JULY 2018
MPI Tennessee!!! 

I can’t think that phrase without shouting it like Oprah – I am just THAT excited about this chapter. 

I’d ask that you take a quick minute and think about what MPI has done for you since you joined. Have you booked a new piece of business? Learned something that made a difference to your stakeholders? Have you gotten a new job, a promotion or a raise? Have you formed new relationships? Have you found a volunteer or leadership opportunity?

I’m hopeful for all of you that your time in MPI will lead to ALL of the above. Our chapter promise to you is that we are committed to doing whatever we can to make your lives better. Professionally, we’ll provide you with tools and education to aid your job, employers, employees and clients. Personally, we want to provide you with growth, friendships and solutions to make your day to day life better.  

That said, we’ve got a great program in Nashville this month. Judi Holler will present “Fear is My Homeboy” – join us as we learn to face fear and accomplish goals. We also have a New Member Orientation at the Listening Room – if you’d like to learn more about the chapter and how to get involved, this is the networking event for you.

And last but not least – we are RISE Award winners again! MPI Tennessee was awarded the Membership Achievement RISE Award at WEC last month, in recognition of our membership growth, engagement and retention campaigns and programming. Our own Michael Owen was also named a RISE Award Winner for Meeting Industry Leadership. You can read more details on these awards below. We have every reason to be proud to be MPI Tennessee!

Here’s to a fantastic year ahead !
Platinum Sponsors

Do you want to become an
MPI Tennessee Chapter
sponsor, and partner with the state's largest and most
vibrant community of meeting
and event professionals?

For more information, contact  
Director of Strategic Alliances for
MPI Tennessee !


New Member Orientation
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
4:00pm – 7:00pm
The Listening Room

Have you joined MPI Tennessee in the last three months? Are you considering joining MPI Tennessee but want to learn more about our chapter? Join us as we host our new member/future member orientation. This is your chance to learn more about our chapter while meeting fellow members. Please RSVP to Marisa McWilliams at marisa@tudysjazzroom.com and you'll receive more details via email. 
July Educational Luncheon - Central
Wednesday, July 18 , 2018
11:00am – 1:00pm
Nissan Stadium

How would you feel if…
  • You could thrive in times of extreme change
  • You had less emotional reactivity in stressful situations
  • You could easily separate things you can control from those you can’t
  • You felt more organized and less overwhelmed
  • You weren’t burdened by a fear of failure

This interactive session uses the fundamentals of improv-theatre to help volunteers fight fear and get brave so they can avoid self-destruction and have less emotional reactivity in stressful situations while leading committees and serving the chapter. Each participant will receive their very own workbook and will walk step-by-step through a fear-setting exercise that will help them take action and begin to put a plan in place personally and/or professionally to start advancing a dream or goal they have.  
Looking to make a job change or know someone is? Check out the positions available at   mpitn.org .
July Volunteer Fair
Wednesday,  July 18 , 2018
11:00am
Nissan Stadium

When you give your time and skills to MPI Tennessee, you're investing in your personal and professional growth. It's a fact: You realize more benefits from your MPI membership the more time and effort you put into it! Please join us at the July meeting to learn more about each committee and how you can maximize your membership. If you have any questions please contact Desiree Wooldridge, CMP, desiree.wooldridge@cat.com.
MPI Tennessee had more than 30 members make the trip to MPI's World Education Congress (WEC) in Indianapolis. We learned so much and made new friends from across the globe. If you weren't able to attend, you can still catch all of the educational sessions at your convenience. Buy the WEC Virtual Pass here!

MPI Tennessee is proud to have taken home TWO RISE Awards at WEC 2018! The Chapter was awarded the Membership Achievement Award. This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club, or student club for achievement in membership growth, engagement, and retention demonstrated by overall membership numbers or effective campaigns, programming, and involvement in activities. We were awarded this for recognition of our 17% growth in membership and 80% retention rate as well as the addition of great new membership programs and events.

In addition, Past President Michael Owen was presented with the RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership. This award recognizes an MPI member who advanced the global meetings and events industry community through sustained commitment and substantial contributions.

Congratulations to all those involved with these great achievements!
MPI Tennessee MIX @ Ole Red
I attended an MPI Tennessee MIX event at Ole Red recently. It was my first time experiencing this new venue. Walking in the front doors, I felt a vibe that carried itself through each level. The décor and atmosphere of Ole Red is spot on for Lower Broadway. The event space on the 3rd floor is breathtaking with tall ceilings and bright natural lighting. The rooftop is a game-changer. With a rooftop bar that is open air, along with an indoor area overlooking Nashville’s Honky Tonk scene; you could not ask for a better venue with multiple stages, experiences and some of the best tasting food and drink around. The Mixer grew from floor to floor ensuring we all experienced everything the venue had to offer. It provided the best way to meet others in your industry while networking with others you may have not met before. I made new contacts, and enjoyed having a cool spot to network in.

