MPI Changes Membership Categories

Staff -- Tradeshow Week, 7/10/2006

In an effort to better reflect the current status of those it serves, Meeting Professionals Intl. is changing the way it defines various member categories. While previously satisfied with simply distinguishing between planners and suppliers, beginning Sept. 15 the organization will now recognize that there are different needs for those involved, for instance, in corporate meeting planning as opposed to those who work for government or nonprofit groups.

MPI will continue to have student, faculty, retired, life and honorary members, and the dues structure will remain the same.

According to MPI Communications Director Audra London, the new categories are more reflective of the growth and development of the meetings and events industry.

She added that MPI will further refine the kinds of resources it can make available to members.

The decision to segment the categories of membership into more specific groupings is reflective of where MPI's membership is today, said Christine Duffy, chairwoman of the MPI international board.

The new categories are corporate meeting professional, association/non-profit meeting professional, government meeting professional, supplier meeting professional and meeting management professional.