Oracle your chapter newsletter
WINTER 2022
President's Letter
Dear MPI Oregon Chapter Members,
 
Since the number 2 has been my favorite number as long as I can remember, I’m manifesting 2022 to be the year of good things for us all.
 
It’s pretty wild to think we have already spent more than half of a year together, becoming one big MPI family with the Aloha members, resuming in-person events, leaning on the member support group and trying out some new fundraisers. We have a lot to be proud of on the MPI side, but more to be proud of on an individual basis. Collectively we have started new jobs, shifted jobs, left jobs, worked the equivalent of 10 jobs - all while smiling and getting through it. But it’s not all about work, we’re getting through omicron, still spending time with loved ones, and finding small bits of peace in a whirlwind world. Proud doesn’t begin to cover what I feel for you amazing humans.
 
As we dive in to the 2022 chapter of our year, I can’t wait to see what we can do. We have incredible education (including Cascadia & GMID), networking and member support events, and of course, our June gala, the can’t miss event of the year.

For those looking into the next year, we have scholarships available for both new and renewing members; you can apply before March 18.

















As our guiding light for the year, Members Matter, we are focusing next month on why Milestones & Meetings matter. More on that soon.
Love to you all. Don’t hesitate to reach out about anything, anytime


Rindi Cerelli, CMP, DES
MPI Oregon Chapter President 2021 – 2022
503-201-9290
We Want to Hear
from YOU! 
 
If you have already taken this survey – THANK YOU!
 
If not, please take a few minutes to take the MPI Membership and Chapter Survey and give input to MPI Global and to the Oregon Chapter. 

You can use this link to take the survey. Survey closes March 16!
 
Take the survey to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon card or a free one-year MPI Oregon membership renewal!
 
We look forward to getting your input!
Amy Leneker
Jessie State, CMP, CMM,
Director of MPI Academy
Tara Liaschenko, CMM, CEO, The Link Event
Cascadia Educational Conference

- Education You Don’t Want to Miss -

When you register for the 2022 Cascadia Educational Conference, you’re registering for a virtual experience like you’ve never had before - You’ll be engaged, you’ll want to participate, and you’ll leave feeling like it was worth your time. Click here for full agenda details.

How do we know this? John Chen, author of Engaging Virtual Meetings, will be overseeing the production of the conference and emceeing! And of course we have…

EDUCATION YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Amy Leneker
DARE TO LEAD, LEARNING TO RISE
What would happen if we chose courage over comfort? How would that impact our teams and organizations? What about our families and communities? The latest research from Dr. Brene Brown found that daring leadership is a collection of our four skills that are 100% teachable, measurable and observable. This workshop is an empirically based courage-building program designed for anyone interested in developing their leadership skill set and becoming braver in their working life and beyond.

Jessie States, CMP, CMM, Director of MPI Academy
EVENT SAFETY: LEVERAGE THE VILLAGE
The world is uncertain, but when a crisis happens at your next event, you don’t need to be. Discover best and next practices for preparing your team for security or safety risks - be they natural or not - and how you can utilize your partners, stakeholders, and destination to help you.

Tara Liaschenko, CMM, CEO, The Link Event
MEETINGS OUTLOOK: NO NEED FOR A CRYSTAL BALL
Have you always wished you could predict the future? Well now you can. Join us for a look into the future with the Meeting Professionals International Meetings Outlook. This meeting industry forecast educates you on the status of the meetings industry with the most up-to-date information from Meeting Professionals International’s Meetings Outlook quarterly report. From business projections, business conditions, employment and attendance forecasts to the current market landscape, gain insight to guide your organizations to success in the coming future.
For more information on the Cascadia Educational Conference, please visit the website at mpicascadia.net for the detailed agenda, registration options, and more.
April 5 Education Day-
Celebrating Global Meetings Industry Day
Join us April 5th- Live and In Person- at the Oregon Convention Center as we celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). We have a full day of education planned, beginning at 8:00 am with registration and running to 4:00 pm. A cocktail reception follows, celebrating 50 years of Meeting Professionals International, from 4:00pm- 4:30pm. Click here for full details and to register today!

This is a great opportunity for more exposure or branding for your company to get in front of $139 million worth of local buying power. Network with the leaders in the industry and see your MPI friends again. Contact our Finance team (see below) to purchase a booth and/or sponsor a break, breakout session, or the 50th Cocktail Reception.

Reach out to the Finance team, Royce Mason (royce@propshop.com) or Jessica Johnson (jessica@teamcasino.net) to learn more about your opportunities.
Aloha from Oregon

Hawaii has been blessed with the return of travelers over the past year. Both leisure and corporate travel markets are seeing an incredible resurgence in the islands, including the return of our friends in the cruise industry. We hope this means that we will also be able to welcome more Hawaii based chapter members over the coming months. Dave Carroll of Hawaii Nautical shares one of the top experiences for travelers to the Islands of Hawaii. If you have the opportunity to travel to Hawaii during whale season, you might have the opportunity to see these majestic island visitors. Dave and Hawaii Nautical have been proud supporters of MPI for many years. As part of the membership committee with our chapter, he may have even called on you to wish you a warm Aloha and speak about the benefits of MPI.
 
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects these whales and their habitat. From November through April, visitors to the sanctuary can see whales from shore and at sea.
 
Ocean stewardship is deeply embedded in Native Hawaiian culture. Humpback whales, or koholā, are an important part of history, legends, and connection to the sea. The cultural and maritime heritage of Hawai‘i plays a role in management decisions and how the sanctuary's daily activities are carried out.
 
