On September 14, MPI Toronto Chapter held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Volunteer Recognition event celebrating and thanking our volunteers for the 2015-2016 year.

Held at the newly renovated Courtyard Marriott Downtown Toronto, we had the opportunity to see what had been done at the hotel and what a great transformation. The hotel looks amazing and the dinner was a treat. The attendees really noticed the quality of the meal, and we received some great comments.

The 5-Star Recipients were honoured. These volunteers were chosen by their committee members. They include:

Signature Series – Erin Reid

Professional Development – Kiran Balladin

Awards – Johanna Sharpe

Toronto Education Conference – Tiffany Gilmore, CMP

Membership – Christina Northcott, CMP

Holiday Gala – Lyne Montpetit, CMP

Communications – Carly Silberstein

GMID – Amy Tough, CMP-HC

Golf – Rodney Hubenig

 

While the 5-Star recipients were on stage, Mark Kelly from Meetings Incentive Travel (M IT), went up and announced the SOAR Award recipient. This is sponsored by M IT and the recipient is chosen from the 5-Star names. The award includes a $500 credit with MPI towards membership or education programs. This year the SOAR Award went to Christina Northcott, CMP. Congratulations to Christina, who this year has stepped into the role of Chair of the Communications Committee.

Volunteers were recognized for their service with the chapter and those in attendance were given a pin. The pins are for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years. 

Celebrating years of service include the following:

5 Years

• Lucia Al-Zaiatova
• Danielle Ambrosio
• Rosetta Armeni
• Elizabeth Best, CMM
• Tony Bianco
• April Boudreau
• Kristin Contini, CMP
• Brant Cook
• Amy Duff, CMP
• Sharon Fleary
• Emma Flood
• Kristen Gill
• Dianne Harrison, CMP
• Mariella Irivarren, CMP
• Jon James, CMP
• Peter Jones, CMP
• Matina Kalkounis, CMP
• Paulina Knap
• Trish Knox
• Micki Lubek, CMP
• Mark Marker, CMP, CHME
• Elaine Marks
• Margaret Martin
• Dan McGrath
• Bonnie Medensky
• Julie Peden
• Laura Purdy, CMM
• Stephanie Rapko, CMP
• Marianne So
• Rachel Stark
• Leah Weselowski

10 Years

• Paul Araujo
• Margaret Binns
• Peggy Corbiell, CMP
• Marcelo DeOliveira
• Theresa Gatto, CMP
• Julie Holmen
• Derrick Leue
• Diane Whittington, CMP

15 Years

• Annette Bennitz, CMM
• Karen Cornelius, CMP
• Joyce Morocco, AMCTO, CSEP
• Kelly Shannon, CMM
• Kathryn Wood, CMP

20 Years

• Susan Bernad

25 Years

• Jennifer Bankay, CMP
• Danny Dobriansky
• Pat Gappmayr
• Susan Lanc, CMP

30 Years

• Marsha Jones, CMP, CMM

35 Years

• Diane Stefaniak, CMP, CAE, CHME

Thank you to the pin recipients for their dedication to the MPI Toronto Chapter. 

Following the Volunteer Recognition event, Geoff Mak, CEM, CMP, Immediate Past President, started the AGM, highlighting the chapter’s successes over the past year. Sandra Moniz, CMP, President-Elect, presented the financial statement for the last fiscal year followed by Marcelo DeOliveira, President, who introduced the 2016-2017 Board of Directors and outlined the upcoming events. Once the business of the chapter was concluded, dinner was served.

We couldn’t hold events such as this without the support of our sponsors:

• Niagara Falls Tourism, represented by Paula Racher, was the event sponsor and we heard from Paula what great things Niagara has to offer us.
• The Courtyard Marriott Downtown Toronto, who provided the venue, the great meal, and arranged for wine from Barefoot Wine and Bubbly and the centrepieces from DT Floral & Design.
• Freeman Audio Visual Canada, who provided the AV and staging for the event. It made the front of the room look great.
• Ottawa Tourism and the Shaw Centre, our Marquee Sponsors. They are the only Marquee Sponsor and provide funding for most of our events.
• The Image Commission for the photographs. 
• D.E. Systems, who provide the on-line registration for all of our events.

All of these organizations make the difference, and we appreciate their support. Please remember to reach out to them when you are looking for the service they provide and mention that you are contacting them because you saw what a great job they did at the chapter event.