The UK and Ireland Chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International) has increased its sphere of influence after several of its members were given leading roles in the global organisation for meeting planners.

Members of the MPI UK and Ireland Chapter have taken up key roles on the organisation’s international boards and advisory councils which will see them shaping the association's future. 

Fiona Pelham, MD of Sustainable Events, has joined the international board of directors, a post she will retain until 2015, and is also a member of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) advisory board.

Samme Allen, president of the MPI UK and Ireland Chapter and head of sales at the Barbican, has been appointed to the Chapter Advisory Council; Adi Ben Nasher, of Syncpartners, and Miguel Neves, of IMEX Group, will both work on the Knowledge Advisory Council, and Jonathan Cohen, of Azimuth Marketing Communications, has been appointed to the Marketplace Advisory Council.

Allen said: “The appointment of a high number of MPI UK and Ireland Chapter members onto international boards and advisory councils is a great testament to the chapter and to our members.

"The UK and Ireland Chapter remains the largest outside of the Americas and our membership really is engaged with activity on a global scale. Taking up these positions will allow the UK and Ireland Chapter to play a key role in ensuring MPI grows and provides the best association experience.”

MPI membership is comprised of more than 21,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide.