Save the Date
October Cocktails and Connections
Monday, October 23, 2017
Lucky Strike Social - Albany
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Register Now!
Annual Fall Focus
November 1, 2017
Rivers Casino
Schenectady, NY
Registration Now Open
Click HERE
December Cocktails and Connections
December 12, 2017
Morton’s Lobby Bar at Saratoga Casino & Hotel
Register HERE
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Happy Fall to our MPI NENY Members!
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Well it has certainly felt like that in Lake Placid over the last couple of weeks! I can't believe it is October and my term as President is 1/6 over! This summer has been crazy for all of us but we are excited about the rest of the year.
Our new Director of Special Events, Jessica Joralemon from Auto|Mate, joined the Board right in the middle of our annual Golf Event last June. She showed her stellar “Special Event” colors by creating our first “Cocktails and Connections” event in August at Wolf’s 1-11 in Albany. We had over 35 attendees; half were non-members interested in seeing what MPINENY is all about! Thanks to our host sponsor, Wolf’s 1-11 and to Jessica and the Special Events Team for kicking the year off right!
In July, when we were starting to enjoy the summertime, the Education Committee and Cindy Sullivan, our CMP Chairperson, held our second CMP Study Camp, hosted by The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center and facilitated by Joanne Dennison, CMP, MSEd of The Ordinary Success Project. The Board got a chance to meet with the 22 attendees over lunch on Day 1. As a result of Study Camp, and the one we held in 2016, we have had 11 candidates pass their CMP Exam! For more information on Joanne Dennison, go HERE.
Your new Board has been working hard since April of 2017 (even though their terms started in July 2017). We are committed to providing a great year for Education, Networking, Membership, Communication, Social Media, and Special Events while maintaining a firm fiscal position throughout the year. Under the direction of the Finance Team, the Board has elevated the investment opportunities for the Chapter, with the goal of creating increased assets and earning power.
We look forward to seeing you on November 1st for Fall Focus, our premier Education and Exhibitor event of the year, hosted this year by The Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady.
Have a great Fall!
Steven Preston, CMP
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Yma Sherry, Vice President of American Express Meetings & Events for
North America, will present our Fall Focus Keynote
Each fall, American Express releases a Global Meetings and Events Forecast. MPI NENY is thrilled to announce that Yma Sherry, Vice President of American Express Meetings & Events for North America, will be presenting their hot-off-the press 2018 industry forecast at our Fall Focus on November 1st! This forecast is based on research from global planners, hotel and air suppliers, and American Express partners, leaders, and industry experts. Don’t miss the opportunity to prepare yourselves for 2018’s meetings industry trends at our event!
November 1, 2017
Rivers Casino
Schenectady, NY
Registration Now Open - Click HERE
Sponsorships Available
For more information - Click HERE |
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October Cocktails & Connections
Monday, October 23, 2017
Lucky Strike Social - Albany
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Register Now!
Eat, drink, and get connected at our Fall networking event!
Join MPI-NENY for our October Cocktails and Connections! This after-hours event is the perfect opportunity to bring a friend or colleague who is interested in learning more about MPI!
Your MPI-NENY board members will be available to:
- Discuss how to make the most of your membership,
- Share opportunities to volunteer with your chapter, and
- Learn how to start the CMP process.
This is a unique opportunity to connect with other members in a casual setting and around your busy schedule. Catch up with old friends, share successes, gain feedback from your peers or make new connections at this FREE event. Stay for 15 minutes or the full 2 hours!
This is an informal and complimentary event! Appetizers, a complimentary drink, games including ping pong, pool tables, corn hole, and bowling are included for FREE. Plus you’ll receive a $10 game card! The only cost will be any additional beverages (Drink Specials will be available).
Thanks to Lucky Strike Social - Albany, Our Venue Sponsor
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The August Place to Be: MPI NENY Cocktails & Connections
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The Saratoga Racetrack wasn’t the only place to be this August! MPI NENY members and non-members gathered at Wolf’s 1-11 in Colonie, NY for the August Cocktails & Connections on Monday, August 28, 2017. This after-hours, free event was designed by the Special Events team so attendees could connect with each other and learn more about the opportunities available through our chapter. Board members were on hand to share ideas about volunteer opportunities, membership and how to begin the Certified Meeting Professional process. Special thanks to Wolf’s 1-11, the venue sponsor, for providing complimentary appetizers and drink specials. Over 38 attendees caught up with friends, shared successes, made new connections and gained feedback from one another.
