Column: Speaking Out

Thoughts from MPI leadership

Why Redesign the MPI Web Site?

By Rob Price

Every once in a while, you look at your company’s Web site and think, “What do I do now?” And in MPI’s case, we’ve been thinking that for a while. A year-and-a-half ago, we built and expanded the MPI Web site to make room for upcoming projects, and over time, we just kept adding and adding. The site wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t leave any room to breathe and certainly left no room to grow—in any direction. We could finally answer the “why redesign” question: our cup runneth over.

With our newest design, the space is available again and the vision is clear: build a global meetings industry community. In the latest look and feel, we are prepared for much growth and expansion in our meetings community. And we’re hoping you will help us grow the only meetings industry wiki! With MPI membership at more than 22,000 and the industry expanding worldwide, it is time for you to take the wheel. That’s right, we’re handing the keys over to the industry. Now, let me show you the ignition.

New Features

The latest enhancements to the MPI Web site are designed to give you a space in the online community. I could go on about cool graphics and user-friendly navigation, but this Web site is about you and your needs. To deliver against that statement, consider the following new developments.

• The only meetings industry wiki: A community-authored and community-edited encyclopedia of the meetings industry. If you need to find out what RFID is, this is your stop. Are you an expert on incentive travel? Write an article in the wiki.

• Personal pages: The latest online directory is easier to get to and gives you more space. You can now add your photo as well as a description of yourself and/or your business.

• Personal blogs: Want to write about your last great event or give your opinion on the state of the profession? You now have a place.

That’s Great Rob, But How Does This Help Me?

Good question. Business is all about the connections we make along the way, and these Web enhancements put you in closer contact with more than 22,000 MPI members around the world! Let’s say you have a new product. Boast about it on your personal pages, write a story for the wiki or start a blog about how your product/service will benefit your customers. The options are endless.

Consider the wiki to be your easy-access, most up-to-date industry resource. This resource is there to help you with proposals, RFPs and meetings preparation. It makes you a more savvy business person and gives you the upper hand. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

What’s Next?

Most of the immediate plans are still centered on developing the global meetings industry community. I have a long list on a whiteboard of features and improvements we’ll be working on. But I want to hear what the community thinks. I am imagining that some will grab at these new tools with great gusto and others will quietly watch and absorb. In both cases, we want to learn about the space we share and what we can do to help in your success. Tell me what you think about the new site at rprice@mpiweb.org.

ROB PRICE is MPI’s director, Web experiences.