Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area Chapter Unveils 2010 Events and Initiatives

March 2, 2010 - PRLog -- CHICAGO, IL - Meeting Professionals International, Chicago Area Chapter (MPI-CAC), a professional association serving 1,300+ members, unveiled its roster of 2010 events and enhanced initiatives which focus on member care and career path support.   Recognizing that the meetings, events and hospitality sectors have been among the industries experiencing hardships due to economic challenges, the MPI-CAC leadership announced increased support in the form of professional development, networking events and other key initiatives.   New or current industry professionals, students or those who are thinking about changing careers receive a wide variety of benefits including valuable resources, tools and activities designed specifically to help them succeed.

MPI-CAC's 2010 roster of professional development and networking forums offers meeting and event professionals a variety of options to assist in career advancement.  Upcoming opportunities include:

Upcoming MPI-CAC Educational Programs
March 11   11:00am – 1:30pm Spring Education Program:  “Win/Win Contracts 2.0” |
Joshua Grimes, Esq - Managing Attorney of Grimes Law Offices, LLC & Planner – Supplier Panel | AMC River East Theater, 322 East Illinois, Chicago, IL 60611

April 8   7:00am – 9:00am Spring Knowledge Share “AV 101 and Beyond”| Hilton Northbrook, Hilton Lisle & Event Architects, Chicago

April 26   7:00am – 6:00pm Educational Conference & Awards Recognition “Get Ready to Take a LEAP!” Leadership Education and Awards Program | Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E North Water, Chicago, IL 60611

May 20   8:30am – 4:30pm   Education Program | “Strategic Value of Meetings and Events” | Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker, Chicago, IL 60601

Upcoming MPI-CAC Networking Events
March 24   5:30pm – 7:30pm   Golf Clinic and Networking Reception | TopGolf USA, 699 W. Thorndale Ave, Wood Dale, IL 60191

April 14   5:00pm – 7:00pm   Spring Networking Event | Immediately following HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings Conference Hard Rock Café, 63 W. Ontario, Chicago, IL 60654

In addition to the above events, MPI-CAC will continue to offer regularly scheduled events including: Knowledge Shares, Leadership Conference, Annual Holiday Celebration, CMP Study Groups and Student Events.

A new initiative offered by the chapter, the Subject Matter Expert (SME) Program, is designed to help chapter members connect and build relationships with each other.  The program allows members to identify and reach out to qualified experts on specific subject matters within the events industry for valuable, practical, “how to” assistance.

Further, the newly enhanced MPI-CAC Career Center includes a free forum for members to search job and internship listings and to submit resumes, while enabling organizations with a targeted audience to find candidates.

Member Care is among top priorities within MPI and its Chicago Area Chapter.  A number of helpful links and services help members stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and information – with access to member-only career management tools including:

•   MPI-CAC Professional Education Grant Program
•   MPI Foundation Scholarship Program
•   Unemployed Member Assistance Program
•   Quarterly Payment Installment Plan
•   MPI Member Referral Rewards Program
•   MPI Member Transfer Policy

Alisa Peters, CMP, CMM current president-elect of MPI-CAC and managing partner for Chicago Indoor Racing, is hopeful that the educational line-up and improved membership benefits will offer significant support to chapter members’ careers and lives.  "The professional development offerings and networking opportunities continue to grow within our chapter."  She continued, "The fact that our events continue to expand and break previous attendance records is a great testimony for the quality and results that come from belonging and getting involved in MPI-CAC.”

Prominent meeting professional within Experient, Inc. and MPI-CAC vice president of communications, Char Shada, CMP agrees with Peters, stating “The volunteer leadership within our chapter continues to develop new and improved ways to connect with each other toward career advancement.  The educational offerings and networking options are a powerful and effective combination of member benefits.”  

To learn more about the benefits of MPI-CAC membership, including access to a current event calendar and career center, visit mpicac.org or call 888-721-8908.

Meetings, Travel and Hospitality Industry Expert Resources Available for Interviews

Alisa Peters, CMP, CMM

•   President Elect at MPI | Chicago Area Chapter
•   Vice President at Chicago Indoor Racing, LLC
•   Regional Director - Meetings & Events at NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway
•   Graduate  of American University

Char Shada, CMP   
•   Vice President, Marketing & Communications at MPI | Chicago Area Chapter
•   Strategic Account Manager at Experient, Inc
•   Graduate of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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About Meeting Professionals International - and MPI-Chicago Area Chapter
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the meeting and event industry's largest and most vibrant global community. MPI global membership is comprised of more than 24,000 members belonging to 70 chapters and clubs worldwide. It serves its members by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. As the largest chapter within the 24,000+ member global Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the 1,300 member Chicago Area Chapter has connected its community of meeting and event professionals to comprehensive support, industry knowledge and business opportunities since its inception in 1976. For more information, visit mpicac.org or call 888-721-8908.