The meeting industry will come together to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on March 30, but did you know that a day now recognized and celebrated by meeting professionals around the world began in Canada?
The first official National Meetings Industry Day was held in Canada in 1999. This followed local and regional events hosted by Canadian MPI chapters and conversations about elevating the celebration to a national level by the MPI Canadian Council—eventually leading to the first GMID in 2016.
As we get closer to GMID 2023, we’re honoring some of the MPI members in Canada who led volunteer efforts in the 1990s and understood before many others why the importance of our industry and its monetary and intrinsic value needed to be understood by governments and business.
Today, we chat with Angie Pfeifer from Meetings Mean Business Canada.
Tell us about your role (chapter or regional) in MPI Canada in the 1990s.
I became a member in 1993, and early in my MPI membership, my focus was on making new connections and learning the business. In late nineties/early 20th century, there was a committee called the Circle of Excellence through MPI, with industry-leading company meeting executives on it. I was fortunate enough to initially be invited to participate and ultimately co-chair that committee. This allowed me to meet, learn, grow and connect with key industry professionals who were meeting executives running large North American, industry-leading meeting and event teams. That opportunity exposed me to key contacts, which led to my application and participation in the inaugural North American CMM program and graduating class at MSU and subsequently to the MPI International Board of Directors, where I spent seven years on the board, executive committee and ultimately chair (2007/2008). I realized early in my career that the more you give by participating, the more you get back.
What is your role in the meeting industry today?
Serving on the Meetings Means Business Canada board advocating with the Canadian government to make it easier to do business in Canada related to meetings and events. Still leading the Event Marketing team for IGM Financial, navigating a constantly evolving industry and investing time to mentor students when the opportunity presents itself.
Can you share a fond memory about your MPI involvement from that era?
Initially watching the people I looked up to and admired on the stage as chairs of MPI and to then be a part of that group, build lifelong friendships and the learning together and trying to continue to move our industry forward. Today, many of these people continue to make a difference in our industry and are friends. When I started in this business, this was not a profession—no one knew what a meeting or event professional was—and to see the progress of our industry is recognition of this as a profession, and the talent coming into this industry makes me proud.
What was a big misconception about the meeting planning profession in the 1990s that has changed (or hasn’t changed) over the years?
Then we were viewed as party planners, today we are strategic leaders. We have made significant progress in the business world, but there is still an opportunity to do more work with the C suite to demonstrate that value we bring to helping the business achieve their goals.
Why was it a priority to you to raise awareness of our industry's importance?
I’m passionate about what we do, love what I do and am committed to demonstrating value.
How has the industry changed as a result of advocacy efforts?
Coordinated effort as an industry, stronger together than as individual groups. Seat at key tables in government and key moments in time (whether good or bad). COVID let the world know the value of face to face, the value of our industry from an economic and employment perspective. More awareness and progress.
