GBTA, MPI create new training opportunities

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) have teamed up to launch a create new education and training opportunities. “This is the first and only broad association partnership that GBTA has entered into since forming the GBTA Academy. GBTA believes MPI is the right partner to reach the meetings management industry and marketplace,”says GBTA executive director Michael McCormick. “Our collective members will be reaping the benefits of this partnership for years to come.”An LLC is being formed with an executive steering committee to operate and manage the new curriculum, which is expected to be available in 2013. Both organizations are bringing together their expertise and research prowess to develop and deliver these new educational and training offerings. “We continually hear from the community that they want associations to work together and provide opportunities for improving their career skills. The collaboration with GBTA will deliver the single most essential management training program in the industry, creating a new standard for excellence,”says Cindy D’Aoust, COO and interim CEO for MPI. “The result is enhanced value for both our members and the industry.”The new senior level education will be available to both MPI and GBTA members. While both current designations will continue to be recognized by MPI and the GBTA Academy, this new educational program is being derived from the best of GBTA’s Strategic Meetings Management Certification (SMMC) and MPI’s Certificate in Meetings Management (CMM) program. (http://www.mpiweb.org/Education/CMM)