Carolina Blitz February-March 2020

Carolina Blitz February - March 2020

Volunteer of the Quarter Alicia Miller page 8

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

in this issue...

features Volunteer of the Quarter – Alicia Miller . . . . . . . . 8 Statement by President & CEO Paul Van Deventer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Sign Up Now to be an Ambassador for the Attendee Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Look Who We Spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

Photo by Chelsea on Unsplash

Board Meeting Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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

Platinum Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

our members

Welcome New Members!

Steve Brogan Steve Brogan & Company, Inc. steve@stevebrogan.com Shannon Dubuisson dubuissl@wfu.edu Maria Hamilton mdvhamilton@gmail.com Claire Hardin Appalachian State University hardincj1@appstate.edu

Payton Jamieson sm2@aloftgreenvilledowntown.com

Ashley Seamon seamona@wfu.edu

Linda Jeffries Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau ljeffries@beaufortsc.org

Rachel Sheerin, CPBA RachelSheerin.com hi@rachelsheerin.com

Amber Niebauer North Carolina Biosciences Organization (NCBIO) aniebauer@ncbioscience.net

MEET IN NEWPORT

the connected coastline

DESTINATION

EXPERTS

Our coastline works overtime – attracting leaders, thinkers, meetings and conventions to our historic city.

Our Destination Experts help find the perfect fit for your group. And they do this all for free!

Tell them about your Newport meeting and they’ll get you connected.

DiscoverNewport.org

Natasha Simmons CAI natasha.simmons@capital.org Celia Stamps The Linux Foundation cstamps@linuxfoundation.org

First Timers and New Members at the January Mixer

Back row, left to right: Ted Watkins – ShutterBooth; Rachel Sheerin – Rachel Sheerin International; Elizabeth Joyner – Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County; Jessica Kern – Great Wolf Lodge; Robin Bouchez – Speakers Network Worldwide; Sarah Casella – McGill and Hill Group; Celia Stamps – The Linux Foundation Front row, left to right: Sarah Teague – The Conference Center at GTCC; Karla Armstrong – Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County; Dionne McGee – DGMcGee Motivates; John OMalley – Incentive TripKit by PhotoVision

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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monthly meeting planner

July 16-17, 2020 Durham, NC The Rizzo Conference Center

November 5-6, 2020 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Airport Hotel, BrianAJackson/iStock/Thinkstock

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

an affiliate of Hilton Hotels

Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is Friday, April 24, 2020.

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

RE-OPENING FALL 2019

A refreshing view for your work day - Waterfront Views - 30,000 sq. ft. of Flexible Meeting Space - Board Room & Breakout Rooms Available - Complimentary Wifi - Free Parking - Walk to Nearby Shops, Restaurants, Hotels B&Bs and Marina - Minutes from EWN Airport

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

president’s message Stronger Together MPI Carolinas Chapter Family: This is not the way I wanted to connect with you in March. I was so looking forward to seeing everyone at our Chapter Meeting in Cary, NC but the universe had other plans for us. I am sure you are all feeling confused, anxious, and tired of negative news, scary social media posts, and just overall dread. I know I AM! I also know that if anyone knows how to shift quickly it is meeting professionals. We know how to adapt to our surroundings and change plans faster than anyone, right? That being said, let’s all try to shift gears together. I know it is hard to focus on the positive when there is so much negative going around, but what do we have to lose? We all need more sunshine and fewer dark clouds right now.

Nicole Keshler Raliegh Convention and Visitors Bureau MPI-CC President

The MPI-CC Board of Directors is working hard to find ways to connect with you, our members our industry family. We are collaborating with other chapters to bring you virtual education, a place to chat, and more positive news.

We have launched a private MPI-CC LinkedIn group. Please use this platform to connect with your peers, seek support, offer support or anything else you may need! You can find it here.

Contact Sarah Johnson at the Management Office if you need help getting added. I plan to keep the conversation going there daily.

WE are stronger together and together we will get through this. I AM DECLARING IT! Need a little help finding that sunshine? Here are some ideas…

1.

Take a walk in your neighborhood or at a local park

2.

Listen to old school jams on your favorite music app (90s throwbacks anyone?)

