Carolina Blitz August-September 2021

Carolina Blitz

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August - September 2021

Chapter Meeting & Business Exchange Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley | Raleigh, NC September 9-10, 2021

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

Our Latest Expansion

Is a Work of Art

I NT R ODUC I NG

Named one of the South’ s Best Cities on the Rise by Southern Living, Winston-Salem has a well-deserved reputation for innovation. Our latest expansion is a case in point. Opening fall 2021, we’ve expanded the Benton Convention Center to include new art, new finishings, and a new, expanded grand total of 150,000 square feet of flexible meeting space—just steps away from 1,200 hotel rooms and over 100 downtown eateries, shops, craft brewers and entertainment venues in the heart of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Contact Christian Schroeder, Director of Sales, 336.728.4218, christian@visitwinstonsalem.com

Centerpiece of the 43,000 square foot Expansion of the Benton Complex

Opening Fall 2021

in this issue...

features Welcome to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Carolinas Chapter!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

in every issue Our Annual Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Monthly Meeting Planner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MPI-CC Board & Committee Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

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Board Meeting Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021 |

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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 2021

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 Yolanda Diaz, Vice President of Membership Engagement at Yolanda.

Diaz@hilton.com or Alicia Miller, Director of Membership Engagement at amiller@ raleighchamber.org. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!

Please welcome the following new members from the June 1 – July 31, 2021 period. n

Adrien Boone Tech Factory Productions aboone@techfactoryproductions.com Elvira Cortes Torres Smart Speakers elvira.cortes@smartspeakersweb.com Ana Dudko Student - App State anadudko14@gmail.com Jenny Farkas Charlotte Country Club jfarkas@charlottecountryclub.org Crystal Morris Experience Columbia SC cmorris@experiencecolumbiasc.com

Chelsea Parton NC Association of Electric Cooperatives chelsea.parton@ncemcs.com Ashley Pittman Rocky Mount Event Center apittman@sportadvisory.com Stacey Ray On The Agenda Events stacey@groupittravel.com Caleb Sullivan Jackson County TDA caleb@discoverjacksonnc.com

Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Engagement

MPI-CC Anniversaries 20 Years Barbara Dragan The Westin Charlotte 15 Years Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University

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

If so, the Blitz is looking for you! While we’re

Michelle Castro The Siena Hotel Autograph Collection & Il Palio Restaurant

not the Wall Street Journal, getting published

5 Years Carol Kavanaugh Destinations DMC

ideas with fellow MPI-CC members and earn

Alison Flaig Genworth Mortgage Insurance

Blitz is always accepting original articles and

Erin White, CMP The American Board of Anesthesiology

ideas, please contact Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at

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

in the Blitz is a great way to share your points toward your CMP certification. The great topic ideas. To submit your articles or CathyMauldin@gmail.com or submit via our website at www.mpi.org/carolinas.

Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021 |

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monthly meeting planner September 9-10, 2021

Chapter Meeting and Business Exchange Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley | Raleigh, NC

November 4-5, 2021

SpringHill Suites Greenville Downtown | Greenville, SC

January 2022 – Coming soon!

March 2022 – Coming soon!

May 2022

Official dates coming soon!

Harrah’s Cherokee | Cherokee, NC

July 14-15, 2022

Rizzo Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC

We’ve missed hosting meetings—and we can’t wait to welcome groups of all sizes back to Raleigh. Venues like the GBAC STAR™accredited Raleigh Convention Center are now fully open and prepared to safely host visitors once more. Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next meeting, convention or event, we’re ready to lend a helping hand.

visitRaleigh.com/wishmeetings

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

Jonathan Corbett

Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is Friday, September 17, 2021.

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

president’s message

Hello Hello my fellow MPI – Carolina’s members. Let’s make this fiscal year one to remember. I don’t know about you, but I want to forge better connections this year.

I keep mentioning “Purposeful Connections” because they will be made when we gather. I understand for some of us, there is still hesitancy in connecting in person. I feel that this is a personal decision for each of us to make. I also believe that it is up to us as meeting professionals, to gather as much information as possible to make informed decisions in guiding our Richardo Hicks Tech Factory Productions MPI-CC President

respective organizations. The tension between these truths is where we find ourselves currently. We have made the decision to gather in person for our MPI Carolina’s Chapter events at this time.

