Sorry for not being clear regarding the meeting: Given that I'm co-owner of the company I work for (Ie I am the boss and deal with my own scheduling [6 months out is a little early and nothing is firm yet. They just asked me if I was available then] and budget), and given its a vendor requested visit, I think I'm in the clear regarding when I go -ethically and from a business standpoint. I didn't really want to go right before Christmas, and was curious. Admittedly, my last sentence could have been phrased much better.
But thanks for the info!
So the value of the meetings this year is less than the value of you getting status in 2017? your value of your presence at these meetings is debatable
Its your judgement call on the ethics of it. I don't think this is the forum for that aspect of it.
It's probably better to be honest with your clients/boss and not be ruled by your quest for MP status.