3.

Make a delicious meal for your family

4.

Work on that project in your garage you never thought you’d get to

5.

Read a book!

6.

FaceTime a friend for a virtual lunch date

7.

Drive with the windows down and the radio up

8.

STOP scrolling social media feeds

9.

Start a new podcast (I love ALL the true crime I can get!)

10. Find something to be thankful for everyday

MPI-CC Anniversaries

CALLING ALL WRITERS

5 Years

Do you dream of being a published author?

Debra Lucenti Association for Managers of Innovation

Lori Williams BASF Corporation Maria Meidanis

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

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.

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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MPI-CC 2019-2020 Board of Administration President Nicole Keshler Greater Raleigh CVB 919-645-2682 nkeshler@visitraleigh.com

President-Elect Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs 919-469-1040, ext. 128 ahodges@NCACPA.org

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

Director of Marketing Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University 336-278-6091 nfilippo@elon.edu

Marketing Committee Chair Needed

Director of Meeting Planning Ashelyn Roberts ConferenceDirect 336-880-7024 Ashelyn.roberts@ conferencedirect.com

Education Committee Chair Needed

Communications VP of Communications Mica Parekh, CMP IWP Photography 919-270-2510 mica@iwpphotography.com

Education VP of Education Maureen Donovan Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach 910-256-2231 mdonovan@ wrightsville.holidayinnresorts.com

Finance VP of Finance Ricardo Hicks Tech Factory 336-686-6895 rhicks@ techfactoryproductions.com

Special Events – Auctions

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

Special Events – Exhibits

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

Member Engagement VP of Member Engagement Michelle Castro Siena Hotel 919-918-2539

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

Awards Committee Co-Chair Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB 910-332-8747 mjohnson@ wilmingtonandbeaches.com

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

Awards Committee Co-Chair Tarshi McCoy, CMP, CHSP, TMP New Bern Riverfront Convention Center 252-637-9400 tmccoy@cravencountync.gov

f Directors and Committees Advocacy Committee Chair Christian Schroeder Visit Winston-Salem 336-728-4218 Christian@ visitwinstonsalem.com

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

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

Social Media Committee Chair Needed

Meeting Planning Committee Chair Needed

Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Sasha Armour, CMP Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley 919-571-5352 sasha.armour@marriott.com Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Tessa Barrier, CMP MHI 704-714-0000 TBarrier@mhi.org

Member Engagement Committee Chair Yolanda Diaz Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone-University / DOWNTOWN 919-582-2876 ydiaz@brownstonehotel.com

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

Leadership & Volunteer Development Committee Chair Olivia Terrell Renaissance Asheville Hotel 828-210-3008 Olivia.Terrell@wcghotels.com Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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the

Volunteer of the Quarter award

Alicia Miller Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce

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 Brandon Crumpton, director of leadership & volunteer development, at brandon@keysignatureonline.com for more information on getting involved.

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

“Alicia is the heartbeat for onsite registration for each meeting. She coordinated the volunteers and kept registration running smoothly even through the board transition.”

Volunteers are the backbone of our chapter. And, with so many amazing, hard-working volunteers to nominate, it makes it difficult to select a Volunteer of the Quarter. After reviewing the nominations, the board voted on Alicia Miller with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce to be the winner of the third quarter (MPI is on a fiscal calendar). Her nomination read, “Alicia is the heartbeat for onsite registration for each meeting. She coordinated the volunteers and kept registration running smoothly even through the board transition.” Alicia will now be in the running for Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations, Alicia! n

Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB Awards Committee Co-Chair

Voting Open for Chapter Event of the Year Cast your vote for the MPI-CC Chapter Event of the Year!

We are also accepting nominations for 2019-2020 Awards: Hall of Fame Planner of the Year Supplier of the Year Tomorrow’s Leader Login to vote or nominate now!

Dear Superhero, (that’d be you)

When something is unexpected and remarkable, people talk. You’ve seen what they’re saying about Greenville, SC. Expectations are high. The pressure is on. (Surely you know a thing or two about that.)

The next time you need to save the day and rescue mankind from “been there, done that” … just find the nearest phone booth. You know who to call. We’ll arrange a personalized site visit faster than the speed of light. Yeah, THAT Greenville. (Capes optional.)

