MPI Potomac FYI
April 2023
 
Message from the President
 
 
 
 
Cheri Fairchild, VP, Finance, sits in for Phil
to deliver this month's video message to the chapter.
She's got horses on her mind!
 
Visit Hershey & Harrisburg®
Sweet Meets Success
With 2.5 million square feet of meeting space and 9,200 sleeping rooms in a centralized location, the Hershey Harrisburg Region delivers convenience, affordability, diverse event venues and one-of-a-kind attractions for all your meeting and convention needs. All the amenities and attractions of Hershey The Sweetest Place On Earth® and Harrisburg, the capital city of Pennsylvania, together in one region. What could be better?
Learn more about the Hershey/Harrisburg region
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Upcoming Events
 
 
 
ReConEx is right around the corner, and it is not to be missed.
Click here for a preview of everything that is planned for ReConEx!
 
 
Hear from nationally-known speakers as they discuss topics ranging from technology to the state of the meetings and events industry.

Come for the wealth of educational sessions ranging from keynote presentations to concurrent sessions, totaling 8.0 certified clock hours.
  • 12 Concurrent Sessions
    • 4 Tracks:
      • Innovation/Technology
      • Event Design
      • Emerging Professionals
      • What is On the Horizon
  • 3 Keynote Sessions
  • 3 Micro Sessions
  
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Hyatt Regency Dulles
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derby Days is Back and Better Than Ever!
 
Wed., April 26
5:30 – 8 p.m.
 
Penn Social
Washington, D.C.
 
The Kentucky Derby is America’s original, extravagant springtime sports party. 
 
MPI Potomac is excited to bring back this tradition and invite you to experience an evening of southern charm and celebration as we team with the Louisville Tourism and Penn Social to bring the thrills of the Derby here in the DMV!
 
So dust off those seersucker suits, floral dresses, unique hats and fascinators and join us!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
                               — Stephen King
 
 
Bring your magic to ReConEx on Tuesday, April 11! In honor of National Library Week (April 23-29, 2023) and National Book Day (April 23, 2023), MPI Potomac is hosting a book drive for Alexandria Public Library during ReConEx. Bring your new or gently used books to ReConEx and share the wonders of reading with so many others!
 
Also, while you’re at ReConEx, don’t forget to participate in the “Human Library” where you’ll get to “take out” a person and learn their story.
 
We can’t wait to see you in a few days at ReConEx!
Visit Colorado Springs
News & Announcements
 
 
Looking to Contribute to a Community in 2023?
 
 
MPI Potomac is eager to offer new committee roles in the new year! Our social and education calendars are full, and we're excited to expand our committees to members who are interested in volunteering. 
 
Whether you want to tap into your strengths and share your knowledge or want to learn a new skill set, volunteering on an MPI Potomac committee is the place to be!
 
Click the link below to fill out a short committee interest form today. 
 
 
Curious about what kind of roles we're looking to add? Check out a few of the open roles below:
 
1. Two (2) event planner volunteers to support the chapter's Annual Meeting and Awards Program: Evening of the Stars. 
2. One (1) volunteer to support the quarterly STAR award nominations and announcements. 
3. Two (2) volunteers who enjoy making social tiles in Canva to support the chapter's marketing initiatives. 
4. One (1) volunteer who can send outreach to new and prospective members as well as those up for membership renewal. 
5. One (1) compelling story writer volunteer to highlight MPI's monthly happenings to membership. 
6. Two (2) volunteers to support our sponsorship programs by serving as sponsor care managers. Individuals will work with sponsors on executing their benefit packages throughout the year. 
7. Two (2) volunteers to outreach to the community to bring in cash support to the chapter.
8. One (1) website content coordinator to assist with keeping the website up to date on chapter happenings.
 
Want to learn more about the different options? Email info@mpipotomac.org to learn more.
 
 
 

New Content Just Added to the 
MPI Potomac On-Demand Content Library, Powered by EVA

The Place To Get Your Clock Hours!

In partnership with Events Management Platform (EVA), MPI Potomac has yet another educational tool available for you to learn and earn clock hours. The On-Demand Content Library contains a wide range of accredited, educational CMP online programs designed for event and meeting planners to further their professional development.
 
