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Watch this inspirational message from
Devin Lewis, CMP, CEM
MPI Potomac Chapter President
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Urgent: Share Your Opinion on Virtual Platforms
Our Publications team is hosting a survey of virtual platforms you have used during the past year. Your participation will help your fellow members make better choices about the platforms they select.
Results will be shared in the upcoming winter/spring issue of Engage magazine.
We really want to hear your opinions.
Thank you!
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ReConEx 2021 Call for Presentations Closes This Week!
Registration Opens Soon
Are you ready for MPI Potomac's premier education event? You won't want to miss this year's hybrid conference, packed full of education and providing plenty of opportunities to reconnect in an innovative environment.
Call for Presentations Closes Soon! Don't miss your chance to be considered for our 2021 Conference and Expo. MPI Potomac invites all speakers to submit presentations by the end of the week. Deadline: January 15, 2021 Click the logo below to learn more about ReConEx. Stay tuned for a separate email when registration is opened.
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Save the Date: Evening of the Stars Gala 2021
It’s written in the stars so mark your calendars and show off your formal fashions and industry pride at the most coveted Red Carpet Event of the Year: The Evening of the Stars Gala!
Join MPI Potomac on June 17 at the iconic Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., to honor our MPI Potomac industry star professionals who have shined the brightest this year, witness the installing of our officers for the new program year, and recognize our outgoing leaders, members and anniversaries. Start thinking about who you will nominate!
AWARDS
*Marketplace Excellence Award
*Rising Star Member
*President's Award
*Planner of the Year
*Supplier of the Year
*MPI Potomac Committee of the Year
*Chapter Leader
*Student Member of the Year
*MPI Potomac Distinguished Leader
If all the stars align, it is our hope that we are all going to be able to attend this event in person; however, the planning committee will adapt the necessary strategy and event safety measures if needed.
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Hiring Equitably
By Anjali Sanghvi, co-chair, MPI Potomac DE&I Committee
As the meetings industry begins to reopen and more jobs come on the market, it is essential we all take into consideration whether our hiring practices are equitable. This is an ideal moment for this since the pandemic has seismically shifted our industry. While COVID-19 has devastated many parts of our industry, the one silver lining has been the ability to reflect and learn from our past and to change our practices to reflect that growth.
By no means is this list exhaustive, but here are a few things to consider as we begin to open up our industry.
1. Consider the things you are listing as requirements for the job. Education requirements for entry level positions that may be mostly grunt work may not require that bachelor's degree for example. This is especially if you are not able to provide compensation to match those requirements. Review your job listings to make sure you are not making demands of potential employees that could hinder access by those hardest hit by the pandemic.
2. Post the salary range in the job description. This is a deeper organizational issue, but a worthwhile conversation to start. Posting salary ranges allows transparency on all fronts and allows candidates to know upfront whether the job description matches their expectations for remuneration.
3. Make sure your job posting is accessible. Make sure you are posting in both traditional and new marketplaces to attract diverse candidates.
4. If you require candidates to supply work product examples as part of your interview process, outline clearly that their work will not be used without compensation if they are not hired for the position.
5. Don’t ghost your applicants. Even an auto-generated email letting an applicant know their application has been received can go a long way in creating goodwill. Making sure your application process is transparent — and conducted in a timely manner — is also an equity issue. Letting applicants know they are no longer in the running allows them to shift their focus elsewhere. While it may be an employers market right now, the tides can change, and making sure you are treating applicants in a respectful manner will carry weight into the future.
There are many more ways to hire back and open up our industry equitably. These are just a few suggestions to start you off. I hope they start some conversations for you. The MPI Potomac Chapter Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee is committed to bringing you relevant topics, our podcast series and our DE&I System and Roadmap. To learn more about our DEI initiative, please visit us at https://www.mpi.org/chapters/potomac/media-resources/diversity-inclusion or contact our co-chairs: Anjali Sanghvi, anjalisanghvi@gmail.com, or Joan Aiken, jmaiken22@msn.com.
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December e2 Recap
MPI Potomac finished 2020 strong. The December e2 on “Lessons Learned on Hybrid Meetings” was just what we needed to help us prepare with the right tools to enter 2021 with confidence! Our panelists shared best practices that worked for them when they had to pivot to a hybrid event.
A big thank you to our panelists: Danielle Thomas with Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, Melinda Burdette with MPI, Amy Pettigrew with The Catholic University of America, Stefan Mirevski with The Capital Hilton and, last but not least, our moderator, Cheri Fairchild with Caesars Entertainment.
And thank you again to our strategic partners: Cvent, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, Halo Branded Solutions, Visit Raleigh, Extraordinary Entertainment, BAV and CVBReps.com.
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CMP Recipient Shout-Out!
Congratulations to Joan Aiken, who earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential in November.
The CMP credential is recognized globally as the badge of excellence in the meeting, convention, exhibition and event industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. She has demonstrated her comprehensive knowledge of meeting management as well as a commitment to the meeting profession.
MPI Potomac is so proud of your achievements, Joan.
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Registration Closes Soon for On-Demand Plus CMP Prep Course
MPI Potomac’s newest On-Demand Plus Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) preparation course combines the best of both worlds with on-demand content, plus a live test review and open Q&A session facilitated by experienced CMPs.
Register by Jan. 15 for nine-plus hours of recorded lectures, 265 practice test questions and a four-hour live session. Start off 2021 the right way by taking control of your own development and working toward your CMP designation!
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Certifications Corner
Each month, the Certifications & Career Development Committee will explore a different meeting-industry certification, and we will talk to an MPI Potomac member who holds it.
The Certified Government Meeting Professional designation (CGMP) demonstrates planners and suppliers have an understanding of federal rules and regulations. Many government contracts now require planners to have their government certification, and state and local government employees will benefit from this information.
Before beginning the course, you should have a basic knowledge of industry terminology and acronyms. The course teaches recognized industry practices cited in the Convention Industry Council (CIC) Manual. The CGMP Exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, and a passing score requires at least 85 correct answers.
Qualification: Active SGMP membership and one-year experience in the hospitality industry
Began: 2005 and updated in 2017
Renewal Cycle: Every three years
Course Materials and Outline of Course: All of the certification material will be presented through the manual and instruction during the three day course.
Current CGMP: Over 1,200
MPI Member Q&A
Darlene Spencer, CMP, CGMP
Space Telescope Science Institute
Year Received CGMP: 2012
Darlene, why did you decide to get your CMP and CGMP?
I’m a learner. I wanted to become more proficient in my field. Obtaining these credentials were personal goals of mine. Although not required by my employer, I felt gaining more knowledge in meetings and events planning was important. To have this designation would help me to be more effective and efficient on my job. I wanted to be my best. I wanted to learn as much as possible regarding the industry. I have been able to do so many times over in attaining them.
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