We realize you have endless options when it comes to planning your next meeting or event, but you’ll find more than a destination in Greenville, SC. You’ll find the extra dose of mojo you need to accomplish something truly super.

800.351.7180 Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 | 9

STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT & CEO PAUL VAN DEVENTER Dear MPI Friends, The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has touched the lives and businesses of our friends and colleagues across the globe in the meetings and events industry. Our industry has been impacted by recent cancellations of conferences, sporting events and large gatherings. My deepest sympathy goes out to those affected.

As the global situation evolves daily, safety is our utmost concern for our community, industry and our MPI employees. MPI has long-established processes to ensure our daily membership and chapter operations will operate business as usual. We can assure our community that we will continue to provide high-quality resources and up-to-date information.

And, as the largest and most relied-upon association within the meeting and events industry, we at Meeting Professionals International know it’s our duty to serve as a trusted resource for this important community. Whether through providing education and connections in advance of, during and after situations like this or disseminating current information as occurrences unfold, we will ensure our community is prepared, informed and in-tune with ongoing developments. Of equal importance, we will be at the front lines to spur global economic growth and stability as the current crisis ends and we shift our attention towards recovery.

Keeping in line with our mission to learn, innovate, collaborate and advocate, the MPI Academy has launched a series of webinars and educational offerings that build on the existing fundamentals to overcome these sometimes-challenging scenarios. From ongoing conversations on ensuring business continuity to providing the tools to make business decisions at the right time, the webinars will be informative and make an immediate and lasting impact.

Additionally, at WEC Grapevine, which takes place on June 6-9, 2020 and currently has no plans for cancelation or postponement, we have added programming specific to managing the complications associated with this current scenario, as well as recovery. WEC Grapevine may be the first large-scale gathering for our community as recovery begins, making this a key opportunity for our industry to band together and rally behind the positive impact we can make on our world.

With so much information currently available publicly about Coronavirus, it’s our responsibility to make certain our community remains adequately, properly and responsibly informed on Coronavirus. With that in mind, we are keeping our community informed on Coronavirus through MPI’s social channels, newsletters (MPI Pulse and MPI NewsBrief) and on our current Coronavirus page. This online resource provides you with up-to-date industry news, research and information about ongoing resources being provided by MPI, such as our education series and newly launched podcast series.

As we have done for nearly fifty years, MPI will continue to provide the leadership, knowledge, and connections that facilitate positive impact. Because when we meet, we do change the world.

Sincerely,

Paul Van Deventer Meeting Professionals International President and Chief Executive Officer

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MPI COVID-19 RESOURCES Updates Education Industry News

How are you staying positive during the coronavirus crisis?

“This could be an opportunity to fortify the foundation of your business relationships by communicating well and getting creative with service.”

Read more>>

MPI CORONAVIRUS DIALOGUE SERIES

CAROLINAS

CHAPTER Join us for a live 12-hour broadcast featuring education and activities from our MPI Chapters and partners worth 12 clock hours! Connect with industry leaders and your peers as they rally, educate and advocate at events during this 12-hour virtual event!

REGISTER NOW!

Join MPI for an ongoing series of virtual conversations and discussions on COVID-19 and how you can ensure business continuity and communications with your stakeholders.

NETWORKING UPTOWN STYLE gem

Another hidden

Host your corporate event, trade show or reunion here and discover one-of-a-kind restaurants, craft breweries and art galleries. NC’s Emerald City is filled with countless hidden gems.

Find yours at VisitGreenvilleNC.com/Meetings

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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education January Education Recap

by Maureen Donovan

A huge thank you to The Graylyn Estate and Visit WinstonSalem for their fabulous hospitality at our January Meeting.

Starting out with a tour of the property and learning its history made it just that much more interesting as we experienced Mr. and Mrs. Gray’s visions. Did you know when it was finished in 1932, it was the second largest home in America with 60 rooms, second only to the Biltmore? I know many of us feel extra close to Mrs. Gray after enjoying unlimited amounts of ice cream because of her love of the treat!

