More than 100 guests, made up of members and non members, gathered to listen to the MPI United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter’s plans at its annual summer party, held at St. Martin-in-the-Fields earlier on September 17, an event which also marked the chapter’s 18th birthday alongside the MPI’s 40th anniversary.

“The event was a great success attended by a host of industry leaders and experts," said Samme Allen, chapter president and head of sales at Barbican. "In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight the chapter’s plans for the year ahead that will bring even greater benefits to the membership. It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the chapter’s success over the last 18 years and to thank members of the committee past and present—without their support, we wouldn’t be able to make our members successful and help them achieve their goals.

“This year is an important milestone for the chapter," she continued. "We are a community that is continually growing, and I believe 2012/2013 will be a great year for the chapter as we increase the opportunities for our members. We have listened to what our members want from their membership, and this has helped form our program going forward. We are confident that there are elements that will help everybody succeed, and I look forward to the impact they will have on their roles and as individuals.”

The many educational opportunities include corporate and agency planner forums, technology updates and CSR planner forums.

As well as education, the MPI U.K. and Ireland Chapter is building professional connections and will be hosting a variety of networking events including the popular "MPI and a Pint." The chapter hopes to organize these on a national and local level to encourage better member participation.

“MPI is about success for all," Allen said. "Being a member of a vibrant organization provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, and we want to help members achieve their goals. We are investing in quality by creating and facilitating opportunities, which raise the bar for our membership and the wider meeting and events industry. But you only get out what you put in, which is why we encourage our members to become involved in the chapter’s activities as much as possible. It was encouraging that a number of members signed up for volunteer roles within the chapter on the night as well as inquiries from non-members interested in joining MPI. It makes for a very exciting future for the chapter.”