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UPCOMING EVENTS
The first Signature Series event will take place on Thursday, September 6, 2012. The theme is "Leadership" and this dinner event will incorporate MPI Toronto Chapter's Annual General Meeting.

Reserve a place in your calendar from 5 pm to 9 pm!  Location and speaker details will be advised very soon so watch your e-mail for more information! Plan to attend this kick off to the new MPI Toronto Chapter year.
 
How many members in our chapter volunteer for a committee? Would you believe less than 30% participate in this outstanding opportunity to get involved?
 
Have you thought about volunteering and need more information on what kind of volunteer opportunities exist? The MPI Toronto Chapter is home to many chapter leaders all with different levels of varying experience who put together programming specifically designed to assist you in the volunteer process and understand how to take on roles so that you too can become a leader in the chapter.
 
The Volunteer Leadership Symposium is an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of leadership in the MPI Toronto Chapter, what each volunteer committee does, and how you can take advantage of this fabulous opportunity to get involved and connect with your MPI colleagues through the volunteer experience.
 
Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 20, 2012 from 5 to 7 pm!  Learn first hand how you can enhance your MPI Toronto Chapter membership through volunteering on a committee!  Location to be advised!
 
Time to Save the Date: December 6, 2012 at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario. The Holiday Gala is one of MPI Toronto Chapter’s signature events and attracts 400 meeting professionals annually. Mark your calendar and let your clients know! Corporate tables will be available for sale. Watch for details.
 
MEMBER CONNECTION

Tim Whalen, CMP, Fallsview Casino Resort

The MPI Toronto Chapter was well represented last month in St. Louis at the World Education Conference "Big Deal" event. The MPI Foundation holds a fun-filled evening of high stakes tournament poker, where Trevor Lui of the International Centre beat all in attendance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas and a seat valued at $10,000 to the 2013 World Series of Poker® Main Event – the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world!  Good Luck in Las Vegas, Trevor!

 
Yvonne Dewar, CMP, Elastic Communications & Events Inc.

I am writing this just days after learning of the passing of Moira Hearn, Select Group Marketing, a mentor to many in the meeting and incentive industry. Moira was a leader, friend, business owner and a MPI member for almost 29 years.

We were fortunate to have Moira in our community for so many years as an active MPI member and she enriched the lives of so many of us. I can only hope that each of us will leave a legacy as meaningful as Moira. I know Moira lived MPI’s value statement and I hope you do too ...

Inspire our Members to be successful by building Human Connections through Knowledge/Ideas and Strong Relationships.

Moira, you were loved by many around the world and will be greatly missed.

 
LeeAnne Leckie, CMP, International Centre

MPI Toronto Chapter held its third MPI Connects event on Tuesday July 17, 2012. Once again, there were three different opportunities to connect.

We started the morning at the KPMG offices (thanks to Brenda Carter) with a brown bag breakfast. Conversation ranged from Current Trends, Networking, Job Search Strategies, Conference Apps, and the Microsoft Citywide Conference to Hotel/Guestroom amenities for meeting delegates.

There were two afternoon events, one held at the new ALT Hotel on Viscount Road by the Toronto Airport and another in the Niagara Region at Stratus Vineyards.

There were over 20 people at the brand new lobby bar of the ALT Hotel. We were pleased to see some new faces in attendance. One of comments from an attendee was, "It is great to meet MPI Toronto members in such a relaxed and casual setting."

Topics discussed were: Summertime Vacations; Free WIFI – Is it the new Norm?; Education – What would you like to see in this coming year?; AV recommendations; and Penalties. Pat Cluett (thanks for hosting) also offered tours of the new hotel to everyone in attendance.

The Niagara Region was well represented as Stratus Vineyards hosted a wonderful reception – thank you Hayley Bishop.  The event was well attended with 13 people. Unfortunately Kurt Russell didn't show this time (yes – he did join the group at our first MPI Connect in Niagara).  Again, there was a wide variety of people, new members, nonmembers and even a member from Montreal who was in Niagara. Everyone took part in casual group conversations, while enjoying the hospitality of the Vineyard.

