The MPI Foundation has launched its most ambitious fundraising effort with Envision 2003, a capital campaign to raise funds to…
The MPI Foundation has launched its most ambitious fundraising effort with Envision 2003, a capital campaign to raise funds to support research to advance the science of meeting planning, enhance Meeting Professionals International (MPI) programs and initiatives, and support future operational needs of the MPI Foundation.
Kicked off at MPI`s 2003 Professional Education Conference-North America, Envision 2003 has a minimum fundraising goal of $3 million and a challenge goal of $4 million. Hilton Hotels Corporation is providing leadership support with Dieter Huckestein, the company`s executive vice president as well as president of owned and managed hotel operations, serving as the Envision 2003 campaign chairman.
This campaign is a great opportunity for meeting planners and suppliers to work together as a team for the betterment of the industry, said Huckestein. In these challenging economic times, when meeting professionals must prove their strategic value, we need to rely more on MPI programs and services to help advance us professionally.
David DuBois, CMP, CAE, executive vice president of the MPI Foundation added, Envision 2003 will continue the visionary work of the MPI Foundation and its mission to prepare meeting professionals for the future and provide innovative solutions to 21st century problems in the meeting industry.
The capital campaign will support MPI`s strategic plan which will guide the future of the association, as well as the redevelopment and relaunch of MPI`s Communities of Interest, a Web-based networking forum. New programs that the campaign could fund include the Meeting Industry Knowledge Exchange, a virtual library designed to document and share best practices and trend data; career pathing and mentoring, expansion of networking and marketplace opportunities at MPI and industry-wide events, and a Leadership Institute designed to engage meeting professionals in the local, state, national and international arenas.
Campaign giving options include traditional or multi-year commitments that are structured in the most convenient format for the donor, and a sustaining donor program which requests a minimum gift of $25,000 in one calendar year. In addition to Hilton, major donors to date include Six Continents, Audio Visual Services Corporation and MPI.
Leading Envision 2003 is a steering committee including representatives from all segments of the meeting industry:
- Steve Armitage, Hilton Hotels Corporation
- Mike Beardsley, Marriott International Inc.
- Bonnie Carlson, Bloomington CVB
- Joe Di Girolamo, Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority
- David DuBois, CMP, CAE, MPI Foundation
- Mike Fegley, Six Continents Hotels
- David Gabri, Tishman Hotel Corporation
- Peter Haigh, UK, ACCOR Group
- Bruce Harris, Conferon
- Dieter Huckestein, Hilton Hotels Corporation (Campaign Chairman)
- Carol Krugman, CMP, CMM, Krugman Group International
- Steve Moore, Greater Phoenix CVB
- Nancy Morrell-Swanson, Global Marketing Services (MPI Foundation Board of Trustees Chair)
- Amanda Moses, Sprint
- Alan Pini, CMM, Teknocongress
- Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM, Maritz Canada, Inc.
- Jeffrey W. Rasco, CMP, Attendee Management, Inc.
- Glenn Reighart, CAE, CMM, CMP, The National Association of School
Psychologists - Jeff Singsaas, Microsoft
- Mark Sirangelo, AS&B Inc., FilmWorks Corporation
- Tom Smith, Health Net
- Charlotte St. Martin, Loews Hotels
- Brian Stevens, Conference Direct
- John Tolbert, Boca Raton Resorts & Club
- Michael Uhl, Park Place Entertainment
The MPI Foundation has retained New York-based Community Counseling Services (CCS), an international fundraising firm specializing in nonprofits and associations, to coordinate the campaign. To make a donation, or for more information, visit www.mpifoundation.org
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
