Strategic Plan

• Knowledge/Ideas
• Relationships
• Marketplaces

Basic data
Name of Chapter: Meeting Professionals International (MPI) OHIO Chapter
Status: MPI Ohio
Head Office: MPI Headquarters, Dallas, Texas, USA

Brief history of the Chapter and Current Status
The Ohio MPI Chapter was chartered on June 22, 1977.  The current member retention rate is 70.67% as of May 31, 2010  We have created three additional board positions and are currently seeking individuals who qualify to fill these positions.  Out of the current 17 board positions, 13 positions are current board members and the remainder will be new.

Our Chapter resources consist of funding, time & talent of our volunteers and MPI resources.

Funding: The Ohio Chapter has a projected income of $98,117.00.  The Ohio Chapter is sound financially and holds reserves.

Time & talent: Our chapter has an average of 30 executive volunteers, who, in total, can devote 1-2 hours per week to our Chapter. Next to the volunteers we have additional talent in our chapter that we can utilize, by engaging other members in committee activities. In this way we will be able to have 1-2 hours per week devoted to our Chapter in addition to the above mentioned number of hours.  Additionally, we have approximately 100 volunteers that work annually giving of their time and talent in a variety of ways at a more minimal commitment. 

MPI Resources: Our chapter will make full use of the tools and assistance provided by headquarters, especially:

• Platinum Program
• Grant
• WEC 
• Chapter Reports
• Chapter Demographics Report
• Webinars
• Chapter Leadership
• Membership awareness – announce tools available to our membership
• Member discounts and Scholarship opportunities

Monitoring and Evaluation Tools: To ensure that we accomplish our plans and remain committed to our objectives, we will:

• Monitor our progress against the new chapter business metrics on a bi-monthly basis
• Review our business plan at each board meeting to ensure progress against our objectives and action items- Committee reports
• Review our budget at each board meeting
• Perform a chapter needs assessment on an annual basis
• Create round table and forum opportunities for members to share thoughts and opinions

The Industry
We have seen stabilization in the job market within most cities in Ohio.  Based on the last several years and the decline as well as the new supplier rate increase the results are a lower number of members who can afford memberships.  Many companies are not picking up the membership dues and many members cannot afford to pay for it themselves.  Jobs are still hard to come by and the industry is still slow to recover.  The new supplier rate structure has proven to be of large concern for our members.

Our chapter is particularly affected by: The rate increase for supplier members.

The Local Industry
Our chapter is particularly affected by the slow return of the economy and the new rate structure changes. 

Market Analyses
Based on the geographic challenges within our Chapter we have listed each area below and the opportunities we see in these areas.

Cincinnati has been combined with Dayton in our marketing efforts.  Cincinnati has a strong number of members who participate as volunteers and board members and we have a large amount of participation in educational events.  Dayton has seen a downturn due to the economic environment and many large corporations have moved out of the area.  We do not see a lot of support from the suppliers in this area and budgets are tight.

The Ohio Chapter is focusing attention on the Toledo/Sandusky area to increase awareness and offer educational opportunities.  This area has not been focused on, nor has MPI Ohio Chapter ever held any educational, networking, or membership drives in these areas. 

Cleveland used to be very active within the Ohio Chapter.  This year we have continued to see a decline and we are currently seeking to engage some of the long standing members who were actively involved.  The Ohio chapter will continue to place educational and networking opportunities in this area.  Cleveland has seen some major layoffs within the job market.  The focus will be on the entire area of Cleveland as well as the surrounding areas such as Canton, Akron, and Youngstown.

Columbus continues to be strong with membership.  There is growth in the city although Columbus has felt the effects of the economy.  With Columbus being the capital city we still see hotels being built, the downtown being revitalized, and job creation.  The opening of the new downtown hotel will hopefully bring opportunities for new growth in the area.

Competitor Analyses
ISES – This group continues to struggle with membership but is extremely competitive with their pricing.  Many of their events are based around networking and don’t contain a lot of education. 

PCMA –  A small group but with some growth over the last year.  They do offer valuable education, but there meetings are spread throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  This makes it challenging for their membership to attend all meetings.  They have a talented team of people on their board and bring a lot to the organization.  We have found that members looking for a more intimate experience and more “hands on” networking find this group to be a good place to spend their time and resources.  Specifically suppliers can also reach out to multiple states in one meeting.

OSAE -  Well attended meetings with affordable prices.  Many of their committee members are talented.  Association market seems to be the stronger market within the economic downturn and most meetings are well attended.  Many suppliers are attending/joining this group. 

Competitive Advantages

• Chapter meetings offer content that directly impact suppliers and planners
• CMP Study group and Boot Camp
• REACH programs that are offered at different times of the day for those who can’t attend a Chapter luncheon meeting.  Programs are geared around each city and what might be happening in that city and are marketed to specific members in specific areas.
• Competitive pricing for events
• Networking opportunities – which include a full hour prior to the start of all chapter meetings
• Scholarship opportunities
• MAC program

Metric 1 Net Member Growth

Meet = -10% or 251
Exceed = -5% or 265   Net Member Growth

Metric 2 Engagement/Participation 
 
5 % Increase in chapter program participation of planners
5 % Increase Volunteers Engagement
Implement one educational training program specific to

Metric 3 Membership Satisfaction

1  % Increase on annual member care survey (conducted by MPI HQ) results
25 % of membership Completion (up form 22% in 2010)
3  % Increase on chapter member needs assessment

Metric 4 Chapter Financial Management
 
Meet = 0%
Exceed = .05%

Membership Action Plan