A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD
PIONEERING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC

To pioneer means to develop or be the first to use or apply a new method, area of knowledge or activity.  The investment that many of us made in ourselves during the last year, adding new credentials new skills and new collaborations, have made us all pioneers in our own way. I couldn’t be more proud of this chapter and our efforts to keep our members unafraid to be pioneers. Now is the time for me to issue the charge to continue that spirit. 

In the last year, I embraced my ‘pivot’. I took the time and resources to learn all things virtual and hybrid. I know many of you hate the word pivot, but I encourage you to embrace it. I have seen many of you willingly reinvent yourselves. I have seen many of your boldly take on new responsibilities. And I can say that I’m in awe of the courage and resilience that you have all shown in your pivot. Jersey Strong has taken on new meaning for me. 

Now, more than ever, we need to continue to move the needle for our Chapter and for MPI. So here is my big ask – tell me how we can serve you. If you’re an active chapter member, sharing your ideas and telling us how we can help you be a stronger planner, supplier, business owner or whatever you consider yourself, that helps our industry, and our members grow. Volunteer, serve on a committee, attend chapter events…. but most of all, please speak up. You have entrusted us, as your chapter leaders, to pioneer beyond the pandemic.  I hope you will join me in that journey.

Your chapter leaders and I welcome and embrace the opportunity to serve you and we look forward to seeing you soon!
 
CORRINE STATIA-THOMAS
2021-2022 MPI New Jersey President
UPCOMING EVENTS
TAKE CONTROL OF WI-FI: CRITICAL TO YOUR EVENT ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY WITH SPEAKER ALEX WEDESKY  
    
Do you feel uncomfortable talking to vendors or even your own IT team about event Wi-Fi? Do you feel like contract language for Wi-Fi takes too long to negotiate? Are you worried about putting your company and attendee’s data at risk? Have you ever abandoned the idea of using a cool online tool because you did not trust the Wi-Fi?

Join us for an easy to understand journey focusing on practical takeaways that will immediately boost your ability to use the online engagement tools you want by getting the Wi-Fi you need.     

Learning Objectives:       
  • Talk to any venue about Wi-Fi needs
  • Write good contract language around Wi-Fi
  • Understand how much effort to put into cyber security
  • Gear up for the digital future

DATE: Thursday, September 23, 2021
TIME: 12:30pm - 1:30pm 
FEES: $21.00
SPEAKER: Alex Wedesky
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR ADDITIONAL CHAPTER EVENTS

Membership Mondays:
Register for any of the following dates now!
September 13, 2021
October 11, 2021
November 8, 2021
December 13, 2021
Official registration partner of MPI New Jersey
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
TOWN HALL

On July 1st, MPI New Jersey hosted our annual Town Hall and inducted the 2021-2022 Board of Directors to kick off the new fiscal year.

It was a great virtual event where loads of information was shared with our members about what they need to know from an MPI Global Level and what their Chapter Leadership has planned for this year.

The new Board of Directors took their oath to serve the Chapter and shared their department visions with our members.

If you missed the town hall and interested in hearing what was shared, visit the Chapter website for a recording.
JULY EDUCATION PROGRAM

The chapter kicked off our Education programs for the new term on Wednesday, July 14th with a bang! 

Our Education Committee collaborated with the MPI Middle PA and MPI Philadelphia Chapters to bring members together for a virtual program "The Legal Ramifications in Returning to Live Meeting." Schaun Henry, Esq. and his associate Brittany Jones from the law firm McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, spoke to over 110 attendees on best practices and how to mitigate risks as we return to live meetings and events. Schaun and Brittany discussed hot issues such as mask wearing, COVID testing, vaccines and proper record keeping. 

Following their presentation, two members of our chapter, Dion Magee (founder of OMIPEAR and CEO of Magee Enterprises) and Lauren Kautz (National Accounts Director, Kalahari Resorts) took part in a panel discussion sharing their personal experiences on developing events post pandemic. A special shout out to Lauren and Dion for representing our chapter and taking part in this timely and important topic! 
 
Do you have a topic you want to learn more about? Do you have a passion for education and want to be get more involved in the chapter? The Education Committee is looking for members to join and help in the development of our strategic education programs. Please Contact Kim Cowperthwait, CMP, DES, MPI New Jersey's VP of Education.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
The Work from Home Debate




Written by: Annette Gregg
Light at the End of the Tunnel




Written by: Blair Potter
Specialized Network & Education for Indies




Written by: Michael Pinchera
SPONSOR
GET INVOLVED
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBER
Jennifer Eisenhofer: ISMG
MEMBER MILESTONES
Congrats to the following Members celebrating anniversaries with MPI this month:
Maureen Murphy, CMP, CSEP: New Jersey Association of Realtors - 26 Years
Patty Stern: Patty Stern Creative Marketing & Event Concepts - 25 Years
Kimberly Stiefel, CMP, CMM, HMCC: Merck& Co - 22 Years
MaryAnne Kanacki, CMP: Dragonfly Agency Corporation - 19 Years
Holly Polo: Bracco Diagnostic Inc - 16 Years
Michelle Phillips, CMP: SignatureXperiences - 15 Years
Melissa Ullmann, CHSE: Caesars Entertainment - 14 Years
Rebecca Mittleman: Embassy Suites by Hilton Berkeley Heights - 3 Years
Nicole Kanacki, HMCC: The Lockwood Group - 3 Years
Steven Levin: Audio Visual Dynamics - 3 Years
Jennifer Wilkes, CMP: Total Management Solutions - 2 Years
Deana Pagnozzi: Rutgers University Inn & Conference Center - 2 Years
Tonya Skuse: IEEE - 2 Years
Amy Pirrello, CMP: Verizon Communications - 1 Year
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?
I planned an event with a Murder Mystery Team Building Theme. The food planned was suspect steak, killer kebabs, & death by chocolate. The mystery team had a great spokesman dressed in black & white clothing with a red bow tie, and the questions asked were all in mystery form. The winner had to guess who the murder was. The winner won a trophy & gift card. This was done in a large ballroom with mystery music & decorations.
MASTERING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP RELIEF
MPI is committed to helping you maintain your membership through the fallout of COVID-19. For Membership Relief email [email protected]. 

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