Carolina Blitz August-September 2020

Carolina Blitz

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

August - September 2020

Virtual Tradeshow 2020 Business XChange October 22, 2020

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

Ever Changing.

Never Changing.

When you meet here, you’re meeting the soul of a city and community ready to connect.

The pandemic may have changed our way of life, but it doesn’t change our commitment to you. As you press play on life after months stuck on pause, we invite you to come engage with us. Safely connect with our roots, and uncover new experiences. The spirit of Durham is still here, as is the opportunity to rediscover an ever-changing, never-changing destination.

All are welcome.

Engage with us:

discoverdurham.com/meetings

in this issue...

features Welcome New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Business XChange Educational Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Business XChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

in every issue Our Annual Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Monthly Meeting Planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MPI-CC Board & Committee Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 Look Who We Spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels

Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020 |

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MPI-CC THANKS OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS! We Appreciate Your Support!

Platinum Sponsor:

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020

our members Welcome New Members!

Membership Engagement would like to welcome all of our new members who have joined us recently. Please plug in to the chapter, volunteer and engage!

We welcome your questions and will connect you with an ambassador once you have registered for your first meeting.

However, if you would like an ambassador before you attend your first meeting, just let us know. We are here to help and make sure you are right where you would like to be with your membership! Please reach out to Mica Parekh, Director of Membership Engagement at mica@iwpphotography.com or Alicia Miller, Chair of Membership Engagement at amiller@raleighchamber.org.

We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!

Shannon Blinn Wells Fargo shannon.blinn@wellsfargo.com

Please welcome the following new members from the July 1 September 15, 2020 period.

Ebony Johnson Student erj@email.unc.edu

Tara Butler PalmettoGBA butlertara@Hotmail.com Christen Chay Leukemia & Lymphoma Society crissy.chay@lls.org Debbie Crawford NC State University cuzette@mac.com Kim Davidson HelmsBriscoe kdavidson@helmsbriscoe.com Kathryn Hollomon Visit Raleigh Khollomon@visitraleigh.com

Melissa Ketchabaw Ketch Twenty Two Consulting melissa@ketchtwentytwo.com

Mica Parekh, CMP IWP Photography Director of Member Engagement

Ariana Pearsall The Francis Marion ariana.pearsall@ thefrancismarion.com Valentina Peck Wells Fargo valentina.peck@wellsfargo.com Rebecca Reece Student beccareece7@gmail.com Alyson Schutzbank Zoetis alyson.schutzbank@zoetis.com Allie Shriver Turfgrass Producers International ashriver@turfgrasssod.org Allana Smith Potts Friday Conference Center allana.o.smith@gmail.com Stephanie Trimble GCT - Going Coastal Transportation stephanie@ridegct.com

Sean Kulinski Student kulinskisl@appstate.edu

Danielle Watson Friday Conference Center dwatson7@email.unc.edu

Tayla Manson Tayla Events mansontayla@gmail.com

Camille Zarzar NC Nurses Association camillezarzar@ncnurses.org

W ELCOM E Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020 |

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monthly meeting planner January 28-29, 2021

Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Hotel | Raleigh, NC

March 11-12, 2021

The Rizzo Conference Center | Durham, NC

May 16-17, 2021

Annual Meeting

The Beaufort Hotel | Beaufort, NC

July 8-9, 2021 BrianAJackson/iStock/Thinkstock

Asheville Crowne Plaza | Asheville, NC

September – Coming soon!

November 4-5, 2021

SpringHill Suites Greenville Downtown | Greenville, SC

Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is Friday, October 30, 2020.

Please submit any articles or photographs to be considered for publication to Editor-In-Chief Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at cathymauldin@gmail.com.

MPI-CC Anniversaries 5 Years Beth Tanner, CMP Duke Cancer Network Dwight Miller Miller Marketing Communications, Inc.

Tracie Garrett, CMP, CEM North Carolina Home Builders Association Kim Davidson HelmsBriscoe

Congratulations to each of you for reaching a milestone in MPI!

CALLING ALL WRITERS Do you dream of being a published author?

If so, the Blitz is looking for you! While we’re not the Wall Street Journal, getting published in the Blitz is a great way to share your ideas with fellow MPI-CC members and earn points toward your CMP certification. The Blitz is always accepting original articles and great topic ideas.

To submit your articles or ideas, please contact Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at CathyMauldin@gmail.com or submit via our website at www.mpi.org/carolinas.

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020

Volunteers are the heart of our organization.