As we gather, we want to respect one another’s level of comfortability (distancing, not attending, mask wearing, vaccinations or not). Let’s respect each other in the way that allows us all to thrive! The energy in our upcoming meetings will be amazing. I’ve attended a few industry meetings in the last couple of months (including our July meeting) and they have not disappointed. I look forward to seeing all of you, whenever the time is right. n

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MPI-CC 2021-2022 Board of Directors and Committees Leadership President Ricardo Hicks Tech Factory Productions rhicks@techfactoryproductions.com

President-Elect Brandon Crumpton Key Signature Entertainment brandon@keysignatureonline.com

Immediate Past President Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs ahodges@NCACPA.org

Director of Professional Development Seth Macchi Live Events Media Group (LEMG) seth.m@lemg.live

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Najauna White, CMP The Diversity Movement Najauna.white@gmail.com

Chapter Administrator Christine Irwin, CMP The Management Office Christine@ themanagementoffice.com

Publications Committee Chair Cathy Mauldin, CMP DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith cathymauldin@gmail.com

Social Media Committee Chair Melanie Mason, CMP Melanie.mason35@gmail.com

Education Committee Cathy Carpenter Visit Mooresville cathy@visitmooresville.com

Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Jessica Garrett, CMP Cisco jegarret@cisco.com

Communications VP of Marketing and Communications Sarah Casella McGill & Hill Group sarah.casella@mcgillhillgroup.com

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

Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Tessa Barrier, CMP MHI TBarrier@mhi.org

Finance VP of Finance Jamie Frydlo JDS Consulting jfrydlo@gmail.com

Tradeshow Committee Chair Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM NC Trucking Association aharding@nctrucking.com

Auction Committee Chair Needed

Member Engagement VP of Member Engagement Yolanda Diaz DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone University Hotel Yolanda.diaz@hilton.com

Director of Member Engagement Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce amiller@raleighchamber.org

Member Engagement Committee Chair Chair Needed

Awards Committee Chair Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB mjohnson@ wilmingtonandbeaches.com Leadership & Volunteer Development Chair Rachel Whitten Greenville-Pitt County CVB RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

safely

Wonderfully eclectic meeting spaces served with a side of fun

Visit Mooresville

When you meet in Mooresville, rest assured that your safety is our top priority. Ample spacing, meticulous cleaning, and certification through the Count On Me NC health initiative are just a few ways we are striving to do our part to keep everyone safe.

And because meetings can’t be all business, delight your attendees with unique, fun breakout experiences and after hours entertainment. Exotic animal encounters, water sports on Lake Norman, craft breweries, and so much more.

@VisitMooresville

#MeetMooresville

Cathy Carpenter, Director of Sales | 980-447-0666 | cathy@visitmooresville.com Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021 |

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Look Who We Spotted…

“

Tracy Stuckrath of Thrive Meetings was an amazing speaker. My associates and I not only learned a lot, but were fully engaged the entire morning. One of the best speakers in the last 5 years that I have had the pleasure to listen to anywhere. The F&B panel was also excellent and informative.

”

“ ”

One of the best educational programs we’ve had in a long time.

Tracy provided excellent information and kept my attention without getting bored.

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

“ ”

Thank you for continuing to move forward with in-person events. Enjoyed the F&B insight from Tracy and the panelists.

Good information.

“

Absolutely fabulous!

There were countless takeaways from the discussion that will keep the conversation going for weeks and months to come, only encouraging our culinarians to step up their efforts in producing healthy, inclusive and nutritious menus that elevate our client’s experience. I’ll be honest, in years past when I’d receive 10 - 15 different dietary types, I would cringe and then brace myself for how these requests would be received by our BOH Team.

This event has left me with a new perspective and the tools I need to educate staff, planners and guests to produce the best experience for all players in the game.

Thank you!

”

...at the July Meeting Photography by Tesh Parekh – IWP Photography

education September Education

by Nicole Filippo, CMP

Social Capital: The Currency of Opportunity Thursday, September 9, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Speakers Carlos Davis

Like you, professional networking expert and author Carlos Davis has seen networking defined in numerous ways. Is it passing out business cards? Is it use of social media? Is it ‘all about the numbers’?

Is it just for extroverts?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, in person meetings and events were thriving and people were connecting! When COVID-19 struck, in person meetings and events were put to a halt. We learned how to pivot, and our meetings and events became virtual. Now, things are starting to clear up, it’s time to get out and start reconnecting!

BUT HOW?! What’s right and wrong now when it comes to networking?

