Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has announced a strategic alliance with SAACI to help create the MPI Southern Africa Chapter. This is the first chapter for MPI on the African continent and reinforces MPI’s commitment to its ambitious global strategy to support the organization’s new vision of building a rich global meetings industry community. The key objectives include developing the community on an international level while expanding its activities into new buoyant geographical zones.

Bruce MacMillan, MPI President and CEO said, “Through our alliance we not only wish to help elevate the South African industry’s access to knowledge and best practices but also to connect our 23,000 community members to the remarkable experiences that make South Africa a unique global meeting and event destination.”

SAACI National Chairman, Thomas Overbeck says the alliance with MPI will allow SAACI to generate new ideas, inspire innovative thinking, and share knowledge and skills on a global platform. “For SAACI members this means that a new door is opening on excellent educational and business opportunities that will broaden the horizons of all our industry players.”

Angeline Lue, General Manager, Business Tourism at South African Tourism congratulated both bodies. “A global alliance of this nature opens up wonderful opportunities for further professionalisation and knowledge exchange for the South African industry. In addition, our industry associations are now able to realistically benchmark themselves with their counterparts around the world.”

Of special benefit, she said, is the fact that SAACI members now have access to a global network of industry specialists who are at the forefront of driving professionalisation and recognition of the meetings industry.

Every SAACI member (planner and supplier) will have an opportunity to become a member of the MPI Southern Africa Chapter. The members deciding to join will remain SAACI members with all the local benefits, but will also be able to join the international network of MPI, benefiting from all the additional benefits.

MPI Southern Africa will focus on the elevating the educational experience and the international opportunities while SAACI will support the delivery of local education, accreditation, the advocacy and the national agenda.