MPI 2018 Prix Prestige Gala – Celebrating Excellence in the MPI Ottawa Chapter

On Tuesday May 01, 2018 the MPI Ottawa Chapter held the MPI Prix Prestige Gala at the beautifully renovated National Arts Centre. This annual event is designed to recognize excellence in active chapter members for their commitment, service and involvement in the chapter or industry and community at large.

The evening began with a networking reception in the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Hall of Honours and then guests moved to the Studio for the main event, the awards presentation. Returning again this year was emcee Brent Beatty of FMAV and Marye Ménard-Bos, CMP, CMM of Savoir Flair Communications and Events as the “Voice of Goddess”.

MPI Chapter President Jennifer McAndrew of Mastermind Events Inc. welcomed guests with a surprise tap dancing routine (performing on the NAC stage was on her bucket list!) and then introduced the 28 nominees to the stage.

The first award of the evening was Student of the Year. This award is designed to recognize an MPI Ottawa student member who has devoted significant time and effort to the MPI Ottawa Chapter within their first two years of membership. The award was presented to Gabrielle Whittaker by Sandy Ouellette from Algonquin College, School of Hospitality & Tourism. Congratulations Gabrielle!



The next award was Rising Star. This award is designed to recognize a new, first-time, MPI Ottawa member for his/her enthusiastic contribution to the Chapter and who recognizes the importance of being actively involved with an industry association. The award was presented to Erin Bellwood, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), by Nancy Bradshaw from Tourism Saskatoon. Congratulations Erin!

The Supplier of the Year award and the Planner of the Year award is designed to recognize both an MPI Ottawa planner and an MPI Ottawa supplier member who represents leadership and excellence in the meeting planning profession and an exemplary record of customer service.

The Supplier of the Year award was presented to Desmond Lomas, CMP, The Howes Group, by Lynn Chiasson from Quebec City Business Destination. Congratulations Desmond!



The Planner of the Year award was presented to Karen Norris, CMP, Canadian Association of General Surgeons by Susan Labentsoff from Vancouver Tourism. Congratulations Karen!



The Volunteer of the Year award is designed to recognize an MPI Ottawa volunteer who has demonstrated exceptional volunteerism to their MPI community. The award was presented to Paul Glover, CMP, AMMI Canada by Angela Jefferies from Business Events Toronto. Congratulations Paul!



The Mentor of the Year award is designed to recognize an MPI Ottawa member who has demonstrated an outstanding ability to inspire, motivate and educate other Chapter members and who is considered an expert in his/her field. The award was presented to Sandy Ouellette from Algonquin College, School of Hospitality & Tourism by Natalie Thiesen from Tourism Winnipeg. Congratulations Sandy!



The MPI Ottawa Chapter Honorary Member award went to Brent Moore, CMP, CMM of Brent Moore and Associates. This award recognizes a long-standing, retired member of the Chapter who has made significant contributions to MPI Ottawa. Congratulations Brent!



The final award of the evening was the President’s Award. This award is bestowed to an individual who has made a unique and outstanding contribution to our Chapter. The 2018 President’s Award recipient is Louise Gervais, CMP, CMM, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Congratulations Louise!

Congratulations once again to all the nominees and recipients!

After the awards presentation guests proceeded to the Canada Room, one of the newly added spaces at the National Arts Centre. The room was beautifully decorated with black and gold sequin tablecloths, pillar candles, frosted glass table numbers and purple fresh flowers, all designed by in-kind Silver Partner, Sizzle with Décor.

A toast from the Gold Wine Partner Tourisme Outaouais began the evening, followed by remarks from Stephanie Lynch from Edmonton Tourism, the Platinum Partner.

Guests dining on a menu of a pre-set Antipasto plates, salad of heirloom beets and fingerling potatoes, slow roasted Alberta Black Angus striploin with horseradish whipped potato and a lemon meringue tartlet for dessert, while listening to the music of Takes Two.

The event would not be successful without the collaboration of the wonderful sponsors. A special thank you to,

Platinum Partner – Edmonton Tourism
Gold Wine Partner – Tourisme Outaouais
Gold Partners – Quebec City Business Destination, Tourism Saskatoon, Business Events Toronto, Vancouver Tourism, Tourism Winnipeg
Bronze Partner – Niagara Falls Business Events
In-Kind Silver Partner – Sizzle with Décor
Host Venue – National Arts Centre
Registration Partner – D.E. Systems

In addition, another thank you goes to the hard work and dedication of the MPI Gala Committee that made this event happen.

Director of Awards & Recognition

Dora Dalietos – Vis-A-Vis Events

Committee Chair

Jill Garner – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons

Committee Members

Angelita Aboukassam – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
Brent Beatty – FMAV
Kelly Brintnell – Tourism Kingston
Lira Buschman, CMP – UTCE
Meg LaPlante – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
Jasmine Leese – Le Belvedere
Lisa Levia – National Arts Centre
Dana Mather – National Judicial Institute
Alison Peverley – Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Airport
KP Proulx – Centurion Conference & Event Centre
Candace Schierling – Tourism Saskatoon
Rebecca Trafford – Chic & Swell

Planning is already underway for the 2019 Prix Prestige Gala and the committee is seeking new volunteers. If you’re interested in being a part of next year’s committee, submit a volunteer application today and choose Member Awards and Recognition as your committee of choice.

We look forward to celebrating excellence again in 2019!