Following the announcement last month that the partnership between MPI and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) has been expanded and extended, we reached out to Jason Dunn Sr., NCBMP executive director, for some additional insight of the cooperation between the two organizations and thoughts on the future.
The NCBMP-MPI partnership began three years ago and has now grown. Can you share some of what was behind your organization’s interest in not only maintaining the relationship with MPI but expanding upon it?
Dunn: Our partnership with MPI was created in 2020, pre-George Floyd. In 2020, the organization’s focus was on building a stronger educational footprint that both organizations could mutually benefit from. When [the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic] hit, I think the entire industry realized that we all were all interdependent and needed each other to survive. It was not lost on us that collaboration is wise and the more people that we work with, [it] strengthens our collective belief that tourism empowers communities. We do business with our friends and facing [the pandemic] brought us all together and forced us to leave our silos.
Why do you think the NCBMP-MPI partnership works?
Dunn: I think it works for two reasons—it’s rooted in authenticity with a collective purpose and it makes good business sense.
How does the MPI partnership differ from other NCBMP partnerships?
Dunn: One thing that stands out is the advocacy of anti-human trafficking polices. We know that women of color are disproportionately impacted. Our partnership can help bring awareness to this issue and move the needle.
Are there ways in which you’d potentially like to grow this partnership even more in the future?
Dunn: All of the MICE organizations will have to increase their footprint abroad to survive. As NCBMP/MPI expands its base, international infrastructure will be paramount in our relevancy. Our partnership could be the catalysts to calculated and authentic international growth. So. to be clear, there are a couple things:
- Grow and expand international infrastructure
- Collectively leverage advocacy efforts that impact both memberships
- Strengthen resources that empower our memberships
With Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) and this year’s World Education Congress (WEC23) both on the horizon, does the NCBMP have anything in store related to either of those events that you’d like to share?
Dunn: Our GMID event will be centered around the question, “Are DEI efforts working?” The goal is to really step back and converse about what seems to be an industry relay. Meaning, that it appears that every organization is attempting to publicly tout their new initiatives, but they aren’t substantive. We hope to garner honest feedback and help create change.
The NCBMP’s 40th anniversary is this year—congratulations! How will your team be celebrating/honoring that achievement?
Dunn: Throughout the year we have many exciting activations planned, leading up to our 40th Annual Conference in Atlanta, Dec. 6-9. We invite you to follow us on LinkedIn, to stay in the loop. Additionally, the last two of our founders will be in attendance and we plan to show them our appreciation. Our team would really like to celebrate with the entire industry in Atlanta and show you why NCBMP is so special to us.
Hear more from Jason Dunn in an exclusive video as he speaks to the value of partnerships and authentic collaboration as a driving force that has the power to evolve our thinking so that together we can lead in the recovery of our industry and country.
