Meeting Support Institute invites you to join force

Dear Meeting Support Supplier,

Affordable access to meetings industry trade shows

Seminar opportunities at industry conferences

A more coherent, strategic approach to the support services on which meetings depend

These and other benefits are all within reach for suppliers of meeting support tools and services, with the official launch of the Meeting Support Institute. This is your invitation to be a part of one of the most innovative developments the global meetings industry has seen in recent years.

The Meeting Support Institute has been taking shape for some time. It is a one-stop resource for the creative, technical, and technology tools that can enhance the education, networking, and motivation, before, during and after a meeting or event. After field-testing the concept at Meeting Support Day in Brussels in 2004, and at the Tech Tap stand at IMEX 2004 and 2005, we opened for membership on January 1st 2006. We now have 22 members worldwide and growing.

The Meeting Support Institute is a global, not-for-profit institute, dedicated to increasing the Return On Investment (ROI) from meetings and events by promoting and developing meeting support tools and services in the meetings industry. By bringing key stakeholders together, and providing research, education, and promotion on the value of meeting support, Meeting Support Institute raises the profile and the status of these tools and services as an essential resource for meeting planners.

For more information on the benefits of Meeting Support Institute membership, read on.

MEMBER BENEFITS

You can participate in specialized fairs across Europe and the United States, by supplying a leaflet or paying a reduced exhibitors’ fee to join the Meeting Support Institute group stand.

We distribute the printed member list at every event we go to.

Whenever the Meeting Support Institute has a stand, we will promote your tool. We ask for leads and business cards that we forward to you after the trade show. A new form is used now to get to know the interest of planners.

Check our calendar of events regularly for a list of the many shows where Meeting Support Institute will have a presence.

The Meeting Support Institute has made major presentations at several Meeting Professionals International (MPI) chapter events and conferences, and organizes Learning Labs as an alternative presentation form.

The Learning Lab combines a presentation on the concept of meeting support with profiles of Meeting Support Institute members. Participating members receive space for a tabletop display and presentation time onsite, with the understanding that presentations and demonstrations are to focus on the educational side of their product or service. Meeting Support Institute introduced the Learning Lab at MPI’s Professional Education Conference-Europe (PEC-E) in Davos in March, 2006, and at MPI’s NL conference in Bussum.

On Friday, April 20th 2007, the Meeting Support Institute hosted its first Meeting Content Conference in Frankfurt, Germany. This annual event is intended as a gathering place for members, an introduction for prospective members, and an opportunity for meeting planners to learn about the concept of meeting support and the specific services and tools that members have to offer.

Using the Meeting Support Matrix and its methodology as a conceptual base, Meeting Support Institute helps you to position your products and introduce innovative selling propositions.

The Meeting Support Institute website is open as a resource to meeting planners. It contains a database of our members and a link to your home page. A diagram that explains the specific services of all member products that align with the categories in the Meeting Support Matrix: learning, networking, and motivation, before, during, and after the meeting, will help meeting planners to find what they need for their next meeting.

We will provide you with Meeting Support Institute’s branding that you can use on your promotional material and website.

Our bi-monthly newsletter is sent to international meeting planners and users (3000 copies). It contains short, informative articles with a picture and a link. News from our members can be published at no cost.

The Meeting Support Institute’s business plan also calls for the development of a Meeting Support Workbook, where members will have the opportunity to explain the meeting support tools and services they offer.

Gain direct access to the Meeting Support Institute Core base of knowledge. It includes articles, books, facts, speakers, academics, research projects… All important information to improve the ROI of a meeting.

Be the first to receive regular copies of newsletters, press releases, briefings, business opportunities, important industry conferences…

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

Applicants for membership are requested to provide a brief company description and explain the reason why they want to become a member of the Meeting Support Institute. Accompanying literature (e.g. PowerPoint slide, pictures etc.) is welcome. It will help us understand the features of your product.

You should also complete the registration form and send it back to us, either per e-mail or by fax on +32 14 42 06 61.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP

There are 3 categories of membership: Full membership, Intermediate and consultant.

Information and benefits for each category is detailed below. Applicants may tick the relevant box on the registration form. Please be aware of the criteria for certain membership forms.

• 1) Full members
• Eligibility
  For companies with a creative, technical or technological tool to improve meetings’ education, networking or motivation.
  Or for every other member who wants the full benefit package.
  
• Benefits
• Corporate membership
• Web presence on our website with your logo
• The right to publish own news in our newsletter (3000 copies)
• Receive the member newsletter
• Inclusion on the list of full members given to potential new clients
• Receipt of business leads and other enquiries
• Authorization to use the designation “Full Member of the Meeting Support Institute”
• Possibility to participate in our Learning Labs
• Reduced prices at group stands, annual conference, workshops, trainings…
• Highest preference for participation in our group stands
• Include 1 slide about your tool in our standard presentation

• 2) Intermediate members
• Eligibility
  For agencies, PCO’s, production companies, freelancers, AV companies… Basically every company that is involved in producing the content side of client meetings. Or for consultants who want to benefit from the bigger benefit package.  
  
• Benefits
• Corporate membership
• Web presence on our website, no logo
• The right to publish own news in our newsletter (3000 copies)
• Receive the member newsletter
• Inclusion on the list of intermediate members given to potential new clients
• Receipt of business leads and other enquiries
• Authorization to use the designation “Intermediate Member of the Meeting Support Institute”
• Possibility to participate in our Learning Labs
• Reduced prices at our annual conference

• 3) Consultant members
• Eligibility
  For meeting designers, meeting architects, facilitators, professional speakers etc.
  
• Benefits
• Individual membership
• Web presence on our website, no logo
• Can send in articles for our newsletter
• Receive the member newsletter
• Inclusion on the list of consultant members given to potential new clients
• Authorization to use the designation “Consultant Member of the Meeting Support Institute” when used in conjunction of your name i.e. on business cards and personal correspondence only. Not corporate communication of any kind.
• Reduced prices at our annual conference

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The filled in application form will be sent to the Executive Manager who will discuss the application with the Advisory Board and the President. You normally receive an answer from the outcome of your application within 2 weeks after receipt.

MEMBERSHIP COMMINTMENT

Meeting Support Institute’s activities are governed by the President, Executive Manager and Advisory board. However, all members are encouraged to participate actively in the running of the Association by attending meetings, by making personal contribution wherever possible to activities such as workshops, the annual conference etc. and by generally promoting the name and work of the Meeting Support Institute.

For any additional queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on hilde.geerts@meetingsupport.org

We look forward to soon counting you among the innovative circle of Meeting Support Institute members and to working with you for the promotion of meeting support in the MICE industry around the world.

Kindest regards,