MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

MID-YEAR FINANCIAL RESULTS & CELEBRATIONS!

We are at the midpoint of the year and are thrilled to share we are tracking slightly ahead of our budget for the year due to the incredible dedication and contributions of our members, volunteers, and sponsors. Your commitment continues to fuel our success and growth!

We'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our Sponsors, Members and especially our Volunteers for their unwavering support and commitment; what a great partnership! Your hard work, support and passion are the driving force behind our chapter's achievements. Let’s keep this momentum going and achieve even greater milestones in the coming months!

Event Support Highlights:

MEETS Conference: A BIG thank you to everyone who made this event a huge success! Based on attendee feedback, the General Session Speakers and Breakout Sessions were especially well received, offering engaging content and valuable networking opportunities.

Annual Golf Event: This year’s Golf Outing was all about fresh experiences and inclusivity! Held at a new location, we introduced Pickleball for Non-golfers and even a Drone Drop – delivering a fun, dynamic, and productive networking environment. Our Golf Committee volunteers worked hard to make it the success it was, Thank You!

Want to Get More Involved?

Thinking of joining a committee but not sure where to start? We’d love to have you! Click here to explore Our Committees

Ready to Sign Up? Click here to complete our Committee Interest Form

To find out more about upcoming events where you can network and meet other planners and suppliers visit our events page!



I am looking forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

Gary Titunick, CMP - VP of Finance

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAPTER

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SPONSOR

We’re thrilled to be celebrating 40 incredible years as a chapter!

This anniversary is not only a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, but also to look ahead with excitement for what’s next. Thank you to all our members, past and present, who’ve helped shape our journey. Here’s to 40 years strong—and many more to come!

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY EDUCATION PROGRAM + MEET-UP

Risk Management: Five Things You Can Do Right Now (to better protect your attendees, your organization, and your meeting)

presented by: Tyra Warner, PhD, Esq., CMP

Let’s face it—today’s meetings and events come with a lot of moving parts. Risk is real, and even the best-laid plans can miss crucial steps when it comes to protecting attendees, your organization, and your team. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to planning, this session will give you practical, ready-to-use tools to raise your risk management game immediately.

You’ll leave this session feeling prepared, empowered, and ready to tackle risk like a pro.

Keep the Energy Going: Meet-Up + Mingle!

After the session, the learning continues in a more relaxed way. Join Discover Lehigh Valley for a fun and vibrant evening of networking, drinks, and great conversation.

Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Time: 2:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: Hyatt Regency New Brunswick

2 Albany Street

New Brunswick, NJ 08901

COLLABORATIVE SEPTEMBER EDUCATION PROGRAM

We’re teaming up with the MPI Greater New York Chapter for a powerful collaborative program focused on Mastering Large-Scale Events — hosted at none other than MetLife Stadium, a featured venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This is your chance to go behind the scenes of one of the world’s most iconic stadiums while gaining insights into the logistics, challenges, and innovations of major event planning.

Interested in a sponsorship? View the exclusive opportunities for this event here:

View Sponsorship Package

Dates: September 16, 2025

Time: 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Location: MetLife Stadium

1 MetLife Stadium Drive

East Rutherford, NJ 07073

OTHER INDUSTRY EVENTS

the EVENT

Dates: September 7-9, 2025

Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

LEARN MORE HERE

SPONSOR

WEC 2025 - REFLECTIONS FROM ST. LOUIS

This past June, more than 25 members of the MPI New Jersey Chapter made the journey to St. Louis for MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC)—a flagship event for connection, education, and celebration in our industry.

Our chapter had a lot to be proud of, bringing home two MPI Rise Awards:

🏆 Chapter Award for Marketplace Excellence

🌟 Young Professional Achievement Award, presented to Jordan Lacey

To capture the energy and impact of this incredible experience, we’re highlighting the voices of three MPI New Jersey Chapter members who attended. Here's what they had to share:

Chris Rafferty

My First MPI WEC: A Memorable Experience in St. Louis

"Attending my first MPI WEC conference in St. Louis was truly unforgettable. From meaningful education sessions—on trends, experiences, and even how to use ChatGPT—to the vibrant Marketplace filled with destinations like Seattle, Kansas City, and San Antonio, it was nonstop inspiration.

A highlight for me was the 15-minute career coaching session, which offered actionable resume tips and insights on the CMP designation. I highly recommend MPI’s Career Collective for personalized career guidance.

Of course, the networking was unmatched—from sipping Budweiser in the dugout at Busch Stadium to culinary experiences at the Hyatt and Gordon Ramsay Steakhouse, and even a Nelly concert in the art district!



The best part? Sharing it all with MPI New Jersey—attending sessions together, celebrating our award win, and cheering on Jordan Lacey. I’m so excited to have won a free registration for WEC 2026 and hope to see many of you in San Antonio!"

Patrick McCormick

Connection. Creativity. Community.

"Attending WEC this past June was more than a professional development opportunity—it was a re-energizing experience.

From innovative sessions to powerful conversations about the future of our industry, WEC reminded me why I’m proud to be part of this profession. The collaboration, the energy, the creativity—it was all deeply inspiring.

One of my biggest takeaways: our industry’s resilience. Whether the topic was DEI, sustainability, wellness, or technology, it’s clear that we’re not just adapting—we’re leading.



