My club has some events where we move around from stage to stage. The guns are not shot from a holster draw but drawn, loaded, shot, cleared and re-holstered when confirmed empty and cleared by the RO looking over us. Sort of IPSC/IDPA'ish if you will. Some of us just carry them from stage to stage but that soon becomes a bit of a pain to put them in the safe area then move them. I soon became one of the converted and use holsters like the others. But I'm sure the thoughts and rules on this vary from club to club so be sure to check first. It may not be something you use often but for those times when it would be an advantage at least you have one.
You should look into the handgun events in your area. I just started with a few club level matches last year as well as the monthly club Speed Steel matches. They really are great fun if you don't get all competitive on yourself. And your M&P is a great pistol for basic Production class in either IPSC or IDPA. Target shooting is fine but nothing gets the juices flowing like trying to hit the targets in a decently short time.