Meeting Professionals International, the premier global association community for meeting and event professionals, believes in the unequalled power of events and human connections to advance organizational objectives.

Young Professional Achievement

ABOUT THE AWARD
This award recognizes an individual 30 years of age or younger with 5 or less years professional experience that has made outstanding contributions to the meetings and events industry.

Peer Nominations are now Closed*

Eligibility
Nomination Process
Submission Deadline
Judging Process
Questions

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

Influence

• Describe the nominee’s contributions and commitment to the advancement of the meeting and events industry community.  Examples should illustrate the immediate impact to the industry including projects and initiatives the nominee has implemented and its measurable impact. 
• Describe the nominee’s ability to collaborate with other leaders, to follow when necessary, and to cultivate new leaders within his/her organization. 
• Provide examples of the nominee’s commitment to the industry including industry certification, leadership roles or other civic involvement within MPI and external industry organizations. List any honors or awards the nominee has received from industry associations, chapters and employers.

Innovation 

• Describe original projects to which the nominee has made significant contributions to further enhance the industry. 
• Demonstrate how the nominee’s enthusiasm and ideas have inspired colleagues. 
• List any honors or awards the program/project received.

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?

• 30 years of age or younger (before 31st birthday at time of nomination)
• 5 or less years of professional experience
• 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 panels 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

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 Young Professional Achievement 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.