Happy June!

I have to start by thanking our Gala & Auction Volunteers for an absolutely stunning event! Thank you to our sponsors City Winery, Gary Musick Productions, Quest Events, Future Boy Creative, Twisted, Please be Seated, Groups 360, Twila's Photography, The Downtown Band, La Vie Quartet, White Ink Calligraphy & Fiorella, for making this magical event happen. 

Shout out to Christina Dallas Jones and the Cambria Nashville Downtown for fully sponsoring the 2022-23 Board’s Annual Retreat; along with Dena Tidwell at Ole Red and Derrick Pannell at Morton’s for sponsoring our dinners. With the help of Michelle Johnson, we were able to get our future board together and strategize on how we are going to give our best to serve our members for the upcoming year.

For those of you that were unable to attend the Gala, I want to share one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from a one-year-old. To get to daycare each morning, I have to drive down Jefferson Street. Now I don’t know if any of you have ever driven down Jefferson Street in Nashville but there are more bumps on that road than the skin of a toad. This was in Decemberish so we hadn’t even hit pothole season yet!

Every day, I would curse (in my head of course) as I tried to dodge all the bumps all while listening to CoComelon on repeat. I became so frustrated thinking the shocks on my car were going to die and then I’d have to fly my dad up here to fix them because I have no idea how to fix anything on a car and gosh, I just wish Tennessee would fix these darn roads. One day as I hit a bump, I heard a little voice from the back seat go “eeeehhhhhh” followed by a little giggle. I turned around briefly to see the biggest grin on my foster daughter’s face. I hit another bump and again heard “eeeehhhhhhh” followed by a massive baby belly laugh, which in turn made me laugh out loud. We did this over and over and all of a sudden, I wasn’t stressed about the car and cursing about the bumps in the road. I was actually hitting each one purposefully and laughing with her through them. 

Immediately I had an “Ah-Ha” moment. This little girl taught me that when the road gets bumpy, you have to find a way to laugh through it. Because eventually one day the road will be repaved, and it will be smooth sailing again, but you will still have the memories and lessons learned from that time and only you get to choose how you got through it. These past couple of years have been a bumpy road for all of us to say the least. Whether you are still struggling to come back from the pandemic or you are so overwhelmed with business, understaffed, and just trying to make it to tomorrow, know that we are all here for each other and are truly blessed and honored to laugh through it all together.

Six Steps to a Zero Waste Event

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CST

Ole Red Nashville

This session helps participants understand that zero waste events are not a pie-in-the-sky dream but in fact an attainable reality. The session is full of practical steps and tips to show participants how to actually reduce and divert landfill waste at their events. Participants will learn the definition of a zero-waste event, ways to reduce event waste, and practical strategies for separating and collecting waste in an event setting. They will finish the session by learning how to calculate an event's waste diversion rate, a powerful metric that event professionals can use to demonstrate their own commitment to sustainability as well as their clients'.

After this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify opportunities to reduce waste at their own events
2. Form successful partnerships to divert additional waste from the landfill
3. Guide guest behavior with effective communication of waste diversion efforts

Tom Morrison, CEO

Metal Treating Institute

tom@heattreat.net

How long have you been in the events and hospitality industry?  27 Years

Why did you join MPI?  I joined to expand my network within the meeting planning network and learn creative ideas for events. I also am a professional speaker on change management and personal development and wanted to connect with meeting planners looking for an energetic local speaker.

What do you hope to get from your MPI Tennessee membership? Connect in and grow by interacting and engaging other members within MPI.

What is your favorite meeting or event you have been involved in and why?  The Florida Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting. I was very active in their conference as a volunteer and it had a lot of energy, production, and excitement that inspired my passion as well as your knowledge.

Tell us more about yourself: I love 80's music and have played drums since I was 6 years old. Love travel, golf and engaging people to have a good time.

What would you sing on karaoke night?  You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

What makes you laugh the most?  My wife... she has such a quirky personality and sense of humor. Love watching her interact with others because she is so funny.

Which decade do you love the most and why?  80's because it took everything about life to a whole new level with fashion, music, and nightlife.

You can have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what is it? Diet Coke? Sushi? Scotch Tape? 5-Hour Energy Drinks!!

We want to know more about you! Our membership is diverse, and we have grown so much over the last few years. We want to recognize each of you and help all of us feel more connected by learning more about each other.

Click on the link below to fill out our Member Spotlight form. We will include your responses in newsletters, social media posts and other MPI Tennessee communications. Don't forget to include your picture!

Support MPI with every eligible AmazonSmile purchase from your phone or web browser!

Just shop at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate to our organization, at no additional cost to you!