We will be continuing the MPI Connects gatherings - stay tuned for the next date and locations!
 
Pat Cluett, ALT Hotels, Groupe Germain

The weather started out perfect as we celebrated the 15th anniversary of the MPI Toronto Chapter Annual Golf Tournament at Royal Woodbine Golf Club on June 27, 2012!

Our golfers took part with foursomes posting some of the fastest rounds in tournament history, finishing 18 holes in 5 hours. Marsha Jones and Sharm Simon served up Jello Shots as part of our anniversary celebration on the 15th hole and after a fabulous meal, the Royal Woodbine Golf Club arranged a special anniversary cake.

Many thanks to Danny Dobriansky, our Golf Tournament Chair, who has been instrumental in organizing this event for the last 15 years.

A great day was had by all and it would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Thanks to AV-CANADA, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, D.E. Systems, The Image Commission, Meetings and Incentive Travel, Peller Estates Winery, Skyline Hotels and Resorts, Stagevision Inc., Starwood Hotels Toronto Metro Market and the STRONCO Group.

We cannot forget the fabulous major prizes donated by Delta Hotels and Resorts, Porter Airlines packaged with Mandarin Oriental DC and Gaylord National Resort and Viamede Resort. Thank you to all our prize donors who were recognized at the event. Thank you to all for your support!

We hope you have a great summer and look forward to seeing you at next year’s tournament.

Special thanks to our committee members Pat Cluett, Suzanne Cowley, John Crick, Danny Dobriansky, Marsha Jones, Maria Martins, Natasha Melanson, Darryl Nielsen, Paula Spizzirri, Rachel Stark, Doug Wojick, Leslie Wright and Nikki Wright.

 
Nikki Sayers, CMP, Blackbox Communications Inc.

The 2011-2012 ECOS Committee event, "MPI Build a Bike Day,"  took us to the Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club (101 Spruce Street),  where we helped provide five boys and five girls from Regent Park with very empowering gifts of dignity, autonomy, and the opportunity to build confidence. On June 20th, a group of 27, made up of MPI Toronto members and their families, came together and built bikes for 10 very deserving children. The morning was full of the usual upbeat atmosphere that surrounds an MPI event. We enjoyed seeing another side of our colleagues and quickly realized who in the group knew how to use a wrench!

Of course, the children’s faces were beaming when they were presented with their bikes. However, we could not have anticipated the looks of heartfelt gratitude that appeared on their parents' faces!  What was accomplished would not have been possible without the private donations of corporate sponsors and generosity of the following; Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, Elephant Entertainment and D.E.Solutions. Also, a huge thank you to our bike kit and helmet sponsors: Duff Shaw, Elastic Communications & Events Inc, Fletcher Wright Associates Inc, International Centre, MPI Toronto Chapter Board of Directors and Ruby Sky Event Planning Inc.  Click here to see the video from our special day
 
Brookstreet
COMMITTEE CORNER
Kyra Whale, Meridican Incentive Consultants

Know an MPI Toronto Chapter member that goes the extra mile and deserves to be recognized for their hard work? It’s time to nominate that member for their effort and continued support of our growing chapter!

The MPI Toronto Chapter Awards Program is designed to recognize excellence in active chapter members, for their commitment, service and involvement in the chapter, industry and community at large.

Keep an eye out for the Toronto Chapter Awards Nomination Forms at all of our MPI events! It takes just one minute to fill out the form, and this time can go a long way in thanking and leaving a lasting impression on a fellow MPI Member! Make a difference and thank your fellow members for their dedication and excellence – please click here for more information and past winners!
 
Pat Cluett, ALT Hotels, Groupe Germain

The Education Committee had a great deal of fun this year planning our Signature Series events and Professional Development (PD) sessions. This was the first year that we had designated themes for each event.

Leadership was our theme to begin the year in September with the AGM and Signature Series Event. Then we moved to Human Connections and ran a successful PD Session and Signature Series Event at which we brought together suppliers and planners to understand the different perceptions between the two and effectively communicate with one another and create synergy. Innovation was our theme in November with a sold-out event, followed by Technology and finally ending with Current Trends for another sold-out event days after registration opened.
 
