LAS VEGAS — Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has partnered with the National Multicultural Tourism Council (NMTC) to form the MPI Multicultural Initiative program, which will address the needs of and provide leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups in the meetings industry.
This partnership will combine MPI’s global reach in the meetings industry with NMTC’s expertise in addressing the unique needs of diverse individuals. The program will not only introduce new members to MPI and the meeting profession, but will remove barriers that may prevent professional advancement within the meeting industry.
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“Although MPI has one of the largest and most diverse memberships of any meeting industry association including a unique blend of different cultural backgrounds on our Executive Committee, our demographic data reflect that diverse individuals are only representative of a small percentage of our 19,000 members. We not only see an opportunity for industry enlightenment, but also for tremendous membership growth as an association,” said Edwin L. Griffin Jr., CAE, MPI president/CEO.
Hattie Hill, one of the most notable African-American motivational speakers, has been appointed chair of MPI’s advisory committee. Additional committee members will be appointed in the coming months, MPI said.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop this program with MPI. We view this diversity initiative as one of the most significant undertakings of the meeting industry because of the potential to influence and elevate the careers of meeting professionals around the world,” said Ramona Riscoe, NTMC board chairwoman.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts has provided initial sponsorship for the program. According to George Aguel, senior vice president for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and 2002-2003 chair-elect for MPI,
The program will begin with research, when a co-sponsor is named, to determine key issues and avenues for success, including identifying industry segments and companies offering the best opportunities for multicultural groups; ascertaining the professional ingredients that propel such groups into high-level positions; and analyzing current versus desired skill sets required for advancement.
Based on research results, MPI will create an educational program primarily combining existing MPI programs with targeted, specialized goals that will help meetings professionals of diverse backgrounds prepare themselves for growth in the industry. MPI also will develop educational and role model mentoring programs as well as training and networking opportunities which will be implemented at industry conferences, seminars and events.
