The Messiah Business Institute (MBI)
Launched in 2019, the Messiah Business Institute (MBI) exists to support, equip, and encourage a thriving and purposeful business community within South Central Pennsylvania.
Bringing together business leaders, Messiah students and faculty, MBI achieves its goals through:
- Providing educational content from business experts with a particular emphasis on how their faith, values and ethics impact their business practices and the common good.
- Providing a welcoming and hospitable environment in which networking, support, and collaboration can occur.
- Providing members with access to students for recruitment and mentorship purposes.
Overview of MBI Programs and Events
MBI holds two types of events.
Network Gatherings, which typically feature a business leader who presents to the larger audience. Events are designed to provide ample opportunity for networking and an opportunity for members to interact with the guest speaker.
Best Practice Roundtables, which are smaller settings designed to address a best practice, current trend, and/or challenge. Emphasis will be on highlighting a member, sponsor, or Messiah University faculty member with intentionality on interaction between attendees.
Feedback from members and sponsors influences speakers, format, content, and programming.
Becoming an MBI Member
Membership is open to all types of businesses and organizations (for example, sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and S corporations, LLCs, and non-profits). Individuals and organizations complete a short application and upon approval are added as members. Annual membership dues are $500 per year. Dues underwrite costs associated with networking and educational programs and make it possible for Messiah students and faculty to attend at no additional costs. Membership includes three seats for both Networking and Best Practice Roundtables. Seats can be used by the company representatives or by company guests.
MBI Membership is not tax deductible. Feedback from members dictates the speakers, format, and content in future programming.
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
There are limited corporate sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships are open to all types of business and organizations (ex. sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and S corporations, and non-profits). While sponsorship levels vary, all sponsorships underwrite the costs associated with networking and educational programs and make it possible for Messiah students and faculty to attend at no additional costs.
Sponsors receive six seats for both Networking and Best Practice Roundtables. Sponsors are given the opportunity to host a Best Practice Roundtable, highlighting the sponsors’ expertise. Sponsors are highlighted as presenting sponsors of MBI events and are provided with an opportunity to share updates about their respective organizations. A percentage of the Corporate Sponsorship is tax deductible.
For more information about MBI, sponsorship opportunities or becoming a member, contact:
Rob Pepper
Executive Director/Assistant to the President for Innovation and Partnerships
rpepper@messiah.edu
717-796-1800 ext. 7278