MPI New England Chapter News

August 2019

Special Features In This Issue

President's Corner by Ainsley C. Onstott, President Elect

Registration is Open for the August Meeting: Sh--t, Take Risks and Transform Your Next Meeting

Missed the July Meeting? Catch up here!

Refer A Friend and Save!

Leaders, Check Your Mirrors! by Steven Foster, CMP

Member Corner: Welcome to our New Members

Volunteer Member Spotlight: Johnice Veals

Upcoming Chapter Events

President's Corner

By Ainsley C. Onstott, CMP, DMCP,

President Elect

As I sat in my CSI DMC all team meeting this week presenting to my coworkers on the value of industry organizations, I began to think about what MPI has been to me over the past 10 years. Like many, I joined MPI early in my career because my boss at the time asked me to join. I was new to the industry and a bit intimidated by the large group of people in the room I did not know. For a year, I went to meetings and only talked to one or two people I knew as that was where I was most comfortable.

One day, a more seasoned member asked me to come sit at his table for the meeting. As I looked at the table, it was filled with current and past board members. “How do they know who I am!?” I thought, but I followed him over and sat down. After an hour, I had 6 new MPI connections! I was then asked to join a committee – Special Events can’t be that hard, that is what I do anyway! The rest, as they say, is history.

As I now step into my first few months as a member of the Office of the President, I realize how different my path would have been, both personally and professionally, without MPI.

60% of the positions I have moved into have been because of someone I met through MPI. (#hireMPI) and 50% of the local vendors that I use are individuals I met and continue to foster relationships with, because of MPI. (#buyMPI)

I have gained clients, partners, and most importantly, lifelong friends.

Whether you are new to MPI or have been a member for 10+ years, get involved. Volunteer! You never know when your next job, client, supplier partner, or friend is waiting right there for you.

Ainsley

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 * 5:30pm – 8:30pm @ AVFX

Sh--t. Actually…that's not a typo, but some of you may think "SHIFT" is a bad word. Regardless, it's the 21st century, and there are more tools, ideas, partners, inspiration...and more need to create transformational meetings and events to influence results within your organization and shift your meetings forward. Shame on us if we don't find opportunities, big or small, to shift the design, creativity and execution of the events we produce.

Our responsibility to the attendee is massive – and this session will feature a plethora of ideas, techniques and "Challenges" for you to think differently and take calculated risks with your next meeting and center the attendee experience.

Learning Objectives:

After this session, attendees will:

Gain competency in Event story architecture
Discover new sensory event design techniques
Learn ways to maximize budgets for WOW creation and impact
Think creatively about how to achieve program goals and objections

Agenda:

5:30PM - 6:00PM: Check-In & Registration

6:00PM - 7:30PM: Program with speaker Chris Gasbarro, Owner & President of ember

7:30PM - 8:30PM: Reception

Location:

AVFX

96 Holton Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02135 USA

EVENT REGISTRATION

We would like to extend a giant thank you to all of our generous event partners:

AVFX

BG Events & Catering

Party Rental Ltd.

And our trusted Annual Sponsors:

David Fox Photography

Party Rental Ltd

Your Love In Lights

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa

VDA Productions

AVFX Event Technology Showcase Today!

Missed the July Meeting?

The rain stopped and skies cleared on the evening of July 18 ^th , just in time for the start of our Annual Summer Social. The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum were our gracious hosts for the evening and all of us who attended, first time visitors or not, were treated to a fun and educational journey back to the 18 ^th century. The very humorous and knowledgeable museum guides taught us about life during the American Revolution and, most notably, let us throw tea into Boston Harbor!

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum partnered with BG Events & Catering to provide us with a delicious variety of food which pleased everyone’s palette. As the sun set on Boston Harbor, the networking continued with the sounds of Jason Cardinal in the background. The “One-Man-Band” ruled the stage and entertained us all until the very end.

A huge thank you to all of our event partners and annual sponsors for their ongoing support of our Chapter:

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

BG Events & Catering

David Fox Photography

Rentals Unlimited

The Mountain View Grant Resort & Spa

VDA

Your Love In Lights

Refer a Friend to MPI

Refer a Friend and Save!

When you refer a friend to MPI, they will get to waive the $50 application fee while YOU save $25 off your next membership renewal.

Leaders, Check Your Mirrors!

by Steven G. Foster, CMP

Managing Partner, Foster+Fathom

WHEN YOU'RE RIDING LEAD, DON'T SPIT!

One of the best things about riding motorcycles is the time you get "inside your head." I often use those moments reflecting on where I've been on my "professional ride," and remembering all the leaders and mentors who thought me worthy of investing their time, talent and treasure along the way.

No matter where you going, on a bike or in business, each one of needs on the road to success. None of gets anywhere worthwhile by ourselves, and anyone who says different is just arrogantly wrong. So, of course, I completely reject the “been there, done that, got here on my own” attitude we experience all the time in so-called leadership. If you’ve been “there” someone pointed the way. And if you’ve done “that” someone taught you how.

One of my early career mentors was Col. Edwin C. “Ned” Humphreys, JR. USAF, Retired (1938-1969)* who I met in 1978 when he was publisher and editor of a small weekly newspaper in Mobile, Alabama. He gave me my first journalism job, knowing I had a lot to learn. Col. Ned was patient, but insistent that I push myself every day. Failure was expected, but you owned your mistakes, learned the hard lesson and made yourself and others better in the process. If not, you didn't stay around very long.

He had three simple rules for success:

“Don’t ever show up unprepared.”
“If you don’t know how to do something, ask for help.”
“Remember the first two rules when it’s your turn to be in charge.”

Col. Ned Humphreys was the definition of a “Full-Throttle Leader.” He was always looking for any opportunity to encourage his staff; to help us get where we wanted to go. He was preparing us to lead and made sure we would arrive humble, grateful and always prepared. That’s become my leadership mantra.

Read the full article

Member Corner

Welcome to these Members who joined in July!

Thomas P. Arrighi, President, A & A Metro Transportation

Jamie Cipriano, Ashworth College

Julie Fagan, Director of Sales, Omni Parker House

Melissa Ingberg, Event Sales Manager, City Winery

Lisa Stevens

Volunteer Member Spotlight

Johnice Veals, Senior Events Manager at Vertex Pharmaceuticals

MPI: How and when did you get your start in the events industry?

JV: Honestly, fell into it. My first job was working in the HR Department for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I started as a Training Coordinator planning conferences and workshops all over the state. I loved it so much I starting looking for more event focused positions and I haven’t stopped. It’s truly a dream job for me.

MPI: What is your current position and how has your MPI membership helped you in your career path?

JV: I’m currently the Senior Events Manager at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. I think everyone knows MPI can help build your network and I love that, but the biggest impact for me is the educational opportunities. They’ve helped me gain new skills and enrich my knowledge as a planner.

MPI: What are some things you like to do outside of work?

JV: You can usually find me in my kitchen trying new recipes or traveling. I’m headed to Uganda and Kenya in December, so if you have any recommendations, please send them my way! :)

MPI: Tell us something about yourself we (probably) don’t know!

JV: I sang in a band for 2 years.

MPI: When and why did you start volunteering for MPI?

JV: I started volunteering a few months ago. I was looking to engage more with the MPI NE community and get the most of out my membership. It was a great decision, I already feel supported and more connected. I highly recommend it.

MPI: Why should others volunteer with MPI?

JV: If you’re looking for ways to connect with the event community and get the most out of your membership join a committee, you won’t regret it!