ST. LOUIS
Meeting Professionals International announced at its 2012 World
Education Conference a new strategic partnership with Hospitality Sales
and Marketing Association International. The arrangement will focus
first on an education exchange but could expand to other areas,
including membership, according to officials with both organizations.
The first activation of the MPI / HSMAI partnership is occurring at the conference—taking place June 29-Aug—where delegates could attend HSMAI tracks titled, “Hotel Sales Giants Talk About What’s Keeping Them Up at Night” and “Sales and Revenue Management: Managing the Relationship.”
MPI will share its expertise with attendees at the upcoming HSMAI’s MEET National planner and supplier event Sept. 5-6 in Washington, D.C. Session topics have been proposed by MPI to its members but the association is awaiting member feedback before making any decisions, according to Cindy D’Aoust, MPI COO and interim CEO.
MPI and HSMAI will identify further opportunities as the relationship progresses such as the possibility of joint membership. The agreement may not come as a surprise to some members of these associations: approximately one-third of HSMAI’s 40 national chapters already host joint events with MPI and, in fact, many chapter leaders hold top positions with both organizations, said HSMAI officials during a press conference to make the announcement.
