Event Recap: MPISCC Meeting of the Minds at Santa Anita Park by Diana Pointer

What a way to kick off the month of December!

On December 1, 2022, MPISCC sponsored Meeting of the Minds at Santa Anita Park, a fun and engaging event that left attendees excited and re-energized. 

The event included networking, an impressive lineup of panelists presenting on pertinent topics, table discussions, and more.  Here's a look at the highlights of this great event! 

Networking

The morning started with networking while overlooking the scenic racetrack. Hors-d'oeuvres, drinks, and unobstructed views of the San Gabriel Mountains provided the perfect atmosphere for networking in the Americana Foyer.

Lunch in the Chandelier Room

After networking, attendees entered the beautifully decorated Chandelier Room, where Monique Rodriguez, V.P. Education, took to the stage to welcome attendees. This room was filled with the holiday spirit as elegant touches of twinkling lights intertwined with garland, and tablescapes adorned with shades of blue turned the space into a winter wonderland.

Attendees were served a delicious lunch, featuring a decadent chicken entree, fresh garden salad, and a delightful dessert.

Discussion Panelists

During lunch, Mandi Graziano, HPN Global, moderated the roundtable discussion of our panelists:

Sarah Meierhoefer, Co-Founder, Modern Millennial Events

Angela Petix, Manager of Meetings and Events, Trader Joes

Deborah Marino, Global Account Executive, Marriott International

Analaura Becerra, Director of Sales, Travel Santa Ana

Each panelist spoke on stage to discuss various topics related to our industry. Specifically, each shared something unique about staffing strategies, a day-in-the-life, burnout prevention, bidding, and availability & pricing. 

Table Discussions, Raffle Prizes & Swag Bags

Natalie Fulton, Director, Education - Professional Education, facilitated the table discussions among the attendees, who had the opportunity to share their thoughts on various topics related to the industry. Everyone walked away with new ideas to implement in their work environments. It was great to see everyone engaged and learning from each other's event experiences! 

The afternoon wrapped up with raffle prizes. Also, Santa Anita Park generously provided swag bags for each attendee.    

The Meeting of the Minds event was a fantastic afternoon filled with educational table discussions, beautiful décor, and panelists discussing relevant industry topics ranging from staffing solutions to burnout prevention strategies—and more! 

Thanks to our Chapter volunteers, including Jennifer Minzey, Director, Education - Event Logistics, Natalie Fulton, Director, Education - Professional Education, the Education team, the Santa Anita Park team, our panelists, sponsors, and attendees. If you weren’t able to join us at this event, we hope to see you at our upcoming events!