A discussion about 2023 goals and impactful experiences with Thijs Peters, chair of the MPI European Advisory Council, and Antonio Ducceschi, chair of the MPI Foundation’s EMEA Council.
Thijs Peters, director of sales and marketing for Postillion Hotels, joined MPI in 2016.
When did you become chair of MPI European Advisory Council (EAC)?
I became chair of the EAC at the beginning of 2023.
What was your motivation for joining the European Advisory Council?
I was president of the MPI Netherlands Chapter and wanted to stay involved in MPI in a leadership role. I believe in the power of a strong association, and the momentum to grow MPI is now. For this we need a strong Europe.
What are the European Advisory Council’s primary goals for this year?
The primary goals are growth, European initiatives on marketing and partnerships.
Describe the most impactful moment you’ve experienced while being on the European Council.
The European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC)! This shows that MPI is very much alive. It is the largest meeting association in Europe with ample possibilities to grow. EMEC is the showcase event, and it was good to be there!
Antonio Ducceschi, CMM, CHBA, chief commercial officer for Starhotels Group, joined MPI in 1994
When did you become chair of the MPI Foundation’s EMEA Council?
I have been on the Global Board of Trustees since 2021 and became chair in 2022.
What was your motivation for joining the MPI Foundation?
I have been an MPI member for many years and this organization has meant a lot to me both personally and professionally.
When the opportunity came to serve the Foundation, I thought it was a great way to give back and particularly support young industry professionals to stay engaged and improve their skills, knowledge and networks through the great scholarship programs that the Foundation has to offer.
What MPI Foundation initiatives have you participated in so far?
Providing unique auction items for WEC, IMEX and other local chapter events was the quickest way to raise money as well as local fundraising events like the Movie Charity Auction organized by the MPI Italia Chapter every year during the Venice Fil Festival.
Those donations go primarily against scholarship programs for students or young professionals to both pay their membership and attend key industry events and MPI conferences.
What are the MPI Foundation’s primary goals for this year?
One of the goals is to get all chapters to activate the Chapter Contribution program that will enable chapters to donate to the Foundation on a regular basis either through a kickback of a percentage of the sponsorship funds or a fixed fee given back to the Foundation for every event registration.
Yet we will ask every chapter in the EMEA to organize at least one fundraising event during the year.
The MPI EMEA Council members are asked to provide unique action experiences/items for the various silent auctions that MPI organizes during the year.
Describe the most impactful moment you’ve experienced while volunteering for the Foundation?
Last year, following the start of the Russia/Ukraine war, we decided to help some Ukrainian students that were studying in Poland and that due to the war would not have been able to finish their studies. We launched a fundraising campaign that raised around $12,000 and it was a great sense of accomplishment because we could see how the MPI Foundation really made a positive impact on the community.
How can members help the MPI Foundation and the MPI community?
On a personal level, you can give a personal contribution if you wish to do so, both during the year or at the time of membership renewal, but you can also contribute by buying auction items at silent auctions.
As a professional, you can ask your company to donate or to provide free auction items.
There are many ways to donate according to your possibilities; best is to visit the MPI Foundation website and choose what donation suits you best.
Any final thoughts to share with the community?
The meetings and events industry ranked in the top 10 economic drivers in the world. If you wish to make an impact on the community, take the lead and contribute to the growth and recognition of our profession by getting involved with the MPI Foundation.
