The following is a guest blog entry from Dana Perrino, CMP, one of MPI’s chapter business managers. It’s about an MPI member who has inspired her and continues to inspire her family, friends and fellow chapter members.

Inspiration is defined by Jennifer Leech, current vice president of finance and previous vice president of education for the MPI Pittsburgh Chapter. Jen was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer in March 2011. While balancing her full-time career—as well as being a wife and mother of three beautiful girls—she has never missed a board meeting or retreat while she continues on a road to beat cancer. Her commitment to contribute to the meetings and events community in Pittsburgh is truly astonishing. This level of commitment was displayed the times her husband was required to drive her to the MPI meetings because she was too weak from her chemotherapy sessions.

Though the Pittsburgh board has endured certain challenges, she has made an impact serving in the position of vice president of education. Her goal is to one day serve as this chapter’s president, but her current focus remains on elevating the chapter regardless of her role.

While attending the Pittsburgh Mid-Year Retreat in January, Jen told me her cancer had returned. It is because of Jen’s impressive personal fortitude that I wish to share her level of determination to continue being involved, engaged and invested in our business and in attendance at chapter events and meetings. Jen surrounds herself with the components of life important to keep her moving forward and leave the challenges she faces behind as best she can with a positive attitude and spirit.

I have always been in awe of Jen, but at January’s retreat she once again inspired me with her message to Pittsburgh’s board of directors. She told us the road ahead would be rough, and she may not be able to continue in her current capacity. The idea of this broke her heart. She communicated her passion for MPI, which was absolutely contagious. She also expressed that there would be no more excuses. If she could step up based on her personal situation, then they could also remain focused to strengthen the chapter. Since the retreat, she continues to engage the chapter at the same level. She admits to being stubborn and fiercely determined in everything she does and refuses to allow cancer to be her legacy. Instead, it is her desire that her family, her love for education and MPI will be her legacy. 

Jen has not allowed her battle with cancer to slow her down, and she continues to perform her MPI and director of catering role with the Sheraton Station Square Hotel well. In 2011, she was honored as the Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association Manager of the Year. She was recently promoted to director of catering, a position she has worked hard the past 10 years to achieve. 

“I know that you already know how absolutely amazing and inspiring she is,” said Danielle Himes, president-elect for the Pittsburgh Chapter. “I first met Jen at our May 2010 Gala. She attended the Gala after receiving a chemo treatment that day, sporting a beautiful wig that she fussed over half the night. Needless to say, she still looked gorgeous, and I wouldn’t have known that she was even sick if she hadn’t asked me to check her wig for her. I was instantly amazed at her stamina and focus on succeeding in her oncoming role as vice president of education. Jen joined the board in July 2010. She inherited an incomplete calendar with no programs booked. Within her first year on the board, she was able to complete a successful education calendar that brought the focus of monthly programming back to event and planning topics.”

“I first met Jen at our annual retreat in June 2010,” said Becky McMillen, chapter president. “She came to the overnight retreat in her words ‘bald as a cue ball.’ She had just finished a chemo treatment. She was unable to drive, so her husband drove her and stayed overnight. Any other person would excuse themselves from the retreat, but Jen came and was focused the entire time. She did inherit a position that lacked direction and structure but despite the position she was given, she has held a passion for MPI Pittsburgh that was and continues to be inspiring. 

“Since the retreat, Jen and I have worked alongside to ‘discover’ MPI,” McMillen continued. “Not only does Jen get the job done, she does it with such a passion and drive for the industry. We have shared in personal moments after surgeries and doctors’ appointments and even celebrated the news of her being cancer free. Now, we sit with the news of the unknown and more questions. Except Jen seems to be the only person not sitting! She is up and working, sending RFPs to secure venues for our fall 2013 calendar, emailing, holding committee meetings and mentoring her director of monthly programs. She is truly an inspiration and a selfless volunteer for MPI Pittsburgh.” 

Jen Leech continues to be an inspiration to me. She is the model for my other chapter leaders who also have the courage to leap forward and lead, versus those that take more of a back seat. Whatever challenges you may encounter, I know my strongest board leaders have the same personal fire and professional savvy to push forward. 

Did I mention that inspiration is defined by Jennifer Leech?

The following event wrap-up was written by Judy N. Stern, CMP, Marriott Global Accounts, WestField Board of Directors.

The MPI WestField Chapter’s MeetNow 2013 was an enormous success. This year’s program took place on Thursday, February 21, at the DOLCE Norwalk for a crowd of more than 100 participants. The theme was “Build your Future.”

The program was kicked off by MPI’s incoming chairman, Michael Dominguez, who spoke about the changing hospitality world. His message applied to everyone, as he shared the reality of the marketplace and how the impact of the 2008 and 2009 recession has affected our industry. His presentation was compelling and offered food for thought as well as areas for negotiation and flexibility.

Author Dawn Rasmussen led a session on the “Roadmap to a More Professional You.” In her session, Rasmussen shared concrete action plans to help assist and enhance the way you track your accomplishments and use those to better position yourself for the future.

The education sessions were closed by Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, voted one of the most influential people in the meetings industry. Her session, “Leadership in the Changing World of the Meeting Professional,” shared insight on how to get the most out of your team and work environment. Her wealth of experience comes not only from having run a successful business, but also from her MPI leadership roles.

The general session room looked amazing. The comfortable seating—representing a mixture of couches, chairs and coffee tables—was provided by CORT Event Furnishings. The furniture arrangement in the ballroom literally kept everyone in their seats and thoroughly engaged in the program. It was a huge undertaking to provide this elaborate set-up, and people could not help but be wowed! CORT’s involvement in this program took MeetNow to the next level. 