Huge kudos to MPI for creating such an inclusive and engaging event. If you’ve never attended WEC, add it to your calendar. It’s where new ideas spark, and the future of events takes shape."

Mitch Glasser

AVD at WEC: Insights, Innovation & Industry Connection

"This year marked my first time attending WEC individually, though Audio Visual Dynamics (AVD) has participated in the past. As a corporate audiovisual partner, we found WEC to be a perfect fit.

A standout experience was the Hosted Buyer program—well organized, highly valuable, and packed with great conversations. It offered eye-opening insights into the challenges planners face, including navigating venue contracts that impact AV partner selection.

We also exhibited in the Tech2Grow Pavilion, where we showcased our flexible, creative approach to AV production. Connecting with so many passionate industry professionals was both energizing and rewarding.



I hope to connect with more NJ chapter members soon, and I’m looking forward to WEC 2026 in San Antonio!"

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS

What is the best career advice you've received?

I was exposed to the industry by my mother when I was fresh out of high school. She worked in Speaker Bureaus and actually she still does. I started my career as a Speaker Bureau Logistics Planner back in 2009 because of my mother.

MEMBER MILESTONES

Congratulations to our chapter members celebrating anniversaries with MPI this month:

30 Years

Maureen Murphy, CMP CSEP - New Jersey Association of Realtors

Patty Stern - Patty Stern Creative Marketing & Event Concepts

26 Years

Kimberley Tenderenda, CMP, CMM, HMCC - Merck & Co.

24 Years

MaryAnne Kanacki, CMP - Dragonfly Agency Corporation

23 Years

Pia Carpenter - El Conquistador

20 Years

Holly Polo - Bracco Diagnostic Inc

19 Years

Tina Natal, CMP

Michelle Phillips, CMP - SignatureXperiences

18 Years

Rochelle Moneta - LeRoe Promotional Marketing

Trish Rafferty, CMP - Maritz

15 Years

Anna Link, CMP, CMM - p-value communications

11 Years

Amy Pirrello, CMP - Verizon Communications

6 Years

Nicole Kanacki, HMCC - The Lockwood Group

3 Years

Ilyssa Swenor, HMCC - Health & Wellness Partners, LLC

2 Years

Christopher Rafferty - Stark & Stark

Colleen McArdle, CMP - County College of Morris

1 Year

Petra Domingo - Pentax Medical Company

Catherine Canty

Lisa Piazza - Foxwoods Resort Casino

Nicole LaMonica - MetLife Stadium

Rachel Fitzpatrick, CMP - AM Best

Emma Kresge - AM Best

Greg Riccardi - RICCARDI MEDIA

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to our newest MPI New Jersey Chapter Members. We are excited that you have joined our community!

• Aubrie Brown
• Cynthia Fontan - Bristol Myers Squibb
• Robert Huckstep - Capture Technologies
• Margo Piatek

TAKE THE SURVEY

MPI's annual Membership and Chapter Satisfaction Survey is one of the most important tools we have for capturing the thoughts of members. Don't miss the chance to help shape the future of our association.

Upon completion of the survey, you will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card or a one-time renewal of your MPI Membership.

The choice is yours! Look for an email sent to you from MPI on July 15 and take the survey! Didn't receive an email from Global, email admin@mpinewjersey.org for a generic link and member ID.

ONSITE ONLINE BLOG: FEATURED ARTICLE

2025 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES -

NOW AVAILABLE

Want your company to shine in front of top meeting professionals?

MPI New Jersey Chapter invites you to explore our 2025 sponsorship opportunities—strategically designed to elevate your brand within the tri-state area’s vibrant meetings and events industry.

Whether you're looking to build brand awareness, showcase your services, or connect directly with decision-makers, our new and exclusive sponsorship packages are tailored to amplify your impact.

We’re currently seeking sponsors for two of our most anticipated upcoming events:



September Education Program

• We're teaming up with MPI Greater New York Chapter for a powerful joint program focused on Mastering Large-Scale Events—hosted at the iconic MetLife Stadium. This is your opportunity to promote your brand to two MPI chapters at one high-impact event, reaching a broader network of meeting professionals across the region.

Annual CMP/CMM Recognition Event

• Align your brand with excellence and leadership and help us honor those who have earned their designations. This prestigious gathering brings together some of the top decision-makers in the region—a prime opportunity for sponsors to connect with influential leaders and demonstrate a strong commitment to professional achievement in the meetings industry.

Secure your 2025 sponsorship today and position your brand for a year of powerful connections and elevated exposure.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE MPI FOUNDATION

Did you know the MPI Foundation is a powerful resource dedicated to fueling the growth and success of meeting professionals around the globe? Through scholarships, grants, and educational opportunities, the Foundation empowers MPI members to advance their careers and connect in meaningful ways. Learn more: mpi.org/foundation



We’re also THRILLED to share that our chapter was recently awarded a Cvent Grant through the MPI Foundation! This generous support will help us enhance our Annual CMP/CMM Recognition Event coming up this November. Thank you to the Foundation and Cvent for investing in our chapter and celebrating the achievements of our certified professionals!

SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER

MPI is all about building connections, and with so many ways to engage online, it's easier than ever to stay in the loop! Join the conversation and connect with MPI New Jersey on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram for all the latest Chapter news and updates. We can’t wait to connect with you!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS