STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: Silver Linings Playbook 2021
Monday, January 25th at 2:00 PM
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Our prestigious MPIOC Annual Awards are nominated and voted on by the entire chapter membership (with the exception of the President's Awards).
MPIOC congratulates the following members who were recognized with awards at our 2020 Summer Social & Awards:
Meeting Planner of the Year Deanne Figueras, CMP CMM
Hall of Fame Award Jennifer Brown, CMP CMM SMMC
Supplier of the Year Bernie Gaps, Absolutely Fabulous!
Outstanding Chapter Leadership Pawntra Shadab, CTA CIS CITP
Shining Star of the Year Jolene Campbell
Best Supporting Organization Elite Productions International
Venue of the Year, Special Events Richard Nixon Library
Venue of the Year, Monthly Meetings Monarch Beach Resort
President's Award Beth Hoffman, CDS
President's Award Deanne Figueras, CMP CMM
CHAPTER AWARDS DESCRIPTIONS AND INFORMATION
Meeting Planner of the Year
Recognizes an active Planner MPIOC member who has made significant contributions to both MPIOC and the meeting management profession. This person in their professionalism and dedication furthers the aims of MPI and its members, our Chapter and our vision, and serves as a role model to others. The selection of the award recipient is based on the member's overall history of accomplishments in our Chapter and industry as well as the member's active role(s) in the most recent years, as determined by our Membership.
This member must have contributed his or her time, energy and experience to the OC Chapter with at least 3 years of membership and service. This is a legacy award and past Planner of the Year award recipients are not eligible to receive this award again. A change in a member's membership category status from Supplier to Planner will not change their eligibility for the award, provided they have been a Planner member for at least 3 years and a Chapter member at least 5 years. Nominees from previous years who did not win may be re-nominated again. The current President, Immediate Past–President, and President Elect are not eligible for this award.
Supplier of the Year
Recognizes the contributions of an active supplier member who consistently provides innovative services and/or products for substantial and cumulative contributions to the Chapter and meetings industry. This person in their professionalism and dedication furthers the aims of MPI and its members, our Chapter and our vision, and serves as a role model for others, as determined by our Membership.
The selection of the award is based on the member's overall history of accomplishments in our Chapter and industry as well as the member's active role(s) in the most recent years, as determined by the Nominating Committee. This member must have contributed his or her time, energy and experience to the Chapter with at least 3 years of service to the Chapter in the 5 years preceding the Award nomination.
This is a legacy award. A change in a member's membership category status from Planner to Supplier will not change their eligibility for the award, provided they have been a Supplier member for at least 3 years and a Chapter member at least 5 years. Nominees from previous years who did not win may be re-nominated again. The current President, Immediate Past–President, and President Elect are not eligible for this award.
Supplier Definition: An individual whose main role is providing and/or selling products and services to the meeting industry, such as destination management, hotelier, audio-visual, florist, transportation, production or convention and visitors bureau.
An individual who is the sole proprietor of, or is employed or engaged by, a meeting management company and who spends 51 percent or more of time planning and buying services as a planner, including strategic, financial and/or professional meetings management services to multiple clients.
Outstanding Chapter Leadership
Recognizes an MPIOC BOD member (planner or supplier) who best demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, inspires others, stimulates volunteer efforts, and contributes to the continued enhancement of our Chapter and the meetings and event industry. All current Board Members to be listed and voted by the membership
Recognizes lifetime achievement and may be given to an active member, life member, or honorary member who meets the criteria of outstanding service to the Chapter.
This individual will have demonstrated a minimum of 10 years of dedication, commitment, and service through volunteerism within our Chapter or with MPI as well as a minimum of 15 years of industry experience. This is a one-time award. Nomination from Chapter BOD only and voted by the membership.
Shining Star of the Year
Recognizes an MPIOC member who has consistently volunteered their time and talents as an active committee member. Presented to a new member of the Chapter who has been a member for no more than 4 years at the time of nomination and exhibits strong sense of initiative on behalf of the Chapter and the meetings industry. All Shining Star recipients throughout the year are eligible for this award. This individual shows promise as a future leader based on a track record of committee service, overall volunteerism and participation in Chapter activities. Nominations come from monthly shining star recipients.
Venue of the Year
This award is presented to the Venue who had the highest Venue survey scores amongst the monthly programs between July 1 and May 31 of each year. Up to 3 Finalists each (social and educational events) and the winner will be determined by scores from monthly program evaluations.
Currently divided in 2 categories: monthly meetings and special events.
•	Recognize all venues on stage with certificate
Best Strategic Partner (formerly Best Supporting Organization)
Presented to a Chapter member/company who has made significant contributions to the chapter either by cash sponsorships, in-kind sponsorships and/or whose strategic efforts have resulted in outstanding advancement of the Chapter.
Five nominees will be chosen for this category. The nominees for this category will be selected at the discretion of the VP of Finance and Director of Strategic Partnerships who will take into consideration the level of sponsorship achieved by each supporting organization. The five nominees will then be voted upon by the membership to select the winner. Nominees will be submitted to the Chapter President by May 15th.
President's Awards
The Chapter President presents these awards at his/her discretion to individuals or companies who have provided exceptional support to the President during his/her term. As a general guideline, the award may go to:
a) an individual or entity that provided exceptional volunteer contributions to the Chapter, other than the Volunteer Member of the Year
b) an individual who provided personal and direct contributions of time and service to the President as a servant helper or leader/advisor
c) an individual or entity that provided resources to support special projects of the President.
NEW FOR 2020-2021
Presented to a Chapter member who displays the unique ability to lead, guide and teach others with enthusiasm and who has made a significant contribution in guiding a chapter member(s) professionally. Nominations for this award are be limited to those Chapter leaders who have participated in the Chapter Mentor Program for a minimum of 6 months during the year (sometime between September 1 and April 30 of each year).
This information should be obtained from the Mentor Program Chair(s) and only those names of eligible candidates should be published as eligible nominees.
In any year that there are no Mentor/Mentee relationships that would allow a mentor to qualify, no award should be given.
Perfect Attendance Award
This award, usually in the form of a certificate, is given to each member who attends every monthly program between the dates of July 1 and May 31 of each year. The award may include a gift certificate or some other incentive-type item which is promoted during the term as an incentive to achieve perfect attendance. Board members may be included, except in any case where the award represents a conflict of interest as outlined in the Board of Directors Conflict of Interest Policy.