MPIGNY 30/30
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Message from Our President
  
Dear Chapter Members,
As we embark on a new year, I am honored to lead our incredible organization.

Let’s embrace 2024 as a canvas for creativity, collaboration, and professional advancement. Together, we will elevate our events, expand our networks, and chart new horizons in the dynamic world of Hospitality and Events. Here’s to a year of shared successes, continued growth, and lasting connections. Wishing you all a prosperous and fulfilling New Year!

Just like the lottery, you must be in it to win it! Make the most out of your membership by taking advantage of:

Member Benefits: Remember to take full advantage of your membership 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 Executive Director, Kathie Stapleton. 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.

Mark your Calendar:
♦Winter Social & Celebration in honor of Kathie Stapleton, February 15, 2024
♦GMID, April 11, 2024

Join us for a heartwarming winter social as we gather to celebrate Kathie Stapleton’s remarkable career. After 30 years of dedicated service, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kathie as she retires at the end of February 2024. Kathie has been an integral part of our chapter bringing her expertise and passion to every endeavor. As Kathie embarks on this new chapter of life, we express our deepest gratitude for her invaluable contributions. Please join us in celebrating Kathie at our upcoming Winter Social on February 15 from 6pm – 8pm where we will share memories, express appreciation, and wish her all the best in this well-deserved retirement. Kathie’s legacy will forever be a part of our chapter’s history. 

Jennifer Rondinelli
President, MPIGNY
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MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: THE DIRECTORS' DEN
  
One Connection can Spark a Lifetime of Friendship

I have the best job!

I get to work with our teams from across 18 offices to plan, design, and produce captivating corporate events and experiences for our clients. As Global Business Director at 360 Destination Group, a leading full-service destination management company (DMC), I am laser-focused on advocating for our clients and ensuring collaboration among all of our teams to seamlessly deliver on their vision.
I am invested in my communities. Currently, I serve as Chapter Leader for Gay for Good NYC, a volunteer organization which promotes diversity, fosters inclusion, and strengthens ties to the broader community through service projects. When I'm not traveling, I enjoy hosting dinner parties for family and friends.

My favorite quote: “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” - Steve Jobs

I've been a member of MPIGNY for six years. MPIGNY has given me purpose, both professionally and personally. I moved to NYC not knowing anyone and this chapter has welcomed me with open arms. I have been able to foster genuine friendships and have been able to stretch my leadership skills by serving on the MPI Board of Directors. The board continues to awe me with their dedication to the chapter, industry, and personal commitment to one another. I am always learning something new with every interaction that I have with our board and members.

The Education Committee is focused on providing educational events that engage our members, that provide true value once they leave the room and that spark further curiosity into the topic. We want to also highlight the knowledge that our members hold by creating panel opportunities so that we can all learn from one another.

I hope that our members take advantage of every opportunity – virtually or in person – to connect with their peers this year. One connection can spark a lifetime of friendship or opportunities that they may not have even considered for themselves!
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
  
Hey there! I'm Claire, your friendly MPIGNY member.

I've been around for a while, 2020 to be exact, but have been in the shadows. I’ve been networking and engaging with MPI SBO Connects Community, diving into all sorts of conversations, topics on helping with running our small-mid size businesses in the hospitality industry. I joined MPI because MPI is about bringing people together, education, and building connections. Similarly, I provide training that empowers business owners, sales professionals, meeting/event planners & teams to connect, engage and transform behavior. Training on being self-aware, aware of others, and bridging the two for optimal results and making an impact. I hope for C&C Y Business & Marketing Services LLC to gain recognition as a Sales, Agile EQ & Workplace Development training provider.

I look forward to connecting, and getting to know MPIGNY Members, and would love to meet Kathie Stapleton! I also look forward to the education and networking opportunities at meetings and events. As a business owner, lead sales strategy, making an impact, connecting, and building key relationships are the objectives. I'm also a Wiley partner and certified DiSC partitioner.

