I hope you find this renewed format useful to help you keep track of all opportunities. Check it out at the beginning of each month for upcoming happenings in our chapter and the industry! - Carvie Gillikin, President MPI Greater New York.

Activate and energize your MPI membership by getting involved or take your involvement to the next level. MPIGNY is looking for qualified individuals that want to be a part of the 2015 -2016 Board of Directors. The application deadline is Wednesday, February 18. Need more information? Contact info@mpigny.org.

The best of the best! The cream of the crop! The movers and shakers of our industry! Start thinking of your fellow MPI colleagues, friends, partners and companies that have earned a spot to be recognized at the 4th Annual Genie Awards this June. Nominations will be opening soon.

Is your MPI membership about to expire? We value all members and want you to continue your membership into 2015. All members who renew this month are entered into a drawing. One lucky winner will choose between a six-month membership extension or six complimentary tickets to a chapter event*. Renew today! *Receive six complimentary tickets to any chapter event (up to $300). Can be used for six tickets to one event, one ticket to six separate events or any combination. Must be used by March 2016. Refer a friend Incentive - Go from being a good friend to being an amazing friend! Help a colleague, friend or young professional experience the benefits of MPI membership. For every new member who joins who you referred through the Refer a Friend program, MPI will waive their $50 application fee and reward you with $25 off your next membership renewal. That’s free money!

Knowing how to best meet your needs and exceed expectations is important to your chapter leaders and the entire MPI staff. Sharing feedback about your MPI experience takes just 15-20 minutes and can make a world of difference to all of our members. Be on the look out for your personalized survey on February 13!

Why not contribute to our chapter magazine - @MPIGNY. Our Spring issue will focus on the team building trend in meetings, we will highlight the first ever North American Meetings Industry Day, a key component of the Meetings Mean Business Campaign and discuss Habits for a Healthy Home Office. We are always looking for writers who want to get involved! Email suzanne.medcalf@imexexhibitions.com for more information.

Just can’t get to New Orleans for Fat Tuesday this year? Don’t fret! We’re bringing the party to NYC. Grab your mask, some beads and a handful of business cards, and get ready to network. Hard Rock Cafe will be serving hearty Louisiana food favorites and themed libations along with a full open bar for those that do not want to embrace the fabled Hurricane cocktail. Second-line around the room to the live tunes and enjoy the company of your industry colleagues. Laissez les bon temps rouler! Suppliers, did you know you could host a planner for only $35? You can register the planner on your own or we can pair you with one. For more info on our sponsored planner program, please contact Kathie Stapleton at kstapleton@mpigny.org Book your trip to the best Mardi Gras celebration without ever boarding a flight.

During our January, mid-year retreat at The Manhattan - An Affinia Hotel, the BOD shared stories of thanks, offers of commitments and a ball of yarn. At the end of the exercise, we had a network that represented strength in that it could not fail if everyone kept their string tight.

What a great night we had at our January After Six Mix! Some of us were pool sharks and some of us guppies, but all had a blast networking over the billiards tables. Slate shone with some delicious appetizers and specialty drinks. With more than 40 attendees and plenty of new faces, connections were made. The next time you’re searching for a unique event space for team interaction, check this hot spot out. Save the date for our next After Six Mix on March 11. Location will be announced shortly.

Engage with our chapter on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook - we love hearing from you!

While keeping your event at a hotel can be attractive from a logistical perspective, taking attendees off property transports them out of the typically windowless ballroom and gives them a flavor of the local culture. (@MPIGNY)

Your association’s meeting may not attract 100 million attendees, but you can still add some smaller-scale, Super Bowl-style fanfare to your conferences. (Associations Now)

It’s time to stop fussing over the rise of Millennials and start looking at the ways they’ve already influenced meetings and conventions - from event design to F&B to technology. (Convene)

Find out how data is being used in real time to improve the attendee experience at events. (BizBash)

After an event the new experiences and relationships are still fresh for most attendees. Make sure to follow up and solidify the new connections you’ve made. (Snapifeye)

February 12 - Board of Directors Meeting February 17 - Mardi Gras Evening Social - Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square March 11 - After Six Mix (location TBA) March 19 - Board of Directors Meeting April 16 - North American Meetings Industry Day - International Meetings Roundtable Education