Moving forward with its globalization strategy, Meeting Professionals International has announced plans for its first chapters in Asia and Africa.

Attendees at the European Incentive, Business Travel, and Meetings Exhibition, taking place this week in Barcelona, learned that the association is in the process of forming a South Africa chapter, in partnership with the South African Association for the Conference Industry, and a Korea Chapter, in partnership with the Seoul Convention Bureau. These initiatives come on the heels of a recent announcement by MPI of the formation of a steering committee that will lead to an MPI India Chapter, expected in 2008.

Also revealed at EIBTM: MPI will launch a sister publication to its monthly magazine, The Meeting Professional, geared specifically to European members. The Meeting Professional European Digest will be published quarterly, both in print and online, and will address the needs of European members and planners.

In addition, registration is now open for MPI’s European Meetings and Events Conference (formerly the MPI Professional Education Conference-Europe) happening in London, April 18-20, 2008. The cost of the event is 900 euros (about $1,350) for MPI members and 1,130 euros (about $1,700) for nonmembers, with early-bird discounts available through February 15. Discounts are also offered to students and faculty. Click here for registration details.