A Note From Our President, Becky Faris
As you have likely heard by now, our chapter has been humbly honored with a RISE Award for Membership Achievement. This remarkable accomplishment was announced live during the World Education Congress (WEC) in Louisville this May, where several of our members had the pleasure of witnessing and celebrating in person.
The RISE Award for Membership Achievement is a significant recognition, and it is truly an honor to receive it. However, this achievement would not have been possible without the support and active involvement of each and every one of you. Your participation in our events, your engagement in our initiatives, and your enthusiasm for our chapter have all contributed to this success.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our members and supporters. Your dedication and commitment are the foundation of our chapter's success. We are proud of what we have accomplished together, and we are excited about the future and the many more milestones we will achieve as a community.
Thank you for being a part of the MPI Pittsburgh Chapter. Together, we have made this award possible, and together, we will continue to thrive and make a positive impact in our industry!
Becky Faris, Chapter President
Upcoming Events
Surviving to Thriving: Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout
Tuesday, June 18th, 9:00-11:00am
Nova Place
100 South Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Working in any professional field can be demanding, and the events industry consistently ranks among the most stressful careers. The fast-paced nature of event planning, with its tight deadlines and high expectations, can lead to burnout if not managed properly. Today's event professionals face increasing demands that often surpass their capacity to cope and this won’t be changing anytime soon, so we must develop stress management strategies and establish good boundaries to safeguard our well-being as the pressure continues. Rachelle Stone will be joining us for the morning, as she guides us to find the right balance between work and play. Combining her Leadership Consulting, Executive Coaching, and Mental Fitness training, she has created the perfect trifecta for achieving real change and growth in one’s life.
Stellar Connections: Networking Among the Cosmos
Tuesday, July 16th, 3:00-5:00pm
Space Bar
22 Market Square, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Embark on a journey beyond the ordinary and into the vast reaches of space at our exclusive networking event at Space Bar Market Square. Discover new connections, exchange ideas, and cultivate partnerships that will propel your professional trajectory to new heights. Break the ice with interactive Mingle Bingo designed to spark meaningful conversations and indulge in celestial-inspired refreshments as you mingle amidst a captivating atmosphere of stars and galaxies.
Director of Marketing Role OPEN!
Interested in graphic design, copywriting, public relations, and/or social media? You just may be the perfect candidate to fill a newly open role on the Board of Directors - the Director of Marketing! This role would commence immediately and resume until the end of the 2024 term (December 31st, 2024). Interested members should reach out to Chapter President, Becky Faris (becky.faris@concordhotels.com) to apply.
Professional Development
📈 Professional Development Pulse Check
When: YOU PICK!
Are you feeling a little stale on your professional development goals? Are you hoping to make a career change or get a promotion but don’t know how to get there? If you would like to meet with our Vice President, Professional Development, Kristen Turner for a quick 30-minute discovery session, she would love to learn more about your career goals and professional development and see how she can help! You can choose a date and time slot using the Calendly link below. Once confirmed, you’ll receive an online questionnaire to complete so that we can get the best out of our 30 minutes together.
Industry Insights
with Shaun Pierce
Pittsburgh NFL Draft Insights 🏈
Some exciting news for the city of Pittsburgh broke recently. The National Football League announced it has chosen Pittsburgh as the host city for the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL officials made multiple visits to Pittsburgh prior to the decision and Steelers officials have been studying other host cities to get a first-hand knowledge of how things operate.
It will be an exciting time for event pros as the work we do will be in the spotlight for a national audience in what could be the largest of event ever hosted in Pittsburgh. Even though it is two years out, the process is long and requires lots of advanced planning.
The economic impact for the region is expected to be huge for the 3 day event with estimates worth upwards of $160 million dollars. Over a million people are expected to come to Pittsburgh packing restaurants and every one of the 6000 hotel rooms downtown expected to be booked. Event pros would be wise to avoid planning unrelated events during the period.
While exact dates have not been announced, the event is typically held in the final week of April. The draft is expected to incorporate elements of Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. The draft itself will be hosted on a main stage outside the North Shore stadium and will spill toward PNC Park and Downtown with a major event on the final day of the draft. This is going to be an incredible opportunity to not only showcase our city, but come together as an event and meeting community and show the world what we can do. The future possibilities are endless with a flawless top tier event and could be a step to Pittsburgh hosting a future Superbowl.
Member Spotlight
Adeline will graduate from the Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management Program this May.
💖What did you love most about your experience as a student MPI member?
My favorite aspect of being an MPI student member was the opportunity to connect with industry professionals at various events.
🤩What was one of your favorite events you’ve attended?
Among these experiences, the FAM trip stood out as particularly memorable. Witnessing the diverse sectors within the hospitality industry during that trip was very informative. Another event that I thoroughly enjoyed was GMID 2023. As students, we had the chance to witness firsthand the careful planning involved in such an event. It was a privilege for me to participate on a panel alongside Emma, our student chapter president, as the moderators, where we had the opportunity to pose insightful questions to industry professionals.
💭What advice would you give to freshmen students who are interested in studying meetings and events in college?
If I were to offer guidance to incoming freshmen interested in studying meetings and events in college, I'd advise them to engage with clubs right away. Joining clubs presents an excellent opportunity to build friendships and establish connections with professionals in the industry.
🎓What are your plans for after graduation?
Following graduation, I intend to relocate to Pittsburgh and pursue a career in the events industry.
✨Anything else you’d like to share about yourself or your experience?
Being a part of MPI has truly helped me recognize my passion for pursuing a career in organizing special events. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be involved in such a fantastic club. While I will miss being a student member, I aspire to transition into a professional member of MPI in the future.
New & Renewing Members
🙋♀️Welcome to our NEW members and a huge shout out to RENEWING members!
Thank you to our Sponsors
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