Happy Springđ
March is here, and spring is just around the corner! Weâre gearing up for a season of growth and renewal, and we canât wait to share what weâve got in store. This month, letâs shake off the chill and spring into our networking and learning events!
Upcoming Events đĽ
Planning for Panama: Behind-the-Scenes Presentation on Phipps' Newest Exhibit
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 10:30am-12:30pm
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Step into the lush landscapes of Tropical Forest Panama without leaving Pittsburgh! Join Phipps Conservatoryâs Interpretive Programs Manager and Director of Horticulture for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the research, planning, and execution of their stunning new Panama Botanical Garden exhibit.
Replacing the former Hawaiian exhibit, this immersive experience was carefully designed to transport visitors into the heart of Panama, showcasing a breathtaking collection of indigenous plants while integrating innovative storytelling and sustainable design.
In addition to the education session, attendees will enjoy networking time, venue tours and a catered buffet lunch.
Mark your calendars and get ready to jump into spring with MPI Pittsburgh!
Save the Date!
Global Meetings Industry Day: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 2:00pm-6:00pm
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburghâs Music Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Join MPI Pittsburgh on April 3, 2025, as we come together to celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)! This yearâs event, held at the stunning Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh's Music Hall, will explore the theme:
Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers.
Weâll dive into how the meetings and events industry fosters collaboration, drives inclusivity, and creates innovative solutions for both global and local challenges. Expect engaging discussions, thought-provoking speakers, and powerful networking opportunities as we celebrate the impact of our industry.
Stay tuned for more details and registration information.
đSupport MPI Pittsburghâs May Celebration! đ
Our May Celebration is just around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success! As our largest annual fundraiser, this event welcomes over 75 attendees and raises critical funds to support MPI Pittsburghâs educational programming and networking initiatives.
Weâre seeking donations for our raffles and silent auctionâwhether itâs a gift card, hotel stay, attraction tickets, dining experience, or other exciting offerings. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business to meeting planners, event professionals, and suppliers in Pittsburgh and beyond.
If youâre interested in donating or have questions, please contact Joyce Kraemer, Chair of May Celebration. Thank you for supporting MPI Pittsburgh and helping us make this yearâs May Celebration unforgettable!
MPI WEC đ
June 18-20, 2025
St. Louis, MO
Join us in St. Louis for a groundbreaking experience that will elevate your event planning to new heights. Hereâs your chance to get in on the action for WEC 2025 in St. Louis! Join us for a premier event packed with opportunities to network, learn, and grow in your profession. Take advantage of our Early Rate and save your spot today!
March Member Spotlight
David Stephens
David is the Area Director of Sales with the Hampton Inn Greensburg, Johnstown, and Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh University-Oakland. David lives in Greensburg with his wife, Alison, and their three sons Theodore (4), Philip (2), and Jude (3 months).
David is the second of five kids and grew up in Murrysville graduating from Franklin Regional in 2011. He began his hospitality journey in 2016 at the Holiday Inn Monroeville and transitioned to sales in 2019 with the Hampton Inn Monroeville. He has been in his current role since August 2023.
David is on the Board of Directors for Destination Greater Pittsburgh and the Cambria County DMO: Visit Johnstown. In addition to being a member of MPI, David is a Rotarian, Master Mason, and member of the Elks.
đI love being able to collaborate with different people on the events they're excited about. It's a unique way to meet people from so many walks of life and see a little glimpse of their world.
What is your most-used emoji? đđź
đ¤What is your guilty pleasure? Milkshakes. I don't discriminate on flavor; I will eat any ice cream through a straw. That being said, the Salted Caramel Latte Milkshake at Churn is top tier.
đWhat is your favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh?This answer changes constantly, but right now I really want a Masala Dosa from Udipi.
đťWhat is your dream vacation? A 2-month road trip to the National Parks with my family.
đŚšđźIf you had one superpower, what would it be? The power to slow down and stop time so I could play with my kids as long as I want.
đ¤Whatâs the best piece of advice youâve ever been given? You can only be in one place at a time, so make sure it's the right one.
đŻââď¸What would you like to get out of MPI Pittsburgh? I'm excited to participate in the educational events offered by MPI. I'm also looking forward to making new connections within the industry.
Professional Development
A Reminder from our Vice President of Professional Development
Just a friendly reminder that when you are signing up for our monthly educational meetings, please ensure that you are using the email address that is associated with your Events Industry Council (EIC) account. Many times, the email defaults to gmail or other social emails. By double checking this, you will be assured that you will receive your EIC credits moving forward. As always if you have questions, please email me!
Chapter News
Nominations for the 2026 Board of Directors Coming Soon!
Itâs hard to believe, but weâre already looking ahead to 2026! The nomination period for our 2026 Board of Directors will open soon, with applications being accepted from April 1st to April 22nd. If youâve been considering taking on a leadership role within the chapter, now is the perfect time to think about which board positions interest you and how you can help shape our chapterâs future. Applications will go live on our website on April 1st, so be sure to check it out (and donât worryâweâll send out a reminder email to all members too!).
CMP Central
A Message from the Events Industry Council on Updated CMP International Standards and Exam
Exciting news! EICâs Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification has undergone a significant update to ensure global business professionals have the foundational knowledge and skills to remain resilient in our sector.
The update is the culmination of a multi-year competency profile project involving more than 1,000 CMP and CMP Fellow volunteer SMEs, as well as other industry stakeholders.
The project included a special task force, a global survey of business event professionals, regionally diverse focus groups, bias and validity testing, and countless hours of analysis.
- The updated CMP Exam will be Beta tested 1 April - 31 May. We are seeking individuals to take the Beta Exam.
- The final updated CMP Exam will be released in August 2025.
What this means to you:
- If you would like to take the current test, plan to complete the exam no later than 31 March 2025.
- If you would like to be a part of the CMP Beta Exam group, please complete the interest form via the button below.
- As a CMP Beta Exam participant, you will be a part of a group helping to shape the future of our industry and set the bar for aspiring CMPs.
- In appreciation for their support, participants in the Beta Exam will receive the following discounts:
- Exam fee: $100 USD (Regular: $525 USD)
- EIC Manual, 9th Edition: Complimentary (Regular: $99 USD)
- Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC), including workbook: Complimentary (Reg: $495 USD)
- Total Discounted Cost: $450 USD (70% discount)
- Total Discount: $1,040 USD
We will supply links to study materials.
Once the Beta Exam ends, there will be a two-month blackout period (June and July 2025) while the test scores are validated. No testing will be offered during this period. The updated CMP Exam will be available in August 2025.
Whatâs Next: We will be hosting a series of informational webinars for those with questions about the Beta Exam and updated CMP Exam. Watch for details.
đDestination Spotlightđ
â¨Thank you to our Sponsorsâ¨
Phone: 412-622-6915, ext. 6404
Thanks for reading through our February newsletter! Have something you'd like to include in our March issue?
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Credits:
Created with an image by Victoria Kondysenko - "Beautiful spring violet white and yellow flowers crocuses on bokeh background in sunny spring forest under sunbeams. Holidays Easter, valentine, mothers day picture with copy space. Toned."