we have a voice, and we can make decisions that positively impact our participants. We can trust ourselves and our colleagues to find opportunities, whether they be sweeping or incremental, in order to make the meeting and event experience reflective of who we are as an inclusive community. Putting words into action is clearly one of the most rewarding feelings we can have.
In my remarks as the new chapter president during the Evening of the Stars in June 2022, I listed a series of qualities that I felt were important to be as chapter members. My favorite is mindfulness. To me, mindfulness is being aware of how we as individuals impact our world and our professional community. And being aware that everyone deserves to be seen and heard is a byproduct of what our nation stands for (or should stand for).
DEI, at its core, is a critical component of mindfulness because it translates to being respectful and to at least attempt to understand the world from someone else’s eyes. If we can do that, we’ll come a long way.
I encourage you to reach out to me when we’re doing things right and when we fall short, and what we can do to better uphold our desires and commitment to set a good example for our colleagues and fellow citizens.
Phil Rappoport
CEO, Virlybird
MPI Potomac President 2022-2023
American Sign Language (NIDCD)
How to Make Your Virtual Meetings and Events Accessible to the Disability Community (Rooted in Rights)
Meetings Memo: Virtual Accessibility (Associations Now)
Update Your Brand Guidelines to Include Accessibility (Design Positive)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in International Development (The New Humanitarian)
Let's Talk About Racism in Travel (The Travel Courier)
This is Why Minorities and White People Can’t Get Along in America (Eudaimonia & Co)
#EventIcons: Diversity and Inclusion in Events: Paving a Way For a Better Tomorrow
A Meetings Today: Dare to Interrupt: Inclusion is the Driver of Innovation
Eventful: Focusing on Diversity in Meetings
The Forum on Workplace Inclusion
Meeting Planners Can Help Celebrate Pride Month 2021
MPI Potomac Chapter | Podcast Episode 1
MPI Potomac Chapter | Podcast Episode 2
MPI Potomac Chapter | Podcast Episode 3
11 Must Read Books on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Edgility)
List of 12 Diversity Books Every Leader Should Know About (Business Insider)
Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Continuing the Conversations: Black Voices in Live Experiences (Bizbash)
How to find the person who can help you get ahead at work (TED Talk)
How to Outsmart Your Own Unconscious Bias (TED Talk)
Inflection Point- Is the Events Industry Motivated to Change National Coalition of Black Meetings Professionals (Smart Meetings)
MPI 2020 Rise Award - Potomac Chapter
Racism in the Workplace and Community (MPI Gulf States Coffee Connection)
Understanding Privilege – The $100 Race
Why you should not bring your authentic self to work | Jodi-Ann Burey | TEDxSeattle - YouTube
Resources for Fighting Against Human Trafficking
MPI National DE&I Homepage
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
3 Truths To Address In Diversity and Inclusion Strategies (Bold Maroon)
Companies Try a New Approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Honest Conversations (SHRM)
Diversity and Inclusion Index (Fortune Magazine)
From Inclusion to Belonging (The Meeting Professional)
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in All Areas of Business (MPI Blog)
How to Source More Inclusively for Your Next Event (Meetings Today)
Ideological Diversity in the Workplace in this Time of Social Change (Forbes Magazine)
What’s in a Name? Cognitive Bias (ATD)
Strong Diversity and Inclusion Efforts Will Help our Industry Recover (MPI Blog)
Top 6 Diversity & Inclusion Articles of 2019 (SHRM)
10 Words You Should Stop Using in the Events Industry…and Everywhere