A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD
Don’t Let Your Boss’s ‘No’
Stand in the Way of Your ‘Yes’

I’ve heard some good stories from industry colleagues about how their bosses have supported them through their membership with MPI.
Membership - company sponsored.
Events during the workday - approved.
Education programs - expense it.
But their stories weren’t my story and that bothered me. I knew I was missing out on something good. No matter how I positioned involvement with MPI as a good thing for business, I found myself outside the fishbowl, looking in on the action.
Those industry colleagues said MPI was the place to be if I wanted to be a well-informed, well-rounded meeting professional. A world-class academy, certificate programs, premier member benefits, resources, and a second-to-none global marketplace would be at my fingertips.
I wasn’t in the place to be, though. No matter how I finessed my work schedule to attend local MPI events, the boss said the time out of the office just wasn’t there. Translation: No, you can’t go. If you do, use your paid time off.
Undeterred, I turned that boss’s no into a yes for myself. An act of rebellion? Maybe. Hey, being resourceful and finding solutions is what I do every day. So, I took the boss’s advice.
I used paid time off to attend lunchtime and after-work events with MPI New Jersey. The programming, social scene, and leadership opportunities were outstanding and kept me finding ways to remain engaged. When I couldn’t attend an activity, I offered to design the presentation slides for the chapter’s educational programs. I found a way into the room without being in the room. Video calls for committee meetings kept me involved and positioned me to demonstrate my leadership skills.
This may sound corny, but here it goes: The Internet is an awesome place. Let me explain…
MPI’s on-demand education from the World Education Congress (WEC) was one of the best investments I made in myself. Also, thoughtful digital articles in The Meeting Professional magazine, and the rich information found in MPI’s Communities all boosted my knowledge base. Back then, I took every opportunity to apply what I learned through MPI to transform me into an in-demand independent meeting planner.
Yup, you read that right!
The pandemic ignited a parting of the ways for me and that boss. And because I understand the power of a good-bye, I’ve taken my association management experience and MPI brilliance to run my own company full-time. I now have the freedom to say yes to MPI even more. Opportunities are now boundless to work through the unmatched MPI Supplier Network of venues, CVBs, and more while gleaning from the best of the best in the hospitality industry.
To every phenomenally supportive stakeholder who invests in the professional development of their team members: Thank You! Our industry deserves great leaders, like you. As your team grows, greater profits will follow. Support them and they’ll run through walls to achieve your organization’s goals and objectives.
A yes to MPI is a yes to so much more for yourself. Now, go make it happen!
Lauren F. Nance, CMP
Director of Education, MPI New Jersey Chapter
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join your MPI New Jersey Chapter on the second Monday of each month for our MEMBERS ONLY Membership Monday event!

Grab your lunch and spend some quality time over Zoom with your colleagues. This hour will provide you with an opportunity to connect in breakout rooms to discuss what is on your mind and how your MPI New Jersey network can help.

This is designed as an interactive session, so we will ask you to have cameras on and be ready to participate. 
(Make-up NOT required!)

We look forward to chatting, connecting & collaborating with you!

DATES: October 11, 2021, November 8, 2021, December 13, 2021
(Register for one or more events!)
TIME: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
LOCATION: Virtual Program 
WHO: MPI Members Only
PIONEERING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC: WOMEN AND MEN IN LEADERSHIP WTIH SPEAKER MICHELE SIEKERKA, ESQ.
Join the President of New Jersey’s leading association, New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA), Michele N. Siekerka, Esq, in a discussion of leadership in challenging situations as the meeting and events industry looks past the pandemic. We have learned to plan and work together differently, but what about our leadership styles?

An experienced multi-dimensional leader in commerce, industry and government, Michele has worked with diverse teams to get goals achieved in complex situations. Join Michele and members of MPI- New Jersey, to strengthen and develop your leadership skills with new but proven insights into leading teams with results.

At the conclusion of this interactive discussion, you will know more about leadership styles, perception differences and being able to recognize the impact of those differences. Also learn new techniques to bridge gaps in finding ways to work together to achieve the goals and objectives for all stakeholders.

