MPI New England Chapter News

January 2019

Special Features In This Issue

President's Corner by Kristy H. Burns, CMP, President

Missed the December Holiday Party? Catch Up Here!

Making Healthier F&B Choices for Your Next Meeting with David Nico, PH.D.

CMP Corner: Register Now for the 2-Day Intensive Class

Member Corner: Welcome to our New Members

Volunteer Member Spotlight: Kristen Hawley, CMP

Upcoming Chapter Events

President's Corner

By Kristy H. Burns, CMP, President

Happy New Year! As we enter into 2020, it seems like a great time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, the journey we’ve taken to get to where we are and the plans we have for an exciting, bright future.

2019 was an amazing year for MPI New England, we hosted (5) monthly educational events, (2) membership and volunteer recognition events, (4) social and networking special events and let’s not forget (1) day and a half Educational Institute. Each and every one of these special times where we get together are conceived by, produced and marketed to you by volunteers…let me say that again, everything we do is by our amazing VOLUNTEERS. Along with our volunteers all of these events were sponsored by our partners within the chapter who provided unbelievable food, service, overnight accommodations and experiences for our membership to enjoy.

I just way to say “thank you” to each and every member of our chapter and of our meetings and events community who participated in 2019. Because of all these vibrant volunteers our chapter is thriving and we are looking toward another successful year in 2020.

Your board of directors got together in early January to discuss the future and plan for another year filled with outstanding educational and networking opportunities and also should (fingers crossed) have a confirmed venue to share for our 2020 Educational Institute soon! A lot of hard work gets accomplished over a day and a half while we are together, and I want to thank the Portland Harbor Hotel for an incredible experience and visit.

If you would like to get involved in any way please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at [email protected] , I would love to connect and discuss your future with the chapter.

#joinme

Save the Date for our Next Meeting

January Educational Meeting

Wednesday, January 22, 2020 * 5:30pm – 9:00pm

AC Hotel Cambridge

Don’t Let the Ball Drop: A Countdown to Event Success in 2020

MPI New England is once again kicking off the new year with an educational event to inspire effective working relationships between suppliers and planners. Head into the 2020 with valuable tips from pros across event supplier industries.

In true New Year’s fashion, presenters will give a countdown of their 10 best tips for executing the perfect event. Attendees will learn useful, immediately applicable tools for communicating with vendors.

Location:

AC Hotel

10 Acorn Park Dr.

Cambridge, MA 02140

Agenda:

5:30pm - 6:00pm: Registration / Foyer

6:00pm - 7:00pm: Education / Meeting Room

7:00pm - 8:30pm: Reception

Thank You to our Event Sponsors:

AC Hotel Cambridge

ATR Treehouse

Thank You to our trusted Annual Sponsors:

David Fox Photography

Party Rental Ltd

Your Love In Lights

Las Vegas

Future Affairs Productions

Missed the December Meeting?

What better venue is there to ring in the Holidays than the sumptuously appointed Boston Opera House? The annual MPI Holiday Party gave us plenty of time to reconnect and meet new colleagues.

Lombardo’s To Go enjoyed providing members with cocktail party bite sized foods. There were plenty of yummy options to choose from: Asian Take Out, Hippie Chick salad, a Mediterranean display, and a variety of sliders and savory desserts!

The party also featured not one, but two community give back initiatives! The Mitten Tree installation was decorated with fifty-nine pairs of member-donated mittens and gloves that were delivered to The Salvation Army; and twenty-seven of our MPI members wrote Holiday Greetings and notes of support for our troops in our “Letters to Operation Amercan Soldier” campaign!

Way to go, MPI members!! You’re the best!

Thank you to our amazing vendors for the event:

Catering: Lombardo’s To Go

[email protected]

617) 840-5100 / (781) 815-1262

Photo booth: SnapSeat

[email protected]

DJ: Siagel Productions

http://www.siagelproductions.com

Making Healthier F&B Choices for Your Next Meeting with David Nico, PH.D.

by Jessi Minneci, Northstar Meetings Group

"We need to work on recognizing just how much an optimal diet correlates to health, longevity and overall quality of life for our attendees. For planners, continuing education on the growing demand for wellness is crucial, yet I don't think it's taken into account often enough. I suggest tapping the expertise of dietitians and health professionals on a quarterly basis to get trained on the latest stats and food trends .

In terms of dietary wellness, there is a growing demand for organic and non-GMO products. Why? Research shows a poor-quality diet is linked to many chronic illnesses, and certified organic products are four times less likely to contain harmful substances like pesticides. It would behoove the planner to know these stats, trends and demands before solidifying meal options or requesting beneficial F&B changes.

With the right knowledge and abilities, planners can play a positive role in selecting healthier F&B options that will better contribute to the health and overall wellness of attendees."

CMP Corner

Thinking of your Certified Meeting Professional designation this year? Registration is now open for a 2-Day Intensive Class taking facilitated by Joanne Dennison and taking place February 22-23, 2020 at the Babson Executive Conference Center. MPINE members receive a discounted registration fee.

Member Corner

Welcome to our new Members who joined in December!

Elena Barbera , Director of Business Development, Brattle Entertainment

Meridith Beird

Jenna Bencivenga

Julie Bowerman

Chelsea Degree , Customer Community & Events Specialist, Marathon Health

Aimee Freeman , Ashworth College

Frances Lacivita

Bob Levine

Donna Lubrano

Emyline Lumasag , Event Manager, Corinthian Events

Peter O'Malley , Magician, Peter O'Malley is Magic

Serge Randolphe , Founder & CEO, Catering Brand

Leigh Sjogren , Director, Advancement Events, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Lisa Tiernan , Director of Sales, Wyndham Boston

Christen M. Turner , Meeting Planner, CMP

Volunteer Spotlight: Kristen Hawley, CMP

MPI: When did you start working in the events industry?

Kristen: I started working in the events industry in college, which seems like just yesterday, but I was a Freshman in 2004! Most of my summer college jobs were working on the banquet team at country clubs and assisting the managers with details & coordination. I knew from the first summer that I wanted to be in this industry.

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

Kristen: My current position is “Manager of Meetings & Events” at Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. MPI has helped me in many ways to get where I am now. MPI has provided me with quality networking opportunities which have turned into strong professional relationships with people and also great friendships! Whenever I need a recommendation or reference almost all of mine are people, I met at MPI. It’s also provided me with tremendous education that has allowed me to complete my CMP. I also received a scholarship from global to help pay for my CMP.

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

Kristen: When I’m not working or volunteering for MPI, I love spending time with family & friends, taking walks and hikes with my dog, Kona, golfing, traveling & exploring new places, food & wine, sports, concerts/music and spinning. (I would love a Peloton bike for Christmas, if someone could tell my husband.)

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

Kristen: I am a NH & New England Women’s Tennis Double’s Champion.

MPI: Why did you start volunteering for MPI?

Kristen: I started volunteering for MPI sometime in the beginning of 2013. I joined the Special Events Committee, where I co-chaired a couple events. Then I joined the board as Director of Special Events from 2015-2016, from there I was VP of Special Projects from 2016-2017 and my last term on the board was VP of Membership from 2017-2018. Currently, I volunteer on the sponsorship & finance committee.