- Daniel Camp, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
June Central Luncheon
Angela Gaffney shared her experience with a crippling disease which led to her health transformation.
Not only did she provide tips for achieving a healthy and stress free personal and professional life, she finished with tips for planning creative and fun menus for meeting attendees with dietary restrictions. We were reminded that these allergies and dietary restrictions are not a nuisance but sometimes life threatening or at the very least, cause discomfort. None of us want our attendees to experience physical discomfort while attending our meeting or event. Lastly, the new MPI Board of Directors was installed. We proudly stood with them and pledged to assist as members and committee volunteers to ensure our Chapter’s success.

- Stephanie Harmon, CMP, Hotel INDIGO Nashville Downtown
A big thank you to our generous partners, Rock Bottom Brewery and West End Kitchen & Bar, and to all MPI Tennessee members who participated in the first ever Y’all Dine and Donate! On May 31st, $1951.30 was raised for the MPI Foundation while MPI Tennessee members connected with colleagues and friends at our event partner restaurants, who donated a portion of their proceeds to the MPI Foundation. The MPI Foundation is a non-profit organization that fuels the advancement of MPI members by providing them with professional development and career opportunities through grants and scholarships. The MPI Foundation also propels the meeting and event industry forward by funding innovative research and pan-industry initiatives that support the strategic plan of MPI. Learn more here: https://www.mpiweb.org/foundation
 
Missed us this year? Don’t worry, you’ll have a chance to give back next year as we expand this networking event!
Congratulations to Heather Dameron, CMP, who was recently promoted to Manager of Event Strategy and Recruiting for The Journeys Group! Keep up the great work!
Michael Elizabeth McQuillen, CMP, was recently promoted to Regional Group Sales Manager for Rock Bottom Brewery Nashville | Craftworks Restaurants & Breweries. Way to go, Michael! 
Jamie Hulet, HMCC is now the STEPS Event Coordinator at the Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing. Wishing you the best of luck in your new position, Jamie!
Congratulations to our very own Nathan Honeycutt with Macro Productions for being included in the June 2018 issue of The Meeting Professional Magazine! Click here to read his article, “How to Write an Audio Visual RFP”.
Brown’s Florist was recently recognized as the 2018 Small Business of the Year by the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations to a wonderful team celebrating 50 years and everyone’s favorite “Flower Guy”, Rip Beasley!
Congratulations to Robyn Bass for being awarded the 2018 Outstanding Service Award by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) South. We are so proud of you!
New to the family in June
Alicia Johnson
Holston House

Sherry Morelock
Eastman

Barbara Schwarcz
Jewish Federation of
Nashville & Middle TN

Lisa Roberts
The University Club

Sharon Cordell
Student
Roane State Community College

Amanda Gamble
Cabana Nashville

Congratulations to our members celebrating an MPI anniversary in June!
Judy R. Allen - 25 years
Jean Woods – 23 years
Tracey M. Henninger – 15 years
Darcy North – 13 years
Scarlett R. Coffman – 12 years
Tammy R. Gilbert Cardona – 11 years
Billy Kirsch – 10 years
Therese M. Byrne – 9 years
Kelly A. Kaplan – 9 years
Valerie Summers – 7 years
Heather Dameron – 6 years
Micki Stayton – 6 years
Sally Archibald – 4 years
Kerri Blair – 3 years
Barry Rigby – 3 years
Chelsey Shults Wells – 3 years
Inna Soifer – 3 years
Jamey Campbell – 2 years
Holly Carpenter – 2 years
Ashley Martin – 2 years
Nikki Weekly – 2 years
Christa Abernathy – 1 year
Abigail Lawrence – 1 year
Eleanor Lentz – 1 year
Sharon Naretto – 1 year
Carly Spielvogel – 1 year
Megan M. Thieme – 1 year 
President – Erika Biddix, CMM, CMP, Biddix Meeting s + Events

President Elect – Sh annon Yeater, CMP, Butler Snow LLP

Immediate Past President – Katie Rogers, CMP, Pinea pple Group

Vice President Finance – Jill K opecky, Entertainment Buy

Vice President Membership – Marisa McWilliams, Rudy’ s Jazz Room

Vice President Communications – Kayce Kininghma, CMP, Tennessee School Boards Association

Vice President Education – Cory Brooks, CMP, Specialty Planners International

Vice President West Region – Tiffani Wilson, Marriott International

Director of Special Projects – Katie Bohrer, CMP, MGM Resorts

Director of Strategic Alliances – Katherine Page Saldana, Vida Verde Solutions

Director of Communications – Maeghen Pickett, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

Director of Monthly Meetings – Melanie Blanche, Sheraton Grand Nashville

Director of Leadership & Professional Development – Desiree Wooldridge, CMP, Caterpillar Financial

Director of Member Recruitment – Anita Akers, White Door Events

Director of Member Retention – Natalie Norris, CMM, CMP, Meetings & More, Inc.

Director of Operations – Michael Elizabeth McQuillen, CMP, Rock Bottom Brewery