HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 854 Offered February 2, 2007 Commending the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International. ---------- Patron-- O'Bannon ----------

WHEREAS, the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International has been honored nationally with the 2005-2006 Chapter of the Year (COTY) award for a second consecutive year; and

WHEREAS, the Meeting Professionals International's COTY award recognizes an outstanding chapter's many accomplishments in leadership, membership retention, community involvement, creativity, and educational programming; and

WHEREAS, established in 1972, Meeting Professionals International is the premier organization devoted to the educational and professional needs of people in the meeting industry with more than 20,000 members; and

WHEREAS, Meeting Professionals International is a growing and dynamic organization strengthened by the dedication of the staff and members of the Virginia Chapter; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International serves both meeting planners and suppliers to the industry across the Commonwealth and carefully maintains an equal balance of both in its membership; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International has developed an exemplary reputation among the organization's 66 chapters around the world and is most deserving of praise and national recognition for outstanding service to its members and the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International on its 2005-2006 Chapter of the Year award; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its outstanding achievement and best wishes for future success.