New to campus, The University of Alabama’s Meeting Professionals International club provides opportunities for real-world experience and professional networking to students with aspirations of working in event, restaurant, hospitality, public relations or communication industries.

The University’s chapter stems from Meeting Professionals International, a global organization with over 21,000 members and 71 different chapters. The group works alongside different companies and organizations to enhance students’ degrees beyond the limits of the classroom.

Lorie Tuma, the faculty advisor for UA MPI, previously served as the advisor to the MPI chapter at Central Michigan University. She said the UA chapter serves as a connector between students and the industry.

Throughout October and November, UA MPI will be working with Martie Duncan, a season eight finalist of the Food Network’s show “Food Network Star” and has been invited to help coordinate events in Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores.

“UA MPI is also collaborating with the student club at Central Michigan University and joining forces to coordinate events at the Superbowl, Boston Marathon and the Country Music Festival,” Tuma said. “In May, club members will also coordinate events at the Cannes International Film Festival in South France.”

Through the opportunities the organization provides, students receive the ability to begin gaining professional support. Students are provided with LinkedIn testimonials and letters of recommendations, which help gear students in the direction of a possible internship or future jobs, Tuma said.

“[MPI] made an immediate impact on my skills and level of expertise in the industry and I decided it was time to bring the same experience to my students,” said Tuma, who began working with the organization in 2008.

Students Alyssa Tilkin and Lauren Scoggan were both approached by Tuma to start the MPI chapter on campus.

“After some online research and speaking with other MPI members, I quickly realized that this group provides a pathway to advance my career goals in this highly competitive world,” Tilkin, co-founder of the club and a senior majoring in restaurant and hospitality management, said.

Scoggan, another co-founder of the UA chapter and a senior majoring in Spanish and restaurant and hospitality managment, describes the club as a way for students to acquire the skills necessary to score their dream job.

“This is a huge and ever-growing industry, and students need to get connected to all the opportunites to develop their skills,” Scoggan said. “We are linking them to these opportunities.”

For more information about getting involved in UA MPI, visit their facebook page at Facebook.com/UAMPI2012.