Help make a difference in our chapter and shape its future. Volunteering on a committee is a great way to elevate your membership, engage with fellow planners and suppliers, develop your leadership skills, and learn new professional skills.

Visit mpi.org/Carolinas or email Rachel Whitten, Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development, at RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov for more information on getting involved.

president’s message Reunite. Stronger. Together.

Greetings MPI-CC, I am delighted to be the President of the MPI Carolinas Chapter for fiscal year 2020-2021.

As we continue to face unprecedented challenges in the industries that represent our membership, I am confident that we will reunite and grow stronger together. While we have not met face-to-face for many months now, we have been able to keep members connected through virtual education, happy hours, and spark sessions. Quality education and networking have been the foundation of our chapter and that will continue in new innovative formats as we move forward.

Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP North Carolina Association of CPAs, Morrisville, NC

As awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion has recently grown, so does the understanding of its complexities. To help overcome these challenges, diversity, equity, and inclusion must be made a priority within all organizations and across all communities. MPI-CC has taken some actions to promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion within our chapter. For example, MPI’s first chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, Antwone Stigall, CMP, DES, joined us for our August virtual meeting. Antwone reminded us to recognize the many types of diversity and learn how we can be inclusive and celebrate that diversity. One way that we can ensure that our organizations are embodying good diversity and inclusion practices and holding their leaders accountable is to rally together and allow our collective voices to be heard.

Our Board of Directors also added diversity and inclusion initiatives under our chapter business plan with actionable steps to incorporate this year. While all these actions are steps in the right direction, we recognize that as a chapter we must take more consistent and purposeful action to create lasting change.

I would also like to draw your attention to a few benefits from MPI Global: MEMBERSHIP RELIEF: There are several relief packages available if you are suffering a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. We encourage you to please email help@mpi.org for support so you can remain an MPI member and be a part of our chapter.

EDUCATION: The MPI Academy has compiled a strong collection of relevant programming at no cost to our community –– members and non-members. They have also unlocked all on-demand, pre-recorded webinars for the entire industry.

You can find complete resources by visiting MPI’s Trusted Resource page: MPI Trusted Meeting & Event Resource Page.

MPI MEMBER RESUME SUPPORT: Did you know that MPI members have access to complimentary resume critique through our career center? Members will need their MPI username/password to access this free service.

In closing, by lifting each other up and supporting one another, we will recover and reunite soon. Thank you MPI Carolinas Chapter members for the opportunity to serve with you. If you have any suggestions or questions, please don’t hesitate to connect personally with me at ahodges@ncacpa.org. Your hard-working Board of Directors and committee leaders are here to support you as well. Be well, share a smile, and see you soon.

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MPI-CC 2020-2021 Board of Leadership President Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs 919-469-1040, ext. 128 ahodges@NCACPA.org

President-Elect Ricardo Hicks Tech Factory 336-686-6895 rhicks@techfactoryproductions.com

Immediate Past President Nicole Keshler Greater Raleigh CVB 919-645-2682 nkeshler@visitraleigh.com

Publications Committee Cathy Mauldin, CMP DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith 803-917-1871 cathymauldin@gmail.com

Social Media Committee Sarah Casella McGill & Hill Group 704-323-4155 sarah.casella@mcgillhillgroup.com

Education Committee Chair Needed

Professional Certifications Committe Co-Chair Sasha Armour, CMP Mass Mutual North Carolina 919-755-3085 SArmour@financialguide.com

Communications VP of Marketing and Communications Ashelyn Roberts ConferenceDirect 336-880-7024 Ashelyn.roberts@ conferencedirect.com

Education VP of Program Development Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University 336-278-6091 nfilippo@elon.edu

Professional Certifications Committe Co-Chair Tessa Barrier, CMP MHI 704-714-0000 TBarrier@mhi.org

Finance VP of Finance Jamie Frydlo Hotel Indigo Raleigh Durham Airport @ RTP 919-294-9873 jfrydlo@bluegrasshotels.com

Director of Special Events

Tradeshow Committee

Director of Member Engagement Mica Parekh, CMP IWP Photography 919-270-2510 mica@iwpphotography.com

Member Engagement Committee Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 919-664-7090 amiller@raleighchamber.org

Najauna White Discover Durham 919-680-8305 najauna@discoverdurham.com

Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM AENC 919-461-8698 Alison@aencnet.org

Member Engagement VP of Member Engagement Deanna Griffith House, CMP, GWPgM, CME, PMP, PCM, CMM Charter Spectrum Reach 704-941-3482 deanna.k.griffith@gmail.com

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020

f Directors and Committees

Director of Professional Development Brandon Crumpton Key Signature Entertainment 704-568-1968 brandon@ keysignatureonline.com

Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development Rachel Whitten Greenville-Pitt County CVB 252-329-4200 RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov

Chapter Administrator Christine Irwin, CMP The Management Office 704-377-5648 Christine@ themanagementoffice.com

ee

ee

Auction Committee Chair Needed

Awards Committee Beth Tanner Duke Cancer Network 919-681-9869 beth.tanner@duke.edu

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OMG! We miss you...

