Save the date for these exciting MPI Toronto chapter events:

March 7
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
MPI Toronto Awards Gala
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto

April 2 
2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CMP Study Group – Session 1
Pantages Hotel Downtown Toronto, Toronto

April 4
Global Meetings Industry Day

April 4-6
the EVENT
Hotel Bonaventure, Montreal

Save the date for MPI Toronto Chapter’s Awards Gala!

Join us on Thursday, March 7 for an evening filled with delicious food, entertainment and industry peers as we gather to celebrate the 2019 award nominees for their contributions to the meeting industry.

Location:
Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)
255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6
www.mtccc.com

Time:
5 p.m. – Registration and Reception
6:30 p.m. – Dinner/Awards

Registration now open!

Global Meetings Industry Day is April 4 in Toronto.

Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) is an educational and networking event catered to meeting planners, suppliers and students alike. Industry experts will lead a series of keynote presentations and panel discussions throughout the program. Your Toronto Chapter GMID Committee has been working hard to focus the event on new and meaningful topics for 2019 and beyond, including the effects of newly implemented legislation. This topic and many others will be explored through the lens of event planning professionals.

GMID will also feature the popular Connect Up program (formerly Mentor Café). Connect Up is a peer-to-peer learning and networking program led by industry veterans to educate mentees on specific facets of the event industry.

If you are looking for an opportunity for professional development and purposeful network connections, look no further than GMID.

Planning to attend the EVENT 2019?

Stay at a true urban oasis: Book your accommodation now at The Hotel Bonaventure Montreal. It is a true Garden of Eden overlooking the bustling streets of the city. Connected to the underground city, Central Station and the business district, Old Montreal and major attractions, this hotel is the perfect place for the EVENT and your next stay in Montreal.

Discounted room rates are available until March 14. 

Did you know that on Jan. 16 the Hotel Bonaventure Montreal had an unveiling of the much-anticipated renovated spaces? Check out this video of the new space. Need help getting there? 

• Air Canada and West Jet are offering discount codes.
• Apply for the INITIATIVE 1:1 for the chance to have your registration fees covered.

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the CMP Study Group hosted an information session at the Marriott Toronto City Centre. Attendees heard from CMPs on how the test can help advance the careers of event professionals as well as best practices for preparing for the exam. Following the session, the CMP Study Group announced the group's schedule for 2019. For more information and to register, visit MPI Toronto's Event page.

Relationships — it’s not rocket science!

What’s important to you? What makes you tick? This is what you need to find out about other people if you want to build lasting relationships.

Check out to the new blog "Relationships — it’s not rocket science!" by Theresa Gatto, CMP, senior manager of business events at Ottawa Tourism.

New year, new you!

As energetic event professionals, whether it be personal or professional, we reflect back on the success of the past year and plan what we want to accomplish in the future. Shannon Valeriote, CMP, CMM, account director at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, discusses taking the plunge to the next step in your career and ways to commit to a goal to undertake 2019 as your utmost successful year.

Valeriote encourages you to flee your emotive obstacles aside and embrace change for career growth.

To read more about the MPI Toronto Chapter Blog, "New year, new you," click here!

Event trends to watch out for in 2019

Check out this two-part blog on event trends to watch for 2019, such as technology integration, security measures, sustainable events and unique venues by Kaitlyn McGuirk, account coordinator at Redstone Agency Inc.

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, June 25

Three hours of golf with a three-hour reception and banquet at the newly renovated Royal Woodbine Golf Club.

Online registration opening soon.

Come mix and mingle with your favorite meeting professionals.

Date: June 25
Registration: 12:30 p.m. 
Tee Off: 2 p.m. 
Reception: 5 p.m. 
Banquet: 6 p.m.
Finished: 8 p.m. at the latest, we promise
Location: The newly renovated Royal Woodbine Golf Club (Dixon Road & Highway 27)

Come join this great networking opportunity. Book your foursome (minimum two planners) or join us on your own and invite your favorite meeting professional. Mingle and get to know one another in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.

Beginners are more than welcome!

Prize donations are welcome. Please contact Leslie Wright at lwright@mpitoronto.org with your donation or have it mailed marked Golf Prize Donation. We thank you in advance!

Get clear! Shake up your habits! Know your tribe!

This was the message that attendees left with after our Planners, Productivity and Purpose session on Feb. 6 at Vantage Venues.

Jen Schrafft, a professional coach, worked in the event industry for 15 years when she realized she was burning out and wanted to help smart, hardworking professionals who might also be spinning their wheels. In our session, Schrafft provided inspiration and a different perspective on looking and dealing with work and life challenges. During this workshop in groups of two, the issues were presented and shared and possible actions were discussed. Attendees then looked for any and all barriers to taking these actions and then crafted an action plan together.

Attendees re-evaluated their purpose as a planner, their why, and re-created their productivity plan based on it. Attendees left the session with the tools to customize their own action plan and move from productivity to purpose. An added bonus to this session is that Schrafft held a follow-up call with all those that attended the workshop a week later. She continued the "coach approach" discussion, which provided the opportunity for follow-up questions on the action plans taken away.

Thanks to all our sponsors for making this professional development session possible: Vantage Venues, D.E. Systems for our online registration, and our media partners, BizBash and Ignite.

Join us for our next PD session on emergency readiness and risk management. Block May 15 in your calendar now and stay tuned for more information.