A New MPI-CC

It is no surprise to anyone reading this that COVID-19 has turned the world as we know it upside down . We have felt that very strongly in our personal lives, in our professional lives, this industry, and MPI-CC .

During the November 2021 Mid-Year Board Retreat, the Board had an opportunity to come together and dig deep into how MPI-CC will evolve with our members . There is no better time than the present to evaluate how we operate as a chapter . What are our members needs? How can we show value to our members? How can we get back to having fun and learning together . . . in person? How can we grow as a chapter and an industry?

While changes won’t happen overnight and initiatives continue to evolve as we take on the last half of our fiscal year, one change was particular . The Board decided to revamp our meeting and event calendar . We will have four signature events a year – July to kick off the new year, October will be our business exchange month, February will be our new Annual meeting, and April will consist of a signature GMID event . In the “off” months from our signature events, we will hold casual networking meet-ups in North and South Carolina and hold New Member Lunch’n Learns virtually to engage new members throughout the year . Our Annual Awards Gala and Board Installation will now be a standalone event during June, mindful not to interfere with WEC, which takes place in June .

The Board of Directors is here to serve you, the member . We appreciate your continued support of the chapter, and without you, we wouldn’t be here .

CAROLINAS

CHAPTER

Christine Irwin, CMP MPI-CC Chapter Administrator The Management Office The tentative 2022-2023 calendar will look like this:

July 2022

Chapter Meeting at Rizzo Conference Center July 14-15

August 2022

New Member Lunch’n Learn – Virtual

September 2022

NC and SC casual regional networking meet-up

October 2022

Chapter Meeting and Business Exchange

November 2022

New Member Lunch’n Learn – Virtual

December 2022

Networking Social Hour - Virtual

February 2023

MPI-CC Annual Meeting

March 2023

New Member Lunch’n Learn – Virtual

April 2023

GMID Event – Education and Networking

May 2023

New Member Lunch’n Learn – Virtual

June 2023

MPI WEC MPI-CC Awards Gala and Board Installation

CMP STUDY GROUP

Designed to help prepare you for the CMP Exam, the MPI-Carolinas Study Group will help you break down the study materials into manageable chunks over a seven-week period with a series of virtual meetings set for a day/time that works for the group. The next group study begins the week of June 9, 2022.

REGISTER TODAY! Complimentary for chapter members $150 for non-MPI-CC members

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

In-person meetings are back—and we’re truly excited to see groups of all sizes returning to Raleigh once more. Major meeting hotels and venues like the GBAC STAR™-accredited Raleigh Convention Center are safely hosting events again, while restaurants and attractions continue to welcome attendees to explore and enjoy. If you’re planning your next meeting or convention, we can help ensure your event makes its way back.

visitRaleigh.com/wishmeetings

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.

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 .

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

Sarah Casella • McGill & Hill Group

Editor

Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc . Onsite at CDM Smith

Contributing Writers

Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Company; Ricardo Hicks, Tech Factory Productions; Alan Kleinfeld, CMP, CMM, LEO, MTA, Arrive Management Group; Nicole Keshler, Visit Raleigh; Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP, NC Association of CPAs

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

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!