MPI Pittsburgh Chapter February 2026 Newsletter

Where Connection Comes First

February reminds us that strong connections are what truly power our industry. From trusted partnerships to peer collaboration, MPI Pittsburgh continues to be a place where relationships grow and ideas thrive. This month, we’re focusing on meaningful engagement. Bringing members together to learn, connect, and support one another as we navigate an ever-evolving meetings and events landscape.

Upcoming Events 🥂

Love, MPI - A Networking Event for All

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 3:00 - 5:00 pm Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse 247 N. Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Celebrate your LOVE for the MPI Pittsburgh Chapter with industry colleagues while enjoying appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages at Hyde Park. A cash bar will also be available for beer, cocktails, and wine. We will also have a fun activity to explore how to get the most out of your membership! Registration is now open.

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 3:00PM- 5:00PM

Tequila Cowboy 380 North Shore Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Join fellow MPI Pittsburgh Chapter members for a fun afternoon event celebrating both our members and the upcoming NFL Draft! Rep your favorite team colors while enjoying Tailgate Bites and Draft Day drinks.

Save the Date!

Professional Development

Resume Tips and Tricks: Hey Students! Let’s GO!

For our college/university students looking to create their first resume Here are five practical and encouraging facts you can share with a college student building their first resume: 1. Relevant experience isn’t just jobs. Class projects, volunteer work, internships, leadership roles, and even part-time gigs can all showcase valuable skills. 2. Skills matter as much as experience. Highlight transferable skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management—employers value these even if you’re new to the workforce. 3. Tailoring makes a big difference. Customizing your resume for each opportunity by using keywords from the job description can help you stand out and pass applicant tracking systems (ATS). 4. Keep it concise and clean. For a first resume, one page is ideal. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to make it easy to read. 5. Achievements speak louder than duties. Whenever possible, use action verbs and quantify results (e.g., “Organized a fundraiser that raised $1,200” instead of “Helped with fundraising”).

MPI Global 🌎

MPI New Member Orientations

New members, register for the MPI New Member Orientation (a 45-minute webinar). You’ll learn all about the benefits available to you - beyond what is offered through our Chapter/Club - and how to utilize them to accomplish your unique goals.    
 
  All sessions take place on Zoom at 10:00am-10:45am, CDT.     Thursday, February 12, 2026

Cvent CONNECT Discount Codes for MPI Members

July 13-16, 2026 in Nashville, TN Level up your event strategy at Cvent CONNECT 2026 with CMP‑accredited Training Camp, 1:1 access to Cvent experts, and role-based sessions designed by event marketers for event marketers. MPI members get 25% off with code: MPI252026.

February Member Spotlight

Brian Brown

Brian Brown serves as the Administrative and Events Coordinator for the Block Center for Technology and Society at Carnegie Mellon University, providing operational leadership and event management support for research‑driven programming. His professional experience spans higher education, nonprofit, and public‑sector organizations, with a strong focus on event execution, administrative operations, and stakeholder coordination. Brian is recognized for his collaborative approach and commitment to excellence in service delivery. As a member of MPI Pittsburgh, he values the opportunity to engage with industry peers, exchange best practices, and contribute to the advancement of the meetings and events profession.

How do you stay current with changes and innovations in event planning? As I’ve grown from being a community organizer and event planner into a community connector and event strategist, two guiding principles consistently keep me forward‑thinking in an ever‑evolving world. First is how I authentically show up in every room I walk into. From a very young age, I learned the importance of discovering, exploring, and fully embracing all aspects of myself that make me uniquely who I am. That self‑understanding allows me to contribute ideas, perspectives, and expertise that are uniquely my own and to show up with intention, confidence, and authenticity in spaces that are seeking innovative thought and leadership. Second is my commitment to building and being in community with others, especially beyond the rooms I occupy. Early on, I recognized that community‑building is a foundational practice that my family, mentors, and educators not only talked about, but modeled through their actions. They showed me the importance of cultivating belonging and meaningful connection, both within myself and with the communities that have nurtured, supported, educated, and empowered me and my generation. That practice continues to inform how I stay connected to emerging ideas, evolving needs, and new innovations in the event industry. Ultimately, I strongly believe that fully embracing the uniqueness of who I am, while remaining deeply rooted in community; helps me stay current, creative, and responsive to change within the ever‑innovating world of event planning. What’s one myth about event planning you’d like to bust? One of the most common myths about event planning is that the real work begins just a few weeks before the event. While there are special cases, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Successful events often require months and sometimes up to a year of intentional planning. There is a rhythm, flow, and sequence to event logistics that many people don’t fully see or anticipate. Elements such as budget development, venue booking, speaker availability, marketing timelines, vendor coordination, contract management, and staff planning all require significant lead time. So, in 2026, my ask of everyone working in the event space is this: give your event directors, managers, coordinators, and planners the time, respect, resources, and healthy budgets they need to execute events successfully. Trust me, you will not regret it! Describe your event planning style in three words. The three words that best describe my event planning style are:

• Multidisciplinary (holistic)
• Connectivity (community‑centered and connector‑driven)
• Innovative (radical, experimental, and intentional in curation)

What’s your go-to way to recharge after a big event? During this time of year, especially in the winter, my go‑to way to recharge after a big event is intentionally slowing down. I usually take a day or two off from work and treat myself to the things I enjoy most. That might look like savoring a chai vanilla latte at my favorite coffee shop, booking a deep‑tissue massage, finally reading a book I purchased months ago, or celebrating with family and friends over dinner or drinks at home. These moments of rest and joy help me reset, reflect, and return re‑energized.

✨Thank you to our Sponsors✨

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse

Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is located downtown Pittsburgh between PNC Park and Heinz Field on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. It should come as no surprise that this place is The Place in Pittsburgh to rub elbows with local and national pro-athletes and coaches, sports media, and local luminaries. Hyde Park in Pittsburgh offers 4 private and semi-private dining areas accommodating groups from 6 to 125 guests. Private Events Sales Office (216) 514-2244

Contact Lisa Squire lsquire@hydeparkgrille.com (216) 514-2244

Paras Candies

Paras Candies is a small batch chocolatier creating handcrafted truffles, assorted candies, chocolate bars, and specialty items.

Contact mparas@parascandies.com (412) 427-0008

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