We worked in conjunction with the Member Care Committee to ensure that our prime objective of 'Hosting' was met with each and every event, and were successful together in making new and existing members feel welcome and truly "hosting" our event sponsors, venues and speakers.
 
Many thanks to our outstanding committee members: Emma Flood, Danyelle MacCulloch, Trudy Barnes, Joy Leonte, Jayne Dunsmore, Scott Bussell, Candace Sutherland, Maria Beltran, and Jim Koufis; my co-chairperson, Danielle MacFarlane; Director, Marcelo DeOliveira; and our VP, Geoff Mak, for your support, committment and dedication to the MPI Toronto Chapter and the Education Committee.
 
Education programming is only made possible by the generous support of our sponsors who we gratefully acknowledge and thank once again.
 
Venue Sponsors: International Centre, Ontario Science Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown, Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre, Hyatt Regency, and Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto.  
 
AV Sponsors: AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, Swank Audio Visuals, AV-CANADA, and Frischkorn Audio Visual.
 
Event Sponsors: Tourism Toronto, Speakers' Spotlight, L(earn)², Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun Resort and Spa, Tropical Incentives DMC - Cancun and Riviera Maya, and Destination Halifax.
 
Speakers, Panelists and Moderators:  Richard St. John, Doug Bolger, Angie Pfeifer, Erin Lau, Richard Hatch, Heidi Welker, Judith Samuels, Alissa Hurley, Dharmesh Dayabhai, Elaine McCulloch, Josh Groom, Don Douloff, Paul Benallick, Todd Clarmo, Jason Parsons, Kristina Inman, and David Chow.
 
Registration:  D.E. Systems
 
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INDUSTRY NEWS

Delta Hotels and Resorts Appoints New Corporate Director of Sales 
Delta Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Pallotta to Corporate Director of Sales effective May 29th, 2012. In the newly created role, Pallotta will join the sales leadership team to provide strategic support for sales distribution and partnerships, oversee the National Sales Team as well as sales in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan regions. Pallotta is a consummate professional with over 21 years of hotel experience, eight of which were spent in progressive leadership positions at Delta. Before taking on her current role, Pallotta was the Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, where she was accountable for the strategic direction and total revenue of three hotels in South-Western Ontario. Prior to joining Delta, Pallotta held various sales and marketing positions with the Waterside Inn in Port Credit, Best Western Carlton Place & Days Inn Hotel and Conference Centre in Toronto, as well as the Ramada Hotel in Hamilton. For more information, please visit www.deltahotels.com

International Centre Offers Complimentary WiFi Solutions
The International Centre is pleased to announce its Craft Eatery has become a complimentary wireless hotspot. As exhibitors, show management and guests become more dependent on superior wireless solutions, the International Centre continues to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing client and visitor experiences. The addition of wireless solutions is just part of the International Centre’s ongoing multi-phase plan to upgrade technology services and provide clients with exceptional services to fit their needs. For more information visit www.internationalcentre.com/

JPdL Destination Management, A Global Events Partner, welcomes Kathryn Dalziel as Program & Product Developer
JPdL Toronto & Niagara DMC is excited to welcome Kathryn Dalziel to their sales and marketing team. Kathryn comes to JPdL with a background in event planning, operations and hospitality, most recently with S-Trips, a Toronto-based travel provider. Her experience, creativity and passion will help JPdL continue to its industry-leading client service levels. For further information contact: Bruce MacDonald, Vice President & General Manager JPdL Toronto & Niagara, A Global Events Partner Dir: 416-221-0904

Metro Toronto Convention Centre to Offer Free Attendee Internet Access 
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) has just announced that they will now be providing free wireless Internet access to enhance the experience of event attendees. This is just one of many technological upgrades being addressed by the Centre as they undergo a major renovation project to modernize the Centre and upgrade customer service. For further information, visit www.mtccc.com.

 

 
Naylor, LLC

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