“Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don’t be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old memoria, memoria, memoria …”
Nirvana
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Believe it or not, this Nirvana song was released 30 years ago, and as I read the lyrics, I find myself seeing how appropriate they are because there isn’t a clear or right answer for the questions surrounding our industry, and life. Should I take my time and wait to attend events in person, or should I hurry up so I’m not late and won’t miss out on anything? And, as a friend, I want you to know that I agree with the words above. The choice is yours to make, and I fully support your decision. It’s hard to know what to do, but together, and without judgment, we will continue to move forward as friends and members of MPI Tennessee.
What an education session last month! Thank you to Rachel Sheerin and her incredible advice on how to handle burnout. For those of you who missed her, you still have the ability to see a different presentation by Rachel either virtually or in person at CONNECT on April 9 at Analog at the Hutton Hotel. To quote Rachel, “I’m not everyone’s cup of coffee, but I’m someone’s shot of tequila!” Tara Henderson has lined-up three amazing speakers, and we are thrilled to use this opportunity to help give back to the Second Avenue Strong fund and those affected by the bombing on Christmas Day. Be sure to register now as space is limited.
March has already started off with the Women in Leadership conference. Thank you to MPI Global and American Airlines for their generous donation and making this program possible! On March 18 and 19 the chapter is offering a virtual CMP Bootcamp for anyone who is interested in working towards their CMP. There are only a few slots remaining.
GMID will be on April 8. The entire Global Meeting Industry Day will be done virtually so be sure to look for further details.
Don’t forget that the Circle of Excellence awards will be given out at the Annual Gala in May. Nominations are open now, so please take the time to nominate worthy planners, suppliers and new members through the link on our website.
I could go on and on about all of the exciting events coming up in the next few months. Our board continues to work hard to make sure that our members are pleased with all we have to offer. And, as a friend, I hope to see you at these events either virtually or in-person.
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Until we meet again,
Jill
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We hope everyone in our MPI family is staying safe and healthy as we continue to battle COVID-19 and the affect it is having on our industry and our membership. Our board is here for you if you need anything. We hope the information below is helpful to you as we all navigate the near future. Please reach out to any of us directly if you are struggling, have questions, or just need to chat. |
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MPI Tennessee Financial Assistance – If you have lost your job,suffering financial hardship during this time and are unable to attend our events, please take a moment to fill out the Financial Hardship Form. We value you and would love to continue seeing you at our membership events! Click below to fill out a form!
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MPI Member Resume Support – Did you know that MPI members have access to complimentary resume critique through our career centre? Members will need their MPI username/password to access this service. Click on the following link and follow the path listed to have your resume critiqued: www.mpi.org > Resources > Career Center > Sign In > go to My Account (top left corner) > go to Resume > check mark “Send me my free professional resume critique from TopResume” > click on Upload Resume to, you guessed, upload your resume.
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MPI Global Member Assistance Program: We do not want to lose any of you as members. For those whose jobs have been affected by COVID-19, MPI Global has several options to help if you are up for renewal, and they will be reaching out to you. You can also contact MPI Global directly at help@mpi.org, call 972-702-3053, or fill out and follow the instructions in this form.
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Update Membership Profile: If you or someone you know has new contact information, be sure to reach out to us at info@mpitn.org or 615-373-8002 so we can update that information with our chapter and MPI Global. Remember, your membership belongs to you and follows you even when your employer changes.
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MPI Tennessee Private Facebook: Join our private Facebook page to learn more about these events and to connect with the fun and informative things going on with our MPI Family.
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Do you want to become an MPI Tennessee Chapter
sponsor and partner with the state's largest,
most vibrant community of meeting and event professionals?
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For more information, contact MPI Tennessee's Director of Strategic Alliances, Ashleigh Cote! |
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March MIX
Lucky to Have Each Other
March 11, 2021
4:00pm-7:00pm
Grand Hyatt Nashville
Join us for a wee party as we celebrate luck, life & laughter at our St. Patty’s Day Mix!
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MPI Tennessee C•O•N•N•E•C•T
The one where we pivoted, again.
April 9, 2021
1:00pm-6:00pm
Analog at Hutton Hotel
Join us for an afternoon filled with inspiration, education, laughter and connection as we re-ignite our passions for the industry we love. Our main FRIENDS joining us for the day will be Patrick Nelson, Melissa Majors and Rachel Sheerin, followed by a happy hour in Central Perk! There will be fun giveaways for members and non-members, so you won’t want to miss out on this! Grab your FRIENDS and let’s CONNECT!
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**Save the Date**
MPI Tennessee's
2021 Circle of Excellence Awards
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Save The Date for the most anticipated social event of any year! The 2021 MPI Tennessee Circle of Excellence Gala invites you to hit, stand, or call—but never fold!
Registration coming soon!
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What does the future of meetings and events look like? At MPI’s WEC Vegas, YOU can take an active role in shaping it.
This is your opportunity to gather with your peers at CAESARS FORUM, roll up your sleeves and draw up the blueprint of what the future of your profession looks like.
Register before 3/15 and save up to $210!
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Join us for the industry celebration of the year! MPI is hosting Global Meetings Industry Day: Virtual, a free, 12-hour live broadcast featuring education and activities worth 12 clock hours!
