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Message from Our President
Dear MPI Greater New York Chapter Members, Celebrating Connection and Collaboration Partnership Spotlight: Joint Networking Mixer We’re excited to partner with the New York Chapters of the International Live Events Association (ILEA) & Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) for a joint networking mixer this month. These kinds of collaborations are a powerful reminder that when we come together across organizations, we expand our reach, deepen relationships, and strengthen our industry. May Networking Mixer with ILEA NY & NYPCMA Join us for an evening of networking and connection with industry peers from both MPIGNY, ILEANY and NYPCMA. It’s a great opportunity to build new relationships and reconnect with familiar faces in a fun environment. Get Involved Your continued participation—through volunteering, mentoring, or simply showing up—keeps our community thriving and evolving. Together, we can achieve more. Thank you for being a valued member of our community. Wishing you a month filled with growth, connection, and opportunity.
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: THE DIRECTORS' DEN
Hi, I'm Rita Malek and I'm the Director of Partnerships. I am a Sponsorship Development Executive at The Conference Board. I sell speaking opportunities to consultancies and advisories who want to get in front of Fortune 500 companies. I've been a member of MPI for the last 3 years. If I could have any superpower, it would be to control time to work smarter, not harder and to give me and my team an unbeatable edge to always manage events flawlessly. If I could produce any event in the world, it would be a global wine and cheese event that celebrated regional flavors, created cultural exchanges, and attracted both wine and cheese enthusiasts as well as industry professionals. It would be a great way to drive tourism and economic growth, provide networking and education, and offer experiential offerings such as vineyard tours wine tastings. It would also have a sustainable and farm-to-table focus. My vision for the NY Chapter in the coming years is to continue fostering a dynamic community of event professionals and strategic partners. We will continue our work with tech providers, venues, and local businesses, providing mentorship via the Power of 2 and other programs and workshops on trends in AI, sustainability, and experiential design. My vison includes ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the skills, resources, and networks to shape the future of the industry.
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
 The MPIGNY Marketing & Communications Committee surveyed a group of various Board Committee Members to gather information about our collective team values, and one concept kept coming up over and over again – community. Most of us joined MPI to make new friends and become part of a community of people with similar interests. Sonia Schropfer, a Meeting & Event Manager, remarked that she joined “to have the opportunity to meet people in a more intimate setting.” To foster this sense of intimate connection, committees meet often and maintain our own internal communication tools such as a global calendar and email listserv. Because our meetings tend to be informal, after discussing MPI business, we often discuss our own meeting and event businesses, careers, and how we are individually coping with stress. We supported each other through COVID and we continue to provide each other with one-on-one support as well as group support. We have scheduled our own internal meet-up events and we try to support each other’s business events. Many of us have remained in touch through personal events such as losing jobs, finding new jobs, and relocating. Many of our Committee members who have climbed the ranks in the meetings and events profession believe that giving back to others is central to maintaining the field and fostering a sense of community with MPI members who are in the early stages of their careers. One of our members, Pam Strug, said that she likes to give back to the emerging leaders in the event industry. Debbie Tassone said “I believe that those who have been in the industry for a while and take the time to mentor and partner with others create a stronger, more connected community. When people feel supported, they develop a greater desire to learn, grow, and give back. Being a ‘pay it forward’ person not only strengthens individual careers but also uplifts the entire industry.” When you join a Board Committee, you join a safe zone within which to make new friends and form new connections while fine-tuning skills and working to support MPI’s mission. All members have free access to the Committee’s tools and templates. Additionally, members have freely shared their ideas and skills in order to keep the chapter at the cutting edge of the profession. Members have even given up their free time to facilitate webinars to get members up to speed on new technologies and event planning concepts. Thank you to the following Committee members for your leadership and service to our organization and for participating in this interview: Leadership Committee: Christine Gonzales (Four Seasons Hotel New York) & Pam Strug (HTEC)
Marketing & Communications Committee: Rebecca Villatoro Yoder (Conduent) Membership Committee: Jordan Hathaway (Visit Seattle) Special Events Committee: Sonia Schropfer (Cypress Planning Group) & Debbie Tassone (Discover Long Island) Tash Benjamin has been a member of the MPIGNY Marcom Committee since 2020.
Events
Our Updated International Travel Outlook: Trends, Forecasts & the Road Ahead Join NYC Tourism + Conventions for a must-attend webinar during National Travel & Tourism Week. Thursday, May 8, 2025 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET As global trade tensions rise, international perceptions and economic uncertainty are already reshaping the travel and tourism landscape. For New York City—a leading global destination—these shifts carry real implications for both inbound travel and meetings and events. In this exclusive session, you’ll hear directly from leading voices in tourism, meetings, aviation, OTAs and representatives from some of our top international markets. We’ll present revised forecasts, explore evolving traveler sentiment, and examine the challenges and opportunities ahead for our city’s tourism sector.
