Thanks to the first series of grants flowing from the MPI Foundation Canada, educational grants to…
Thanks to the first series of grants flowing from the MPI Foundation Canada, educational grants to meetings industry events, direct support to Meeting Professionals International`s (MPI) chapters, and a groundbreaking study of the economic impact of meetings and events are all under way.
At its inaugural meetings in late August and early November, the MPI Foundation`s Board of Trustees voted for funds to support the following programs:
- Educational programming at Go WEST, a regional meetings industry conference, held Nov. 4-6, 2005 in Winnipeg, Manitoba
- A Canada-wide series of local panel discussions to mark National Meetings Industry Day 2006, focusing on the industry`s economic impact at the local, regional, and national levels
- A two-day industry summit in Halifax in December, to support local interest in establishing an MPI chapter in Canada`s Atlantic provinces
- A standard package of exhibition booth banners for MPI`s seven Canadian chapters, designed to deliver a consistent brand message across the country. By underwriting the cost of the banners and consolidating seven purchases into one, MPI is freeing up local funds that small chapters, in particular, will now be able to invest in professional development and member care
In early December, a Foundation task force will meet in Toronto to begin the groundwork for a long-awaited economic impact study that will measure the jobs and economic multipliers the meetings industry creates, the tax revenue it generates, and the other powerful benefits that meeting professionals deliver to their communities.
We`re still months away from concluding our FOCUS CANADA 2006 capital campaign, but we didn`t think these investments could wait, said MPI Foundation Canada Chair Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM. We`re here to deliver made-in-Canada results to meeting professionals, and we`re thrilled that the process is already beginning. This is an incredibly exciting time to be involved with MPI in Canada.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