After fabulous food, fun photos, and a competitive trivia match on Thursday evening, Friday brought some great information from Mary Tribble, associate vice president and senior advisor for engagement services at Wake Forest University. For those who don’t know Mary, she is a wellknown and respected meeting planner from the Charlotte area. Director of Leadership and Volunteer Development Brandon Crumpton introduced Mary citing the impact that she has had on his career. What was the takeaway for

the attendees of her session? Every event, every meeting, every person at some time needs a refresh or a reboot. In Mary’s current position, several alumnae experiences were refreshed and/or initiated to increase the financial support of the University Alumni. Mary claims many “self-reboots” over the years including selling her Charlotte based Event Marketing Firm for an extended walk in the desert. Was it the Mojave Desert?

The beginning of the year is a great time to refresh and reboot… Identify the Why, Collect the Data, Identify Stakeholders, Float the Ideas, Adopt a Plan, Execute and Evaluate; all so simple, yet hard to accomplish. n

Maureen Donovan Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach VP of Education

Mary Tribble and Brandon Crumpton

MEET IN THE CENTER OF IT ALL. Greensboro offers the perfect combination of small town charm and big city appeal.

See what’s new in Greensboro! You will be surprised by all it has to offer.

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

VisitGreensboroNC.com

Find Your

Center

in Winston-Salem

• Conveniently and centrally located in North Carolina • Voted as one of Forbes' Top 10 Best Downtowns • $2 billion invested in downtown development • Recently renovated 105,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center

• More than 5,000 hotel rooms—including 1,200

downtown within walking distance of the Benton

• Over 120 downtown restaurants and shops • Travel Back Rewards Incentive Program to help offset meeting expenses

To book your next meeting, contact:

Karen Wall

Senior Sales Manager Karen@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4210

Christian Schroeder

Director of Sales and Services Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4218

Look Who We Spotted in Januar

14 | Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

Graylyn Inter

ry at...

rnational Conference Center in Winston-Salem, NC Photography by Mica Parekh, CMP – IWP Photography

Sign Up Now

to be an Ambassador for the

Oh Captains, My Captains!

The First-Time Attendee Draft is Underway!

We have launched the MPI Ambassador Program and are looking for Carolina’s Chapter members who want to be involved and share their experiences with new members.

The Ask: Participate in a conference call every

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

DRAFT

two months. During this call, you will draft new members to your team who are about to attend their first ever MPI meeting. Once recruited, you will spend one-on-one time with your recruits at their first meeting and help them engage with other members.

The Reward: You get #FirstLooks at our new members and you will be helping to evolve and inspire them to be plugged into our chapter!

Email Rachel Whitten at RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov for more information or to sign up to be an Ambassador. Your recruits are counting on you, Coach! *Spots are limited*

RECHARGE YOUR MEETING EXPERIENCE IN HICKORY

Energize your meetings and attendees with a well-crafted experience in Hickory, North Carolina. As an organization, we are grounded in the steady pulse of our supercharged service — a positive staple that our clients and customers count on. With advanced technology offerings, renovations throughout the facility, and a metro-wide commitment to community enrichment, we have the power you seek to amp up your next event!

HICKORY METRO

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Meetings. Well Crafted.

828.322.1355 visithickorymetro.com

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“All of the staff was very helpful and exceptional to work with – best venue staff I have ever worked with!”

– Sharnese Ransom, Executive Director

NC Association of County Directors of Social Services

| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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Renato in Centro, Spartanburg

INSPIRING by nature W E

A R E

K I A W A H

I S L A N D

SPARTANBURG? MORE LIKE...

CAN-YOU-SAYYUM-BURG?

We know top meeting venues and business opportunities for when you want to work hard. We also know farm-to-table food, local craft beer and outdoor adventure for when you want to play hard. What we don’t know is... why haven’t you come to visit yet?

800.576.1585 • KiawahWBCC.com West Beach Conference Center Debuting March 2020

PROUD HOST

CarolinaBlitz Blitz| February | February - March - March 2020 2020 16 | |Carolina 18

VisitSpartanburg.com

HARRAH’S CHEROKEE Cherokee, NC

HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS Bossier City, LA

DECISION MAKERS IN YOUR BACKYARD

ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY

DIAMOND STATUS

More than 140 sales executives are located where you are.