NYC Tourism + Conventions is your most trusted source for accurate, timely insights into the forces shaping our industry—now and in the future. Once you have registered, Zoom information will be provided. Pre-Con
 Join Us for a Fulfilling Volunteer Activity with God’s Love We Deliver! Looking for an opportunity to make a real difference while connecting with colleagues? Join us for an inspiring Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity at God’s Love We Deliver, where we’ll be lending a hand in their Kitchen Projects. Register Here Together, we’ll help prepare and package meals that bring comfort and nourishment to people in the tri-state area who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves. Tasks may include: * Packaging meals with care * Chopping onions or peeling potatoes * Making meatballs or ladling soup * Scooping baked goods or preparing fresh herbs Every contribution, no matter how small, adds up to a life-changing impact for those in need. God’s Love We Deliver is the region’s leading provider of nutritious, individually tailored meals, and we’re excited to support their mission. Location: God's Love We Deliver
Address: 166 Avenue of the Americas, NYC Monday, May 12, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 pm Thursday, June 5, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 pm First-time volunteers must create an individual account through the following link and be registered for the shift to ensure entry to the building.  Get ready for an unforgettable evening of connection, collaboration, and fun! MPIGNY is thrilled to partner with our friends at ILEA and PCMA for an All-Industry Networking Mixer at the incredible T-Squared Social, a cutting-edge venue co-founded by Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake. This dynamic collaboration brings together NYC’s top event professionals for a vibrant networking experience like no other. And yes, as we always say: the more, the merrier! Enjoy a 2-hour open bar and light bites, all while exploring T-Squared’s immersive sports and gaming experiences. From golf simulators and bowling to darts and more, there's something for everyone to enjoy while you mix and mingle with the best in the business. Register now and be part of this powerhouse industry celebration! Monday, May 12 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm | T-Squared Social  Calling all Sponsors, Suppliers, and Planners!!! We are excited to once again host the MPI Greater New York Kalahari Resorts Golf Outing on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This will be the 34th year of this annual tradition, and we are geared up to bring you the best one yet! We are proud to announce that we will be returning to New York Country Club in Spring Valley, NY. For those who are not familiar with this beautiful venue, it is located in the hills of Rockland County. New York Country Club is home to some of the most scenic locations in the tri-state area. The golf course is located only 15 minutes from the Tappan Zee Bridge and a 30-minute drive from the George Washington Bridge. New York Country Club has been voted as one of the “Best Places to Play” by Golf Digest. Get ready to gather your foursomes or partner with us! Join us solo or with a group! Come for the day activities such as our golf clinic! Or join us for cocktails and dinner! There are so many ways to participate, even if you're not a golfer! We look forward to having you join us at the MPI Greater New York Kalahari Resorts Golf Outing.
Chapter Opportunities
 Imagine leveraging your unique skills and vision to elevate MPIGNY and our community. The 2026 Board of Directors offers an unparalleled opportunity to share your leadership, ignite your passion, and contribute directly to the growth and vibrancy of our chapter and industry. Step forward and make your mark. TIMELINE Applications Open: May 9, 2025 Applications Close: May 19, 2025 Interviews: May 2025 – June 2025 Slate Announced: July 1 2025 Term: January 1 – December 31, 2026 All applicants must be members in good standing with the chapter. Consideration will be given to applicants who have served in other leadership positions within MPIGNY or other Boards of Directors. Chapter Opportunities
Post-Con
On Wednesday, April 30, MPIGNY, in partnership with FICP, successfully hosted its highly anticipated 3rd Annual Executive Leadership Summit. This exclusive event, generously hosted by venue sponsor Convene at their stunning 360 Madison Avenue location, brought together industry leaders for a day of impactful discussions and collaborative learning focused on some of the most critical issues shaping the future of the meetings and events sector. The summit, further supported by the generous contributions of our meeting sponsors Discover Newport, Destination DC, and Wind Creek Bethlehem, provided a unique platform for attendees to delve into key areas such as nurturing emerging leaders, fostering a supportive and growth-oriented environment for the next generation of industry professionals. Thought-provoking conversations also centered on the vital importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), exploring strategies to build more representative and welcoming spaces within organizations and events. Finally, the complexities and potential impacts of geopolitical uncertainty on the industry were examined, equipping leaders with frameworks for navigating an ever-evolving global landscape. The intimate group conversation format proved to be a powerful catalyst for knowledge sharing. Participants actively contributed their diverse experiences and perspectives, leading to rich and insightful dialogues. Attendees walked away with tangible best practices and actionable strategies that they can readily implement in their daily interactions with their teams and stakeholders. The resounding success of the 3rd Annual Executive Leadership Summit underscores MPIGNY and FICP's shared commitment to empowering industry leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate current challenges and build a more resilient and inclusive future for the meetings and events community. The collaborative spirit, the exceptional setting provided by Convene, and the invaluable support of Discover Newport, Destination DC, and Wind Creek Bethlehem truly exemplified the strength and dynamism of our industry.
Connect
Don't throw your membership dollars away by paying dues and then... doing nothing. Make your membership work for you! Get Involved Attend Events Make New Connections Need help making these connections? We've got you covered! Click on the link below, spend less than five minutes answering a few questions, and we will feature you in one or more of the following ways: 1. Member Spotlight: Each month we feature a member in the Buzz. Use this as a platform to reach out to potential business partners, get your name out there in the community, and make new connections. 2. Hot Tip Tuesday: Share your knowledge and be featured in our new social media campaign! 3. Feature Story: Give us the green light to contact you for an upcoming article in the Buzz. We are looking for thought leaders in all areas of the industry.
   Connect
Grow
Grow
Calendar and Events
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