Winter 2023 ORacle | Hot of the Press!

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WINTER 2023

President's Letter

Hello, my MPI Oregon friends-

We’ve officially made it through the holidays, the Superbowl, Valentine’s Day, and another threat of snow. As we continue to make our way into 2023, we continue to have so much to celebrate! We’re in the 40^th year of MPI Oregon – from our humble beginnings to becoming a multi-award-winning chapter. We are about to head up to Semiahmoo Resort for the 20^th Cascadia Educational Conference—with the great theme of “Back to the Future.”

The last time we were in person at Cascadia was in March 2020. We had no idea how it would affect every part of our lives. It was just a week or so before the world shut down around us. I distinctly remember Cathy Mason rushing by the registration table on the phone, saying “I don’t know what it is, but Moscow is now canceled!” I can’t wait to exchange those memories with in-person laughter and hugs! See you all very soon!

I am also thrilled to report that our members in Hawaii have now had TWO very successful membership recruitment sunset sails—one on Oahu and one on the Island of Hawaii. We have launched the Hawaii Strong committee with the mainland mentors. They are working on a plan to assure we keep our timeline and relaunch the Aloha chapter in the next two years. I am looking forward to another visit in April!

And lastly – remember to buy a brick and become an MPI Oregon “Ruby Donor!” Your contribution will make a lasting impact by allowing us to offer more support, collaboration, and comradery as we prepare for the next steps in our industry. There’s no place like home with our MPI family!

Bricks are $40 each in honor of our 40th anniversary.
Purchase as many virtual bricks as you like.
You can purchase a brick in memory of someone or include a short saying or quote.

Bricks purchased by donors will be featured virtually at our education sessions.

At the end of the year, come to the awards gala to see your brick in person!

BUY YOUR YELLOW BRICK

APPLY TODAY

Fun, Fun, Fundraisers!

Our chapter has been working hard to build back from the effects of the pandemic to continue to keep our chapter financially healthy. Thank you to everyone who has elected to participate in our fundraisers throughout the year! We have been trying some new things and it’s been wonderful to see the participation from our members.

In December, our wreath-making event during education was a huge success! Thank you to Royce with RPS Events for donating all the supplies needed for this. Our members decorated some beautiful wreaths to take home just in time for the holidays. We had fun networking and decorating prior to education.

In January, we stepped up our activity levels with our virtual step competition. Kathleen O’Connor McNew, CMP blew us all out of the water with her numerous activities and daily steps, followed by Stephanie Green who was busy trekking her way around Europe, and Anne Hallinan who swooped in at the last minute to take third place after working an on-site event. This was a fun and competitive group - with all our steps together we could have walked from Portland to Los Angeles!

Up next - MPI Oregon Madness Bracket Pool!

If you follow March Madness or just like to fill out your brackets, it’s your time to shine! Our top 3 bracket winners will get a chance to take home 50% of the total money pool!

Click Here to Register for: MPI Oregon Madness Bracket Pool

Oregon Education Summit &

Marketplace is Coming!

Join us at the Oregon Education Summit & Marketplace and reserve your trade show booth - includes Education, Lunch, and Reception. Use this opportunity to interact with industry leaders and peers in an intimate setting. Limited number available - book your booth today!

Reserve Your Booth

Children's Book Drive

Thursday, April 6, 2023, MPI Oregon Education Summit & Marketplace

11:00 am – 4:30 pm

Please bring a couple of children’s books for our Community Outreach Book Drive benefitting the Children’s Book Bank. Books will be collected at the April Education Summit & Marketplace.

BOOKS NEEDED:

This year, we are highlighting culturally relevant books in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Somali language books because they are greatly needed. Last year, our donation included 10 inclusive or diverse books, which exceeds their average of 4% of their donations. Click here for a list of our favorites.

The Children's Book Bank seeks new or gently used books appropriate for babies through elementary school students and graphic novels.

Gently used children’s books in good condition are welcome. The Children’s Book Bank strives to provide books to families that are of current interest and of gift-like quality. At this time, we are only accepting board books, picture books, and graphic novels.

The Children’s Book Bank is unable to find homes for musty or damaged books, magazines, coloring books, encyclopedias, textbooks, ex-school library books, or books for adults.

The Children's Book Bank fills homes and lives with engaging, culturally diverse books because all children deserve to have their own books. When they do, magical things happen — books ignite curiosity, spark the imagination, and open young minds to limitless possibilities.

Questions? – Please contact Lisa Chan, Oregon Convention Center, at lisachan@oregoncc.org or 503.235.7572.

When we Meet, we Change the World!

That’s the MPI tagline, right?

With that in mind, when past-president Anne Hallinan, CMP and I were planning our October trip to Italy, I reached out to the MPI Italia chapter to see if their president, Giuseppina Cardinale, would like to meet with us.

It started with a simple email:

Hello Giuseppina,

Greetings from Oregon, USA.

My friend Anne Hallinan and I will be visiting Italy (Rome, Florence, Tuscany) next month. We are both 20+ year MPI members, and we are both past presidents of the Oregon chapter. If timing allows, we would like to meet with you for un café or vino.

Please note, we know very, very little Italian. I’m trying to learn as much as I can over the next few weeks.

Grazie,

Jennifer Cox

She responded immediately!

Hello Jennifer,

It is great you are coming to Italy! I will be very pleased to meet you and Anne for a coffee or a glass of good Italian wine. When will you be in Florence? I work for an hotels' group with hotels in Rome and Florence, but I mainly live in Tuscany.

Enjoy the weekend!

Giuseppina

After several back-and-forth emails and WhatsApp conversations, we met with Giuseppina and two committee members (they are called Ambassadors), Chiara Cappello and Nicoletta Zagli at the beautiful Helvetia & Bristol Hotel in Florence for coffee (un Caffe). Chapter member Antonio Ducceschi with the hotel reserved a table for us and graciously hosted our coffee and treats.

Giuseppina kindly gave us gifts from their chapter- a bag made from newspaper, and a shawl made from their charity of choice, Made in Carcere (made by women in prison). The shawl is made from leftover fabric which would normally be considered waste. “Made in Carcere (https://www.madeincarcere.it/en/) main goal is to “contaminate” economic and civil society, through the promotion and dissemination of our model of “regenerative economy”. An ethical business model, based on principles of regeneration and awareness of marginalized people, to protect the environmental impact and social inclusion, thus leading over time to a systemic change throughout the territory.” The Italia Chapter promotes and supports this amazing non-profit. The shawl included the MPI Italia chapter logo with MPI50 as well.

In our conversation, obviously, we talked about covid and its impact on their chapter. We learned that they did not lose a single member due to covid! The whole board continued to engage with all members across the country and retained their entire membership. Unbelievable retention! The Italia Chapter also won a RISE Award last year for “Innovative Educational Programming.”

We talked about WEC and the possibility of getting both chapters together in Mexico for the 2023 WEC.

It wasn’t all MPI business. We had a lovely conversation with them. They gave us some restaurant recommendations, and then we parted with the customary double-cheek kiss.

I’m so honored and grateful for the connections MPI has brought to my life. I will never shy away from the opportunity to meet with other members in other chapters wherever they may be, because it’s true, “When we meet, we change the world!”

Meet and Explore in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Region of Oregon

Whether you’re planning an intimate meeting or a citywide conference, host your next event in the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region of Oregon. The urban Eugene-Springfield metro area is surrounded by stunning natural beauty that will make attending a conference seem like a vacation. The region has 2.5 million acres of forestland with lakes, waterfalls, and covered bridges, all for your group to explore and admire.

Meet and Explore Affordably

Industry surveys consistently report cost as one of the most important factors driving planners’ destination decisions. Bringing your meeting or event to a small-market city like Eugene can slash the cost of venue rentals, lodging, and dining in half. When you add free support services, free hotel parking, and tax-free shopping and dining, it all adds up to significant budget savings.

Meet and Explore the Beauty

Before or after your event, attendees will want to explore the beauty that makes the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region a top destination choice. In this adventure-driven destination, attendees can hike to spectacular waterfalls, swim in hot springs, beach comb below majestic ocean cliffs, ride in a dune buggy across miles of rolling sand dunes, kayak calm ocean estuaries, or shoot the rapids of the McKenzie River. Even in the urban core of Eugene, you're immersed in the dynamic beauty of the great Northwest. The attendee experience has become a differentiator and a key driver in achieving meeting or event objectives and planners need to choose destinations with this in mind.

Meet and Explore the Uniqueness

While the remarkable breadth of things for attendees to see and do across the region is, in and of itself, truly a unique draw, there’s much more to the story. The region is also rich in intellectual capital, focused on sustainability, committed to accessibility, and prides itself on inclusivity. Plentiful conference spaces, convenient transportation, a year-round temperate climate, and a friendly, safe metro area all add to the destination's allure. Combine all that with farm-to-table restaurants, award-winning craft breweries, wineries, out-of-the-box team-building activities, and a vibrant arts, culture, and entertainment scene, and you begin to understand that this small market really is unique.

Contact Senior Director of Convention Sales Juanita Metzler or find her at the upcoming MPI Cascadia Educational Conference to set up a site visit to meet and explore the area for yourself. Discover why attendees will sing your praises for choosing this affordable, beautiful, and unique destination that they will long remember. Learn more at EugeneCascadesCoastMeetings.org.

Hawaiian Sunset Sails

“Aloha” was abundant at our Hawaii-based Networking and Membership Drive events on Oahu and the Island of Hawaii. We kicked off 2023 with two fabulous sunset sails sponsored by Hawaii Nautical (Dave Carroll). Oahu was blessed with a picture-perfect evening and welcomed over 40 members and non-members to view Waikiki in the setting sun. Our famous humpback whales graced us with an appearance, including a feisty young calf showing off to the delight of all in attendance. The Island of Hawaii also welcomed an almost full catamaran despite the Kona low dousing the islands with much-needed rain. The rough seas made for a shortened evening, but whales and dolphins were in abundance, as well as an island sunset as we ended the evening. Both events showcased the power of MPI, bringing together industry partners from a wide cross-section of businesses, from activity providers, DMCs, hoteliers, and transportation companies to name a few.

Lauren Manuel and Heather Bailey, previously members of the Office of the President of the Aloha Chapter joined both sails along with numerous former board members-including Brie Shimada, Dave Carroll, Colleen Reyes, and Keith Uehara. For both events, the energy and excitement were palpable, and we’ve already been blessed with new chapter members from Hawaii. We’re well on our way to growing our way to a sustainable chapter membership for Hawaii. Stay tuned for our next networking event this spring with Chapter President Gregory Heinze on the Island of Hawaii.

View Sunset Sails Video

February Member Education: Hospitality Begins with Your Self Care

We had another successful education session in February where the focus was taking care of ourselves! Luckily, we could connect, share a meal, and be encouraged by our speaker before the snow rolled in on.

The Royal Sonesta was the perfect host. It was great to showcase their meeting space and they supplied attendees with a lovely lunch. Staff members, from the valet to the sales managers, were welcoming and attentive throughout our visit.

Speaker, Sarah Graves, the Chief Relationships Officer of inviteCHANGE, spoke about the Generative Mindset, encouraging us to “perceive and accept oneself and others as WHOLE, RESOURCEFUL, CAPABLE, and CREATIVE”. In the words of Graves, “Generative Wholeness is the foundation at inviteCHANGE and the Generative Mindset is my guiding principle. It is a mindset that empowers individuals and teams to originate, create, and learn while moving past workplace drama (Cy Wakeman's research was quoted in Inc. Magazine showing employees average 2 hours 26 minutes of workplace drama per day) and focusing instead on collaborating, showing up fully and being accountable.” She truly provided lots of ideas for us to consider and bring back to our teams.

Meeting Sarah in person was a pleasure for all of us and she commented that our chapter seems to really care for each other and interact well together.

If you weren’t able to make it, we hope you’ll put our next education on your calendar, April 6 at the Oregon Convention Center for an interactive session focused on current industry issues. Hope to see you there.

"Your future is whatever you make it,

so make it a good one." - Marty McFly

Are you ready? The 20^th Annual Cascadia Education Conference is just around the corner- March 5-7 at Semiahmoo Resort.

The theme this year is Back to the Future. We will celebrate being BACK in person. We will look BACK over the last 20 years. We will look ahead to the FUTURE of our industry.

We have an outstanding agenda with sessions for both planners and suppliers. There will be Fireside chats on Sunday and Monday, literally at the fireside!

And, of course, we will have fun!

As always, there will be a Welcome Reception sponsored by Semiahmoo Resort and Visit Central Oregon on Sunday which will be inside and outside (pack that puffy vest a la Marty McFly).
The Poker Tournament is back for Sunday evening sponsored by Monterey Meetings and The Party Team after the welcome reception. Remember, you can attend and watch the intensity and hilarity of the tournament.
Grab some coffee to get ready for the .5K run sponsored by Seattle Center. Yes, that’s right 0.5K run on Monday!
Get creative for your outfit for the Monday night gala with Enchantment Under the Sea theme (yes, the prom theme from the movie). Music provided by THE JEWEL TONES and decor by RPS Events.
Grab some daubers and good luck trolls for BINGO Monday evening after the gala! (Bingo provided by The Party Team).

Please dress in resort casual. Jeans, button-down shirts, and puffy vests (purple Calvin Klein underwear- don’t worry, we won’t be checking).

Haven’t registered yet?? Hello, McFly, anybody home? Check out the full agenda and all the speakers at mpicascadia.net.

Big shout out and THANK YOU to our sponsors:

Semiahmoo Resort
Big Rock Productions
RPS Events
AVMS
Visit Central Oregon
THE JEWEL TONES
Monterey Meetings, Seattle Convention Center
Seattle Convention Center
Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Party Team
Visit Salt Lake
Seattle Center
Anvil Centre/New West
Great Wolf Lodge
Travel Tacoma
Argyle Winery

Great Scott, it’s going to be a great Cascadia!

Please follow along on social media:

facebook.com/CascadiaMPI

instagram.com/cascadia.conference.2023/

linkedin.com/company/mpi-cascadia/

Are you thinking

it’s about time

that you earned

your CMP?

Then take the next step in your CMP journey and sign up for our weekly CMP Class. Our study class is held weekly from March 15 through May 24, 2023. If you are an MPI member the cost is only $75 to participate, books and study materials are extra. Classes are one hour from noon to 1:00 PT except for the last two classes which are from noon to 1:30 PT.

We can’t wait to see you in our next series of classes!

CMP Study Group Registration

MPI Oregon Needs You

“You get what you put in is so true. The opportunities to volunteer with MPI Oregon are vast with varying levels of time commitment. There is something for everyone and I continue to encourage everyone to get involved. You won’t regret it.” – Amy Hildahl, Oregon Chapter volunteer

It is no surprise that our chapter couldn’t find the success we have had without our amazing volunteers. We have had so many volunteers throughout our almost 40 years (more on that to come!) and we would love to add your name to the roster. There are opportunities in Finance and Fundraising, Membership, Communications, and Education. If you’re interested, please reach out to President Elect, Jessica Johnson, for a conversation and together we’ll find a place that fits you!

MPI Aloha

Member Spotlight

Meet Keith Uehara

Adventure Guide

Barefoot Adventures

Born and raised in Hawaii, Keith Uehara knows the islands. For years, he’d introduce his friends, both local and non-residents, to hidden gems and small businesses across the state. A few years ago, he turned his hobby into a livelihood and launched Barefoot Adventures. Barefoot Adventures is more than a typical tour company; it’s a personalized discovery of the treasures of Hawaii. Best of all, in his quest to showcase the best of Hawaii, he gives local businesses a chance to shine. Having a professional photographer on every adventure allows guests to enjoy the islands. When they return home there is a website waiting for them with all the images and a highlight video of their once-in-a-lifetime Hawaiian experience.

One thing left on my bucket list. To travel the world with my camera and document the food and culture of faraway places so I can share it with everyone.

When not working I am fishing or spearfishing. On one solo diving trip, I speared a trophy fish. After spearing the kumu a large tiger shark approached so I went back to shore to let the lifeguard know about the predator being so close. I stored my kumu in the cooler then I headed back into the ocean. The lifeguard stopped and asked why I was going back in. "I did not want the shark to steal my lunch so I put it in the car, now I need I to get dinner" I went back in and got two more fish.

