The History of MPI

1972

MPI is founded

Robert E. (Buzz) Bartow, CM, is the driving force behind the creation of Meeting Planners Institute. It is established with 159 charter members.

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1972

MPI first president

Marion N. Kershner, CM, CAE, is named first president.

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1972

Fischer

Bobby Fischer wins chess title from Boris Spassky.

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1972

MPI chartered

The state of Illinois issues charter for Meeting Planners International, Inc. (A vote on June 12, 1972 selected the official name).

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1972

Nixon

U.S. President Richard Nixon is re-elected.

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1972

I am Woman

Helen Reddy’s song "I Am Woman" causes a feminist sensation.

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1972

Military draft

U.S. military draft is abolished.

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1972

Apollo 17

Apollo 17 astronauts spend 74 hours and 59 minutes on the moon.

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1973

The Godfather

"The Godfather" wins Best Picture Oscar.

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1973

Picasso

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso dies.

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1973

Code of Conduct

MPI’s Professional Code of Conduct is established.

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1973

Vietnam War

U.S. involvement in Vietnam War ends.

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1973

Tennis match

Tennis pro Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs.

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1973

Oil embargo

Arab oil embargo causes economic troubles.

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1973

First chapter

The first MPI chapter-Rocky Mountain Area-is organized.

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1974

Daylight Savings Time

In response to oil embargo, US starts daylights savings time in January.

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1974

Streaking

Streaking becomes a worldwide fad.

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1974

First African-American President

Ralph K. Wynn, CM, becomes MPI’s first African-American president.

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1974

Meeting Management Degree

MPI helps develop a meeting management degree program at Metropolitan State College in Denver, the first of its kind in the U.S.

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1974

Kershner's New Role

Kershner is named MPI’s second executive vice president/chief executive officer.

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1974

IT&ME Participation

MPI participates in the Incentive Travel and Meeting Executives Show in Chicago for the first time.

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1974

Chapter formation

A policy and procedure manual outlining rules for chapter formation is adopted.

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1975

Margaret Thatcher

The British Conservative Party chooses it's first woman leader, Margaret Thatcher.

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1975

Member types

Two classes of members are created: Regular (Planner) and Associate (Supplier).

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1975

San Salvador

First International Board of Directors meeting held outside of the U.S. in San Salvador.

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1975

Hoffa disappears

American Teamsters union labor leader Jimmy Hoffa disappears

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1975

Mobile phones

Motorola is issued patent for first mobile phone.

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1976

MPI dues

Chapters retain $20 of the annual $75 dues.

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1976

MPI awards

Initial Planner and Supplier of the Year are named: JoAnn Benzer and Howard Feiertag, CM, CMP, CHSE, CHA, respectively.

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1976

Perfect score

Gymnast Nadia Comaneci of Romania gets seven perfect scores at the Summer Olympics in Montreal and wins three gold medals.

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1976

"Roots"

Alex Haley’s "Roots" is a best seller.

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1976

PEC-NA

First Professional Education Conference-North America (MPI Fall Conference) is held in Orlando, Florida.

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1977

Annual dues

Annual dues increase to $100.

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1977

Canada crops

Favorable weather in Canada helps produce a record wheat crop, the largest since 1966.

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1977

Sundresses

Sundresses are the hot-weather attire choice for women, making bare shoulders and backs part of the summer look.

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1977

Australia drought

Australia experiences a serious drought that sharply cuts wheat harvest.

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1977

Rocky Mountain Area

Rocky Mountain Area (was Rocky Mountain Association) Chapter is chartered.

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1977

MPI education

Three educational tracks are introduced at Annual Convention: Basic, Advanced and Associate.

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1977

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Chapter is chartered.

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1977

Southern California

Southern California Chapter is chartered.

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1977

Ohio Valley

Ohio Valley Chapter is chartered. The chapter's name is changed to Ohio.

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June 1977

Dallas/Forth Worth

Metroplex (name changed to Dallas/Fort Worth) Chapter is chartered

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1977

Chicago Area

Chicago Area Chapter is chartered

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1977

Greater New York

Greater New York Area (now named Greater New York) Chapter is chartered.

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1977

MPI library

The first MPI library is created in Denver Public Library.

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1977

Meeting in motor home

International Board of Directors meeting is held in a deluxe motor home.

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1978

Disco

Disco music sweeps the world.

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1978

Membership milestone

MPI membership tops 1,000.

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1978

South Florida

South Florida Chapter is chartered

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1978

Potomac

Potomac Chapter is chartered.

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The History of MPI

Photo credit: MPI - View on Flickr

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1974

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1982

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2015

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Feb 1972
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