2020 MPI Potomac Chapter Annual Awards Nominees

Marketplace Excellence Award

The Marketplace Excellence Award recognizes a supplier member organization that has provided the chapter with effective and creative opportunities at events by consistently contributing throughout the chapter year (July 2019-June 2020). This award will be given to an organization.


Choose Chicago		Prestige AV & Creative Services

Visit Montgomery (Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County)

Rising Star of the Year

The Rising Star Award is given to an exceptional member who has been a member of MPI Potomac for less than 3 years. (Must have joined MPI on or after July 1, 2017).

This individual exemplifies outstanding chapter volunteerism and has made a significant contribution to the chapter. The nominee exemplifies qualities of an excellent chapter leader.


Tayhler Davis NAFSA: Association of International Educators		Natalie Deriu International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

Anne Knox, CMP		Evan Nielson, CMP AARP

Jenny Pascaran Beard The Hatcher Group		Stephanie Retelle Live Nation / Warner Theatre

Tonya Smith National Governors Association

Planner of the Year

The nominee is a planner member who has contributed to enhancing their organization and the meetings and events industry. The recipient should demonstrate hard work and creative insight that has positively changed their organization and/or the meetings and events industry. The recipient should be someone who has helped motivate members to excel in the planner community. This award is based on industry involvement and commitment during the current chapter year July 2019-June 2020.


Tayhler Davis NAFSA - Association of International Educators		Natalie Deriu International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association

Barbara Hutchison, CMP, HMCC 1-N-Only		Jeanine Littrel, CMP Franchise Association

Supplier of the Year

The nominee is a supplier member who has contributed to enhancing their organization and the meetings and events industry. The recipient should be an individual who motivates members to excel in the supplier community and has strong relationships with those who are planner members. Award is based on industry involvement and commitment during the current chapter year July 2019 – June 2020.


Mary Beth Baluta Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau		Nora Bankert Street Guy Hospitality

Leila Beltramo, CGMP Visit Montgomery (Conference and Visitors Bureau of Montgomery County)		Andrew Robinson Extraordinary Entertainment

Star of the Year

The Star Award is presented to one outstanding member who who took their volunteerism to heart. Throughout the 2019-2020 year, we were delighted to recognize 12 Star honorees, all of whom actively participated on committees, projects, and events. They showed the highest level of commitment and ingenuity that not only made us proud, but carved a path for future chapter leadership. Of the 12 honorees, there was one person in particular whose effort was integral to our chapter's success this past year, and this person will be the recipient of our Star Award.


Maggie Boys, CMP		Carla Cobos Hall, CMP Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)

Tayhler Davis NAFSA: Association of International Educators		Darryl Diamond, CMP Big White Dog Events

Krystal Heard		Anne Knox, CMP

Jeanine Littrel, CMP Franchise Association		Lawan McFerren, CMP American Society of Civil Engineers

Faye Pastor, CMP, CEM San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau		Noelle Pearson Private Jet Services Group

Andrew Robinson Extraordinary Entertainment		Tonya Smith National Governors Association

MPI Potomac Chapter Leader

The nominee should be an MPI Potomac member serving as either a committee chair/co-chair or Board Director for the current chapter year (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020). This individual is an exemplary member of the chapter leadership team, providing support and encouragement to all members and volunteers. This person personifies the chapter values of teamwork, accountability, and forward-thinking. The Chapter Leader is someone members would like to continue to see serve the member-base into the future.


Annalisa Berryhill B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group		Lura Bobbitt American Iron and Steel Institute

Brian Chung Visit Baltimore		Kat Kimpton, CMP Share Our Strength

Evan Nielson, CMP AARP		Phil Rappoport Agenda Pop Mobile

Natalie Thomas MTG Hospitality

Distinguished Leader

The nominee must be an MPI Potomac member for 10 or more years (must have joined MPI on or before July 1, 2009) who has contributed to the continued enhancement of their organization and the global meetings industry. This individual with visionary hard work and creative insight has positively changed the local meetings industry community. The award recognizes sustained commitment and substantial contributions to the meetings and events industry. This award is based on the individual’s collective career of service and is not limited to this chapter year.


Melissa Benowitz, CMP MRB Meetings & Management		Kathryne Gardette, MSPOD, CMP, CTA Prestige AV & Creative Services

Margaret Miller, CMP Experient

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