A heartfelt thank you goes out to our fantastic membership for recognizing the improvements we have made to the chapter over the past few years. Our member satisfaction survey results are in and we scored an 8.49, up from a 6.44 in 2012. This is a huge improvement and we sincerely thank you!

The MPIGNY Genie Awards are coming to BB King Blues Club & Grill Monday, June 15 and nominations are open – don't miss the opportunity to network and engage at our annual event celebrating our members and their accomplishments throughout the year!

Do you know a planner, supplier or young professional who has contributed to the growth of our chapter, created new programs or engaged volunteers? What about someone who has stood out as an innovator, mentor, trailblazer and leader? Tell us why you think a member has gone above and beyond and you could see them on the Genie stage!

Awards include Committee of the Year, Outstanding Contribution by an MPIGNY Planner Member, Outstanding Contribution by an MPIGNY Supplier Member, Outstanding Contribution by an MPIGNY Young Professional (Less than 5 years in our industry), Outstanding Collaboration between a Planner & Supplier and Hall of Fame.

Don't miss your opportunity to recognize a fellow member for their contributions to MPIGNY! Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 11.

MPIGNY has a lot going on the next three months as we approach the end of our 2015 chapter year on June 30 and begin with even more educational, networking and professional experiences for 2016. We listened to our members and are finding more ways to connect you with all of the volunteer opportunities MPIGNY has to offer. The MPIGNY Membership Committee will be hosting two short 20-minute informational web conferences on May 12 and May 26. For more information, please email our VP of Membership, Tom Andrika. Also, don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet our 2015/2016 Board of Directors at the Summer Kick-off event at the Allegria Hotel & Spa on May 28. Not only is it a fun event with great food, it’s also a great time to connect in person with our leadership and learn about some of the volunteer opportunities each individual director is creating and looking to fill.

What's a better way to shake-off the winter and kick-off the summer than a party at the beach? Sun, sand and saltwater! The Allegria Hotel is graciously hosting our 3rd Annual Summer Kick Off: Networking Social on their exclusive rooftop with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Mix and mingle while enjoying cool libations from the mojito and sangria bars. Dine on local seafood, steak and upscale BBQ stations while the sun sets over Manhattan. Come, make new connections and refresh your industry network. Shake off the winter blues and let summer begin.

On North American Meetings Industry Day, Thursday, April 16, 2015, members of the MPIGNY Board of Directors joined forces with former MPIGNY President Dianne Devitt. Together with Professor Devitt, our board members gave a presentation on NAMID to students from the NYU Conference and Event Management class, and also discussed the importance of the meetings industry in New York and around the world. It was a great day for everyone, and it is great to touch base with the future of our exciting industry!

What a great night we all had at our April After Six Mix! The Palm Tribeca, sleek and stylish, outdid themselves with a lovely appetizer spread, sliders and even Oysters Rockefeller. With more than 40 attendees and plenty of new faces, connections were made. The next time you’re searching for a traditional steakhouse meal in a unique setting, check this hot spot out. 

After Six Mix is on break for May and June so make sure to join us at our Summer Kick Off on May 28 and The 4th Annual Genie Awards on June 15! 

We are so excited to have such an amazing team of planners & suppliers joining us for the 2015/2016 board year. Be sure to check out the summer issue of @MPIGNY Magazine to meet the team!

Looking for something to infuse your event with a team-building trend that might kick it up a notch? Check out these trends. (@MPIGNY)

Earth day was April 22 this year, and BizBash marked the celebration of environmental awareness by asking readers – and editors – to share smart ideas for eco-friendly gatherings. (BizBash)

Creating buzz is not as simple as posting a few event updates on your blog, Twitter and Facebook. Nor is it enough just to send email reminders. Today, new social media platforms are attracting visitors away from more established sources of online communication. (Bizzabo)

Hotels are taking the lead in showcasing technology that is available to today’s business travelers. In our tech-centric world, upgrading technology is just as important to hotels as renovating guest rooms and meeting space. (Smart Meetings)

And the THREE things you need to know are NOT just rates, dates and space. Although these three make the list, you need to know quite a bit more about your meeting requirements before you reach out to the destinations and hotels you are considering. (empowerMINT)

Do you know where your suppliers are? Seriously, do you? Are they attending your conference education? Or just hanging around for the networking and social events? (Velvet Chainsaw)