National Meetings Industry Day is a must-attend event for professionals from any industry.

The panelists at this year's event will present and discuss the economic impact of the meetings and convention industry locally, regionally, nationally and globally. The panel will also focus on the indirect spend of conference attendees, working with different levels of government in the planning stages, and the future of our industry.

Join us on Thursday, April 18, 2013 starting at 10:45 a.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building) as we celebrate the meetings industry.

In a letter addressed to MPI Canada earlier this year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper commented:

"This special day of activities offers a wonderful chance to raise the profile of your industry and to underscore the many benefits it creates. Business meetings and events are an important generator of revenue and ideas, bringing diverse people together to share knowledge and enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which they take place. You can take pride in belonging to a professional organization that is committed to maintaining the highest standards of service for its members through education, research, and networking opportunities."

Suppliers – for the first time, we have corporate tables of eight available for sale so invite your clients to attend and join in the celebration

To view our panel biographies, please click here.

Do you have questions for our panelists? Send them in advance by e-mail to office@mpitoronto.org 

This event is filling up quickly so register today.

Twitter Hashtag for National Event: #NMID13 Twitter Hashtag for questions for panelists: #NMIDQ

This year the ECOS committee has decided to give back to the host community for the Toronto Educational Conference and leave our MPI presence. This year the TEC is in Collingwood June 16–18, 2013.

In partnership with the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital and Blue Mountain Resort, we are collecting stuffed animals or "stuffies" as they call them. Whenever a child is brought into the emergency ward at the Collingwood Hospital they are given a stuffie to calm them and give them something to cuddle while they are in the hospital. At this point, the hospital is very low on their supply of stuffies to be given to the children. We would like to provide them with enough toys to last a long time.

So here is the challenge!!

We are asking that every event attendee bring a stuffie with them to the TEC. The new stuffed animals, with tags on, can be no larger than 12 inches. For every stuffie you bring in, you will receive a draw ticket for a one-night stay at Blue Mountain Resort Village in a one-bedroom suite.

Just in case you can’t make it to TEC, we will have space available for you to bring your toy to the May Signature Series event and just in case you forget your toy, we will accept donatations money to buy a toy on your behalf.

All the toys collected will be taken to the Collingwood Hospital in June.

MPI Toronto Chapter celebrated excellence at the recent Awards Night on March 7th at the Hilton Toronto. If you weren’t there, here’s what you missed:

"Best Yet"

"What a great evening!!! Congratulations on putting together an exceptional event. Everyone had a great time."

"The evening was a smashing success. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the MPI Awards evening memorable. The nominees were well recognized and the winners made to feel special. The room was stunning and AV flawless!"

To start the evening, the 450 attendees were welcomed by Destination Québec and Québec City Tourism. They were also greeted with a glass of sparkling wine provided by Trius Winery at Hillebrand and could nibble on hors d’oeuvres provided by Hilton Toronto. Attendees who wanted to have a photo for the occasion stepped into the photo booth set up by The Image Commission. The Wall of Fame, provided by the STRONCO Group of Companies, highlighted the past award winners, and some past winners stopped by to have their photo taken standing beside their name on the wall. It’s always exciting to see your name "in lights."

Once the doors opened to the ballroom, Décor & More, Inc., showcased a glamorous room incorporating the silent film era theme. AV-CANADA had an amazing set up that really showed a great way to set your stage and screens and they were supported with the electrical courtesy of PSAV.

When our MC, James Cunningham, sponsored by Speakers’ Spotlight, announced that wine was being provided by Peller Estates Winery and Trius Winery at Hillebrand, there was a roar from the crowd. It was a great addition to the exceptional meal provided by Hilton Toronto.

All nominees were introduced and had the opportunity to walk across the stage to be recognized for their contribution to the Toronto Chapter. There was such excitement in the air as they anxiously awaited the award recipients to be announced.

During dinner, the awards were presented at intervals to keep the excitement going. Each award recipient was presented with a special award provided by Nothers Signs & Recognition and sponsored by Meetings Incentive Travel Hall of Fame and the recipients also received flowers courtesy of Terracotta Home and Garden.

Leading into the event, D.E. Systems provided the on-line registration. They provide this service for all chapter events throughout the year.

Additional cash sponsors included Naylor (Canada), Inc., Ottawa Convention Centre, and Ottawa Tourism. The additional cash sponsors allowed us to provide the complimentary coat check and other features to enhance the evening.

