MPI-Wisconsin reaches for the skies at Awards Gala

Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI-WI) honored outstanding volunteers at its Annual Awards Gala themed “Come Fly with MPI-WI” at the EAA Aviation Center in Oshkosh, WI, on Thursday September 20, 2012.  The spectacular event featured a host of surprises, including a special tribute that attracted attendees from Indiana, Georgia, and Switzerland.

Winners honored at the event included:

Planner of the Year -- Naomi Tucker, CMP
Supplier of the Year -- Alison Huber, CMP
MPI-WI Hall of Fame --Mae Ibe, CMP
Rising Star – Melissa Amado Tansor
Meeting Industry Advocate – Susan Kainz
Industry Partner – Wilderness Territory/Glacier Canyon Conference Center
Team of the Year – March Event Team
President’s Award – Jen Hlavachek
Professional Development Grant – Nicole Raudabaugh
Kristin Bjurstrom Krueger, CMP Scholarship -- Kaitlyn Hafeman

Janet Sperstad, CMP, was recognized for her 25 years in MPI-Wisconsin with a special tribute on her role in enhancing the meeting profession.  Special guests celebrating with Janet included: Ann Godi, former MPI Chair from Atlanta, GA; Banz Ledin from Spotme.com in Switzerland; Amanda Cecil, professor at Indiana University and IUPUI; Turina Bakken, Associate Vice President of Madison College; and a video tribute from former MPI-WI president Glenn Brill, CMP (1996-1997).

This year MPI-WI added a special panel discussion to the event, featuring Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of the famous “Miracle on the Hudson” flight.  The Educational Discussion Panel was titled “Trends in Group Travel for the Meeting and Events Industry” and focused on destination trends, traveling safety, and proper protocol.  The Panelists included were Rose Gray, Fox World Travel; Mae Ibe, CMP; Paulette Heney, CMM, Meetings & Incentives; and special guest, Jeff Skiles, EAA, and the co-pilot of the famous “Miracle on the Hudson flight.”

Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the meeting and event industry’s largest and most vibrant global community helps our members thrive by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. MPI membership is comprised of more than 23,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. For more information, visit mpiweb.org.

The 320+ member Wisconsin Chapter of MPI, established in 1977, is the premier association in the state dedicated to the growth, development and success of event and meeting professionals. The chapter brings professionals together to learn best practices, build relationships, and create business opportunities that enhance the strategic value of meetings.

For more information on MPI-Wisconsin, please visit www.mpiwi.org.

For more information on MPI or MPI-Wisconsin, please contact Naomi Tucker, CMP, at ntuckercmp@gmail.com or 920-337-3511.