Dear MPIGNY Chapter Members,
As we embrace the fall season, it’s a perfect time for renewal and reflection. We've achieved so much together—innovative events, impactful community outreach, and valuable connections. Now, let’s set new goals and continue to grow as a chapter.
I encourage you to get involved by joining one of our committees. Your skills and passions are invaluable, and your contributions can make a real difference. Explore volunteer opportunities here.
Our Annual Auction is approaching fast, with this year’s theme 'Casino Royale' on Monday, November 25! We’re looking for sponsors, volunteers, and donations for the silent auction. If you’re interested in supporting this event, please contact Ingrid Wiggberg at ingrid.priscilla.w@gmail.com.
Additionally, don’t miss the Event Planner Expo from October 15–17, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity for networking and learning. Use Promo Code MPI for a complimentary ticket to the Tradeshow Floor, or Promo Code MPI30 for 30% off a 3-Day Pass. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. See https://www.theeventplannerexpo.com for more details.
On September 11th, we paused to remember and honor the lives lost 23 years ago. On this fateful day, Jay R. Magazine, a cherished MPIGNY member and the Catering Sales Manager at Windows on the World, was tragically taken from us. Jay was at the helm of a breakfast service for 500 guests atop 1 World Trade Center when the first tower was attacked.
In tribute to Jay's legacy and the countless others we lost, the MPIGNY Board of Directors established the Jay Magazine Memorial Fund (JMMF) on November 13, 2001. This fund was created to assist chapter members facing hardships due to job loss or other circumstances, by covering registration fees for MPIGNY events. Over the past twenty-three years, while the meetings and hospitality industry has evolved, the JMMF has continued to adapt, remaining a living memorial to Jay's spirit and dedication.
As we reflect on this solemn day, let us remember Jay and all the family and friends who were lost. May their memories guide us and inspire us to support one another as Jay would have wished.
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Ask any New Yorker of a certain age, “Where were you?” and they will instantly share in vivid detail the brilliant weather and blue sky that sparkled on exactly where they were on September 11, 2001 when the world watched the two planes attacked the World Trade Center.
I know because I was there... And every September 11, I wake up and recount the day as if it happened yesterday. The hundreds of stories that are told from this day are important to tell because we can never forget that was the day this country lost its adolescence and grew up.
You see, after the attack, the big question among the industry was, “Do we have an event? Do we keep plans for all the events that were planned in the days and weeks following the event?” The answer was unanimously a yes, we meet. First, we do not let evil or terrorism stop people from coming together – ever. Second, we needed one another. Period. We needed be together to share our grief and shock, to hug one another, to share our stories, to touch, and to begin moving forward. Everyone’s hearts were ripped open and the need for sheer humanity was a plea that we all unconsciously projected. I remember walking into the ladies’ room at the Marriott Marquis in New York where an event for Cantor Fitzgerald families was being held. A 40-something woman turned to me holding out her shawl and said, “My husband used to love this smell of my perfume.” And then she wept into it and we hugged.
From a meeting and event perspective, a few things became apparent and one significant part of today’s events was born.
Instantly, the luxury brands especially realized that menus needed to change. People were not capable of being self-indulgent and the finer things in life took a back seat to simply being together (the absolute core objective of ANY gathering). Comfort food was substituted for the optional add-ons as mashed potatoes, pasta, and macaroni and cheese became in-demand choices. This is a good example for planners based on certain criteria in a meeting or event of how to use and be aware of food to comfort people.
The innocence of the events industry was suddenly pivoted into planning memorials. Memorials after memorials after memorials and giving advice to the funeral directors who were overcome with requests. This was the beginning of the memorial or funeral home including pictures, videos, etc., as event components saturated the funeral homes.
Security awareness erupted. I planned an event the year before and had a security session to which nine planners attended. After the attack, the next year, the room was standing room only as planners realized the responsibility they held and the importance to include this vital area. Now, security is imbedded into the planning process as a major responsibility for any and all gatherings.
Last and most familiar to many of you, the concept of including a cause-related or charity partnership in a meeting and event began. I recall planning an event for a major hotel chain on 9/18. Because we all wanted to do something, to help in some way, we asked how can the event help others? We came up with donating to “Tuesday’s Children,” an organization founded that minute for the surviving children of the victims. This need to give was the catalyst that created the marketing awareness of the need to use the meeting or event as the nucleus and create partnerships that would both support and benefit from the event itself.
And the vital component of any event, sponsorship and relationship marketing entered the meetings and events industry.
