The Meeting Professionals International UK and Ireland Chapter celebrated its 18th anniversary on 24 April.
A private event for Past Presidents of the Chapter was held at the Barbican Centre, the helm of current Chapter President Samme Allen. Those attending the event included Samme Allen, Fiona Pelham, Anthony Hyde, Mandy Torrens, James Samuel, Paul Cook, Pete Brady, Caroline Windsor, Karen Walters and Caroline Hill.
Those in attendance discussed how the experience around the table benefited members and chapter leaders, toasted absent friend Vanessa Cotton and those Past Presidents unable to make the event.
To commemorate the occasion, it was agreed that the Past Presidents will become the Advisory Board for the Chapter, supporting the President, mentoring board members, developing the nominations process and support/facilitation of meetings and retreats where needed.
“The inaugural Presidents Alumni meeting on our 18th anniversary was a huge success,” said Allen. “As Chapter President, it was wonderful to be able to thank all those who have given so much to make MPI the leading meetings association in the UK and Ireland and to look for further ways to improve our member benefits with such experienced industry professionals.”
The roll call for attendees consisted of the following:
- 2011-12 Samme Allen
- 2010-11 Fiona Pelham
- 2009-10 Anthony Hyde
- 2008-09 Mandy Torrens
- 2007-08 Paul Cook
- 2006-07 Peter Haigh
- 2005-06 Pete Brady
- 2004-05 Gary England
- 2003-04 Carole McKellar
- 2002-03 Paul Kennedy
- 2001-02 Glenda Bland
- 2000-01 Karen Walters
- 1999-00 Caroline Windsor
- 1998-99 Suzanne Porton
- 1997-98 Martin Sirk
- 1996-97 Martin Sirk
- 1995-96 Vanessa Cotton
- 1994-95 Peter Haigh
- 1993-94 Peter Haigh
- 1992-93 Barry Taylor
“This group possesses a great wealth of experience to be captured and used by the current and future Boards,” said Karen Walters, Past President 2000-01 and Director at Eventful Connections. “We all look forward to getting involved with the Chapter as a group or indeed on a one to one basis with Board Members where our past experience can be best be used.”
It is also a milestone year for MPI, which is celebrating 40 years.
MPI, the meeting and event industry’s largest global community, helps members thrive by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. MPI membership is comprised of more than 24,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide.
Any conference-related news? Email sarah@mashmedia.net
