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Watch this special message from Devin Lewis, CMP, CEM MPI Potomac Chapter President
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Volunteerism is the heart of the MPI Potomac Chapter's success. The contributions of our wonderful members have helped the chapter achieve our goals!
Join us on Sept. 2 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. for an amazing virtual experience recognizing our incredible volunteers.
Annual Awards include:
Committee of the Year
Planner Member of the Year
Supplier Member of the Year
Rising Star Member of the Year
Marketplace Excellence Award
Star of the Year
Chapter Leader of the Year
Distinguished Leader
President's Award
REGISTER HERE
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New DE&I Page, MPI Potomac Chapter RISE Award Article and MPI Potomac Podcast!!
Our chapter website has a new page dedicated to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I)!
Visit now to check out a wide array of valuable resources. Also look for episodes of our brand new podcast, "MPI Potomac Cast."
Also, be sure to read this interview with Anthony Molino and Carlos Pelham, CMP, in MPI's magazine, The Meeting Professional. Our chapter was featured for winning the RISE Award for Industry Advocate. The chapter received this award in large part because of our committment to diversity and inclusion.
Questions or interested in being more involved with MPI Potomac's DE&I initiatives? Contact Alex Plaxen, director of diversity, equity & inclusion.
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Announcing the 2019-2020
MPI Potomac Annual Award Nominees
Please share in our gratitude as we honor our wonderful members whose contributions have helped the chapter achieve our goals! Each of these distinguished members of our industry has done an exceptional job for the MPI Potomac Chapter, and we appreciate their efforts tremendously.
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MPI Potomac CMP Prep Course Goes Virtual!
After an abrupt switch to virtual midway through the Spring CMP Prep Study Course, the Certifications and Career Development Committee quickly worked to design and host an all-virtual Summer CMP Prep Course. The pilot six-week course offered both on-demand lecture recordings and weekly Zoom “office hours” with the facilitators who lectured that week. Participants joined the live sessions from locations around the world, including the DMV, Texas, California and even Switzerland!
Here's what students had to say about the course:
"This was an excellent course! It provided me with helpful tips to prepare for the CMP [exam]. ... I appreciated all of the instructors' feedback and advice for preparing/day of exam."
"[The course] was extremely helpful and provides beneficial tools to understand the best way to approach taking tests." Are you studying for your CMP exam? Our next CMP Prep Virtual Study Course starts Wednesday, Sept. 9. Visit the website here for more information and to register now!
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Register Now for the Fall CMP Prep Virtual Study Course! Sept. 9 - Oct. 28, 2020 Live sessions held Wednesdays from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Learn more and register here!
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The New Face of MACE
By Jessica Shea, CMP
What a year it has been! While each of us continue to live our new day-to-day life, we at MPI Potomac believe that we can be thankful, hopeful and heartful and that we truly are all in this together.
To thrive as a chapter, we must rely on each other and be there to support one another. We are designing the 2021 Mid-Atlantic Conference and Expo (MACE 2021) with this very sentiment in mind.
After a successful MACE 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MPI Potomac leadership floated the idea of redesigning our flagship program in order to take it to the next level. When COVID-19 hit, the idea of an event redesign was as timely as it was necessary, and we were ready to “pivot” before that word was even cool (or perhaps, really uncool now). Which is why it is even more exciting now to share that this redesign is going to be energizing, exciting and what we are calling the “New Face of MACE.”
Going into our 15th year, we wanted to provide a fresh and thoughtful experience for our members. We knew that, to do so, we must collect information from leaders in the industry before diving headfirst into the full redesign process. We identified key stakeholder categories within our anticipated audience and spent quality time speaking with over 25 focus group representatives about their expectations, pain points and what their new desired outcomes would be, especially in this current climate.
While this is all still in the works, one thing has been clear: A bold approach is necessary. As MPI’s largest chapter, we believe it is our duty to bring forth the most cutting-edge experience and education possible via a hybrid event. MACE 2021 will offer options for attendees to experience the conference the way they feel most comfortable, all while demonstrating exactly what can be done to execute both an in-person and virtual model safely and seamlessly.
