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Message from Our President
  
Dear Chapter Members,

As November ushers in, we would like to extend our warmest greetings and express our gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our association. Your dedication and enthusiasm are the driving force behind our collective success.

Here are some important updates and messages for this month:

 ♦ THANK YOU! to our chapter members that participated in our November CSR Volunteer Activity at God’s Love We Deliver. The partnership between MPIGNY and God’s Love We Deliver has been a strong one over the years and we continue to honor this. The mission of God’s Love We Deliver is to improve the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. Over 13,000 meals are delivered each weekday, taking one thing off the list of those who are living with an illness, their caregivers, and children. I encourage you to learn more about this organization. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, check out some opportunities to volunteer. We will offer other opportunities to volunteer with GLWD in 2024 so stay tuned for more information.

Upcoming Events: We are counting down the days to November 21. Be a part of the experience and make an impact in a powerful way by attending the 37th Annual MPIGNY Auction & Mixology Event. You will have the opportunity to network with fellow members, participate in tasting some great cocktails during the Mixology Competition and bid on some unique treasures during the Silent Auction. Even if you can't attend, please consider donating an item to market your organization - its a great way to network and gain valuable business contacts. Your participation not only adds to the excitement but also contributes to meaningful initiatives. Can’t wait to see you there!

♦ Member Benefits: Remember to take full advantage of your membership benefits, which include these member-benefits. These offerings are designed to support your personal and professional growth within our association.

Member Feedback: We value your input and ideas. If you have suggestions, questions, or topics you'd like us to address please don't hesitate to reach out to us by  emailing our VP of membership, Maribeth Kraus. Your feedback is invaluable.

Community Engagement: Our association thrives on the active involvement of its members. Connect with us on social media, share your experiences, and collaborate with fellow members to foster a strong, supportive community.

Renew Your Membership: If your membership is due for renewal, please visit www.mpi.org, click on Membership > Renew and renew your membership for the upcoming year. Your continued support is essential in maintaining the vitality of our association.

Thank you for being an integral part of the MPIGNY Chapter. We are eager to continue serving you and working together to achieve our shared goals. Let's make this November a month of growth, collaboration, and progress. 

Warm Regards,
Jennifer
 
Jennifer Rondinelli
President, MPIGNY

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MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: THE DIRECTORS' DEN
  
MPIGNY: Camaraderie, inclusion, personal and professional value, a place to be heard, and a place to excel

I am an event producer/consultant with my own agency that I started in 2017, A Closer Look Events.

I really love to travel. I didn’t get to do much of it this year, and I can feel it. I’m also more of a city explorer than a beach goer – I really enjoy immersing myself into city life. Which leads me to my next passion: food. I don’t think there are many event planners out there who wouldn’t consider themselves “foodies.” It feels like an essential part of our jobs. But I really love to explore different restaurants and cuisines wherever I am. I don’t travel anywhere without watching every related Anthony Bourdain (R.I.P.) episode. I’m also obsessed with the World’s 50 Best lists…

My favorite quote is actually from a band I adore called Beirut from New Mexico. Moving into another passion of mine – live music. I also happened to marry a drummer…so there’s that. This quote has always spoken to me. Similarly, to Marisa from last month’s Buzz, I really want to get this tattooed somewhere on my body!

"When I feel alive, I try to imagine a careless life. A scenic world where the sunsets are all breathtaking." - "Scenic World" by Beirut

I've only been a member of MPIGNY for four years, but it feels like a lot longer. I joined MPI in October 2019, just a few months before the pandemic. I had the opportunity to attend one in-person event prior to the world shutting down. I did feel awkward – as Type A as I am, and honestly as outgoing as I am, networking has never been one of my strong suits. During the pandemic, MPI continued with their volunteer mission at God’s Love We Deliver, so I decided to sign up. It was my first time out of the house during that crazy time and honestly offered me a lifeline that I didn’t even know I needed. From there, I continued to get more involved – I volunteered for the Fundraising Committee working on the annual Auction & Mixology event that was virtual in April 2021. The next thing I knew, there was a need for a new Director of the fundraising event, and it was offered to me, giving me the opportunity to join the Board of Directors. That has been a true joy. I adore these people and this organization. Professionally, I not only have received a number of client referrals, but I have a team of people who want to help. The resources I have at my fingertips through this organization are immeasurable. I remember feeling very awkward at my first in-person event. It’s my goal to make everyone feel welcome. I want everyone to feel the same kind of connection to the organization that I feel. Camaraderie, inclusion, personal and professional value, a place to be heard, and a place to excel.
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
  
Kind, Engaging, Driven

I have been a member of MIPGNY since July of 2019. I started volunteering in September and then was elected to be on the board in February of 2020. Every year in June the chapter hosts the Genie Awards where outstanding members are recognized. I was elected to chair the event that year. It was a lot of fun because I gathered a really great group of people to help me and I was also able to lean on them during the hard times (COVID). It was really satisfying to see the event come together after all of the hard work and commraderie.