One contact, one contract, one food and beverage minimum.

Receive VIP perks and privileges with Caesars Rewards.

Find out what Caesars can do for your business at CaesarsMeansBusiness.com

HARRAH’S NEW ORLEANS New Orleans, LA

HARRAH’S GULF COAST MS Carolina Carolina Blitz Blitz | Biloxi, February | February - -March March2020 2020| | 19 17

board meeting highlights January Board Meeting Recap

by Sarah Johnson, The Management Office

Happy March! I don’t know about you, but I love daylight saving time and the extra hours of sunshine it brings in the evening hours. Can’t ever remember which way to turn the clock?

Just think… spring forward, fall back!

Your Board of Directors has been springing forward since the start of the new year, leaping at the chance to make improvements to the chapter based on member feedback. Here are some of the highlights:

Awards The Awards Committee, co-chaired by Molly Johnson and Tarshi McCoy, have combed through the MPI-CC Awards processes and qualifications and come up with recommendations for the Board based on member feedback over the years.

First, the Hall of Fame award will now only be eligible to those members who have been an active member to MPI-CC for 10+ years and have not won the award before. Once you’re in the Hall of Fame, you’re in!

Current Board Members are no longer eligible for Planner or Supplier of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Hall of Fame or Tomorrow’s Leader Awards. There are SO many committee members who contribute to the success of our Chapter and the Board agrees they should be recognized first.

The committee has also revamped the questionnaire provided to those who are nominated as well as the scoring rubric.

The Helping Hand Award has been changed to the “Volunteer of the Quarter” award and will be awarded quarterly (hence the name). The four winners will be in the running for Volunteer of the Year. Volunteer of the Year = Free Membership next year. We LOVE our volunteers!

The recommendations above were unanimously approved by the Board and we thank Molly, Tarshi, and the rest of the Awards Committee for their hard work and dedicated service to MPI-CC.

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020

2020 – 2021 Board of Directors The 2020 – 2021 Board slate was presented to the membership at the January meeting. After 30 days with no positions contested, it has been approved!

The new Board is thrilled to jump into action starting at their April Board Retreat. We look forward to serving the members of MPI-CC for another year and hope you like what you see.

President: Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM President Elect: Ricardo Hicks Immediate Past President: Nicole Keshler Vice President Member Engagement: Deanna Griffith-House, CMP, GWPgM, CME, PMP, PCM, CMM Vice President Education/Program Development: Nicole Filippo, CMP Vice President Communications: Ashelyn Roberts Vice President Finance: Jamie Frydlo Chapter Administrator: Christine Irwin, CMP Director Member Engagement: Mica Parekh, CMP Director Professional Development: Brandon Crumpton Director Special Events – Auctions & Tradeshow: Najauna White, CMP n

Sarah Johnson MPI-CC Chapter Staff The Management Office

End mee tings on a high note

Cheetie Kumar’s indie music venue KINGS warmly welcomes bands, visitors and locals alike to rock out in a space known for its great acoustics and intimate atmosphere. KINGS, along with Kumar’s restaurant, Garland, and cocktail bar, Neptunes Parlour, are all original places you’ll only find here in Raleigh. Discover unique experiences and find greater inspiration when you plan a meeting in Raleigh, N.C.

Learn more at visitRaleigh.com/top25.

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2020 |

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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 EDITORIAL AND NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Director of Marketing Nicole Filippo, CMP • Elon University Editor Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith Contributing Writers Nicole Keshler, Greater Raliegh Convention and Visitors Bureau; Sarah Johnson, The Management Company; Molly Johnson, CMP, Wilmington & Beaches CVB; Mica Parekh, CMP, IWP Photography; Maureen Donovan, Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach, NC; Rachel Whitten, Greenville-Pitt County CVB Photographer Mica Parekh, CMP • IWP Photography Proofreaders Kathy Flowe, CMP, Alabama Theatre; Sarah Johnson, The Management Office; Teresa Palmieri, Sheraton Imperial; 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 Molly Johnson, CMP at mjohnson@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.

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.

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

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!