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020

...and your fabulous smile!

Photography by Mica Parekh, CMP – IWP Photography

ensboro

e Visit Gr

WELCOME ONE & ALL The Gastonia Conference Center, located in the revitalized downtown and adjacent to the boutique Esquire Hotel, is a state-of-the-art facility providing 30,000 square feet of tech-savvy space accommodating groups of up to 450 and located only minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

GoGastonNC.org | 704-825-4044 | @GoGastonNC

NETWORKING UPTOWN STYLE

Another hidden gem

Beyond our modern meeting spaces and networking-friendly hotels, you’ll discover legendary Eastern NC whole hog BBQ and a vibrant Uptown District. We’re ready to host your corporate event, trade show or reunion whenever you are.

NC’s Emerald City is filled with countless hidden gems.

See you soon at VisitGreenvilleNC.com

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020

WE’RE READY FOR YOU .

VisitGreensboroNC.com

H ARRAH ’S C H EROKEE

#UNTI LW E M E ETAGAIN

CaesarsMeansBusiness.com | 855-633-8238

education 2020 Business XChange Educational Opportunities The following sessions are planned during the 2020 Business XChange on Thursday, October 22 and have been submitted for CMP continuing education credits.

For times, detailed information and speaker bios, click MPI-CC Events.

■ Ready, Set, Resume!

with Danielle Golinski, Associate Director of Career Services, Elon University

■ Actionable Ideas for Business Owners

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

with Matt Griffith, Managing Director, MassMutual North Carolina and Sasha Armour, CMP, Financial Services Representative, MassMutual North Carolina

■ MPI 101: Initiatives, Resources & Benefits

with Belinda Cottrell, CPCE, CHS, Chapter Operations Manager, Meeting Professionals International

■ The Virtual Partnership: How Tech Providers and Planners Collaborate to Execute Virtual Events

with Ricardo Hicks, Owner, Tech Factory Productions

■ Building Resiliency in Yourself and Staff David Lau, Counterterrorism and Security Professional, Mindful Approach

Work has never looked so

■ International Contingency Planning for Planners

David Lau, Counterterrorism and Security Professional, Mindful Approach

■ Enhancing the Participants’ Experience

by Using Technology for Events Hector Venegas, Engaging Meetings Ltd.

■ 8 Simple Techniques to Grow Your Business with Video Marketing for Planners and Suppliers

Plan your next event at our newly renovated facility and you’ll find all the amenities you need for a new way of doing business.

Antoine Dupont, CEO, Katapult Marketing

All participants will have access to a day full of education. We’ll wrap-up the day with a trivia and networking hour. Space is limited, so register soon!

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203 S Front Street New Bern, NC (252) 637-1551 www.RiverfrontConventionCenter.com

Look Forward,

Meet Back in Winston-Salem

Centrally located in North Carolina, Winston-Salem is a welcoming meeting destination with a history committed to reinvention and

Proud to Partner:

innovation. Named a Forbes’ Top 10 Best Downtown, Winston-Salem boasts a vibrant, walkable city center, ideal outdoor meeting spaces, and

more

Meet with

than

5,000

comfort

hotel

and

ease

rooms—including in

downtown’s

1,200

downtown.

105,000-square-foot

Benton Convention Center, which—along with our hotel partners—have implemented

stringent

cleaning

protocols

and

hybrid

meeting

configurations to ensure your future meetings are safe, healthy, and successful.

Karen Wall

Senior Sales Manager Karen@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4210

Christian Schroeder

Director of Sales & Services Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4218

Learn more about our Travel Back Rewards Program

Carolina Blitz | August - September 2020 |

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Man, do we miss hosting meetings—and we can’t wait until we’re all able to breathe the same air again. In the meantime, Raleigh and its venues are doing everything in our power to protect the health and safety of visitors. And we can’t wait to welcome you back for the meetings yet-to-come.

visitRaleigh.com/wishmeetings

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Annual Business XChange Make plans to join us virtually for the Annual Business XChange Thursday, October 22. Sponsor organization Apps4.org will keep us connected throughout the day. We will have educational opportunities and one-on-one planner/supplier appointments. For more information, keep an eye out for MPI-CC social media and emails!

