Meeting Industry Leadership

2011 recipient Maarten Vanneste, CMM

ABOUT THE AWARD
This award honors those rare individuals who by visionary hard work and creative insight have positively changed the global meetings and events industry community.  It recognizes sustained commitment ans substantial contributions to the meetings and events industry.  This award elevates the accomplishments of these individuals and inspires others to learn from their example.

Peer Nominations are now Closed*

Eligibility
Nomination Process
Submission Deadline
Judging Process
Questions

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

Influence

• Describe the nominee’s overall contributions and commitment to the advancement of the global meeting and events industry community.  Outline how the nominee has promoted the profession and why he/she is considered an industry leader.
• Give a statement on a particular issue that the nominee has been most passionate about in his/her career or an issue he/she has championed in his/her various roles.  Share examples of his/her work on this issue throughout the nominee’s career.  Examples should illustrate commitment to the industry, projects and communications the nominee has implemented, and the measurable impact. 
• List leadership positions held within MPI and other industry organizations including international and chapter committee participation.
• List any honors or awards the nominee has received from industry associations, chapters and employers. 

Innovation 

• Describe the original projects and programs that the nominee created to further enhance the industry.  The programs should be applicable to the audience and industry. 
• List any honors or awards the nominee or program received as a result of these contributions.

Transferability

• Describe the nominee's impact across boundaries.  Achievements should have a global reach. 
• Explain how programs implemented by the nominee can be used by others.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  •  Not limited to MPI members
  • Anyone holding a current or recent leadership role in the last three (3) years with MPI is not eligible.  Leadership role is defined as MPI Board of Directors, MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees, or Chapter President.  Members of judging panel are also not eligible.

WHAT SHOULD THE NOMINATION INCLUDE?

  • Nominated by peer individuals, communities or organizations
  • Specifically articulated achievements and/or contributions 
  • Impact must be documented in measurable terms 
  • Achievements must be validated by at least three recommendations by individuals or organizations and these recommendations should specifically speak to the nominee's industry impact

HOW DO I NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL?
The nomination process is electronic.

  •  Step One: Complete the online peer nomination form. Explain how the nominee meets the criteria. The peer nomination form will serve as a letter of recommendation. The nomination form will be submitted to MPI Headquarters.
  • Step Two: In January, MPI will contact the nominee and request an application be completed. This is an opportunity for the individual to provide more details of the achievements and provide two additional letters of recommendation. 
  • Step Three: Nominated individual must submit the completed application, release statement, two letters of recommendation (cannot be from MPI staff) and documentation explaining how the he/she meets the criteria. All items must be received prior to the application deadline.

*WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
The online nomination must have been received by MPI no later than December 16, 2011.  

No hard copy submissions will be accepted.  No late or partial entries will be accepted. 

WHAT IS THE JUDGING PROCESS?

Applications and the letters of recommendation will undergo a round of judging. The judges are an international group of volunteers representing a range of professions and expertise. Applications are collected by MPI and reviewed for completion and compliance. Any nominations that require further review will be considered by the Chair of the judging panel.

Judges review and score all qualified entries. Finalists are submitted to the MPI Executive Committee for review.

WHEN WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED?

The winner of the Meeting Industry Leadership award will be selected and notified April/May 2012. The presentation of the award is July 2012 at MPI’s World Education Congress in St. Louis, Missouri.

WHO DO I CALL WITH QUESTIONS?
Please contact Janice Parker at jparker@mpiweb.org or 972-702-3048 with any questions.