This year’s GMID theme is Meet Safe, recognizing the industry’s top priority of operating meetings and events with health and safety top-of-mind. Meeting and event industry professionals know that planning and hosting meetings and events with health and safety top-of-mind is essential to the industry’s recovery.
GMID 2021 will spotlight for local businesses, lawmakers and the media the precautions the industry is taking to keep everyone safe and ensure productivity as well as the incredible value this industry has for global economic recovery.
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CMP Bootcamp with
Molly Johnson, CMP, QAS
March 18-19, 2021
9am - noon CST
Considering getting your CMP this year?
Join us for our CMP Bootcamp class! This program will:
- Walk through the process of obtaining the CMP certification
- Overview of each of the nine (9) CMP-IS Domains and twenty-eight (28) skills to gain a better understanding of the complex material in the CMP Manuals
- Learn key terms and acronyms
- View sample exam questions: discuss the way they are structured to include math questions
- All attendees will receive a 250-question practice exam
- Discuss resources available
- Attendee will have ongoing support until they sit for the exam
- Gain test taking tips
- Review how to maintain your certification
This bootcamp is eligible for 6 CE hours
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Join our Mentorship Program! Mentoring benefits the mentor and the mentee by increasing your engagement, social skills and professional development. Click below for more information and to sign up! |
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The Annual Gala is our largest fundraiser and biggest celebration of the year! We are seeking 2 (two) Auction Chairs and 5-7 committee members.
This opportunity gives you a special opportunity to connect you with members that you may or may not know by working through our membership list!
It's also a great way to connect with non-industry professionals or industry-non members that might be looking for exposure to our membership by making a donation!
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Join our Strategic Alliance Committee and work on sponsorship fulfillment, community outreach programs and more!
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Do you enjoy networking and getting to know your fellow MPI Tennessee community members? Consider volunteering on our Membership committee! We are seeking volunteers for:
- Membership Liaison
- Membership Retention
- Membership Recruitment
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Congratulations to MPI Tennessee's Velvet Graham
2020 Smart Meetings Planner of the Year!
Velvet Graham
Senior Director of Events, Community Relations and Culture & Inclusion
Resiliency Style: Faith Belief Hope
What’s the secret to waking up each morning with a positive mindset in the midst of a global pandemic that cancels months of careful planning faster than you can say force majeure…and a national civil rights protest movement that forces you to reflect on painful incidents you would rather put behind you?
For 2020 Smart Meetings Planner of the Year, Velvet Graham, it is this: a belief in the inherent goodness in people; and the hope that, if she can change one mind, one heart, and that person tells someone else, then tomorrow will be better—even if that tomorrow doesn’t come as quickly as we might like it to arrive. “If I didn’t believe in that, I don’t know that I could get up in the morning,” she says. Read more about Velvet's journey here!
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Debbie Garcia, CMP
CEO
virsitour
How long have you been in the events and hospitality industry? 12 Years
Why did you join MPI? I was made aware of MPI when I worked in my first events job at Dick's Last Resort in 2011. I wanted to meet people in the industry and make connections.
What do you hope to get from your MPI Tennessee membership?I have already made some amazing longstanding friendships. I hope to continue my eduction and friendships in the industry.
What is your favorite meeting or event you have been involved in and why? One of my favorite meetings was at Nissan Stadium. I was able to speak in front of MPI and meet Judi Holler, who has become an amazing mentor to me.
Tell us more about yourself…hobbies, fun fact, etc: I am a mom of two, Max 8 and Maisie 4. I love to sing, dance and act. I sang at the Vatican when I was in college for the Pope.
What would you sing at karaoke night? My favorite karaoke song to sing is "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
What makes you laugh the most? My kids make me laugh the most. They really do say the craziest things.
Which decade do you love the most and why? I loved the 80's. Big hair, great music, and being a kid on the verge of a tech boom. Being able to bridge a generation and being part of the process.
You can have an unlimited supply of one thing for the rest of your life, what is it? Chips Ahoy Cookies
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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!
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As we start to reopen business after the COVID-19 "Safe At Home" orders, we know businesses will start to re-hire their employees. However, some businesses will need new candidates to join their team. If your organization is looking for a new team member, click this link to fill out the online job submission form, and we will make sure to
include it in our next MPI Tennessee Newsletter and on social media.
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New to the family in February |
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Kate Adams - Novolex
Laura Chappell - Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Sara Rusinek - Continental Inns of America
Andrew Fleckenstein - Fleck Video
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Congratulations to our members celebrating
a MPI anniversary in March!
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Robin L Wallace - 19 years
Melanie Clifford - 14 years
Tammie Vogel - 8 years
Jill E Rucker - 6 years
Scoobie Schneider - 4 years
Lisa Schneider - 4 years
Heidi Baker - 4 years
Heather Snover - 2 years
Debbie Garcia, SMP - 2 years
Leigh Bentley, CMP - 2 years
Ashlynn Basler - 2 years
Kate Adams - 2 years
Brooke Long - 1 year
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*Note: If you notice that your designation or years of membership are wrong, or you don't see your name, your profile on MPI Global's website may need to be updated! Log in to your profile on www.mpi.org to make changes, or contact us at 615-373-8002 if you have any questions.
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