Being on a deserted island with my fishing pole and speargun and a GoPro camera would be a dream. I would hide from any rescue attempt for at least three months. My wife would not enjoy the life so I would see her when I return to city life after the isolation.

When my two daughters were in grade school we would celebrate every Father's day at a spearfishing tournament "Diving with Dad." That was the only day of the year my girls would be with me the entire day. Diving in the morning then lunch on the beach and ending the day with prizes for all the winners. I always was the biggest winner because I had my girls with me.

A job that would allow me to explore Hawaii to find the most beautiful scenic stops and discover new culinary delights while at the same time learning about the culture and history of the islands would be my perfect job. I am so lucky that what I would want to do on my day off is what I do for a living and I get to share it with guests from around the world.

I was with two of my guests enjoying the most beautiful sunset over Diamond Head. One of the women asked me "why do you do what you do?" I replied, "how was this day for you?" Her answer "this was the greatest day of my life." "That is why I do what I do. I get to be with guests on the best day of their life and they give me the greatest gift each time." I get to see my home through their eyes. Sometimes we forget that living in Hawaii is a dream for so many people. Luckily we live in Hawaii.

Photo: Me as Maverick. I created a custom Pearl Harbor tour that allows you to dress as Top Gun "Maverick" and be photographed in front of the F16 fighter.

MPI Oregon

Member Spotlight

Meet Tasha Graeff

Director of Sales, Topgolf Hillsboro

Bucket List: Learn to make pizza from the masters in Italy, Visit the Pyramids, Go to BravoCon in NYC (Tasha loves trashy Bravo reality shows!

She just can’t help it)

Tasha was born in the small logging town of Aberdeen, WA not too far from celebrity musician Kurt Cobain! Her family moved when she was very young to the Bar Area and then back to the PNW. She spent most of her adult life in the heart of Seattle, after a brief stint in LA (she studied drama at the UW and did the whole Hollywood thing for a couple of years). She was the quintessential girl-about-town for most of her twenties, loving the metropolitan lifestyle, attending art shows, theater, and nights out dancing. Now in her present old-lady life…her words as turning 40 a few years ago was tough, she prefers afternoons wine tasting with her wife in the Willamette Valley, hiking with their Portuguese Water Dog, Finn, traveling to the next great beach and cooking elaborate dinners/hosting parties for their friends. They love to see live music and usually make it to the Gorge Amphitheater at least once a summer. She is also always in for a good Netflix binge.

Tasha joined the team at Topgolf Hillsboro as the Director of Sales in July of 2022. Prior to her current role, she owned a dispensary with her wife and served on the Board of Cannabis Patients PNW. Patient advocacy and being one of the pioneers of the “Green Rush” was a wild experience and she has no regrets. After selling the company early in 2022, she is thrilled to be back in the hospitality space, mentoring a team and helping guests plan memorable experiences. She has held leadership roles at entertainment venues for over 16 years and she truly loves what she does.

Tasha said the scariest thing she has ever done was “I swam with sharks and stingrays in Ambergris Caye off Belize. They were only nurse sharks, but still, it was frightening at first. I love the water when I can see the bottom, but deep water terrifies me so that moment conquered multiple fears.”

If she was ever sent to a deserted island she would definitely take her wife (and hide her dog in her suitcase to bring along if she could). Chapstick would be a must, along with sunscreen, some great tunes, books, fishing gear, and a flint of course!

Her favorite holiday memory is when she and her Mom decided to take a last-minute trip to Whistler for Christmas, just the two of them. They had the best time exploring the Village, shopping, eating crepes for breakfast, and enjoying fabulous dinners (that they did not have to cook or clean up after). They also spent a day at the Scandinave Spa doing plunges followed by hot tubbing in the snow. Tasha says “It was magical and such a special time spent with my Mamma!”

Her perfect job if not working in the event industry would be doing something creative. She says ”I’ll always miss acting, being on stage, and performing. It’s a rush that cannot be replicated. Starring on Broadway would be the dream.”

We are excited to welcome Tasha to MPI Oregon and we are looking forward to seeing you at a future event!