MPI announced a formal three-year extension and expanded community offerings with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) through 2026.
In October 2020, the partnership was focused primarily on a joint membership offering. In total, 53 members across both organizations have taken advantage of the opportunity to be a part of both MPI and NCBMP.
The updated partnership, extending through 2026, includes ongoing renewals available for the two organizations to continue collaboration with an emphasis on industry education efforts through shared virtual learning and in-person sessions at each of their annual signature event days. These include MPI’s World Education Congress, Global Meetings Industry Day and NCBMP’s Annual Conference.
"Our relationship with NCBMP has been special from the start," said MPI CEO Paul Van Deventer. "We have collaborated exceptionally well over the past three years and our collective communities, which are the focal point of our efforts, have been the beneficiaries. We're thrilled to expand these benefits to the global meetings and events industry."
The expanded and extended agreement highlights specifics including:
- Visible organizational engagement and collaboration, with reciprocal participation by NCBMP and MPI volunteer leaders to serve on committees or in a related capacity.
- Creation of education and programming through the MPI Academy, including four virtual sessions co-hosted by MPI and NCBMP.
- Education sessions and networking opportunities at each organization’s signature events, mentioned above.
- Collaboration on anti-human trafficking education for the industry.
- Collaboration with the MPI Foundation to promote grants and scholarships.
"When these talks were first initiated, both of our organizations saw incredible potential in this partnership," said Jason Dunn, executive director of NCBMP. "Three years later, we recognized the reality of that potential, and this purposeful expansion feels organic to what the industry and our community needs from both of our organizations and associations in general. We believe in building authentic relationships. The future is bright.”
This information is based on a press release from MPI.