Our chapter is fortunate to have so many generous sponsors who supported our program. Our audiovisual sponsor, M Communications, is a great chapter partner. The A/V they provided was priceless...and all with a smile and can-do attitude. DOLCE Norwalk was tremendous. Its woodsy setting and comfortable ambiance provided the perfect setting for a day-long program. The food and beverage were first-class, and the service was extraordinary. The lunch and break-outs were amazing, and received rave reviews from everyone. We could not have asked for a better venue sponsor! The day’s activities were professionally captured on camera by our charming photography sponsor, Jacques Cornell of Happening Photos. Colorful re-usable bags for each attendee were generously provided by chapter past president Marty Bear of PMSI, who also festooned the ladies with bejeweled lanyards for their name badges!

The involvement of the “movers and shakers” of MPI was so important. Dominguez, Breining and MPI Chapter Business Manager Dana Perrino virtually brought MPI headquarters to DOLCE Norwalk. It was an honor to have this group share in the MPI WestField Chapter’s MeetNow event.

The exposition space was bustling with more than 20 exhibitor sponsors who created festive table-tops and provided many special giveaways and raffle prizes for the conference attendees.

Our gratitude goes out to the Education and MeetNow Committees. It takes a village to put on a program like this. Special thanks to Sharon Schenk, Bonnie Cunningham, Jerry Longo, Joan LaRosa, Heather Hansen-O’Neill, Anne Baron, Maurice Echeverry, Kerri LaGrutta, Mozelle Goodwin, Phyllis Shelton, Cameron Toth, Susan Abrams, Mara Bonfeld and Pam Martin.

Late in September, MPI held its annual Chapter Business Summit (CBS) in the still-sparkling, brand new Omni Hotel in Dallas. More than 220 chapter leaders attended CBS this year as it was much more interactive and attendee led than ever before.

CBS allowed more time than in years past for the leaders to exchange ideas between each other—98.8 percent said they were satisfied with the networking events available during the event.

MPI’s senior leadership also took time out during a normally scheduled break to serve ice cream to the attendees as a way of saying thank you to our chapter leaders.

The summit received rave reviews such as: 

“On behalf of the Middle PA MPI chapter leaders, we just wanted to say thank you for a phenomenal experience at CBS last week.” — MPI Middle Pennsylvania Chapter

“Of the many I have participated in, this one was by the far the best.” — Jason Carroll, director of sales and events for the Florida Aquarium

“It was a great opportunity for us to learn and meet other members of other countries.” — Setsuro Tamai, president-elect of the MPI Japan Chapter

“I am filled with new ideas to take back to my chapter.” — Jo-Anne Rockwood, CMP, director of business development for conference services at Mitacs

“It was very motivating and a fruitful event for the Belgium Chapter.” — Elisabeth Van Ingelgem, CMP, meetings and conventions manager for Brussels Visitors and Tourism Bureau

"I really just wanted to say that this was an extremely valuable meeting. One of your speakers, Thom Singer, mentioned in a session about 'The Power of Hello'—using a simple hello to open a conversation and break the ice among a room of strangers you hardly know. Never was a simple hello easier to say than at CBS. And it was the first of many words that I'm sure will lead to some great relationships." — Jim Alkon, managing director, Meetings and Media

John Chen from the MPI Washington State Chapter even put together a great Storify that captured a lot of the tweets, photos and excitement from the summit. 

Now it's your turn. If you attended CBS, we'd love to read your feedback. Please send it to us via the comments below, and thank you for being a driving part of MPI. 

More than 100 guests, made up of members and non members, gathered to listen to the MPI United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter’s plans at its annual summer party, held at St. Martin-in-the-Fields earlier on September 17, an event which also marked the chapter’s 18th birthday alongside the MPI’s 40th anniversary.

“The event was a great success attended by a host of industry leaders and experts," said Samme Allen, chapter president and head of sales at Barbican. "In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight the chapter’s plans for the year ahead that will bring even greater benefits to the membership. It was also a great opportunity to celebrate the chapter’s success over the last 18 years and to thank members of the committee past and present—without their support, we wouldn’t be able to make our members successful and help them achieve their goals.

“This year is an important milestone for the chapter," she continued. "We are a community that is continually growing, and I believe 2012/2013 will be a great year for the chapter as we increase the opportunities for our members. We have listened to what our members want from their membership, and this has helped form our program going forward. We are confident that there are elements that will help everybody succeed, and I look forward to the impact they will have on their roles and as individuals.”

The many educational opportunities include corporate and agency planner forums, technology updates and CSR planner forums.

As well as education, the MPI U.K. and Ireland Chapter is building professional connections and will be hosting a variety of networking events including the popular "MPI and a Pint." The chapter hopes to organize these on a national and local level to encourage better member participation.

“MPI is about success for all," Allen said. "Being a member of a vibrant organization provides a great opportunity to learn new skills, and we want to help members achieve their goals. We are investing in quality by creating and facilitating opportunities, which raise the bar for our membership and the wider meeting and events industry. But you only get out what you put in, which is why we encourage our members to become involved in the chapter’s activities as much as possible. It was encouraging that a number of members signed up for volunteer roles within the chapter on the night as well as inquiries from non-members interested in joining MPI. It makes for a very exciting future for the chapter.”

I was messing around the other day with a blank periodic table, and for fun I decided to make MPI elements for it. Can you identify your chapter's periodic element? And since there are more boxes than chapters and clubs, I put in other elements of MPI. Can you guess those? Please leave your answers in the comments.