MPI Potomac understands the importance of learning and evolving with the events industry. All courses are tailored to match meeting planners' in-demand skills and knowledge. EVA’s platform makes the learning experience effective and seamless, with easy access to courses anytime, anywhere and on any device.
 
Log in today to view the entire range of courses available on demand.
 
CHECK IT OUT
 
MPI Potomac Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day
 
MPI Potomac was thrilled to participate in Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) on March 30 by participating in the MPI Global Broadcast while also by uniting with our industry partners and speaking at the PCMA Capital Chapter in-person event.
 
GMID is an annual event where meeting and events industry professionals come together with colleagues across the globe to discuss the impacts of meeting and events on both the economy of the state and country in addition to the impacts of our members and participants.
 
This year’s theme, #MeetingsMatter, brought perspectives from both planners and suppliers in addition to government-affairs professionals.
 
For the MPI Global Broadcast, the chapter submitted an interview between Matt Wales (former MPI Potomac President), Verhonda Sercey, of Montgomery College, and Seungwon “Shawn” Lee, of George Mason Industry. The insightful discussion talked about the need to attract new students and professionals to the hospitality field by changing the conversation on what we do and why we are important.  
 
At the PCMA Capital Chapter event, MPI Potomac President Phil Rapppport joined a panel of other leaders of membership organizations based in the D.C. area, including President of PCMA Capital Chapter, the Chair of AMPS and the Chair of the D.C. chapter of IAEE. Phil spoke about the effects of talent and technology on our industry — including ChatGPT — for the foreseeable future. The panel, which was moderated by Director of Community Outreach and Industry Affairs Robin Troutman, discussed the current state of the industry, trends we see throughout and hopes for the future of the industry.  
 
We look forward to continuing both conversations with our partners at additional opportunities and events and also planning for GMID 2024, which will be held on April 11, 2024.
 
 
 
Job Jot Newsletter 
 
 
Are you in need of a meeting professional for your organization? Are you looking for a new opportunity? MPI Potomac's Job Jot newsletter launched in February!
 
Post your job opening to the greater Washington, D.C., and Maryland community of meeting professionals! Job Jot is MPI Potomac Chapter’s bi-weekly e-newsletter, which is distributed to nearly 1,000 professionals.
 
 
 
Have questions? Contact us at mpipjobjot@gmail.com
Member Updates
 
  
Welcome New Members!
 
The Membership committee is excited to welcome the following 31 professionals who joined or re-joined the Potomac Chapter in March:
 
Liana Acevedo, CMP, Richmond Region Tourism
Priscilla Alvarez, Destination DC
Rodrigo Arandia, AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard
Benjamin Bogardus, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Christian Brown, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Ashley Bush, Baltimore City Government
Paul Case, Precon Events
Anika Dieguez, The George Washington University
Lisa Dozier, Courtyard Washington, DC/U.S. Capitol
Starleetah Gaddis-Parker, CMP, American Association of Colleges & Universities
Lindsay Green, CMP, Linder Global Events
Liz Hannum, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Jennifer Hilleary, The George Washington University
Chantalle Hinton, CMP, CEM, CHC Solutions
Abigail Khouri, Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP
Neil Loewentritt, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass
Madeline Masamba, CMP, CGMP, The George Washington University
William Miller, Hilton Alexandria Old Town
Barbara Mitchell-Swain, Council For Christian Colleges & Universities
Tara Morris, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Kenley Moy, CMP, San Francisco Travel Association
Howard Munves, Vist Atlantic City
Aisha Rodriguez, Aim Aro Logistics LLC
Marsha Saunders, The Webster Group
Ebony Smith, The George Washington University
Maronel Stewart, The George Washington University
Tinka Tokhi, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Megan Trudo, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Susan Van Eaton, CMP, American Forest & Paper Association
Kelsey Willis, Clyde's Restaurant Group
Cattleya Wongkongkatap, CMP, MBA, The George Washington University
 
 
Member Updates 
 
 
Cristina Charron, CMP, is now the Director of Events with the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) in Ashburn, VA.
 
Kendra Johnson is now the Meetings & Event Manager with Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) in Arlington, VA.
 
Have you recently changed jobs, earned a certification or achieved a professional achievement that you would like to share? We would love to hear from our chapter members and share your news in our next FYI!
Greensboro Area CVB