The first 50 suppliers to sign up will get one-on-one appointments with planners!

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

If you’re a planner or supplier interested in attending, please visit our event page for more information.

Jamie Frydlo Hotel Indigo Raleigh Durham VP of Finance

FLEXIBLE PLANS TO HOST VIRTUAL, LIVE AND HYBRID EVENTS

www.apps4org.com

info@apps4org.com • 425-836-9547

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Socially distant but here to ensure your meeting needs and safety are a top priority!

Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

828.322.1355 | visithickorymetro.com

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Carolina Carolina Blitz Blitz | August | August- -September September2020 2020| | 19 17

Carolina Blitz The Carolina Blitz is the official publication of the Carolinas Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and is published every other month. All contributions, articles, and photographs should be submitted to Publications Committee Chair/ Editor one week after the meeting. Send to Cathy Mauldin, CMP CathyMauldin@gmail.com EDITORIAL AND NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE VP of Marketing and Communications Ashelyn Roberts • ConferenceDirect Editor Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith Contributing Writers Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP, North Carolina Association of CPAs; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Company; Mica Parekh, CMP, IWP Photography; Jamie Frydlo, Hotel Indigo Raleigh Durham Photographer Mica Parekh, CMP • IWP Photography Proofreaders Kathy Flowe, CMP, Alabama Theatre; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office; Myron Jones, Fayetteville CVB; Nancy Lowe, CMP, FirstPoint Management Resources; Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM, NC Association of Electric Cooperatives; Melinda Mowry, DoubleTree by Hilton New Bern - Riverfront; Peggy Anderson, CMP

Nominate a Member Volunteer Do You Know a Volunteer of the Quarter?

We have so many active members who deserve recognition for their efforts! If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, share their name and volunteer accomplishments with us so we can give them a shout out. This person can be a committee chair or member or even a brand new MPI-CC member who has already started to shine. The Volunteer of the Quarter Award is given four times a year and nominations are accepted all the time! Please send your nomination to Beth Tanner at beth.tanner@duke.edu.

Publisher Christine Irwin, CMP • The Management Office 704-377-5648 • Fax 704-333-6927 • Christine@themanagementoffice.com Advertising Christine Irwin, CMP • The Management Office • 704-377-5648 Design Kistin Creative Studio • 704-724-9188 • kistincreative.com MPI-CC Web Site: www.mpi.org/carolinas ADVERTISING RATES AND DEADLINES AD SIZE FREQUENCY MEMBER NON-MEMBER

RATE RATE Quarter Page 1X $220 $290 (3 1/2”W x 4 3/4”H) 3X $200/issue $270/issue

6X $160/issue $230/issue Half Page Horizontal 1X $420 $550 (7 1/4”W x 4 3/4”H) 3X $400/issue $530/issue

6X $360/issue $490/issue Half Page Vertical 1X $420 $550 (3 1/2”W x 9 1/2”H) 3X $400/issue $530/issue

6X $360/issue $490/issue Full Page 1X $640 $840 (8 1/2”W x 11”H) 3X $620/issue $820/issue

6X $580/issue $780/issue Full Page Insert 1X $700/issue $910/issue

3X $680/issue $890/issue

6X $640/issue $850/issue (Produced and provided by advertiser) There are six issues of the Blitz published yearly FEB/MAR, APR/MAY, JUNE/JULY, AUG/SEPT, OCT/NOV, DEC/JAN NOTE: Rates are published as of January 2011, and are subject to change without notice. All published rates are net non-commisionable. Any cost incurred by the BLITZ for art that is not fully press ready (e.g. reductions, halftones) will be billed to the advertiser, or art that is not press ready may be refused.

DUE DATE: Due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Artwork is due to the publisher within 10 days after deadline for space reservations.

SEND MATERIALS TO: Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office, 1307 West Morehead St, Suite 207, Charlotte, NC 28208 Christine@TheManagementOffice.com • Fax: 704-333-6927

Through the MPI Academy, you have access to on-demand and streaming education.

For more advertising information contact Christine Irwin, CMP, at Christine@TheManagementOffice.com or 704-377-5648 Visit our website at www.mpi.org/carolinas for additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities!