A Note From Our President, Becky Faris
Dear Members, Chapter Sponsors, and Supporters,
As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and engagement with MPI Pittsburgh. This year has been filled with incredible achievements, collaborative efforts, and memorable moments that have defined the spirit of our community.
In 2023, our education & networking events truly showcased the prowess of our community. From lively speed networking sessions that sparked countless connections to our deep-dive educational sessions, including a fascinating exploration of leveraging AI to Level Up our Events, and workshops on using design to make our events more memorable — every event was a testament to the energy and passion our members bring. Your unwavering commitment and enthusiasm have not only fueled these successes but have also fostered an environment where innovation flourishes, connections strengthen, and professional growth becomes a shared journey.
As we step into 2024, we're excited about what the future holds for MPI Pittsburgh. Our calendar is brimming with diverse events, educational initiatives, and networking opportunities designed to continue elevating your professional journey. We're dedicated to fostering an even more dynamic and supportive community, and your involvement remains integral to this mission.
On behalf of the entire MPI Pittsburgh Board of Directors, we wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a very Happy New Year! Thank you for being a part of our MPI family, and we look forward to creating more incredible memories together in the coming year.
-Becky Faris, CMP,MPI Pittsburgh, President
Upcoming Events
Save The Date: January
Event Planning Advice as Told by Taylor Swift Songs. Presented by Kate Patay, VP of Engagement at Terramar, DMC Network Company
Wednesday, January 17th | 9:00-11:00 am
City Winery
1627 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Save the Date: February
Behind the Petals, Planners Edition
Tuesday, February 13th | 3:00-5:00 pm
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Complimentary Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Information Session
Dates: January 22nd, 2024 and February 26th, 2024
Learn more about the CMP application process, upcoming MPI Pittsburgh Study Groups and other tips and tricks for obtaining your CMP!
Spring CMP Study Group
March 18, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2024
Participation in the MPI Pittsburgh Study group is intended to give members support and structure as they prepare to take the CMP exam. The group is open to all members who plan to take the CMP examination within the calendar year.
Give the Gift of Student Membership!
'Tis the season of giving, and what better way to spread joy than by sharing the MPI spirit? As we trim the trees and sip on festive cocoa, let's extend the warmth to our student members. Consider being the holiday hero by gifting the invaluable experience of MPI membership or sponsoring event registration fees. Let's make this holiday season extra jolly by fostering the growth of future event planners!
November Education Event Recap
What an incredible co-hosted event with PCMA POWER!
Thank you to the Hilton Garden Inn Cranberry for opening your doors to over 50 events business professionals, and hospitality students and to Visit Erie for sponsoring our Innovation Intelligence: Level Up Your Events with AI.
Not only did Visit Erie highlight their lakefront meeting spaces, but they brought a raffle prize that highlighted the distilleries, breweries, and wineries that line the lake.
Nick Borelli gave a captivating presentation demonstrating how AI can make your events go from a B+ to an A through chatGPT prompts, other AI platforms such as midjourney and cliper.ai.
Lisa Schulteis, dove into how AI can be applied from a marketing perspective from writing event agendas, event emails, and idea generation.
Member Spotlight
🙋♀️Meet our December Member of the month, Chad Isaiah
Chad Isaiah is Pittsburgh's premier headshot and event photographer and the owner of Chad Isaiah Studios. A photographer for over 14 years, his photography showcases others in a way they’ve never seen before. His mission is to inspire and encourage others to step out with the confidence that they can make a massive impact. His studio is LGBT-certified by the NGLCC and he serves on the board for the Three Rivers Business Alliance Foundation. A long-time Ohioan, he relocated to Pittsburgh 5 years ago and was convinced within two weeks that Pittsburgh is better than Cleveland. In his spare time, you’ll likely find him training for Spartan obstacle course races.
❤️ What do you love most about meetings & events? Getting to connect with new people and finally meeting people I've known forever on LinkedIn
💡 What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? If something is worth doing, it's worth doing well
✈️ What is your dream vacation? Hiking through Easter Island and seeing the Moai statues
🍿 What is your guilty pleasure? Oreos and peanut butter!
What is your most-used emoji? 🙄 or 🤦
New & Renewing Members
🙋♀️Welcome to our NEW members and a huge shout out to RENEWING members!
We're thrilled to have these incredible new members on board, ready to ignite connections and elevate our event expertise. A special shoutout to our dedicated members who've renewed their commitment to growth and community this month. Together, we're building bridges, sharing knowledge, and fostering positive connections! 🎊
Thank You to Our Partners!
City Winery
Pittsburgh's premier venue, restaurant, winery, and event space. Live music, comedy, and wine events in an intimate venue with good food, a full bar, and great wine. Part of The Strip District Terminal, City Winery Pittsburgh is a welcoming space to indulge your senses with music, wine, and food
Homewood Suites Downtown Pittsburgh
Overlooking Interstate 579, this relaxed all-suite hotel is a 6-minute walk from the nearest train station and a 10-minute walk from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Modern studios offer kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and living areas with pull-out sofas. The 1- and 2-bedroom suites add separate living rooms.
Hot breakfast and regular evening socials are complimentary. There's a casual bar, an indoor pool, a gym, plus a 24-hour convenience store and coin-operated laundry facilities
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a Pittsburgh gem — a thriving oasis with many unique environments to explore. Begin your journey in our LEED®-certified Welcome Center before entering our exquisite 1893 glasshouse with ever-changing displays. Then, continue on to the Tropical Forest Conservatory and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, one of the greenest buildings on Earth. Be our guest and let us indulge your senses with breathtaking seasonal flower shows and exhibits; groundbreaking sustainable architecture; gorgeous outdoor gardens and green rooftops; and more.
Thanks for reading through our December newsletter! Have something you'd like to include in our January issue?
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