A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD
GRATITUDE AND PAYING IT FORWARD

This time of year, I consider the spirit of giving, not only through a gift or financially but of one’s self, and I think of what I can do. What came over loud and clear was a desire to give back to the industry that has given so much to me. I’d like to ask you to take a moment and think about your first mentor in the business and then think about the first person who offered you insight or guidance. This can be someone who believed in you before you believed in yourself. Recall the opportunity and lessons learned and then connect the dots to see how these people helped you get to where you are today.

I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who wanted to see me excel and enjoyed pouring their wisdom into me. I started my hospitality career with Dolce International at their headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey circa 1998. I wasn’t looking and never thought I would be in sales, but they found me and the rest is history. It’s a great story by the way, ask me when you see me and I will be happy to share. When I think back on the people who mentored me, I smile, I feel blessed. They are friends and I am still in touch with them. I have let them know the impact they had in my life and expressed my gratitude often.

Why am I sharing this with you? Because, in your reflecting, I am hopeful that you too will see the goodness in your life and consider being a mentor or mentee if you are not already. No matter where you are in your career, someone can benefit from you. It’s up to all of us to continue to grow our industry and community. There are many ways to go about being a mentor

  • MPI New Jersey will be emphasizing young professionals in our chapter in the coming months
  • MPI women’s community is starting a mentor program
  • Try something different and consider starting or joining a mastermind group, where you reap the benefits of having a mentor too.

What our chapter found, during the pandemic, is that we are all connected, and we all need someone in our corner. This community can provide that to you and to others. Reach out to the membership team or to someone on the board and let us know if you would like to mentor or if you would like a mentee and let’s give.get.grow into 2023!

Stephanie Zapata
MPI New Jersey Director of Membership
Director of Business Development, Mohegan Sun
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
ANNUAL CMP/CMM RECOGNITION EVENT
"Ensure your Designation is Excelling you to Excellence"

MPI New Jersey hosted their first live CMP/CMM Recognition Event in over two years. Attendees gathered at the Hilton Short Hills to mix and mingle and hear from an esteemed panel of peers on the state of our industry as we move beyond the pandemic. 
Hosted by Sir Dion Magee of OMNIPEAR, panelists included:
  • Kellie Cahill of the Conrad New York Midtown and the New York Hilton Midtown
  • Missy Madden of Iconic Incentives & Meeting Management
  • Lindsay Plath of AMR Management Services
  • Michelle Shannon of Novo Nordisk, Inc

Kellie mentioned areas where Hilton is helping ease current staffing issues by allowing certain positions to split the five-day work week between two employees and some locations are offering daily pay to its employees.

When Dion asked the panel if they thought getting certifications such as the CMP and CMM was important, Lindsay answered with a resounding yes and said that applicants with certifications listed on their resumes stand out against the competition without a doubt.
As a leader at her company, Michelle described how her management style has changed since COVID started and how flexibility and understanding are becoming much more common in the workplace.

As the newest CMP in attendance, I along with Trish Rafferty, the attendee who has had her CMP certification the longest, received very nice MPI-New Jersey themed gift baskets. We also honored Joanne Joham, MPI New Jersey Past President, who recently was inducted to the first class of Fellows with the Events Industry Council. 

Special thanks to our event sponsors who made this program possible.
Premier Sponsor - Wind Creek Bethlehem
Preferred Sponsor - Experience Kissimmee Florida
AV Partner - Premier Innovations
Hotel Partner - Hilton Short Hills
Table Décor Sponsor: Tablescapes by Tig

I very much enjoyed being in the presence of such esteemed peers and thought the panel discussion was very engaging. After the panel portion, I got the chance to catch up with fellow members and even meet some I hadn’t met before, while enjoying the delicious food and beverages provided by the Hilton Short Hills. Each event MPI New Jersey holds just keeps getting better and better!

Article by Meghan Shott, CMP, DES
New Jersey Association for Justice, Inc.
CALL FOR SPEAKERS:

If you would like to speak at an MPI New Jersey Chapter Event, including our signature MEETS Conference, please submit your application to our Education committee for consideration!

Official registration partner of MPI New Jersey
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Valuable Tips to Ensure the Safety and Success of Your Events


Written by: JoAnn Mitchell, MBA CMP
Incentive Hyperdrive




Written by: Gretchen Kelly

S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goal Setting



Written by: Lauren F. Nance, CMP

MEMBERSHIP NEWS
MEMBER MILESTONES:
Congratulations to members celebrating anniversaries with MPI this month:

19 Years
  • Vanessa Willis, CMP - Educational Testing Service
14 Years
  • Nicole Swanander - Mohonk Mountain House
10 Years
  • Daniel Raimonda, CMP - MatureHealth Communications
9 Years
  • Alyse Pashman, CMP - McCarter & English, LLP
7 Years
  • Hara Hawthorne, HMCC - Eisai Inc
  • Kim Cowperthwait, CMP, DES - Larc Schools
5 Years
  • Tara Marsh - Stockton University
  • Stephanie Zapata - Mohegan Sun
3 Years
  • Adele Perkins, HMCC - Meeting Alliance
2 Years
  • Larry Sieg
  • Agnieszka ( Agnes) Zaranski, CHE - Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
SCHOLARSHIPS:
In the 2019/2020 term, MPI New Jersey experienced the great loss of two of our legacy members and Past Presidents. 

Pamela James, CMP served as Chapter President in 2004/2005 and Julia Ramos, CMP in 2013/2014. Those that knew either Pam or Julia know that they were champions of MPI. They were always there to make you feel welcome, encourage you to get involved and learn thru our educational programs, all in order to help each of us be the best in our professional lives. 

MPI New Jersey Chapter has established a scholarship program in their honor to provide educational opportunities to our members and encourage involvement in Meeting Professionals International. 

The following awards that are available: 
  • Julia Ramos, CMP Education Scholarship – Available to a Planner Member in good standing
  • Pamela James, CMP Education Scholarship – Available to a Supplier Member in good standing 

Applications for 2023 are now being accepted from qualified MPI New Jersey members for the financial support of attendance at MPI New Jersey Chapter Education programs for 2023. 
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
What is your favorite thing about our industry?
Each event really has their own special qualities, but the events I’ve done for medical meeting professionals, have been very rewarding. It’s a daunting task planning a conference for those who work in the meetings industry, but you know you’ve blown in out of the park when your peers give you positive feedback.

What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?
My most memorable events have been our annual National Sales Meetings. The locations are always changing. Every event allows for more creativity in delivering quality content. There are many opportunities to create an engaging learning environment, infuse some fun and camaraderie amongst colleagues and provide an overall flawless experience.
SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER:
MPI is all about creating community, and these days we have more opportunities to connect online then we do in person. So, let us hear from you and engage on MPI New Jersey's social media.

Click on the post here to leave your own comments!

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date on Chapter happenings as well as connect and have fun!
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MASTERING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
MPI COMMUNITY FORUMS:
The MPI Community Forums are the place to share best practices, start conversations, and engage with the people in the world's most vibrant meeting and event community. Forums are open to MPI members only from across all 65 international chapters.

There is sure to be a forum for you, just take a look and join the conversation. There is also a forum for MPI New Jersey members only which serves as a great way to stay connected with our local community and share regional based information.
MPI RESOURCES: 
Through the MPI Academy, you have access to cutting-edge education and consulting that will enhance your meetings and events, drive attendance and ultimately create positive business value for your organization.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS