Chapter History

Meeting Professionals International – Carolinas Chapter, established in 1984, is recognized as one of the largest chapters globally with 300+ members representing over $500 million in annual economic spend.  

The vision to establish the Carolinas Chapter started with Nancy B. Holder, a meeting planner from Winston-Salem, NC who became the chapter’s first president. The chapter has grown from humble beginnings but continues to share the same core values established by the thirty founding members.  Our commitment to professional development, community, and each other continues to be at the forefront of every decision. 

Spanning two states the chapter has one of the largest geographic territories in the MPI network. That’s how far the founding members had to reach in 1984 to recruit the necessary fifteen planners to qualify. Now, with over 175+ planners, the Chapter is recognized as the leading organization responsible for professional growth in the region. 

The chapter also has a long history of engaging in charitable causes taking on issues from cancer to pencils in the schoolroom. Over 45 different charities have benefited from Chapter initiatives and we continue to engage in local projects.

Our members have produced extraordinary events and delivered world class programing over the past thirty years. But the rich and diverse makeup of our membership has always been the Chapter’s most valuable asset.