MPA HISTORY
Initially named MPUG-Global, the membership community was created as
a resource for users of Microsoft Project to gain expertise, networking and
support. Conceived in 1996, the organization was founded and co-sponsored
by Pcubed, who secured the full support of Microsoft Corporation as
co-sponsor. In April 1997, the Great Lakes Chapter debuted as its first.
MPUG grew steadily over the yeas to thousands of members and dozens
of chapters worldwide.
MPUG applied for and became authorized as a proud Registered
Education Provider (R.E.P.) with PMI in August 2001. This marked significant
change in the MPUG benefits structure—allowing us to issue educational
credits for PMP certification through various activities in MPUG. In the summer
of 2002, another major milestone was achieved. MPUG became both a
Microsoft Project Partner as well as secured the official endorsement and
recognition as the Official Community Supporting Microsoft Project.
Throughout the next two years, MPUG’s record of solid delivery and quality
value to the members established its already stellar reputation in the
marketplace. After bench-marking our offerings and polling member needs,
we recognized that we were delivering a membership service more in line
with an “association.” This prompted a collaboration with Microsoft Corporate
in the fall of 2004 to take our offering to the next level by funding critical
improvements. As part of this shift, we embarked on an official re-branding
to MPA – the Official Industry Association of Microsoft Office Project. In
March 2005, the campaign was launched and included additional member
benefits and enhancements, most notably to the redesigned web site.
Today, MPA is recognized as the go-to association for Microsoft Office
Project regarding knowledge acquisition, sharing and resources. MPA
continuously provides access to Microsoft Office Project knowledge through
a set of deliverables including a library of presentations, articles, tips,
publications, etc. provided over time by the thousands of members worldwide;
focused specifically on how Microsoft Office Project functions in various
business environments. It is through this history of knowledge and delivery
that MPA has developed a model based on the best practices of other
leading professional associations and institutions to create a diverse
network of professionals, dynamically contributing to the association
offering professional opportunities and critical information in a timely,
cost effective manner.
No other professional association can match the relationship evolution MPA
has achieved with its members, sponsors, Project partners and key Microsoft
contacts. It is these relationships and mature staff that create the foundation
for MPA to be the world’s only OFFICIAL INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION FOR
MICROSOFT® OFFICE PROJECT.