Congratulations to the 2012 MPI Toronto Chapter Award recipients:

Norm Neill Student of the Year
Rachel Stark, Ryerson University

New Member of the Year
Shannan Scott, Meridican Incentive Consultants

Literary Award
Adam Bussell, CMP, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto

Outstanding Volunteers of the Year
Danyelle MacCulloch, Tourism Toronto
Darryl Nielsen, the Toronto Congress Centre

Supplier Member of the Year
Geoff Mak, CEM, CMP, Direct Energy Centre & Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place

Planner Member of the Year
Christine Gruber, BA, CMP, Ontario Real Estate Association

President’s Award
Leslie Wright, Fletcher Wright Associates Inc.

Congratulations also to all of the nominees, without whom the MPI Toronto Chapter would not be able to provide the activities that members have come to expect.

Nominees

Norm Neill Student of the Year Award
Rachel Stark, Ryerson University

New Member of the Year
Melissa Loomans, ING Direct Canada
Stephanie Rapko, GFS Ontario Inc
Shannan Scott, Meridican Incentive Consultants
Leah Weselowski, International Federation of Accountants

Literary Award
Paul Bridle, Bridle International
Adam Bussell, CMP, Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Richard Hatch, Akran Marketing
Mary Beth Holmes, CMP, ConferenceDirect
Les Selby, CMP, CMM, Planning for Success

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Lucia Al-Zaiatova, George Brown College
Jessica Ambrose, Elastic Communications & Events Inc
Pat Cluett, Vintage Hotels and Resorts
Christine Gruber, BA, CMP, Ontario Real Estate Association
Kris Knox, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Danyelle MacCulloch, Tourism Toronto
Sandra Moniz, CMP, Meetings and Conventions Calgary
Darryl Nielsen, the Toronto Congress Centre
Stephanie Rapko, GFS Ontario Inc
Nikki Sayers, CMP, Nikki Sayers Events

Supplier Member of the Year
Kris Knox, Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Trevor Lui, The International Centre
Geoff Mak, CEM, CMP, Direct Energy Centre & Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place
Sandra Moniz, CMP, Meetings and Conventions Calgary
Darryl Nielsen, the Toronto Congress Centre

Planner Member of the Year
Jessica Ambrose, Elastic Communications & Events Inc
Wendy Baker,
Christine Gruber, BA, CMP, Ontario Real Estate Association
Lynda Hoff, CMP, CMM, LNH Strategic Event Management
Micki Lubek, Scotiabank
Lindsey Press, Deloitte
Kyra Whale, Meridican Incentive Consultants

A way for our members to give back to the sponsors who so generously provide their expertise and services to make Awards Night such an amazing event is to provide them with the opportunity to provide their service to you. Click here for a list of sponsors and contact information.

Is your LinkedIn photo scaring people? Do you have a third arm in your Facebook photo? Are you an egg on twitter?

fAces of MPI Toronto enriches your communication with customers, suppliers, colleagues and other industry professionals!

Members had the opportunity to engage in two fAces of MPI Toronto experiences at the Volunteer Leadership Symposium in October and at the Signature Series Event in February. They had a professional head shot photo taken and emailed to them for use on social media, annual reports, newsletters, award nomination submissions, industry magazines, company websites and other ranges of media platforms.

Please participate in the following survey.

Taking this short questionnaire will let us know what we can do to make this process better in the future. After all, this experience was created to benefit all of our members in the best possible way.

Andrew Walker joins Meeting Professionals International as Manager Events
Andrew Walker has accepted the position of Manager Events with MPI. He will be responsible for managing all aspects of the logistics and processes for MPI programs, specifically focused on EMEC, EIBTM, IMEX (Frankfurt and America) and the European Chapter Leaders Forum. In addition, he will manage the implementation of a sustainability platform for MPI to ensure ISO 9001 and CSR standards are defined and maintained across MPI’s live event portfolio.

Mark Goss, GM of Operations achieves LEED Green Associate Certificate
Exhibition Place is proud to announce that the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) has issued Mark Goss, General Manager of Operations a LEED Green Associate Certificate. Exhibition Place includes the award winning LEED Silver Allstream Centre and Direct Energy Centre exhibition and convention centre complex. The LEED Green Associate Certificate recognizes specialized knowledge of green building principles and one’s achievement and commitment to supporting green building design, construction and operations. For more information contact: Dianne Young, CEO - 416-263-3611 - dyoung@explace.on.ca  

Exhibition Place launches Mobile Website
Exhibition Place has launched a mobile-friendly website for smartphone users on Blackberry, iPhone, and Android platforms. The website provides easy-to-access information on parking, directions, transportation methods and a complete list of events taking place across the grounds – Direct Energy Centre, Allstream Centre, Better Living Centre and Queen Elizabeth Building. Users can quickly link to the official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ExplaceTo) and Twitter page (@ExplaceTO) through this new mobile friendly website. For more information contact: Laura Purdy - Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre & Allstream Centre - 416-263-3020 - lpurdy@explace.on.ca