When I'm not working, I love exploring everything from technology to music and spending time with family & friends.


  

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Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Hilton Hotels and Resorts/ Tulkal Hospitality Services
Pre-Con
Join us for an unforgettable Apres Ski Winter Social Networking Event! 
Escape the cold and join us for a cozy evening filled with warmth, laughter, and connections. Our Apres Ski Winter Social Networking Event is the perfect opportunity to mingle with like-minded professionals, build new relationships, and unwind after a long day on the slopes.

We are thrilled to announce that we will be celebrating Kathie Stapleton's well-deserved retirement! After many years of dedicated service and hard work, Kathie is embarking on a new chapter in her life. Her contributions to our team and organization have been invaluable, and we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude and admiration. Join us as we honor Kathie and celebrate her remarkable career. It will be a joyful occasion filled with laughter, memories, and well wishes for her future endeavors. Let's come together to show Kathie how much she means to us and to celebrate this significant milestone in her life.

Unleash your inner winter fashionista and dress in your finest apres ski attire. Whether you choose to wear your favorite cozy sweater, chic fur accents, or stylish boots, bring your fashion A-game and show off your winter style.

As the night progresses, the atmosphere will transition into a lively and energetic ambiance, with a DJ spinning the latest tunes and creating a dance floor for those who want to let loose and have some fun. So, bring your dancing shoes and get ready to dance the night away!

Don't miss out on this incredible Apres Ski Winter Social Networking Event. Mark your calendars, and get ready to connect, unwind, and create lasting memories with professionals from various industries. We can't wait to see you there!

Apres Ski Winter Social!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Anex 417 by AES NY
$55 for planner members
$75 for Supplier Members
$95 for Non Members

 
Discover Saratoga®
Let’s Go to Saratoga! More Memorable Experiences
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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Camelback Resort
Discover Newport
Chapter Opportunities
  
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Industry News

The landscape of flexible work is not just shaped by policies and preferences but is fundamentally underpinned by technological innovation and visionary leadership... The data is compelling. Between 2020 and 2022, fully flexible public companies significantly outperformed their less flexible peers, showing a staggering 16% lead in revenue growth on an industry-adjusted basis... The most telling indicator of the future trajectory of work location flexibility comes from analyzing newer companies. An overwhelming 93% of companies founded since 2010 offer some degree of work location flexibility. This trend remains strong even outside the tech sector, with 87% of non-tech companies founded since 2010 adopting flexible work arrangements.
WORKPLACE EVOLUTION, Fast Company 1-12-24

Some experts argue Gen Zers aren't lazy for griping about the corporate job structure, it just means they have radically different priorities than the generations before them... "Gen Z is not a lazy generation, but it is an entitled generation because they have the freedom to make a more broad set of decisions than older generations that have financial obligations. They're different," labor force expert John Frehse told Fox News Digital... Because many Gen Zers don't have a mortgage or family to support, they have more financial freedom to make different life choices, he argued. 
Is Gen Z unprepared for the workforce? Experts weigh in, www.foxbusiness.com

On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott launched the new Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community program... "(This program) is an opportunity for communities across Texas to show their commitment to tourism as an economic development strategy and continue to develop the many diverse attractions and experiences that draw visitors to the Lone Star State,” said Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell.
Governor Abbott launches new Texas tourism programwww.myhighplains.com 

 
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.
  
AI Enhanced Event Professional Certificate Course 
January 31: Integrate the power of AI into your events with MPI Academy's all-new certificate course!
**CMP clock hours: 4
Partner Spotlight
     
   

 

Calendar and Events
15
Feb 2024
 

Apres Ski Winter Social!
Thursday, February 15, 2024
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Anex 417 by AES NY
$55 for planner members
$75 for Supplier Members
$95 for Non Members
11
Apr 2024
 

Save the Date!
Providence Warwick CVB
City Winery New York