MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

Rain Couldn't Stop Our 28th Annual Chapter Golf Event from Shining!

The 28th Annual MPI New Jersey Chapter Golf Event returned to Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and despite Mother Nature's best efforts, not even the rain could dampen the spirit of one of the Chapter's signature events.

With golfers, pickleball players, sponsors, volunteers, and industry partners coming together for a day of networking, friendly competition, and giving back, the event once again demonstrated why it has become a highlight of the Chapter.

A Record-Breaking Year

The numbers tell an incredible story of growth and success:

• 📈 Attendance increased by 18.4%, growing from 2025 to 2026
• 💰 Event profit increased by 18.3%, rising from 2025 to 2026 - even after investing additional funds for a new off-site pickleball experience in case of rain.
• 🎟️ Raffle revenue increased by 31.4%, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants.

Demand for the event exceeded expectations, with the Golf Committee selling out all sponsorships, and the Paddles & Platters foursomes in record time!

Exceptional Attendee Experience

Attendee feedback confirmed that this year's event was our best yet. The overall event satisfaction score, on a scale of 1-5, increased from 4.59 in 2025 to 4.79 in 2026, while the percentage of attendees awarding the event a perfect score jumped from 69% to an impressive 83%.

Survey responses highlighted the enhanced networking opportunities, improved event flow, and the exciting updates made throughout the day.

A Winning Addition: Paddles & Platters

This year introduced a refreshed experience for non-golfers with pickleball and a charcuterie board class, replacing last year's Golf Simulator & Wine Tasting activity.

The change was a tremendous success. The combined satisfaction rating for the new activities increased from 4.29 in 2025 to 4.78 in 2026. Participants especially enjoyed the energy of pickleball, the creativity of the charcuterie experience, and the opportunity to reconnect with golfers during the afternoon networking reception.

Thank You!

Events like this are only possible because of the incredible dedication of our Golf Committee, volunteers, sponsors, donors, Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club, and every attendee who helped make the day unforgettable.

Your support, enthusiasm, and resilience helped turn a rainy forecast into one of our most successful Golf Events to date.

Join the Team!

Interested in helping shape next year's event?

The Golf Committee is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help plan and execute one of the Chapter's largest annual fundraisers. Whether you're interested in sponsorships, logistics, registration, raffle coordination, or creating memorable attendee experiences, we'd love to welcome you to the team and continue building on this year's incredible success together!

If you're interested in volunteering for the 29th Annual Golf Event, complete our volunteer form.

Melissa Kienzlen, CMP, DES, HMCC, TbHS - Director of Special Events

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAPTER STRATEGIC PARTNER

UPCOMING EVENTS

July Meet Up

Join the MPI New Jersey Chapter and the MPI Philadelphia Chapter for an unforgettable evening at the shore as we come together for a collaborative networking experience at Ocean Casino Resort's Topgolf Suite in Atlantic City.

Reconnect with familiar faces, expand your network, and build new relationships with meeting and event professionals from across the region—all while enjoying great food, drinks, friendly competition, and spectacular views in one of Atlantic City's premier destinations. 

Whether you're looking to strengthen industry connections, share ideas, or simply unwind with colleagues, this is the perfect opportunity to mix business with fun in a relaxed and energetic setting.

Why rush home? Turn your networking night into a mini getaway. Our gracious host has made a limited number of complimentary guest rooms available exclusively for qualified planners. 



DATE: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

TIME: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

LOCATION: Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City

500 Boardwalk

Atlantic City, NJ

Membership Monday

Join us for Membership Monday!

A members-only virtual gathering designed to spark conversation, connection, and collaboration. In this one-hour session, we dive into the industry’s hottest topics and tackle the challenges that keep us up at night.



Together, we share insights, exchange best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences. This intimate chat is the perfect way to strengthen your network and gain fresh perspectives from fellow members.

DATE: Monday, August 10, 2026

TIME: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

LOCATION: Virtual

Kalahari Overnight Safari and MPI Education Escape

Joint Chapter Education Program with the MPI Greater NY Chapter

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the MPI New Jersey Chapter and MPI Greater New York Chapters come together for a unique overnight retreat designed to inspire, connect, and strengthen our meetings and events community.

Over the course of two exciting days, attendees will enjoy a dynamic mix of education, networking, and team-building experiences while exploring one of the region's premier resort destinations. More than just a program, this event is an opportunity to build meaningful relationships across chapter lines, creating new connections and fostering a stronger bond between our communities. Together, we're building a bridge that extends beyond this event, one that will continue to bring industry professionals together, encourage collaboration, and strengthen MPI throughout the region.

Stay the Night and Make It a Getaway!

A limited number of complimentary guest rooms will be available for qualified planner attendees, with additional rooms offered at a special discounted group rate. Even better, we've secured an extended group rate through the weekend, giving you the perfect opportunity to turn your MPI experience into a family getaway.

Join us as we learn, connect, and create lasting partnerships that will strengthen our industry for years to come. We can't wait to see you in the Poconos!

DATE: Thursday, September 17, 2026 - Friday, September 18, 2026

LOCATION: Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Pocono Mountains

250 Kalahari Blvd

Pocono Manor, PA

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAPTER STRATEGIC PARTNER

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Member Spotlight

This month, we're shining the spotlight on Tonia Meluso of The New Jersey Devils! Check out a featured Q&A below, then follow the link to read their full Member Spotlight and learn more about their story.

New Members

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

Ashley Galligan - Hershey Entertainment & Resorts

Member Milestones

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

31 Years

Maureen Murphy, CMP CSEP - New Jersey Association of Realtors

30 Years

Patty Stern - Patty Stern Creative Marketing & Event Concepts

27 Years

Kimberley Tenderenda, CMP CMM HMCC - Merck & Co.

24 Years

MaryAnne Kanacki, CMP - Dragonfly Agency Corporation

21 Years

Trish Rafferty, CMP - Maritz

Holly Polo - Bracco Diagnostic Inc

20 Years

Michelle Phillips, CMP - SignatureXperiences

13 Years

Pia Carpenter - El Conquistador

8 Years

Nicole Kanacki, HMCC - The Lockwood Group

6 Years

Amy Pirrello, CMP - Verizon Communications

4 Years

Alice Harrington-Caravello - Hyatt Hotels International

Ilyssa Swenor, HMCC - Health & Wellness Partners, LLC

Madison Kelbaugh - Health & Wellness Partners, LLC

3 Years

Rochelle Moneta - LeRoe Promotional Marketing

2 Years

Christopher Rafferty - Stark & Stark

Nicole LaMonica - MetLife Stadium

Colleen McArdle, CMP - County College of Morris

Melissa Scholl

Rachel Fitzpatrick, CMP - AM Best

Emma Kresge - AM Best

Greg Riccardi - RICCARDI MEDIA

1 Year

Vinnie Cicerale

Patrice Sanders - Experient, A Maritz Global Event Company

Volunteer with Us!

As a Member of the MPI New Jersey Chapter you have vested interest in the future of this chapter. We want you to bring your talents to our team by volunteering and serving on a committee. 

We are seeking an immediate need for a Member Outreach/Connections volunteer to assist our Membership Committee in member retention.

When you GIVE of your time, you GET so much more in return and GROW in ways you never expected. 

To join a committee with the MPI New Jersey Chapter, complete the Volunteer Interest Form, and our Membership team will reach out to you to get you started!  

Have you Heard of the Next Wave?

The Next Wave is where the next generation of event professionals come to connect, grow, and shape what’s ahead. An MPI New Jersey Chapter small group, designed for those under 40 or with five years or less in the industry, this group is all about fresh ideas, real conversations, and building meaningful relationships with peers who are navigating the same exciting stage of their careers.

Keep up with Next Wave events, initiatives, and news by signing up to receive their emails. Click here to join the database!

THANK YOU TO OUR CHAPTER STRATEGIC PARTNER

ONSITE ONLINE BLOG: FEATURED ARTICLE

Reaching for the Stars: Elevating Experience Design for the Next Generation of Meeting Professionals

Article by: Janet Murphy Stott

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

NOW AVAILABLE

Keep your brand in front of New Jersey's meeting and event professionals while supporting the events and education that bring our community together.

Featured 2026 sponsorship opportunities include:

• September 17 and 18: Kalahari Overnight Safari and MPI Education Escape with MPI New Jersey Chapter and MPI Greater New York Chapter

• December 1: Our Signature Annual CMP/CMM Recognition Event



The 2027 Sponsorship Guide will be released on September 1. If you need sponsorship information sooner for budgeting or planning purposes, please reach out. We'd be happy to help you find the opportunity that's the best fit for your organization.

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

Official technology partners of MPI New Jersey