
In honour of Black History Month, MPI Toronto is proud to welcome three thought leaders in the event space who will be generously sharing their knowledge on DE&I and how it can show up in the work we do within the industry. The event will feature: John Wiggins, VP of Organizational Culture and Inclusion at Toronto Raptors at MLSE; Keziah Myers Executive Director, ADVANCE, Canada's Black Music Business Collective; and Makesha Miles, Events Manager at BMO Financial Group. Our generous sponsors include Tourism Saskatoon and DE Systems. Media Resource Contributor includes IGNITE Magazine and Ontario Black History Society.
When: February 10, 2022 Time: 3-4:30 p.m. EST
It’s not too late to register!
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Need a lift? Take a break from the winter doldrums—you’re always among friends at a Just Networking event! In recognition of Pink Shirt Day, kindness and feel-good are on the MPI Toronto menu on February 23 at 4 p.m. EST. Register for our next virtual event and bring along an industry pal who’s not an MPI Toronto member (yet) to enjoy some laughs and good vibes together, and make new friends! That’s right—our next networking event is free for members, and you can treat a friend to be part of the fun for just $10 (that’s less than 2 lattes!)! Check out the Events section of the MPI Toronto site for more information or to save a spot for you and your “plus one.”
When: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Time: 4-5 p.m. EST
Register here.
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Registration for the annual MPI Toronto Chapter Awards Gala “Infinite Reflections” is now open! The Awards Gala will be taking place virtually on March 10. Join us as we reflect on our chapter highlights and achievements over the past year and celebrate our outstanding members who have made contributions to our chapter and industry. Register now before the early bird deadline.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a member and congratulations to all of the nominees!
Register now.
Save the Date: Thursday, March 10, 2022 Time: 5:30 p.m. – Networking Reception / 6-8 p.m. – Awards Presentation
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“Stronger, Safer and Connected” – GMID 2022
Come one, come all to the Chapter’s GMID event celebrating how we are “Stronger, Safer and Connected.”
We will kickoff the industry’s day of celebration on Wednesday April 6, 2022. This will let you join local/global events on April 7 without conflict.
Activities include Connect UP focused on our Students with engaging and relevant topics and speakers and networking; FOR ALL Main Session focused on celebrating and reconnecting safely with entertainment, food and drink.
More details will be shared as the agenda formalizes.
Mark your calendars to attend!!!
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Thank you to all our partners for their support and valuable contributions for a successful Annual Holiday Gala event "Festival of Reconnection" held on December 7, 2021. It was great to see everyone come together and celebrate. We truly appreciate your support in making this event a success!
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It was lovely to see everyone in their holiday gear at Just Networking in December. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the next one!
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The Fall Fit Fundraiser that took place Nov. 5-Dec. 5 was a fun industry initiative that challenged participants to reach a daily average of 5,000 steps and 10,000 steps, respectively. The goal of the event was threefold:
- Help promote healthy physical activity
- Share scenic photos amongst each other
- Support fundraising for the MPI Toronto Chapter and raise money for the Breakfast with Santa Foundation
Lead sponsor AV-CANADA provided prizes to the top participants, Alastair DeRozario, who won an Apple watch, and Christina Northcott, who took home the Raptors lower bowl tickets for the highest average steps. To encourage and include all participants, they also added some great prizes to the live draw at the annual MPI Holiday Gala.
Congrats to all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors. With their help, over $5,000 was raised.
A special thank you to everyone at AV-CANADA, Blue Mountain Resort, Hilton Hotels, D.E.Systems, and S&L Solutions Event Management for supporting this initiative. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Please join us later this year for our second event. Watch for details.
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“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” - Tony Robbins
The latest edition of meeting Magazine was all about GRATITUDE. Spend a few moments today getting to know our authors and what they are thankful for. Let’s reflect on the past the past year and the many blessings we all share.
Read here.
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The #ReintroducingMeChallenge - A global event industry initiative
With so much upheaval in the past two years, many event professionals have changed jobs, shifted focus, taken calculated risks, upgraded their credentials, and even relocated. Everyday, there is an exciting new update from someone in our network. Yet, we haven’t had the chance to catch up and celebrate our colleagues. It was this exact concept that inspired Samantha Mele and Tami Adams to create the #ReintroducingMeChallenge in collaboration with Ignite magazine.
Whether you have experienced a change or simply want to give an update, here’s your chance to let your colleagues know where you are, how you’re doing—and that you’re ready to put all the wisdom you’ve gained to good use as we tackle 2022.
Post your “Reintroduction” on your LinkedIn profile using #ReintroducingMeChallenge. Follow the instructions below for your chance at a $500 educational bursary, generously provided by Ignite magazine.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tell us a bit about yourself personally and professionally.
- How have you shifted your life or career over the past two years?
- What are you excited about as we come out of this pandemic?
- Tell us something fun! What would surprise people to learn about you?
To qualify for an entry in the bursary giveaway:
- Reintroduce yourself on your LinkedIn profile (set to public view)
- Add the hashtag #ReintroducingMeChallenge
- Challenge 3 industry friends!
- Tag and follow @Ignite Magazine
Every post will be entered to win a $500 Educational Bursary*, sponsored by Ignite
Created by Tami Adams and Samantha Mele. Produced in collaboration with Ignite Magazine.
Note: *Educational bursary giveaway open to Canadian event and hospitality professionals only. Qualification period is February 1 - 28, 2022. Winner will be contacted via LinkedIn by March 4, 2022. All participants who post will receive one entry. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with LinkedIn.
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Congratulations to Caitlin Burgess, CMP, CED
MPI Foundation Champion and MPI Toronto Chapter liaison has been assigned to Caitlin Burgess, CMP, CED, for one year. She will provide updates to the Foundation on MPI Toronto activities as well as communicate and share Foundation activities and requests with the Chapter.
Exhibition Place Signs Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge
Exhibition Place has officially signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge, a global initiative to address climate change across the events and meetings industry, per the targets laid out in the Paris Climate Accord, to commit to achieving net zero by 2050. The next step of the "Net Zero Carbon Events" initiative is to develop the roadmap which will support the objectives outlined in the pledge. More information about the initiative: www.netzerocarbonevents.org. For further information: Sheri De Carlo, Exhibition Place, Manager, Brand and Communications, sdecarlo@explace.on.ca.
Niagara Falls Convention Centre Renamed to Celebrate Iconic Destination
Niagara Falls Canada’s landmark event, meeting, and convention venue begins its second decade as the Niagara Falls Convention Centre (formerly Scotiabank Convention Centre). The new name honours its iconic destination and Niagara Falls’ coveted reputation as one of Canada’s top international meeting and convention destinations. For more information: Irene Knight, iknight@niagarafallstourism.com.
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Calling for Partnerships! We have some great partnership opportunities available for our upcoming Annual Awards Gala. Reach MPI Toronto Chapter Meeting Professionals to showcase your products & services, and provide your solutions to create successful & meaningful experiences!
We are also looking for partnerships for the Global Meetings Industry Day celebration on April 6. Submit your interest here and we'll get in touch with you.
Interested? Submit here.
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If there’s one thing the pandemic did, it was put a hard stop to planning events and doing things we’ve always done. Whether it’s following COVID-19 protocols or figuring out the numerous virtual platforms, things have changed. But how can we make our gatherings be more meaningful and purposeful no matter if it’s virtual, hybrid, or in-person? Enter Priya Parker’s "The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters." This book is, “A transformative exploration of the power, purpose, and benefits of gatherings in our lives: at work, at school, at home and beyond,” and an absolute MUST READ for all!
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