MPI Launches Two New Educational Programs to Position Meetings and Events as Key to Confronting Economic Challenges

DALLAS, TX (April 16, 2009) – Meeting Professionals International (MPI) today announced two new educational programs that will help guide industry professionals through this challenging time to create powerful opportunities for our profession. An unprecedented amount of high level, critical information will be made available to a global audience through the two programs: No Turning Back: A Revolution in the Meetings Industry and The MPI Meetings Matter Webinar Series.

“In these tough times it is imperative that the strategic business value of meetings and events be understood as part of an organization’s economic recovery plan, and these programs are a great step in the right direction,” said Bruce MacMillan, president and CEO of MPI. “We are arming our industry with the education, skills, and tools they need to transcend the turmoil and lead the resurgence.”

No Turning Back: A Revolution in the Meetings Industry is a three part educational series that will clearly explain the four key elements of strategic value for meetings and events: Portfolio Management, Meeting Design, Measurement, and Advanced Logistics. Recent economic challenges have created the opportunity for a tipping point in the industry, and meeting professionals must be prepared to improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of their investment in meetings and events. Led by key industry experts, Mary Boone of Boone Associates, Jack Phillips of The ROI Institute, and Susan Radojevic of The Peregrine Agency, the No Turning Back program begins with an in depth webinar on April 21^st based on Mary Boone’s briefing paper, The Case for Meetings. The webinar will be followed by a half-day workshop at the July 11-14^th World Education Congress in Salt Lake, and conclude with a wrap-up webinar on August 26^th.

The MPI Meetings Matter Webinar Series is an eight part educational program held once a week, beginning at the end of April and running through June. Through each webinar, MPI will offer real life solutions to issues that are confronting today’s industry professional. To date, this is the largest, most comprehensive, content focused webinar series MPI has launched.

Topics covered are as follows:

· Telling Our Story: Economic Impact Data and the Attack on Meetings

· Lay-offs, Cutbacks and Closing Down: What are you Doing to Make a Difference?

· Don’t Let TARP Cover You Up – Surviving Tough Economic Times

· Your Role In Corporate Strategy: Integrating & Aligning Event Goals

· Managing Transitions

· You Can Do This! Turning Lemons into Lemonade

· Survival Strategies for Suppliers

· Show Me the Money (or, Show Me the Value): Enhancing and Communicating the Value of your Meetings

Committed to the growth and sustainability of the industry, all speakers are donating their time and expertise to both these programs. Additionally, MPI will provide them free of charge to MPI members as well as other interested industry participants.

To find out more information, please visit www.mpiweb.org.