We welcome ideas, suggestions and/or best practices from all our members to design an impactful program that best fits your needs. Reach out to Brian Chung, MACE director, at bchung@baltimore.org so we can make sure your voice is heard. For partners who would like to contribute to this unique opportunity, please contact Melissa Benowitz at info@mpipotomac.org.
Jessica Shea is the CEO and head strategist at J Shea Event Design and Production.
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Committee Spotlight
Get the most out of your membership by joining a committee!
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Consider becoming a member of the Professional Development Committee. This committee is led by Annalisa Berryhill and includes Karen Kaufman, committee chair, and committee members Natalie Deriu, Amy Pettigrew, Nolan Lazarus, Shameka Jennings, Kaitlin Felix and Jennifer Sullivan.
As a member of the Professional Development Committee, you would help to create, promote, set the foundation for and execute phenomenal Educational Experiences, lovingly known within the chapter as our “e2” events! These e2s provide members and the community with relevant, career advancing sessions at least five times each year. Members of this committee are also in charge of all aspects of logistical planning. We actively seek member feedback to determine which topics have the greatest impact on day-to-day life in the meetings profession.Complete the committee interest form here and email Annalisa with any questions!
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“Give yourself permission to live a big life. Step into who you are meant to be. Stop playing small. You’re meant for greater things." (Unknown)
Born Devin Howard, aka ShuQueenDiva, in Orlando, Florida, Devin Lewis is the current president of the MPI Potomac Chapter. She has been with MPI for 21 years and is the director of regional sales for the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.
This true Scorpio finds the resiliency of people during these trying times very inspiring. “These are the hotel workers that are furloughed or laid off – even the ones that so bravely go back to work because providing excellent service is all they know. The parents that are now 'home-school' teachers and full-time salespeople all at the same time. The small business owners that were forced to shut down, but figured out how to get some money out of selling off food that had been purchased so that it wouldn’t go bad. Some went even further by just donating what they had, knowing that 'paying it forward' was the right thing to do. I am inspired by the everyday people who continue to uplift and support others, even when their own situations are dire and bleak. It is because of those individuals I have no doubt that our industry will rebound. It will take a little longer but we'll make it happen. #ALLINTHISTOGETHER"
"Be somebody who makes everybody feel like somebody." (Unknown)
As MPI Potomac’s first black female president, Devin loves meeting new people. She has worked as a supplier and a planner and can relate to the drivers on each side. She would like to be remembered as the person that made MPI Potomac feel inclusive and welcoming. "Being the first anything is incredibly special, but I hope my time as president is the catalyst for change to the point where there are no more 'firsts' — we will have checked off all of the boxes."
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
"You must be able to effectively communicate with everyone in an authentic way — from the cleaning crew to the CEO. Treat people the way you want to be treated — with dignity and respect. Every day you must RISE and GRIND to get one step closer to achieving your goals. Be good to yourself so you can in turn be good to others."
“Show up in every single moment like you’re meant to be there.” (Marie Forleo)
What do you love most about being a member of the MPI Potomac Chapter?
"Connecting with the membership. Saying hello to new members, sending a note of thanks to renewing members and talking to potential members about the benefits of the MPI Potomac organization are things that make me smile from the inside out. It has been the gift that keeps giving."
The avid midnight snacker and mother of two loves chocolate and Lifesaver Gummies and has recently dusted off her copy of the Shaun T “Cize It Up" workout. As someone that loves to experience new cultures, she takes at least three to four trips a year, with her most recent trips being Shanghai, Beijing, Hawaii and the Dominican Republic. “I work HARD; I play HARDER." Next on the travel list are Singapore, Australia, Spain, Italy, Thailand and Maldives.
"People will forget what you said and did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." (Maya Angelou)
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Challenges Women in Leadership Face and How to Deal with Them August 28 Noon - 1 p.m. ET Click here to register!
1 Clock Hour | Domain F: Stakeholder Management
This session will examine some of the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the events industry, offering event professionals real-world examples and lessons from women in leadership. Topics will include the value of peer-to-peer networking, mentorship, developing and utilizing exemplary communication skills across genders, and proven strategies for career advancement at every level of the organization. Attendees will become more confident communicators, active listeners, intentional networkers and more empowered to excel in their careers and bravely embrace new opportunities for leadership. The content provided in this session is relevant to both women and men.
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