A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: 
Rebecca Wakefield, CMP
Manager, Events & Meetings, KPMG
2019-2020 MPI New Jersey President

New Jersey welcomes the colors of fall!
As the crisp air arrives we seem to be re-focused as we settle back into our routines, send the kids back to school and reset our priorities, while enjoying all the pumpkin spice we can find!

Now that is is fall, it is time to fall in love with taking care of yourself, mind, body and spirit. I am so proud of our Education Committee, who is working hard on our upcoming Wellness Day Program on November 19th at the Hilton Meadowlands.  Wellness Day, is a full day program focused on how infusing self-care and healthy choices can lead to a better experience for you, your attendees and your meetings. MPI New Jersey is dedicated to delivering excellent education for your minds and well being and we hope you will not miss this great event! 

The idea giving back to ones community is a great way to infuse wellness into your next meeting.  This is why MPI New Jersey has made a commitment to give back in the 2019-2020 term.  We have partnered with Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, to help create a Spring Prom for children facing special health challenges. I hope you'll consider helping by joining our committee to help plan this wonderful event.  
 
Looking forward to seeing you at Wellness Day.

 "VOLUNTEERS DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TIME, THEY HAVE HEART!" 


It is with a heavy heart that we remember one our Past Presidents, colleague and friend, Julia Ramos.  Julia passed away on Tuesday, September 17th after a year long illness.  

After graduating from Farleigh Dickinson University, Julia began her career as a Special Events Manager at Lucent, where she worked her way up to Manager of Global Events. In 2003, Julia opened her own business JR Global Events Associates where she sourced venues, planned meetings and facilitated on site programs. Julia earned her CMP from the Events Industry Council and traveled the world working with her clients including AT&T, Microsoft, Pfizer and LB Water to name a few. 

Julia was heavily involved in MPI New Jersey since 2003 and served as Chapter President from 2013 to 2014. She continued to be an active member in the chapter long following her presidency.

If you were fortunate enough to know Julia, it is certain you found her to be a kind, honest and genuine person. Julia was behind so many of our members joining MPI and getting involved in committees or leadership roles, therefore, her legacy and passion for MPI will carry on thru each of us that knew her. 


  
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Here is What the Chapter has Been Up To

September Education Program  
The tribe came together at The Heldrich Hotel on September 27th for an afternoon of networking and a panel discussion of our peers in the MPI community.  It is fascinating that when we bring planners and suppliers together for a open conversation how much we learn from each other.  This conversation is sure to continue in the months to come and a reminder that we have so much to learn from each other here in MPI. 

Thank you to our panelists: 
Saira Banu Kaines, CMP, HMCC
Joshua Braunstein 
Richard Godfrey, CMP
Dion Magee,  PMP, GRCP, CSSBB, CMM, HMCC, SMPP, SSYB, CIS, CTA
Jennifer Sena, HMCC, CIS
Helene Wein 

Thank you to our Strategic Partners: 
Photographer: Corsair Productions
Audio-Visual: Merge 


Community Outreach 
Beth Ann Dobosh Specialized Children's Hospital
MPI New Jersey recognized the importance of meeting with a purpose and has recently launched a community outreach initiative.  The committee has added a donation element into each of our education program and launching a new partnership with Children's Specialized Hospital, in New Brunswick. 

At our September Education Program, we had a representative from the Children's Specialized Hospital speak to the audience, on partnering with the hospital on a Spring Prom for children. Some members may remember a similar event approximately 10 years ago, that we are looking to bring back.  Many of the original committee members will be assisting with this effort, but we are currently looking for new members to help with this revitalized partnership.  

Contact Chapter Administrator, Heather Kresge with interest! 
MASTERING YOUR MEMBERSHIP:
Make the Most Out of YOUR Membership

MPI NEW JERSEY NAMED HIGH PERFORMING CHAPTER
Congrats to MPI New Jersey on achieving status as a high performing chapter in the 2018/2019 term.  Chapter Leaders and dedicated committee members have been working hard to enhance the chapter offerings, and it has paid off.  Not only is the chapter meeting metric goals established by MPI Global, but exceeding goals.  

CMP MEETING & EVENT INTENSIVE CLASS 
Join Joanne Dennison, MSEd, CMP and learn how to be better at what you do ---and further your career while  earning Contact Hours for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Application or Re-Certification.

Dates: Saturday, November 2, 2019 & Sunday, November 3, 2019   
Time each day: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Dress: Casual
Location: Seaview, A Dolce Hotel  


Email your  Chapter Administrator with interest in joining a committee.  
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT:
Find Out More About Your Peers!

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS:

Sharon Byrnes: Celgene Corporation

Vinnie Cicerale: AC Hotels by Marriott

Alexis Feder: Dragonfly Agency

Yesha Neal: Liberty Science Center


MEET ALYSSA LIPPINCOTT, CHSP
Alyssa Lippincott
Occupation: National Sales Manager 
Current Employer: Wind Creek Bethlehem  
How did you get your start in the industry? 
I fell in love with hotels on a trip to Hawaii with my family when I was 14. I was in awe of the Resort and told my parents I wanted to "own a hotel one day". Ever since that trip, I knew the hospitality industry was the direction I wanted to go. I decided to go to the University of Las Vegas, Nevada and study Meeting and Event Management for my undergraduate and began my career working as a Sales Coordinator at the then Las Vegas Hilton.  
What is your favorite thing about our industry? 
How unique and ever changing our industry is...no meeting, event or even day is the same.


MEET MICHAEL BRILL
Occupation:  Managing Director-Independent Meeting Planner
Mike Brill
Current Employer: MEDALS, LLC
What is the best career advice you've received?
Be persistent
If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Christopher Columbus because he loved to travel and discover new places.
What do you love about MPI NJ?
Education is important, but I truly love the networking events, meeting old and new friends and working together to make great, educational and fun-filled events.


We want to hear from you!
Let us know what professional accomplishments you have recently achieved so we can share the great news with your peers.  
Contact Chapter Administrator,  Heather Kresge
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