S3 E5 Podcast: Leveraging Your MPI Membership and Maximizing Engagement

The conversation discusses the member benefits of Meetings Professional International and the MPI Potomac Chapter. Guest speakers, Cheri L. Fairchild and Cammie Cisik, share their perspectives as a seasoned professional and a newcomer, respectively. They highlight the importance of community, connections, and mentorship in MPI. The conversation also touches on the role of MPI in supporting professional development and the various initiatives and programs introduced to address the changing needs of event professionals. The speakers emphasize the value of volunteering, maximizing engagement, and leveraging membership for career advancement and network building. They also discussed how MPI makes newcomers feel comfortable through its welcoming and inclusive environment. The discussion concludes with examples of past and upcoming events that exemplify the value of MPI and its appeal to both newcomers and seasoned professionals.    Guest Speakers: Cheri L. Fairchild, CMP, MPI Potomac Chapter President, 2024 and Cameron “Cammie” Cisik, new MPI Potomac member Moderator/Host: Malene S. Ward, CMP, CEM, DES, Founder - Phoenix Planning Group Recording Engineer: Chip Dizard, Photographer/Videographer - Chip Dizárd Studios   Takeaways Being part of MPI and the MPI Potomac Chapter provides a strong community and valuable connections in the event industry. Volunteering is a great way to maximize engagement and leverage membership for career advancement. MPI supports professional development through initiatives like the CMP program and hybrid education events. MPI creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for newcomers, making them feel comfortable and facilitating networking opportunities. MPI offers a range of benefits and opportunities for both newcomers and seasoned professionals, including learning opportunities, mentorship, and networking events.    Chapters  00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:44 What MPI Potomac Represents and Motivation to Join 03:55 The Impact and Benefits of MPI 06:46 Dual Membership and Affiliate Membership 09:06 Supporting Professional Development in MPI 12:21 Maximizing Engagement and Leveraging Membership 15:40 Benefits and Opportunities for Newcomers and Seasoned Professionals 20:30 Making Newcomers Feel Comfortable in MPI 23:07 Experiences that Exemplify the Value of MPI 25:28 Conclusion