Every 9/11, I will text and speak with my circle of friends as we remember this somber day. We lost our friend, Jay Magazine, who was the Banquet Manager at Windows on the World, and my dear industry friend lost her brother at the Pentagon. Two of my NYU students (Judy and Judy) were two of the last five people who narrowly escaped the Marriott at the World Trade Center before the buildings collapsed. I knew these and more friends through MPI – Meeting Professionals International. Meetings and events make an impact. Do not take them for granted.
We will never forget.
Dianne Devitt LLC
Creative Leadership * Producer * Author
www.diannedevitt.com
Author, What Color is Your Event?
People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angelou Maribeth works at HelmsBriscoe where she reduces her clients’ worry and stress by simplifying their site selection and sourcing process for conferences and events. She also helps them reduce costs, minimize risk, and save precious time.
Outside of work, she is passionate about art. She volunteers as a docent at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington, Long Island where she leads tours of the exhibits and engages visitors, guiding them to look at the paintings and sculptures differently, and shows them that their opinion and experience of the artwork is worthwhile. She is also involved in a 9-month training program to become a docent at the Nassau County Museum of Art.
Maribeth is passionate about our industry. She currently volunteers as the VP of Membership and is a mentor in the Power of Two program with MPI Greater New York. She loves encouraging members of the profession to join MPI and get involved by guiding them to discover what areas of the hospitality industry spark their passion to ensure that the industry grows and thrives.
Maribeth joined MPI when COVID was going on almost six years ago. Both personally and professionally, being a member and getting involved allowed her to get to know and work with wonderful people and gave her purpose as we came out of COVID. "I love being involved and contributing to the growth of the industry I love. Being a member of MPIGNY has allowed me to learn so much and to grow in a safe and welcoming environment."
When asked about the future of our chapter, Maribeth said, "I hope that we can offer more (and) cutting edge education for our members that helps them to grow both personally and professionally."
 
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Get ready to kick off the holiday season as MPIGNY’s Fundraiser and Auction Casino Royale is rapidly approaching! On Monday, November 25 from 6-9pm, the Greater New York Chapter of MPI will be hosting its annual fundraising event at the stunning Apella Event Space in NYC. This is a great opportunity to network, play casino games, or enjoy a libation with our chapter members and some of New York’s best event and meeting professionals! This year’s fundraiser will feature many engaging and exciting activations such as:
- Interactive casino games for all to enjoy: poker, blackjack, craps, and roulette
- Silent auction with a vast array of great prizes to bid on
- Vegas-style, showstopping entertainment
- Wall of Wine (with ring toss!)
- Seasonal culinary specialties from the kitchen of host venue, Apella
- CSR activation
- Open bar!
Enjoy the modern-chic aesthetic of the beautiful event and meeting space, Apella by Alexandria located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, overlooking the East River. Enjoy a shaken-not-stirred martini, participate in the casino games and silent auction, and connect with fellow event and meeting professionals. So place your bets, roll the dice, and get lucky! You just might win that coveted item in the auction, win at one of our casino games, or form your next business partnership or meet your next client! Interested in sponsorship? Contact Director of Fundraising, Ingrid Wiggberg at ingrid.priscilla.w@gmail.com to learn more about this unique opportunity to sponsor a casino game table and showcase your brand in a creative and interactive way!
Registration opens on Monday, September 16.
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Unexpected financial hardships can arise at anytime. Click below to learn how MPIGNY may be able to help.
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The MPI Regional Council Northeast US is one of eight regional councils spanning the globe formed by MPI in 2024. In its inaugural year, the MPI Regional Council Northeast US has adopted a mantra of “Communicate, Connect, and Collaborate” while working toward common goals in five pillar areas identified by MPI: Education, Membership, Finance, MPI Foundation, and MPI Strategic Events. In addition, all regions are currently collaborating on a shared database of speaker recommendations to facilitate excellence in future educational programming.
The MPI Regional Council Northeast US is comprised of representatives of eight chapters (MPI Connecticut River Valley, MPI Greater New York, MPI Middle Pennsylvania, MPI New England, MPI New Jersey, MPI Philadelphia Area, MPI Pittsburgh, and MPI Upstate New York) under the leadership of chair Pamela Kammerer (MPI Middle Pennsylvania Chapter) and vice chair Wendy O’Duffy (MPI Upstate New York). The MPI Regional Council Northeast US meets monthly virtually to track progress toward shared goals and to exchange best practices.
The MPI Regional Council Northeast US is currently in the preliminary stages of setting SMART goals for 2025. The chapter representative for MPI Greater New York Chapter is David Hughes, a former member of our Board of Directors.
David Hughes
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Nov 2024
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 Date: November 25 Time: 6-9pm Location: Apella by Alexandria
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