FAREWELL MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As I reflect on my time as your Chapter President, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and pride. It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such a talented and passionate group of professionals. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, as we pioneered beyond the pandemic and bravely embraced new and innovative approaches. Our collective efforts have taken our chapter to new heights, including being recognized as a Chapter of Excellence in 2022, and receiving a RISE Award for Innovative Educational Programming at the MPI World Education Congress (WEC) in 2023. These awards are a testament to the unwavering dedication and creativity displayed by our Board, committees and volunteers, who consistently strive to provide exceptional learning and networking opportunities for our community.   
 
The past year we chose to Accelerate Through the Future of Meetings, moving the chapter forward at an even faster pace. It has been the invaluable contributions made by our dedicated volunteer members, working quickly and tirelessly behind the scenes, that have made much of the chapter’s successes a reality. Their passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment have played a crucial role in shaping the future of MPI New Jersey and securing the significant victory of a RISE Award.
 
I want to express my deepest appreciation to each of you for your support and collaboration. Your trust in my leadership, your willingness to embrace change, and your tireless efforts have been the driving force behind our success. I am truly humbled by the countless memories we have shared and the connections we have formed. Thanks to our supplier partners for being a part of this incredible journey, for your unwavering support, and for your help in making MPI New Jersey the extraordinary community it is today. I eagerly look forward to witnessing the chapter's continued growth, innovation, and success in the years ahead.
 
To the board members, committee chairs, and volunteers, I am in awe of your passion and dedication. Your contributions have been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such exceptional individuals.
 
After a fulfilling time as your Chapter President, it’s now time for me to pass the torch to our incoming President, Kellie Cahill, who will lead us to Rise up & Elevate, and I am filled with anticipation and excitement for the future ahead.
 
I encourage each of you to stay actively involved, seize new opportunities, and contribute your unique perspectives to our vibrant community. MPI New Jersey thrives on the collective strength of its members, and your continued support is crucial to maintaining our success.

Corrine Thomas, CMP
Absolute Events by Corrine
MPI New Jersey Chapter President 2021-2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
AUGUST VIRTUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

Our education committee is bringing our members a summer education program you can participate in virtually from the comfort of your home, the beach or wherever your summer travels have take you. Registration forthis program will open soon, but mark your calendar to save the date now!
DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 2023
TIME: 11:00am - 12:30pm
LOCATION: Virtual

ANNUAL CMP/CMM RECOGNITION EVENT

Stay tuned for information on our Annual CMP/CMM Recognition Event for September 2023. Our committee is hard at work to bring you an exciting program.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
MPI NEW JERSEY WINS RISE AWARD!

MPI New Jersey is honored to accept the MPI 2023 RISE Award for Innovative Educational Programming for our 2nd Annual MEETS (Meetings, Education, Events, Travel, Sales) Conference that took place in March 2022 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. As our chapter’s newest signature event, the MEETS Conference started in 2021 as a virtual event with the goal of re-establishing our chapter as the premier place for top-notch industry education in the region. The 2022 live event did not disappoint. Our hardworking education committee put together an agenda featuring current topics with well-known industry experts. Highlights included a panel on the state of our industry and a session on the latest legal issues facing meetings professionals.

The MEETS Conference was truly a team effort within our chapter. The must-attend sessions were supplemented by a welcome reception and a chapter birthday party with lots of time for networking. We were successful in having the conference costs almost completely funded by our very generous and loyal sponsors. In addition, we implemented a Cooperative program with local industry organizations to both promote the conference and to allow their members to attend at member rates. This successful venture has continued as part of the event annually.

MPI New Jersey extends huge thanks to our membership, education committee, board of directors, sponsors and industry colleagues who all played critical roles in making this conference and award possible.

The RISE Awards were presented during WEC23 held in Mexican Caribbean last week. We were humbled to join MPI Leadership on stage during the general session and extend congratulations to our fellow award recipients:
Member of the Year – John Kirby, MPI Kansas City Chapter
Meeting Industry Leadership – Paola Bowman, MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter
Young Professional Achievement – Caroline Cole, MPI Tennessee Chapter
Industry Advocate – MPI Caribe Mexicano Chapter
Membership Achievement – MPI Kansas City Chapter
Marketplace Excellence – MPI Greater New York.

