At IMEX America 2021, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) launched MPI50, a new website where members can upload their short video tributes to help celebrate the association’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
MPI may have just launched its mpi.org/MPI50 website a week ago at IMEX America to help celebrate its upcoming 2022 50th anniversary, but the user-generated videos are already streaming in.
Some, like meeting facilitator David Kliman, The Kliman Group, provide a brief retrospective: “In just 50 short years, MPI has grown from something home-grown in a basement in Ohio to the dominant industry organization representing the strength, the boldness, the diversity and the disruption that the meetings and events industry represents today,” he said in one of the videos already on the site. Others may share a personal story, reminiscence or a testimonial to how MPI has helped personally or professionally — or both.
Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, MPI is looking to showcase your individual stories of how MPI has been there for you, as well as how you have given back to the industry through your interactions with the international association for meetings professionals.
MPI acknowledges that the path to success has not always been easy, for MPI or for the meeting and events professionals it serves, and MPI is asking members to post their own short videos outlining the trials and tribulations the profession has endured over the past five decades, as well as how MPI has helped them weather literal storms such as Hurricane Katrina, as well as upheavals and disruptions caused by everything from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the economic meltdown in the early 2000s to today’s COVID-related challenges.
MPI plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary throughout the remainder of 2021 and into 2022 with digital and in-person activations, but the big blowout will be at MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), scheduled to be held June 21–23, 2022, in San Francisco. While the details of that in-person celebration are still under wraps, the city, and its football franchise, “are excited to welcome MPI WEC back to the city in 2022,” says Stephen Revetria, president of Giants Enterprises and chair of MPI’s International Board of Directors.
In addition to launching the MPI50 website during IMEX America, MPI shot more than 70 videos on site at its booth through a partnership with Gather Voices. If you are a bit iffy about your video skills, MPI provides some helpful video self-recording tips here. Once you have it perfected, you can upload it to the MPI50 website. All videos will be reviewed by the 50th Anniversary Committee and, if approved, posted to MPI50.
Stay tuned for more details as the dates for MPI WEC 2022 draw closer.
 has launched MPI50, a new website where members can upload their short video tributes to help celebrate the association's upcoming 50th anniversary.){kind=link}