Carolina Blitz October - November 2021
January Chapter Meeting Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte Charlotte, NC January 20-21, 2022
CAROLINAS CHAPTER
Look Forward,
Meet Again
Centrally located in North Carolina, Winston-Salem is a welcoming meeting destination with a history committed to reinvention and innovation. Named one of the South’s Best Cities on the Rise by Southern Living, Winston-Salem boasts a vibrant, walkable city center, ideal outdoor meeting spaces, and over $2 billion in downtown development initiatives. Elevate your next event in downtown’s 105,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center, which will offer an additional 43,000 square feet of flexible meeting space this fall. Winston-Salem will have you looking forward to playing, meeting, and staying in our hip and historic city.
5,000+ HOTEL ROOMS
100+ DOWNTOWN
UP TO $3,000 IN
1, 200 Downtown
Restaurants & Shops
Meeting Incentives
Learn more at VisitWinstonSalem.com
in this issue...
features Reinventing Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 MPI-CC Volunteer of the Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Silent Auction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 MPI-CC 2022-2023 Board of Directors Call for Nominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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
Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021 |
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MPI-CC THANKS OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS! We Appreciate Your Support! Platinum Sponsor:
Diamond Sponsors:
Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Convention Center & Visitors Bureau
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
our members Welcome New Members! Jennifer Bricker jbricker@mgclaw.com
Membership Engagement would like to welcome all of our new members who have joined us recently. Please plug in to the chapter, volunteer and engage! We welcome your questions and will connect you with an ambassador once you have registered for your first meeting. However, if you would like an ambassador before you attend your first meeting, just let us know. We are here to help and make sure you are right where you would like to be with your membership! Please reach out to Yolanda Diaz, Vice President of Membership Engagement at Yolanda.Diaz@hilton.com or Alicia Miller, Director of Membership Engagement at amiller@raleighchamber. org. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you soon!
Lindsay Clapp, CGSP Tech Factory Productions LClapp@techfactoryproductions.com Matthew Cunningham, CHA Serendipity Labs Matthew.Cunningham@ serendipitylabs.com
Please welcome the following new members from the August 1 – September 30, 2021 period. n
DeMarco McMillan Sonesta Charlotte Executive Park DeMarco.McMillan@sonesta.com Jennifer Menke Kiawah Island Golf Resort jennifer_menke@kiawahresort.com Alex Morales Chetola Resort alex@chetola.com
Paula Finn TIAA paula.finn@tiaa.org
Ryley Norrick Mosaix Group rnorrick@mosaixgroup.com
Morgan Hubbard Graylyn International Conference Center conleym@wfu.edu
Mary Jane Reilly Reilly Resort Representatives maryjane@ reillyresortrepresentatives.com
Anna Beth Lowrey McAngus Goudelock & Courie annabeth.lowrey@mgclaw.com
Tony Villier O.Henry & Proximity Hotels tvillier@qwrh.com
Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Engagement
MPI-CC Anniversaries 25 Years Karen McElroy RCI, Inc. 20 Years Michele Schilling, CMP, CGMP American Express Global Business Travel
10 Years Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants
Tracy Stuckrath, CMM, CSEP, CHC Thrive! Meetings & Events
15 Years Tammy McCoy, CMP
5 Years Melissa Murray Mosaix Group
Kelley Thwaite, CMP Experient/Maritz Global Events
Taylor Wilks Experience Columbia SC
Congratulations to each of you for reaching a milestone in MPI!
CALLING ALL WRITERS Do you dream of being a published author? 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 | October - November 2021 |
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monthly meeting planner
January 20-21, 2022 Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte | Charlotte, NC April 7, 2022
Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) | Charlotte, NC
May 15-16, 2022
Harrah’s Cherokee | Cherokee, NC
July 14-15, 2022
Rizzo Conference Center | Chapel Hill, NC
Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is Friday, December 17, 2021. Please submit any articles or photographs to be considered for publication to Editor-In-Chief Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at cathymauldin@gmail.com.
Work has never looked so
Plan your next event at our newly renovated facility and you’ll find all the amenities you need for a new way of doing business.