The Hawaiian Islands are a national marine sanctuary for humpback whales — a protected environment for these amazing creatures to breed and give birth. It’s such a delight to see a humpback whale’s spout (breath), or tail break the ocean’s surface, and absolutely thrilling to see a whale breach by jumping out of the water and creating a big splash.
 
Every December through April, thousands of Humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Hawaii. Come along see catch these beautiful mammals at their best on our exciting eco-friendly whale watching excursions.
 
November through May when thousands of North Pacific Humpback whales grace Hawaiian waters during their annual winter migration. At 25 to 40 tons, Pacific Humpback whales are the fifth largest whale species in the world. They're a spectacular sight to behold!
 
"Within Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary are many, many storied places that are tied to the culture of the people that are living here," says Sol Kaho‘ohalahala, chair of the sanctuary's advisory council. "We must care for this place and the stories must be cared for, the resources must be cared for."
 
The above was provided from:


We are proud to partner with like-minded companies that follow the same passions and drive that we do; creating sustainable experiences that stands out and establish a meaningful relationship with your guest. - Dave Carroll, Hawaii Nautical
Scoring Big with Fundraising

Thank you for everyone who participated in our First MPI Super Bowl Football Pool.

All participants received a square to represent the score of the game at the end of each quarter. Each winner won $105!

The Winners are….
  • 1st Quarter     Tammy Dennee
  • 2nd Quarter    Trina Sharp
  • 3rd Quarter     Amy Hildahl
  • Final Score    Trina Sharp

We raised $420 for the chapter with this “Fun-raiser!” It is wonderful to see such support and participation.

Best from the Financial Team (Jessica and Royce)
Scholarships Available for
New and Renewing Members

You heard that correctly! MPI Oregon has multiple scholarships available for both new and renewing members. Applications are currently being accepted for the following opportunities:

-       Complimentary membership for new or renewing members
-       $100 membership discount for an Oregon member
-       $100 discount for a previous Aloha member
 
Anyone who applies for the complimentary membership, but does not receive it will automatically be considered for the corresponding $100 discount.
 
Don’t miss out! Applications are due by Friday, March 18, 2022 at 5:00 pm. Winners will be contacted on Friday, April 1, 2022.

Meet Jeff Pietka
Owner/Operator, Adventure Day Touring
Can’t Live Without: His family (but also Oregon Pinot Noirs!)

Jeff is a true Oregonian - he was born in the hospital that’s now home to the Adidas headquarters in Portland, raised here, and lives less than a mile from the house his grandfather grew up in. He’s lived in a handful of other places, but none of them ever competed for the title of “Home” - the closest thing was the spiritual home he found in Glacier Bay National Park in SE Alaska. He’s the father of two girls under 5 and in the moments they allow him, he’s a kayaker, skier, soccer player, amateur wine snob, and Portland Timbers fan.

After his previous employer elected not to reopen the Portland office during COVID, he launched his own business - Adventure Day Touring. Jeff has worked in tourism since 2004 as a guide, manager, trainer, salesperson, and now as an owner. He’s been a full-time tour operator for a decade and is focused on private and group tours (corporate off-site, convention, etc.) rather than the pack-the-van-full-of-strangers-every-day tours.

As an avid adventurer, the only thing currently left on his bucket list is kayaking Alaska’s Inside Passage. He checked off most of his travel destinations in his early 20s and mentioned that the scariest thing he’s ever done was snorkeling with sea lions, but that only became scary after one bit him. All those previous times were just fun! He even had his dream job in the summer of 2005 when he was a naturalist and kayak guide on a small expedition cruise ship in Glacier National Park, Alaska, and his secondary dream job as a Park Ranger at the same park in 2009 and 2010. But with those “dream” jobs in the rear-view, the pressure of the American ideal of self-actualization through work was lifted and Adventure Day Touring was born!

Welcome to MPI, Jeff! We’re excited to see you at our next in-person event!
CMP Study Group

How are those New Year Resolutions working out so far? Was one of them self-improvement? If so, consider attending one of our FREE CMP 101 classes held via Zoom (no hunting for a parking spot and the parking is always free). Our next CMP 101 class is Wednesday, February 9th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM PT. This class will help you see the value of obtaining your CMP Certification and what it involves. Our 10-week CMP Certification Class begins Wednesday, March 16th (via Zoom). So, click on the registration link below and move that self-improvement wish to reality. See you there.

Sponsoring Advertisers Welcome

Did you know your business can advertise in the Oracle, reaching the entire chapter? Sponsoring Advertisers can select from a variety of package levels or singular issue rates. Packages start as little as $150/issue. Contact Amy Hildahl for details at 503.333.3179 or AmyH@scphospitality.com.
MPI Oregon Needs You
Every volunteer hour matters. We are looking for volunteers to join our committee chairs, directors, and VP's as we navigate a post-pandemic meeting and events future. Our directors and chairs have been reaching out to you, our members, to see if you have an interest in a volunteer role. We are looking for volunteers on all committees: Communications, Membership, Education, Finance/Fundraising. Whether a couple of hours a month or stepping up to a leadership position, we can all be involved in the direction of our chapter!

For more information, reach out to Greg Heinze, President-Elect at uograd2001@gmail.com
Q3 Anniversary Milestones

25 years
Carole Astley
Christina Devlin
Cathy Kretz
Denise Waldron

20 years
Karon Waggoner

5 years
Kyla Thompson
Tonna Hollis
Viktoria Schulz

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MPI Oregon | www.mpioregon.org