Great job by Jessica Joralemon, CMP, our new Director of Special Events who pulled this together in record time. Jessica also wanted to thank Steve Preston, CMP, President; Kristina Catrambone, CMP, President Elect; Nancy Jess, VP of Finance; Laura Vecchio, CMP, Director of Sponsorship and Laurie Steele, Chapter Administrator for their assistance in getting this off the ground.
The next Cocktails & Connections Event is scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2017 at the Lucky Strike Social in Albany, NY. Watch your email for registration information in the coming weeks.
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MPI NENY Prays for those Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
After Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas, the MPI NENY Board voted to donate $100 to the Red Cross towards Hurricane Harvey Relief. Since then we have all witnessed further devastation across Florida and the Southeastern US from Hurricane Irma. As the MPI NENY Board prays for all of those impacted by these storms, and for a speedy end to 2017s hurricane season, we invite our members join us in donating to a Hurricane Relief Fund of their choice. The rebuilding process is just beginning for those devastated communities. The following is a list of donation opportunities that we have assembled for Hurricane Harvey Relief.
American Red Cross. To make a financial donation, visit the their website, call 1.800.RED CROSS or text HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation for those in need.
Catholic Charities of USA. To make a financial donation, visit CCUSA's disaster-specific website or text 71777 to make a donation.
Donors Choose has a fundraising campaign earmarked specifically for classrooms affected by Harvey. To donate or find out more, click here.
Global Giving. To make a financial donation, visit their website or text HARVEY to 80100 to donate $10 to Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible donations. The fund is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity. To make a financial donation, visit the GHCF website.
Salvation Army. To make a financial donation, visit HERE call 1.800.SAL ARMY, or text STORM to 51555.
Save the Children opened a child-friendly space in San Antonio and will open additional spaces in the coming days; these are safe, well-supervised areas within shelters where children can play, socialize and begin to recover from the disaster. To support Save the Children’s response efforts, visit their website or text Hurricane to 20222 to donate $25 to the Hurricane Harvey Children’s Relief Fund.
United Way of Greater Houston has established a Flood Relief Fund to help with recovery needs of those most impacted. To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, visit HERE or text UWFLOOD to 41444.
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MPI NENY is the Place to Be to Earn Your CMP!
The MPI NENY Education Committee, led by Cindy Sullivan, our CMP Chairperson, has seen great success in their initiative to support members in their journey to earn CMP Certification. For the past two summers, they have held CMP Study Camps facilitated by Joanne Dennison, CMP, MSEd of The Ordinary Success Project. And a Study Group was convened in 2016-17 that helped members prepare to take the exam. So far, 11 participants from these programs have passed the CMP Exam!
If you are thinking about earning your CMP, MPI NENY is ready to support you. Start here with information about the CMP process. Then contact Cindy Sullivan, CMP, who will personally work with you to get you started the right direction.
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CMP Corner
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Sarah Hughes, CMP
Sr. Meeting Consultant
Site Solutions Worldwide
I have been with Site Solutions Worldwide, a
full-service meeting management company, for ten years. Throughout my
many years with the company, I have become well versed in many aspects
of the meeting planning industry; everything from site selection to
international meeting management. I felt that, based on my experience
and many years of involvement in the industry, the best way to highlight
my knowledge and skills was to obtain my CMP. It is such a rewarding
feeling and helps to validate my expertise to the many clients and
vendors with whom I work. |
Jessica Williams, CMP
Member Services & Event Manager
Center for Internet Security
My experience of preparing for and taking the CMP exam was a roller coaster of emotions and challenges. My thought process went something along the lines of: “I’m so excited to finally finish the application process and get it scheduled!” And then: “Wait, now I need to make time to study and prepare for this exam that I’ve heard is daunting and difficult. How am I going to do this?” To finally “I’ve got this!” after I took Joanne Dennison’s “Meetings and Events Intensive Class.” It was a process that I continuously learned from along the way.
Taking the CMP exam was such an eye-opening experience, and one of the best outcomes was the connections and relationships that I formed along the way. The whole CMP process was nothing short of preparing for a big event or project. Suffice it to say that, after this event was completed and behind me, I ended up planning one giant evening reception!
My advice to anyone thinking about taking the CMP exam is – you can do this! You have such a support system behind you, and we’re all here to encourage you along the way. If MPI offers study sessions, take advantage of them! Do some research into Joanne Dennison and the study tips that she provides online (she’s fantastic – you will love her). The challenge that you put in front of yourself will lead you to an incredibly rewarding experience; one that you will carry with you for many years to come. Cheers!
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New Members
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Vreneii Bank
Jennifer Collet
Mike Even
Jacqueline Genovesi
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Martha Harrington
Sarah Hughes
Scott Shafer |
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