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Meeting Professionals International Names Recipients of
2007 Meeting Professional Awards

Top Industry Professionals Recognized for
Strategic Leadership and Service

MONTRÉAL (July 29, 2007) – Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announces the 2007 Meeting Professional Award recipients, sponsored by Hilton Hotels, recognizing the contributions of individual planners and suppliers who lead the meetings and events community. Winners were announced during the opening session at MPI’s 2007 World Education Congress a la Montreal.

Janet Sperstad, CMP, was named International Planner of the Year, and Bob Walker received the International Supplier of the Year award. Mary Ellen Murphy, CMP, CMM, was honored with the Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader award. Megan Welsh was selected for the Tomorrow’s Leader award.

“Congratulations to these outstanding winners who truly represent the best of MPI and our industry,” said Angie Pfeifer, CMM, MPI’s 2007-2008 chairwoman of the International Board of Directors. “These exceptional individuals will lead MPI into a successful future with their unsurpassed leadership, relentless drive and passion and their constant commitment to education and community.”

The MPI International Planner of the Year and International Supplier of the Year awards recognize outstanding association and industry contributions, leadership and professionalism. The Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader award, named in memory of MPI’s first president and founder, is presented to a member who motivates others, stimulates volunteerism and acts as a catalyst for exceptional results. The Tomorrow’s Leaders award is presented to an MPI member/members who make a significant contribution to the MPI community at the international and/or chapter level.

Janet Sperstad, CMP, lead instructor for the Meeting and Event Management Degree Program at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in Madison, Wisconsin, was honored with the International Planner of the Year award. A 20-year MPI member, Sperstad has devoted much of her life to the development and success of the meetings industry.  She has held the role of MPI Wisconsin chapter president, as well as serving on dozens of committees for the MPI Wisconsin chapter and MPI International.

While serving as a committee member on the MPI International Professional Development Strategy Group, Sperstad helped to develop a program to define the extensive body of knowledge in meeting planning, the first of its kind in the history of the profession.  She has received numerous awards and recognition from her Wisconsin chapter, including being inducted into their Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement.  Known for her passionate dedication to education, Sperstad helped create and develop the nation’s first and only associates degree program for Meeting and Event Management. She has written for and been featured in a variety of industry publications and has spoken at numerous industry events. 

Bob Walker, named International Supplier of the Year, is vice president creative services of AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Services in Dallas, Texas.  Walker has been a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter for more than 20 years, serving on dozens of committees.  He currently lends his “voice” to the MPI phone system, as it is Walker that is heard when phoning MPI headquarters.  Walker served on the Marketing Committee of MPI during a time when significant changes were made to the MPI organization, as well as the industry.  Walker’s Marketing Committee involvement helped create the Global Paragon Awards – the first and only award given to organizations of all types recognizing their work for event production excellence.  In 2005, the Dallas MPI chapter recognized Walker’s dedication and contributions to the industry by presenting him with the coveted Spirit Award.   Walker’s speaking engagements are extensive and he has been featured in numerous meeting industry publications.  

Mary Ellen Murphy, CMP, CMM, director of special events for Del Posto restaurant in Manhattan, New York, was the choice for the Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader award. Since joining MPI more than 15 years ago, Murphy has served in numerous leadership roles with the MPI Greater New York chapter.  Her involvement includes serving as chapter president, as well as vice president of the communications, membership and education committees.  Murphy was a founding member of the chapter’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.  She was instrumental in creating the chapter’s Jay Magazine Memorial Fund – a fund that provides partial scholarships to worthy high school students pursuing a career in the industry.  In 2003, Murphy was voted into the Hall of Fame for her unprecedented contributions and commitment to the chapter.  Murphy’s tireless energy and service have been instrumental in successfully guiding the Greater New York chapter’s leadership development, fund raising efforts and membership growth and participation.

Megan Welsh, national sales manager for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan, and president of the MPI Michigan chapter, is the recipient of the Tomorrow’s Leader award. Since joining the chapter, Welsh has served as president elect, director of special education programs and liaison for the Women’s Leadership Initiative.  She recently implemented the first ever Michigan Event Industry Day bringing together five industry associations.  In addition to receiving the Presidents Award, the Michigan chapter also honored Welsh with their Emerging Leader and Rising Star awards.  Welsh has also been asked to speak at numerous MPI chapter and educational events.  Her dedication and passion to the chapter, makes her the clear choice for the award.

About Meeting Professionals International
Meeting Professionals International, the global meetings industry community, is committed to delivering success for its more than 22,000 worldwide members by providing innovative knowledge and learning experiences, connecting people and ideas and creating rich marketplace opportunities. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based organization delivers global human connections through its 68 chapters and clubs in 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.mpiweb.org.

 Media Contact:
Kathryn Goldstein
Meeting Professionals International
 972.702.3071
kgoldstein@mpiweb.org