This interactive and energetic keynote will teach Carlos Davis’s proven system for starting and sustaining professional relationships in this ’new normal’ of live and hybrid events and meetings. He will uncover the secrets of how to improve your in person and online interactions to make you the magnet of opportunity and influence. He will also share the ONE WORD that can break down any barrier in starting a professional relationship!

Panel Discussion Friday, September 10, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Join us for this interactive panel with industry professionals discussing the future of meetings. How do we work together in a post COVID world? What are best practices as we get back to meeting in person?

Moderator: Carlos Davis Panelists: Paula Finn Senior Manager of Global Corporate Travel Services, TIAA Erin Dennis, CPCE Director of Group Sales & Celebrations, Hyatt Centric SouthPark in Charlotte Ricardo Hick Owner, Tech Factory Productions John Poole Senior VP of Sales & Services, Cabarrus County CVB Ron Salerno F&B Director, Concord Hospitality Enterprises

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

Carlos Davis

Or is it something else?

With numerous years of professional networking coaching, professional speaking, working in the corporate environment, and real-life business experience, his view is radically different. He shares that networking is less about your needs and more about the needs of others.

A speech is a speech, and a presentation is a presentation. If Carlos is talking, it’s more than a speech or presentation. It’s energy, engagement, and entertainment all wrapped up around a passion to serve his audience before, during, and after he is on stage.

Whether he’s speaking on networking, entrepreneurship, diversity, or any of his other areas of expertise, he is all about his audience! He is also the author of Open Says Me: THE System That Can Open Any And All Opportunities In Your Career, and conversations about it’s topics have been shared with folks around the globe.

His successes include American Airlines, Microsoft, Clemson University, Black Enterprise, Howard University, and CVS Pharmacy just to name a few.

In addition to his business endeavors, Carlos teaches a semester of professional networking skills development to PhD candidates of the University of North Carolina – Charlotte’s Urban Education Collaborative. He was recently awarded the Black Enterprise Modern Man Award from Black Enterprise Magazine and has been a finalist for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Entrepreneur of the Year.

LinkedIn – Carlos V. Davis Twitter & Instagram - @mrresourcemogul

Paula Finn

Paula is the Senior Manager of Global Corporate Travel Services for TIAA. She is responsible for developing the internal meeting planning department, policy and strategy.

She assumed responsibility for the travel program in 2017 and now manages the travel management Paula Finn company, travel policy, strategy and compliance. She developed and implemented a preferred industry partnership program for TIAA that balances policy, compliance and employee satisfaction. Over the past year she has assisted in Corporate Services Covid response and TIAA’s return to office strategy.

Ricardo Hicks

Ricardo Hicks, Jr. is the owner of Tech Factory, a production company that specializes in virtual, hybrid, and live events. He has also trained more than 11 technicians that work in the AV industry of the Carolinas. With a passion for craft, client, and culture, Ricardo continues to pursue ways to Ricardo Hicks engage audiences all while pushing the events industry forward. Tech Factory has produced more than 130 virtual/hybrid events from the period of April 2020 to July 2021.

Ron Salerno

She spent many years in the hospitality industry and meeting planning industries before joining TIAA in 2015.

She recently moved to Lake Norman with her husband and fur babies. Her son graduated from college this past May and will soon be an Air Traffic Controller.

Erin Dennis, CPCE

Erin Dennis, CPCE, is the Director of Group Sales & Celebrations for the Hyatt Centric SouthPark in Charlotte that opened in June 2021.

Erin’s career started in hotels and expended into other areas of the hospitality industry. For 18 years she was an adjunct instructor at Erin Dennis, CPCE Central Piedmont Community College for the Hotel & Restaurant Management School.

In 2020 Erin earned her CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events) designation which identifies her as a true professional in her field. Erin is a member of the Charlotte Chapter of NACE (National Association for Catering & Events), Visit Charlotte Partners in Tourism, The North Carolina Business Travelers Association, ILEA (International Live Events Association) and the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce. Erin’s passion is networking and mentoring and she created a seminar to coach event and association partners on the skills of networking and building relationships.

John Poole

John Poole is the Senior VP of Sales & Services for the Cabarrus County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Originally from Canada, John obtained his Business Associates Degree and worked in the hotel industry for over 25 years. He’s worked all over Canada, the US John Poole and Caribbean Islands. In 2013 John purchased a Bed & Breakfast in Bar Harbor Maine.

In 2016 he sold the B&B and moved to Cabarrus County to work at the CVB.

Food and Beverage Director Concord Hospitality Enterprises

Ron Salerno

Business Exchange

Be a part of an event that will help you reintroduce yourself, your property and showcase the product(s) you have to make the purposeful connections you need to grow your business. This year, you will have more time to exhibit, network and do business with NC and SC Planners. Exhibitors will set up by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9 and will remain until 12:00 p.m.

Friday, September 10. n

Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University MPI-CC VP of Program Development

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Welcome to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Carolinas Chapter!

by Najauna White, CMP

This year’s goal is simple; Create an inclusion meeting environment that fosters belonging, education, innovation, and action. Above all else this year, this committee’s mission will be to integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into every program for FY 2021-22. By integrating DEI into every program, we will show our members what an inclusive meeting environment looks like and what tactical steps they can take back to their organizations, meetings, and professional settings to be successful.

If you’re looking to learn more about DEI, recognize its importance but not sure how to engage in strategies, and/or are a part of another DEI committee and want to grow in this space, this is the committee for you. We welcome all professionals, from beginner to seasoned, and we cannot wait to grow this chapter and our members with you!

Please email me at najauna.white@gmail.com or connect me on LinkedIn to get started on our committee!

Najauna White, CMP The Diversity Movement MPI-CC Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Meet over cocktails ...or spreadsheets.

WHAT EXPERIENCE WILL YOU

YOU’RE WELCOME.

C reate?

You’re welcome to work hard and play hard in Greensboro.

ashevillemeetings.com

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

VISITGREENSBORONC.COM

ENGAGING by nature WE ARE KIAWAH ISLAND

d r a w r o F g n i g v n o i t M c e n & Recon e n mor er bee in v e n s elp s ha re to h eeting son m y, we are he r e p to in ead u are r g back g.

Gettin nt. When yo econnectin r ta d r n o a p d im ar g forw movin

Sarah Davis, CMP, Director of Sales & Marketing 828.322.1335 Sarah@hickorymetro.com www.visithickorymetro.com Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

Work has never looked so

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.

PROUD HOST

800.576.1585 • KiawahMeetings.com

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

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Instagram and Facebook posts

Post te

Connec and ev chapte educati best ev LINK: m

Connect to the connectors—your fellow meeting Sept_Membership_Connectors_1080x1080.jpg

visitcabarrus.com

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 2021

and event professionals. Through MPI’s regional chapters, signature events and always-relevant education, you’ll grow, advance and produce the best events of your career. Join MPI today!

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board meeting highlights July and August Meeting Recap

by Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office

The MPI-CC Board of Directors met in person at the July meeting and virtually again in the month of August.

Although the organization is moving forward, with COVID still very much present, progress has been slower than anticipated – much like you’ve experienced in your paying jobs. The Board is focused on continuing to meet monthly to stay connected and continuing to move the organization forward.

A primary focus for this board in the first few months of the fiscal year is to build back our volunteer pool and get all of our processes back to running smoothly. During the peak of COVID in 2020, your board worked hard and it was all hands on deck as we experienced membership and volunteer loss due to lay offs and furloughs. We are now trending back in a positive direction and are committed to filling our volunteer roles with new and

Welcome 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

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| Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021

returning members.

I am SO proud of the work this board has done so far!

If you are interested in volunteeringand have even an hour a month to give, I promise we have a spot for you!

It’s the best way to stay connected with the organization, gain valuable professional connections and even more valuable personal connections. You will never regret giving it a shot!

Christine Irwin, CMP MPI-CC Chapter Administrator The Management Office

NESTLED

IN

NATURE

CaesarsMeansBusiness.com | 855-633-8238 Carolina Blitz | August - September 2021 |

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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

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, Leadership & Volunteer Development Chair, at RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov for more information on getting involved.

EDITORIAL AND NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE VP of Marketing and Communications Sarah Casella • McGill & Hill Group Editor Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith Contributing Writers Ricardo Hicks, Tech Factory Productions; Alicia Miller, CMP, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; Nicole Filippo, CMP, Elon University; Najauna White, CMP, The Diversity Movement; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office Photographer Tesh Parekh • IWP Photography Proofreaders Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office; Nancy Lowe, CMP, NC Medical Society; Peggy Anderson, CMP; Teresa Palmieri, Sheraton Imperial Hotel RaleighDurham Airport; Jake O’Dare, Aloft Greenville Downtown; Stephanie Trimble, GCT Chauffeured Services 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

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 Molly Johnson, CMP at mjohnson@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.

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 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!