PlanIt Tennessee
March 2013

 

In This Issue
Event Calendar
MPI:TN Facebook
CMP Program
Advertisers' Index
We Need Member News
I AM MPI - Robin Jones
Gala 2013 News!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Memberships
Professional Education and Member Support
Member News

Upcoming Events

 
March 5 - Nashville Progressive MIX Party

 

We will get the Progressive MIX Party started at Doc Holiday's with a "Bear-y" Special Libation and then head next door to...Click here to learn more the first MIX event of 2013!

March 12 - Memphis Educational Luncheon 

 

Please join us for a panel discussion on the most up-to-date tips and trends in the areas of A/V, F&B, Legal and Convention Management. We have assembled a prestigious panel of professionals who will each share a brief presentation on the newest and hottest trends in their areas of expertise.  Click here for more information.


March 12 - Knoxville Business After Hours/BasketAuction

 

Come join us for a fun evening where you can enjoy networking with fellow MPI Members and bid on great basket items, while enjoying the fabulous hospitality of the Hilton Knoxville Airport. If you bring a potential member you will be added to a drawing for a fabulous "RiverStone Signature Facial" from The Spa at RiverStone.  Click here for more information.

 March 20 - Nashville Education Luncheon 

 

Please join us for a "Hands On" presentation where you'll learn how to get the most out of your smartphone and other technologies designed to make our lives easier.  Bring your smartphone, iPad and/or laptop to learn how to be a more effective Meeting Professional!  Click here for more information.  


Website Banner

Stay up-to-date on what's happening!

www.tnmpi.org

Sponsorship   
PLATINUM PARTNERS
  
 Grand Ave logo - 2011  

 


 
GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS
Anchor Tours
Big Events Inc.
Brantley Sound Associates, Inc. (BSA)
Country Music Hall of Fame� and Museum
Dancing Bear Lodge/Townsend, TN
Drury Plaza Franklin
Embassy Suites Nashville South/Cool Springs
EventGenuity
Gary Musick Productions
Graceful Tables
Hard Rock Cafe Gatlinburg
Hard Rock Cafe Memphis
Hard Rock Cafe Nashville
Hilton Nashville Downtown
Hutton Hotel
NetConnect Group Marketing Solutions
   RiverStone Resort & Spa
 Schenk Photography
 Swank Audio Visuals
Union Station Hotel
         United Airlines    
 
  
Do you want to become a MPI:TN sponsor
and partner with the state's largest and most vibrant community of meeting and event professionals!   

For more information contact
Marilyn Johnson, CMP
 Director of Strategic Alliances for MPI:TN.


 
MPI:TN FaceBook!

If you're not keeping up with MPI:TN on Facebook, 
become a Fan today!

Find us on Facebook

CMP
Future CMPs

  

Interested in the CMP process? Visit the MPI:TN website, or contact one of the regional representatives below.

 

MEMPHISCindy Brewer, CMP

 

NASHVILLE - Carol Norfleet, CMP


KNOXVILLE -
Donna Thomas, CMP


 Advertiser's Index 

 Check out MPI:TN's new Advertisers' Index at

MPI:TN Website -- Marketplace Page 

 

 

Once you see it, you'll want to be seen and found there! Low-cost, high-value marketing opportunity for year-round visibility on the MPI:TN web site!

 

For more information, email:

Marilyn Johnson at marilynjohnson1@att.net

or

Karen Morrissey at karen@anchortrailways.com



Member News (2)

Do YOU have Member News to share?

If so, please email it to info@tnmpi.org and put "Member News" in the Subject Line. 

We can't promise to run everything, but we'll do our best! 

 
I AM MPI

1. "I am Robin Jones and I am MPI. I love what we do." 

 

2. When did you realize that you wanted to be in the meeting and event industry?

 

I got hooked on the Hospitality industry when I was 20.  I started as a night auditor and fell in love with an industry that has such a wide reach.  On any given day I get to speak with people from all over the country.  When I was 25 I got my first taste on the meetings side of the Hospitality Industry and I can't imagine doing anything else. 

 

3. What is your most memorable moment at a meeting or

event?

 

I actually attended a conference and met a guest in the elevator and struck up a conversation that led to a group coming to my property and making a lifelong friend. 

 

4. What is the most bizarre moment you've experienced at a

meeting or event?

 

I got licked by a llama. 

 

5. How did you get connected to MPI, and how has it affected

your life?

 

I have been a member of MPI for 6 years, but about 2 years ago I met Melanie Clifford.  She opened my eyes to all that MPI has to offer and, in turn, MPI has opened many doors for me professionally and personally.  I can't imagine not having this resource ever again.  It connects you with the people and information you need.

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Gala/Auction - June 12, 2013 - Music City Center


Music City Center Logo

 

We are so excited to bring everyone together to experience the NEW MUSIC CITY CENTER for our upcoming GALA/Auction!!

We were able to do a hardhat tour with Teri McAllister, Dir. Of Sales  and Renae Droege, Dir. Of Catering Sales of the MCC - and it is Fabulous!!

You will be blown away by the Beautiful Space - it does not seem like your "normal" Convention Center at all!!  WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

More info to Come!!!

 

Please start getting your Auction items in - If you are RENOVATING or UPGRADING or made any CHANGES or ADDITIONS to your services, property, etc.  THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET YOUR INFORMATION OUT TO over 250,000 people AND our MPI FAMILY on the Bidding 4 Good Website.

 

Thank you so much for your Support!!!

 

Click here for the Silent Auction Donation Form

 

Coleen Cussick, GALA Chair

Jordan Haley and Rachel Oliver, AUCTION Co-Chair

Susan Raque, Dir. Special Projects

 

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The Gala is coming! The Gala is coming! And we need YOU to make it the BEST.ONE.EVER.

PLEASE reach out to EVERYONE you can to bring in as many wonderful and fabulous donations as soon as you can. Our deadline is QUICKLY approaching for Maximum Exposure on the Auction Website! 

We need donations WORTHY of being displayed in the BRAND NEW MCC, and to motivate you, we have a video to share...

 

 






MPI:TN extends their thanks to the following organizations for their continued support:  

Hilton Nashville Downtown for renewing your Silver Partnership!  

Union Station Hotel - Autograph Collection for renewing your Silver Partnership!

 


 

 

Money Man   

 

MPI:TN - Recruitment Contest Update

 
Were you at the January meeting?  If not, the MPI Membership Recruitment

team is GIVING away MONEY $$$$$ 

  • $350 for the person who recruits the most new members from January to May 31st
  • $200 for the person who recruits the second most  new members January to May 31st
  • $50 for the person who recruits the third most new members January to May 31st 

Currently Tammy Gilbert Cardona, CMP is in first place with 3 new members Tracy Wray with 2 new members and there is a tie for third place between April High, Scarlett Coffman, CMP and Rusty Chester.

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2013 Membership & Chapter Satisfaction Survey- Starting March 4th  
 
Knowing how to best meet your needs and exceed your expectations is important to your chapter leaders and MPI staff. Sharing your feedback about your MPI experience takes just 15 to 20 minutes.

Out of respect for your time, International and Chapters have collaborated to only issue one satisfaction survey to the membership. We've done this because your feedback is important and enables MPI to improve programs and services to better meet your needs. We will use your input to make adjustments, evolve and deliver greater value to you. We thank you in advance for your help, and appreciate you taking the time.  


Matchmaker, Make Me a Match!

 

MPI:TN has designated March as our Month of Mentoring!  Say that five times fast.

 

Did you know that our chapter has a fantastic mentoring program, called The Power of Two, that's available to all current members of the Tennessee Chapter of MPI?  Our program matches volunteer mentors with mentees at any stage in their career who are seeking to develop new skills or make progress toward professional goals.

 

Do I Really Need a Mentor?  Yes!  In today's competitive landscape a mentoring relationship can give you an edge that differentiates you from everyone else.  Wouldn't you benefit from a relationship with someone who may provide knowledge, insight, support, guidance, and open doors for you?  Some of the world's most rich and famous had mentoring relationships to help them in their quest for excellence*:

*Brian Mulroney (former Prime Minister of Canada) mentor to Karl P�ladeau (Quebecor CEO)

*Marc Andreessen (multi-millionaire founder of Mosaic and Netscape) mentor to Mark Zuckerberg (billionaire founder of Facebook)
*Warren Buffet (billionaire financier) mentor to Donald Graham (publisher, Washington Post) and Michael Lee-Chin (CEO, AIC)

*Bobby Orr (Hall of Fame hockey player) mentor to Dr. Robert Thirsk (astronaut, physician, engineer, scientist) *Ingmar Bergman mentor to Woody Allen

*Joe Weider mentor to Arnold Schwarzenegger
*Richard Burton mentor to Sir Anthony Hopkins

 

If you're interested or even intrigued, contact
Tammy Gilbert Cardona, CMP at Tammy@VisitMusicCity.com.  Click here to discover additional details about the Power of 2.

 

*Sourced from Mentorcity.com
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Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Program

 
The Center for Executive Education, in partnership with TN:MPI, offers a Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Program.  If you are responsible for planning meetings for your business this five session certificate program will give you new skills to work more effectively and more efficiently. The Spring 2013 classes will start Friday, April 5th.  For more information or to register click here.

   
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CMP Study Sessions Announced!

CMP Study Sessions for 2013 will be held at the HCA Headquarters, Building 2 at 2515 Park Plaza Nashville, 37203.


Participants for any/all of the sessions will need to register with Carol Norfleet, CMP at the email address below.

 

Please contact Carol Norfleet, CMP with any questions.

 

CMP Study Sessions - Session 1

March 26 - Iris Room LL East - Conference Center

April 16 - Hermitage Room - LL East Conference Center

 

CMP Study Sessions - Session 2

August 27 - Athena Room - LL East Conference Center

September 24 - Building 2 - Conference Room 1 West - First Floor

October 15 - Iris Room LL East - Conference Center

 

Intensive CMP Boot Camp

April 30 - Building 2 - Conference Room 1 West - First Floor

August 1 - Building 2 - Conference Center 1 West - First Floor

October 29 - Nashboro Room - LL East Conference Center

 

Carol Norfleet, CMP, DMCP

Executive Vice President and COO

Destination Nashville, A Global Events Partner

(615) 851-9190               Phone

(615) 354-4254               Cell

(615) 851-0941               Fax

cnorfleet@destinationnashville.com     www.destinationnashville.com

 

  

   

Are you getting the most out of your membership?  

 
It's a fact: You realize more benefits from your MPI membership the more time and effort you put into it!  Join us for New Member Orientation at 10:30am on Wednesday, March 20th  right before our monthly educational meeting. Learn more about educational and networking opportunities, sponsorship opportunities as well as volunteer and service opportunities. Please RSVP to April High, ahigh@winstonhospitality.com.

  

Check out photos of some of the recent MPI:TN events at our Facebook page by clicking here!

  

 

Members Celebrating March MPI Anniversaries:

 

18 years

Kathy Naive Kirkpatrick, Drury Plaza Frankfort

12 years

Laura Rutledge, Dollar General Corporation 

11 years

Robin Wallace, HelmsBriscoe   

9 years 

Lisa Stille, CMP, Meetings and Events BY Lisa Stille

8 years

Kathryn Collins, CMP, Kathryn Collins & Co.

7 years

Jennifer Hansel, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Bobbi Landreth, FedEx Services 

4 years

Brittany Meeker, Baker Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berko
3 years 
Corynn McMurray, Dollar General Corporation
David Schwartz, Holiday Inn World's Fair Park
Tricia May, NSA
Karin Eggert, Cross Country Education
Sharon Rinehart, Park Vista Resort Hotel
2 years
Michael Smallbone, Premiere Speakers Bureau
Kenneth Zahn, Jr., Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel
Amy Dixon, FedEx Services
1 year
Vanessa Wynn, Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theater
Shannen Stewart, Classic Party Rentals
Felicia Haynes, Swank Audio Visuals
Katherine Page, Nashville Business Journal
Donna Poole, FedEx Corp
New Members
 
Ronni Anderson, Hotel Indigo Nashville
Dottie Baskin, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Patrick Brown, PSAV Presentation Services
Bethany Carlson
Carol Cochran
Molly Munden, Marriott International
Mark Musser, Fontanel Mansion at Farm
Jennifer Plisco
Jill Rucker, Embassy Suites Nashville Airport
Meredith Schakel, Holiday Inn West End
Craig Smith, Embassy Suites Chattanooga
Shannon Yeater, Margaritaville Nashville