“The difference between diversity and inclusion is being invited to a house and being able to rearrange the furniture.” – Jane Silber, American business executive
It’s important that MPI and the meeting industry at large encourage our vastly diverse community of professionals to lead the way by fostering inclusivity and building it into the makeup of what makes our industry so incredible. Did you realize that nearly 80 percent of our chapter leaders are women? Over the years, MPI has done a lot to empower women and ensure there’s a seat at the table, yet there’s more work to be done—not just for women, but for all who are traditionally under-served or under-represented. Ensuring equality, embracing differences and listening to varied voices results in a room layout, if you will, that is, at its very heart, inclusive—but more importantly, this is simply the right human thing to do.
When talking about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and using words such as “efforts” or “initiatives,” it can feel, on first blush, as though this is something special, but perhaps temporary. That’s partly a limitation of language, but it also reflects a historical lack of welcoming DEI across many industries and cultures—a relic of outdated, often discriminatory mindsets. DEI should not manifest as a unique, short-term buzzword—and must not be window dressing; it must be genuinely integrated into the essence of our organization and business. Embracing DEI must be embedded in your ethos and become an essential component of our association’s DNA.
Sometimes the best way to get a seat at the table is to rearrange the furniture and just pull up a chair.
MPI has been a leader on diversity and inclusion issues for years, but moving from “efforts” and “initiatives” to hardwired ethos and an expanded focus on equality isn’t something that’s accomplished overnight.
Last year, we launched the Equality & Justice Resource page, a collection of original podcasts, articles, videos and resources providing best practices and helping inform meeting professionals about these important issues and what we can each do to advance inclusion within our organizations and at our events. (If you’re interested in advancing inclusion, consider joining MPI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee when applications open later this year.)
The more our chapters and committees align with MPI Global efforts, the more aligned MPI and the industry at large can become and, here’s the key, the more inclusive the meeting and event industry will be.
Sometimes the best way to get a seat at the table is to rearrange the furniture and just pull up a chair.
Paul Van Deventer
MPI President and CEO
pvandeventer@mpi.org
Follow me on Twitter @MPICEOPaul
