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Events
2022 Signature Luncheon
Volunteer Spotlight
How long have you been with MPI-CAC?
I have been with MPI for over a year. I started as a student member, but I have now officially joined as a new member a few months ago.
What do you do in your Co-Chair role?
As a co-chair, I make sure to do my part by reaching out to new suppliers and help my committee members. The PDC team is creating a process where we want to get as many planners as possible and suppliers involved in MPI and making sure they are getting the most that they can out of it. As co-chair I hop in and help any event that is needed and make sure that I can do as much I can do.
What is your favorite part about volunteering with MPI-CAC?
My favorite part about volunteering is the networking and education. Coming right out of college into the event world, MPI has been a great place for me to understand all the different components of the event industry and has led me to meet some amazing people.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I like to workout and spend time with my family and friends when I am not working. I love to travel, and I also love to do crafts to fill my time. I currently am learning to build sea-glass jewelry with sea glass I have collected from all around the world.
What advice would you give to someone considering taking a volunteer position with MPI-CAC?
A piece of advice that I would give somebody talking a volunteering position with MPI is to put in what you want to get out. Putting in the effort and opening your mind to learn has helped me grow as a person and as a planner. You can gain so much from volunteering, so if you put in the time to join a committee and understand how MPI and the event industry works, you can gain so much out of it for you to grow as a person and in the event industry.
Connect
Committee Spotlight – PDC Committee Vice President, Finance – Erika Johnson, Chicago History Museum Director of Sponsorship – Adam Tanguay, Go Team Events Co-Chair – Melissa Tucker, PRA Events What is your committee responsible for? How often does your committee meet? What are some tasks people do for your committee? What makes your committee fun or stand out? The best way to get the most out of your MPI-CAC membership is by joining a committee. It’s a great way to network, utilize your skills or challenge yourself to try something new! We know everyone has busy schedules, but many of our committees have a variety of tasks that can be done in just one hour a month! Committees are always looking for members with leadership skills, creative mindsets and the drive to collaborate with fellow industry professionals. Click here to see the full list of committees and to fill out the committee interest form.
As the country ended the month of August in celebration of National Black Business Month, MPI-CAC would like to keep the momentum moving in the community by featuring an MPI-CAC Member in Business. In this feature we hope to introduce you to all the chapter’s minority and small business owners who have forged forward with keeping their business open or launched a new business, while keeping their spirits strong during and after the pandemic. With a 24.3% increase in new business applications in 2020, the number of members who have already been in business or decided to start a new business have shown their dedication and resilience for success to the industry. To show our appreciation and dedication to our minority and small business owners, we would like to introduce you to one of the chapter’s most dedicated members and minority/women-owned business owner, Mekeda Johnson-Brooks. Mekeda is the President and Chief Client Experience Architect of MJ Design and Company; an MBE, WBE and WOSB certified consulting agency that helps mission-driven organizations solve problems, tell stories and build connections through strategy, design and program development. Incorporated in 2005, MJ Design and Company helps organizations solve complex problems, tell compelling narratives, and build strong relationships. While interviewing Mekeda she stated, “We work with mission-driven organizations to assess, design, develop and execute customer and staff engagement experiences and new projects. With deep experience in live events, program development, project management, communications strategy and graphic design, we understand the importance of consistent touchpoints and the need to create engaging interactions that reinforce your brand. Our goal? To help you find the best, most memorable and effective way to get things done!” An avid organizer with a strong background in negotiation, project management and instructional design, Mekeda regularly pioneers new client experiences for corporate and nonprofit organizations. Mekeda is a 20+ member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), a member of MPI’s Independent and Small Business Owners (ISBO) community and an active member of the Chicago Area Chapter. She is also an alumna of the Chicago Foundation for Women’s Willies Warriors program. Mekeda is one of many of the chapter’s minority/woman, small business owners that has committed her time, energy and expertise to helping her clients excel their events to the next level. To find out more about MJ Design and Company and how they can help you with your events, please visit. www.mjdesign.biz. Have a chapter member that is a minority or small business owner that is that you would like to see featured? Let the IDEA committee know. Email your “Member in Business” idea to info@mpicac.org.    
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