When I joined MPIGNY, it made me feel like I was with a group of people who were
able to understand what I was going through because sometimes even my family wouldn't
necessarily understand the impact COVID had on this industry. It was amazing to be with a
group that did and I didn’t feel as alone.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling. My favorite travel experience was in Peru. I went to Cusco and was a part of a travel agency group that took us around to different places. I saw Machu Picchu, which was amazing. It was a solo trip when I was 20 and it was just so beautiful.
New Jersey Travel & Tourism
Hilton Hotels and Resorts/ Tulkal Hospitality Services
Pre-Con

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!!

Please sign up to participate in New York Cares 33rd Annual Winter Wishes Program!

New York Cares' mission is clear: to ensure that the children and teens from low-income families in NYC experience the warmth and wonder of the holidays. We're prioritizing family shelters, public housing providers, and Title 1 schools—places where your kindness will shine the brightest.

If you’d like to participate, please register here. A Winter Wishes letter will be emailed to you with the recipient’s request and details for fulfilling the wish.

Deadline to Register: Friday, November 24, 2023

Gift Due Date:  Make sure to mail your gift(s) so they arrive by December 8, 2023.

Time flies when you're spreading love!


 
River  

It’s almost showtime!

Register now for the 37th Annual Auction & Mixology Madness, taking place on Tuesday, November 21 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the InterContinental Times Square located in the heart of NYC’s theater district.

We have a very special evening planned with nods to old Broadway reminiscent of this iconic location. Join us for a night of fun: bid on items in the silent and live auctions, sample the creative cocktails handcrafted by the talented mixology teams, enjoy a delectable buffet specially curated by the culinary team at the ICTS, and network with some of Greater New York’s most prolific meeting and event professionals in the industry.

Be sure to stop by the Wall of Wine, snap a few pics in the photo booth, or watch as we build our incredible Canstruction sculpture during the event in real time. The canned goods from the sculpture will be donated to City Harvest, our CSR partner, to give back to the community. You will be able to donate to this project when registering for the event. It’s still not too late to get involved with this year’s auction! Don’t miss the opportunity to get your name or your brand in front of our audience - click the Auction Donation Link to donate an item.

Register today, and spread the word to your friends and colleagues to join in the fun for this event of the year! We hope to see you there.

Donate an auction item.
We are currently accepting contributions to be featured in the live or silent auction.

Attend the event!
Join your fellow event professionals for a great networking opportunity, featuring live entertainment, open bar, and great food to compliment your cocktail. Bid on items in the silent auction and taste the cocktails or mocktails specially handcrafted by our featured mixology teams. Registration is now open!

We hope you can join us for this highly anticipated fundraising event of the year!


 

Meeting Professional International (MPI) and New York University (NYU) are collaborating on an Emerging Leaders Program. The Emerging Leaders Program provides leadership, mentorship, and networking opportunities for those new and up and coming to the industry.

You are invited to join us as we hear from industry leaders about career advice, event technologies and programs, creativity, conscious capitalism, and sustainability.

Please note that registration for this event is capped at 50 MPI Members.
If  more than 50 people register, you will placed on a wait list and contacted prior to the event.

Date: Wed., Nov. 29, 2023
Time: 6 - 9 pm EST

Location: NYU School of Professional Studies, 5th floor Lounge
Address: 7 E. 12th Street NYC

Moderator: Adrienne Garland, CEO, She Leads Media

Speakers: 
Suzanne Blezard, Senior Director of Events, José Andrés Group
Patrick Colomer, Director of Group Sales,Northeast, Loews Miami Beach
Micayla Diener, CMP, CSEP, Global Event Lead, Tik Tok
Elsa Nguyen, Events Lead, Filecoin Foundation

 REGISTER NOW!


 
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the holiday season in style!

We are thrilled to invite you to our highly anticipated All Industry Holiday Party, where event professionals from all different networking groups come together for an evening of fun, networking, and festive cheer.

→ Date: Monday, December 18, 2023

→ Time:6 pm - 9 pm

→ Venue: Inside Park at St. Barts.

→ Address: 325 Park Ave New York, NY 10022

This year, we're pulling out all the stops to ensure an unforgettable experience for each and every attendee. Our goal is to create an inclusive event that brings together professionals from various groups, fostering collaboration, and building new connections. This is the perfect occasion to celebrate the achievements of the year and kickstart the holiday season.

Highlights of the evening will include:

1. Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals from all different networking groups throughout the area.

2. Live Entertainment: Get ready to dance the night away to the music of a live band and DJ, who will keep the energy high and the dance floor busy throughout the evening.

3. Gourmet Cuisine: Savor the flavors of the holiday season with a delectable selection of gourmet food and beverages.

4. Festive Décor: Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as the event space will be decorated with enchanting decorations, twinkling lights, and elegant touches that create a warm and welcoming ambiance.

Save the date, and be prepared to celebrate the season with colleagues, friends, and industry peers. This is an occasion to unwind, make lasting connections, and toast to a successful year while looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

Registration and further details will follow soon. Keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation that will surely leave you eagerly counting down the days until the event.

