Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area Chapter Award Winners Announced

May 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Chicago, IL - Meeting Professionals International, Chicago Area Chapter (MPI-CAC), a professional association serving 1,300+ meetings industry professionals announced the winners of its 2010 Annual Awards during its day long Leadership Education & Awards Program (L.E.A.P.), held at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on April 26, 2010.  Chicago area business professionals from the meeting management, event marketing and hospitality sector enjoyed the unconventional agenda which included MPI award-winner recognition elements amidst a rapid moving presentation from numerous thought leaders across all industries with an array of entertainment segments from Broadway and the performing arts.  As an alternative to the traditional awards gala and ceremony, Chapter award announcements were made throughout the day, celebrating the Hall of Fame Individual, Hall of Fame Organization, Kathy Osterman Industry Award, and President's Award winners honored at the luncheon.

The MPI-CAC 2010 Award Winners:
Chapter Leader:    Lisa Meredith, CMP, Director of Association Sales - Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau
Planner Member:    Jane Mundell, CMP, Senior Meetings Manager - Association of Legal Administrators
Supplier Member:    Denise Mongoven, Director of National Accounts - San Diego Convention Center
Student Member:    Bradley Kenaga - Joliet Junior College
Tomorrow's Leader:   Meghan Keelean, Meeting Planner - American Student Dental Association
Emily Miller, Project Coordinator - One Smooth Stone
Kristine Morgan, CMP, Meetings Manager - APICS The Association for Operations Management
Kathleen Nelson, Account Manager - Chicago Is...,Inc.
Hall of Fame - Organization:       Chicago Indoor Racing, LLC
Kathy Osterman Industry Award:       Chicago 2016 Committee

President’s Awards
Achievement   Joe Hirsch, Vice President, Branch Sales - PSAV Presentation Services

Effort:                        Char Shada, CMP, Strategic Account Manager – Experient

Team Spirit:    Sean Lynch, Executive Vice President – NHS

The day’s education was launched by a high-powered panel of media moguls:  Richard Aaron, CMP, CSEP - BizBash Media President; Torey Malatia - President & CEO of Chicago Public Radio; Kathryn Humphreys - Hubbard Street Dance Studio.  Highlights of the day’s offerings that made the event stand out from others included timely discussions about facets affecting the Chicago area meetings and conventions industry today.  Chicago’s Mayor Richard M. Daley kicked the day off with a pre-recorded statement offering his support for the Chapter and meetings industry.  The program closed with a networking reception, award winner highlights taken from the presentations that occurred throughout the day and a performance by local blues band Rodney Brown & Hodrod.  

“I firmly believe that the L.E.A.P. content may be the best ever constructed by the MPI Chicago Chapter,” stated Chrissy Ward, MPI-CAC president and association executive with the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.  “I am particularly pleased with the Chicago-centric community tone of the program.   The addresses by leaders of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau and McCormick Place were welcomed by our members and created a renewed enthusiasm for the Chicago meetings industry.”

MPI-CAC L.E.A.P. Program Chair, Bill Kubiak, CSEP, Freeman General Manager, added, “The committee really wanted a program that stood out among ordinary industry awards ceremonies.  We wanted to mix education, networking and recognition… and the result was a phenomenal event.”

Further, a long-time MPI-CAC member and L.E.A.P. attendee Brian Palmer, president of National Speakers Bureau stated, “Moment after moment was laced with great bits.  I had a wonderful time, learned a good deal and recognize the boost such a gathering gives our chapter and our industry.”

To learn more about the benefits of MPI-CAC membership, including access to a current event calendar and career center, visit mpicac.org or call 888-721-8908.

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About Meeting Professionals International - and MPI-Chicago Area Chapter:
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the meeting and event industry's largest and most vibrant global community. MPI global membership is comprised of more than 24,000 members belonging to 70 chapters and clubs worldwide. It serves its members by providing human connections to knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. As the largest chapter within the 24,000+ member global Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the 1,300 member Chicago Area Chapter has connected its community of meeting and event professionals to comprehensive support, industry knowledge and business opportunities since its inception in 1976. For more information, visit mpicac.org or call 888-721-8908.

Photos and Mayor Daley’s video available upon request.