DATES: October 21, 2021
TIME: 10:30AM - 12:00PM
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Princeton, NJ
MPI New Jersey is a CMP Preferred Provider and works with the EIC to have all our education programs approved for credit.
This program is approved for 1 CE: Domain G Meeting & Event Design
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR ADDITIONAL CHAPTER EVENTS

Education Programs:
March 24, 2022: MPI NJ MEETS Conference

Membership Mondays:
Register for any of the following dates now!
October 11, 2021
November 8, 2021
December 13, 2021

Special Events:
March 24, 2022: MPI New Jersey's 35th Birthday Party (following the MPI NJ MEETS)
June 9, 2022: Annual Golf Event @ Crystal Springs Resort
Official registration partner of MPI New Jersey
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Travel Industry Welcomes Government's Plan To Reopen US To Vaccinated Travelers


Written by: Janeen Christoff
From the Heart – A Powerful Tune in to Talk




Written by: Trish Rafferty
Reasons to be thankful as we commemorate 9/11



Written by: Rich Luna
SPONSOR
HAPPY 35TH BIRTHDAY TO MPI NEW JERSEY
VINTAGE 1986: WHAT A YEAR TO REMEMBER

Timbuk 3 said it best in one of the year’s top songs, “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” Little did we know just how bright it would be!

1986 saw its share of ups and downs including:
  • The Soviet Union launched the Mir Space Station
  • The first federal Martin Luther King Day is observed
  • Fergie got married to the Duke of York
  • 5 million people joined hands in Hands Across America
  • Kenny Loggins took us to the “Danger Zone.” 
  • Ferris Bueller took a day off
  • The Chicago Bears won Super Bowl XX.
  • Lindsay Lohan and the Olsen twins were born
  • Donna Reed and Cary Grant passed away
  • MPI NEW JERSEY HOSTED IT'S FIRST EVENT!

Over the next 6 months we'll be having some fun and taking a look into MPI New Jersey's past, present and future as we prepare to celebrate in style at a 35th birthday party on March 24, 2022 (following the MPI New Jersey MEETS Conference). Please share your chapter memories with us and mark your calendars now for an amazing day with your MPI Crew that is sure to be one we remember for another 35 years!
GET INVOLVED
MEMBER MILESTONES
Congrats to the following members celebrating anniversaries with MPI this month:
Nancy Miller, CMP - 39 Years
Kathleen Aris, CMP: Sungard Availability Services - 24 Years
Jennifer Holt: East West Connection - 22 Years
Marilyn Rocks: Pharmevent, LLC - 22 Years
Denise Maurer, CMP: Educational Testing Service - 16 Years
Nancy Sutta Berns: Conference Management Services, Inc. - 16 Years
Rick Rinderle, CMP CME-H, HMCC, MSc: Nagase America -13 Years
Maria Jedrejcic: Jet Set Sports - 7 Years
Sheritta Session, CMP: Evolution Medical Communications - 7 Years
Dion Magee, CMM PMP, HMCC, CTA, CIS, CSSBB, GRCP, GRCA, CRCPM: Magee Enterprises, LLC - 6 Years
Gianna Caradonna - 1 Year
Michael Fahner - 1 Year
MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started in the meeting industry as a strategic meeting & events manager for Verizon Communications (in 2001) while following my passion as a wedding planner since1994. Although, I wear many other hats such as: pharmaceutical project director, business start-up consultant and an academic adjunct professor, I find time for my biggest 2 passions
i. planning meetings, events & weddings too
ii. educating/teaching others how to be the best they can be in the hospitality industry  

What do you love about MPI NJ?
I enjoy the relationships that I have developed over the years. My colleagues and friends are so talented, amazing, and caring people who have shaped my professional and personal capabilities. It is impossible to follow and accomplish your dreams alone… I am so grateful for my successes along with some stumbles. As they say, it takes a village to raise a kid, so the same can be said for producing event experiences.  

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Always keep learning and reinventing yourself. Make great connections, always look for mutual benefits. Surround yourself with people different from yourself.

What do you love about MPI NJ?
I love the people who make up our chapter, the longevity of some members and the passion of the new members. I think we have a very Jersey-strong attitude; I love our diversity and sense of community. I love our resilience when we come together for a common goal. No one does a golf tournament like MPI-NJ!

SPONSOR
MASTERING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
MPI'S CAREER CENTER
Connecting you with career opportunities:
Post a job or search available listings at MPI's Career Center

AFFINITY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
As a member of MPI, you have access to a number of exclusive savings on a variety of services ranging from travel to business, technology and more! Below is a small sample of the many brand and product savings available to meet your personal and professional needs and priorities.
To access your savings simply click here for more information.

MPI RESOURCES 
MPI is here to bring you the information and resources you need to be succeed in
today's world. Check out the links below for information you want to know.
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