We can't wait to celebrate with you at the All Industry Holiday Party!

Warm regards,

Meredith Reed, Director of Networking

MPIGNY 
 
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Book your next meeting or event in Saratoga! Centrally located at the foothills of the Adirondacks; a convenient 2-3-hour drive from Boston, New York, and Montreal. Saratoga offers a variety of versatile meeting venues; diverse dining options; unique experiences for groups; Plus, a range of accommodations to choose from. Let the Discover Saratoga team help customize your next event!
 
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Post-Con

On November 8, MPIGNY volunteered with God’s Love We Deliver for a shift in Meal Packaging.

This was the first time the team participated in this part of the operation. We packaged medically tailored meals in plastic bags to be delivered to the many recipients GLWD serves.

The mission of God’s Love We Deliver is to improve the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. Over 13,000 meals are delivered each weekday, taking one thing off the list of those who are living with an illness, their caregivers, and children.

There will be opportunities to volunteer with GLWD in 2024. Hope you can join us!

  • 13,000 meals delivered each weekday
  • Volunteers provide 130,000+ hours of annual service, saving us 2 million dollars in workforce
  • Drivers drive over 250,000 miles annually
  • 35 million meals delivered since 1985

What a fun and fabulous time learning how failing can help build us all up last week at our November 1st education event.
◊ Thank you to our speaker, Jessie States, for leading an engaging session and allowing our members to open up about their own failures and the successes that resulted from those experiences.
◊ Thank you to Wythe Hotel for showcasing three unique event spaces - a speakeasy bar, a grand screening room, and Bar Blondeau, which has terrific views of the Manhattan skyline!
◊ We also appreciate our sponsors, Applepix Pro for their videography and photography services, Destination DC for their MPI Foundation Education contribution, and the Wind Creek Bethlehem for being our education sponsor.

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Discover Newport
Chapter Opportunities
  
Attention Planners! Apply now for one of the few remaining London Convention Bureau Planner Scholarships!
  
Unexpected financial hardships can arise at anytime. Click below to learn how MPIGNY may be able to help.
  
Interested in writing for the Buzz and having your work seen by hundreds of industry pros?
Take the Find Your Fit Survey>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
  
Want to get more involved? Take our survey and see which MPIGNY Committee is your best "fit"! 
Connect
  
Elevate your professional connections and take your business to new heights.

MPI's Regional Business Exchange is coming to your town with a unique micro-event experience, adapted from our award-winning signature events and programs. Prepare for the ultimate productivity-driven experience, brimming with trending education, productive networking opportunities, and engaging activities, all neatly designed to optimize your business relationships, right in your own backyard.
 
 
Connect
  
The MPI Greater New York Chapter is pleased to announce the formation of the MPI Northeast Affiliate Membership program. This program is available to Preferred or Premier Members of MPI in good standing. Click the link below to learn more!
Want to strengthen a friendship AND an industry? Refer a friend to MPI.

We are pleased to offer you an opportunity to help a colleague, friend, or young professional
experience the benefits of MPI membership. By giving this voucher to a future MPI member, you
will allow them to waive the $50 application fee – and you'll receive $25 off your next membership renewal.
 
Industry News

Knowland reports Nashville experienced strong growth for meetings and events since last year at 31.5 percent. Las Vegas came in second with 20.3 percent year-over-year growth. Overall, U.S. industry growth of meetings and events increased by 12.8 percent. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform. 

October 2023 event volume increased 12.8 percent over October 2022. Nashville led the top 25 U.S. markets by event percentage growth with healthcare meetings, followed by financial/banking industry events. The following four markets: Las Vegas, Oahu Island, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles/Long Beach rounded out the top five growth markets.
Nashville reports 31.5% meeting, event growth in October, www.hotelmanagement.net

Share these five essential ChatGPT prompts with your sales and marketing team members, so they can get more done in a shorter space of time. With the hours they save, the best team members will find ways to add even more value.
5 Essential ChatGPT Prompts Your Sales And Marketing Team Need To Know, Forbes

Held Oct. 17-19 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the 12th edition of IMEX America was the largest ever in terms of attendance and number of booths. The event featured 360 booths and nearly 15,000 confirmed participants, of which more than 5,000 were buyers. Here are 3 of the top 12 Trends from the event:

1. The latest tech innovations for events.

2. Events are prioritizing wellness and mental health.

3. Event budgets are going up but not enough to cover cost increases.
12 TRENDS SEEN AND HEARD AT IMEX AMERICA 2023, Trade Show News Network
 
Grow
  
Free, live webinars are available to all members on the MPI Academy web page. New webinars are being added on a regular basis. You can also learn about & register for several certification courses offered by MPI.
Partner Spotlight
Calendar and Events
21
Nov 2023
 
Auction & Mixology Madness
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: InterContinental New York Times Square, an IHG Hotel
18
Dec 2023
 

Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Inside at St. Barts.
City Winery New York