Recap of KCMPI's August Membership Reception

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By Jenny Forsythe

Lucky at Lidia's was the perfect theme for the KCMPI Membership Reception on Wednesday, August 20.  From the fantastic location and wonderful food to the great prizes and lottery tickets, everyone enjoyed the event.  The Membership Committee members were easy to spot in their bright green t-shirts and pockets overflowing with play money.

Lidia's Restaurant did a fantastic job with both the atmosphere and the food. Built in 1892, the former telegraph office building is 500 feet long and at one time housed Schlitz beer. The upper level banquet space features old world charm with brick walls and arched windows. The chandelier is the crown jewel of the room and glowed with swirls of color.  The loft can accommodate as many as 100 people and is perfect for mingling.  Flowers in vases on the windowsills add a splash of color and give a welcoming feel. Restrooms are handy, and an auxiliary kitchen makes serving a seamless production.

The staff is amazing and they are celebrating Lidia's 10^th Anniversary in Kansas City. Their presentation of the food was classy and appealing. They offered everything from sliced meats and fresh breads to mussels salsa verde, garbanzo bean dip, breaded shrimp, Italian cookies, Nectarine Marscapone on spice cake, and tiramisu.

Jenny Wheat of Wheat Photography and Cori Gilbert of The Rose Brooks Center gave a brief presentation about the "Worth A Thousand Words" (WATW) event that Wheat Photography hosted on Sept. 25. WATW provides clean white shirts, a photo album and a large portrait of the family for women and their children who have escaped abusive relationships and found shelter at the Rose Brooks Center. The shelter helps these families start new lives and shed the pain of the past. KCMPI has committed to supporting the project, so please contact Wheat Photography for more information or go to http://www.wheatphotography.com/on how you can help.

Poker chips, play money and glittery stars decorated the tables and set the stage for the many prizes of the evening. The KCMPI Membership Committee was the big winner for the evening with two committee members winning the 50/50 drawing. Sally Bennett and Kara Brady each took home $125 cash. The other $250 went directly to the KCMPI fund. Other winners like Karen Hoch of People to People International won a Lidia's gift basket. Susie Mogren of Vista Productions won a gift certificate for dinner for two at Lidia's.  She was thrilled and although she had never been to Lidia's before, she knows she'll come back again and again. John Perlick (Quest Events) won a $100 Target gift card.

Terri Denman (KC Downtown Marriott), Tara Rezen (Independent planner), Tyler Adkins (Dallas CVB), Kristy Mathes (George Fern Company), Michell Lizak (Sprint), Sally Bennett (Extended Stay Hotel Overland Park), Tipton War (CBiz) and Greg Madden (Sheraton Sports Complex) all won $50 gas cards to Quick Trip. Michelle Lizak of Sprint was "surprised and delighted because that is my favorite place for fountain sodas."  When asked about her experience at Lidia's, Kristy Mathes of George Fern commented that "there is not a more lovely place to foster relationships between meeting professionals".

Rosemary Hall (Robstar Group) and Jill Quinn (Economic Development Corporation) both won gift cards to AMC Theaters. Rosemary said that the reception was "a fantastic event. This is a great facility and anyone who missed this missed out on a great event!"