For more information on the RISE Awards presented this year visit our MPI New Jersey website.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL RETREAT

Our incoming 2023-2024 MPI New Jersey Board of Directors met May 7 and 8 to discuss our upcoming year. The Conrad New York Midtown and New York Hilton Midtown were excellent hosts, and the sky was the limit as we made our plans in the Conrad’s Penthouse suite overlooking Manhattan. The skyline was the perfect backdrop for our President-Elect, Kellie Cahill’s, theme for the year – “We Rise & Elevate!”

We had a productive two days discussing the highs and lows of the past year that happily included many more highs than lows and how we plan to rise & elevate moving forward. There were so many ideas floating around the room that it will be a challenge to fit them all in.

Our incoming board is excited to embark on this term with a growing membership, new members on our board and a positive outlook for our industry. We cannot wait to share details with our membership during our Town Hall this summer. Keep an eye out for an invitation to that event and mark your calendar to join us and share your thoughts and ideas.

We also worked on our calendar for the year full of great networking and educational offerings highlighted by our three signature events.
·        The CMP/CMM Recognition Event
·        The MEETS Conference
·        Our 26th Annual MPI New Jersey Golf Event

Since we were all together, we capitalized on the opportunity to bond and have some fun. We took our theme literally as we visited Summit One Vanderbilt (https://summitov.com/) to view the city from over the clouds. This is a highly recommended spot if you find yourself in the city. We also enjoyed an amazing Chef’s Table with a wide variety of tastes at the New York Hilton Midtown and visited their beehives housed on the roof. Those bees work hard to produce the honey used in many of the hotel’s recipes.

We owe a huge thanks to the many people who made this retreat such a success. Steven Foster, CMP of Foster + Fathom was our excellent facilitator who kept us on track along with Heather Kresge, our fearless chapter administrator. The Conrad New York Midtown and the New York Hilton Midtown provided the best in hospitality. Most importantly thank you to our membership for putting your trust in us to lead the chapter. We look forward to a productive and exciting year!
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SPONSOR
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
MEMBER MILESTONES:
Congratulations to our chapter members celebrating anniversaries with MPI this month:

27 Years
  • JoAnn Mitchell, CMP, MBA - Mitchell Management and Consulting
24 Years
  • Dawn Perrone, CMP, CMM - Seqirus
21 Years
  • Robin Lasky, CMP - UnitedHealth Group
16 Years
  • Karen Mack - Verizon
13 Years
  • Marti Winer, MBA - MGM Resorts International
6 Years
  • Diana Grazio
5 Years
  • Roseanne Ketchel, CMP - Panasonic
4 Years
  • Dana Romano - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
3 Years
  • Kimberly O'Connor, CMP - Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals
  • Beth Briant, CMP - Marriott Hotel Newark Liberty International Airport
2 Years
  • Jennifer Klein - International Trademark Association
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:
Let's celebrate our newest members!

  • Ralph Arzayus - Ocean Casino Resorts
  • Julie Degdio - BDC Meetings & Events
  • Sarah Feldman - Ocean Casino Resorts
  • Miya Johnson - Marriott
  • Tiffaney Warman
VOLUNTEERS POWER MPI:

As a Member of MPI-New Jersey you have invested interest in the future of this chapter. We want you to bring your talents to our team by volunteering and serving on a committee. When you GIVE of your time, you GET so much more in return and GROW in ways you never expected. 

Complete the Volunteer Interest Form to be contacted by our membership team to discuss the right opportunity for you today!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

Calling all MPI New Jersey Members - we want to feature you in an upcoming Member Spotlight. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow members and share your meetings industry journey.

If you are interested, please complete and submit the membership spotlight form below. Then keep an eye out for your spotlight in an upcoming chapter newsletter and on our social media channels.
SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER:
MPI is all about creating community and these days, we have more opportunities to connect online than in person. So, let us hear from you and engage with MPI New Jersey's social media channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, to stay up to date on Chapter happenings! We look forward to hearing from you.
GIVE.GET.GROW WITH MPI NEW JERSEY
MARKET YOUR BUSINESS WITH MPI NEW JERSEY
Do YOU want an opportunity to let your company shine? Discover MPI-New Jersey's sponsorship opportunities designed just for you!

Now is the time to partner with your MPI-New Jersey Chapter to promote your organization to meeting professionals in the tri-state area.

We have created new and unique sponsorship opportunities that will serve as the perfect complement to your marketing strategies.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Official technology partner of MPI New Jersey