Italy was the first nation in Europe hit by the pandemic and the MPI Italia Chapter and its members were the first to be confronted with a nationwide lockdown. The chapter banded together with other associations and clubs to create “ItaliaLive,” a group to present, advocate and protect the interests of the meeting and events industry. They prepared documents and statistics from MPI, Global Meeting Industry Day (GMID), and the Meetings Mean Business Coalition (MMB) to educate the government on this industry and how it fuels economic growth for the country. They organized a peaceful and well-structured protest in front of the Italian Parliament, requesting to permanently open dialog with the government on the importance of the meeting industry.

Due to their efforts, the group has been invited to sit in discussions with the Economic Ministry as advocates for the meeting and events industry. They have also worked over the last 3 years to create a professional certification called the Meeting and Event Manager, which just this past year, was approved.  Through this certification and through the chapter’s representation of the industry, MPI Italia is sharing best practices and providing opportunities for continued education, professional recognition, and identity for meeting and event planners within their own country and beyond.