203 S Front Street New Bern, NC (252) 637-1551 www.RiverfrontConventionCenter.com 4
| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
president’s message
Embrace the Future and Make Purposeful Connections What a great time to be in the events industry! If you are reading this, we are blessed to be here. We are embracing what meetings look like for the future. No matter what language you use to describe meetings today, one thing is for certain, we need to set aside the term “new” normal, as spoken by our friend Steven Foster (who did a wonderful job at our November meeting). I think we also need to begin to move away from using the words “hybrid” and “virtual” to describe our events. We produce, plan, manage, and attend “events.” Although, through necessity, we are now Richardo Hicks Tech Factory Productions MPI-CC President
well acquainted with the new venues, whether it is Zoom, Swapcard, Pathable, Intrado, Vimeo, etc. I’m very excited about the ideas that will be coming in the months and years ahead. The playing field is level and opportunities to learn, and grow are readily available. There is no need to resist or be afraid of what is happening. We are simply witnessing a compression of opportunity and preparation. We are now preparing for what is upon us at this very moment. We are working, learning, tweaking, and educating all at the same time. Our workforce looks a little different than it did before. We all need to add more tools to our toolbelt to become leaders in our industry. At MPI Carolinas Chapter, we will continue to provide education that keeps us prepared now and in the future. Let’s press forward while making the purposeful connections that make our industry better! n
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MPI-CC 2021-2022 Board of Directors and Committees Leadership President Ricardo Hicks Tech Factory Productions rhicks@techfactoryproductions.com
President-Elect Brandon Crumpton Key Signature Entertainment brandon@keysignatureonline.com
Immediate Past President Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs ahodges@NCACPA.org
Director of Professional Development Seth Macchi Live Events Media Group (LEMG) seth.m@lemg.live
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Najauna White, CMP The Diversity Movement Najauna.white@gmail.com
Chapter Administrator Christine Irwin, CMP The Management Office Christine@ themanagementoffice.com
Publications Committee Chair Cathy Mauldin, CMP DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith cathymauldin@gmail.com
Social Media Committee Chair Melanie Mason, CMP Melanie.mason35@gmail.com
Education Committee Cathy Carpenter Visit Mooresville cathy@visitmooresville.com
Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Jessica Garrett, CMP Cisco jegarret@cisco.com
Communications VP of Marketing and Communications Sarah Casella McGill & Hill Group sarah.casella@mcgillhillgroup.com
Education VP of Program Development Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University nfilippo@elon.edu
Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Tessa Barrier, CMP MHI TBarrier@mhi.org
Finance VP of Finance Jamie Frydlo JDS Consulting jfrydlo@gmail.com
Tradeshow Committee Chair Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM NC Trucking Association aharding@nctrucking.com
Auction Committee Nicole Keshler Visit Raleigh Nkeshler@visitraleigh.com
Member Engagement VP of Member Engagement Yolanda Diaz DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone University Hotel Yolanda.diaz@hilton.com
Director of Member Engagement Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce amiller@raleighchamber.org
Member Engagement Committee Chair Chair Needed
Awards Committee Chair Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB mjohnson@ wilmingtonandbeaches.com Leadership & Volunteer Development Chair Rachel Whitten Greenville-Pitt County CVB RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
MPI Carolinas Chapter Gets Social – Our first ever MPI-CC Virtual Social Hour was held on October 27. We had a “howling”
Virtually
great time! At the beginning, we heard from our CVB
partners on how they see the industry coming back and
the trends companies are looking for in returning to in-person events. Then, we got into small groups to network. You learn a lot about people in less than 5 minutes in a small group! We couldn’t leave without playing some games like a Halloween scavenger hunt and a virtual Wipeout game. Laughs were had by all! You do not want to miss our next Virtual Social Hour on Wednesday, December 15 at 4 p.m. Register now so you can be a part of the last social hour of the year! Bring your holiday cheer and don’t forget to wear your favorite tacky holiday sweater… you never “gnome,” there may be a prize!
Meet at a spot that has been launching businesses for more than 300 years. While our hotel may be new, our location has been a hub for thriving businesses for as long as we can remember. Originally a fishing ground for American Indians, it became a center for the Menhaden fishing industry after the Civil War. Today, our site continues to inspire business with expansive waterfront views, natural light, luxurious accommodations and tempting cuisine. Stimulate your business at Beaufort Hotel. Where your Outer Banks adventure begins.
2440 Lennoxville Road | Beaufort, NC 28516 | (252) 728-3000 | BeaufortHoteINC.com
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Look Who We Spotted…
...at the Sept 8
| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
tember and November Meetings Photography by Tesh Parekh – IWP Photography
Reinventing Meetings By Bill Scheidt
As the world re-emerges from the global pandemic, we are presented with the opportunity to reinvent how we meet. We now have the chance to look back at the ways we gathered prior to COVID and ask some poignant questions. Do we still want to meet the way we used to? What worked about that? What didn’t? What do we want to change? What do we want to keep? There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and the responses will vary based on the situation and the audience. That said, here are some questions to consider as you reinvent your next meeting. These come from my experience observing meetings – both good and bad - as a guest speaker for more than a decade. It’s amazing what you can learn by watching and listening!
What is the purpose of this meeting?
We can’t accomplish a goal if we don’t know what it is. And nothing seems like more of a time-suck than attending a meaningless gathering. Having a clear purpose for your meeting allows the attendees to show up with a sense of engagement, ready to accomplish a specific mission. A clear purpose creates alignment, momentum, and focus.
What is the name of this meeting?
What’s in a name? Well, a lot actually. The name of the meeting should align with the purpose. The name sets the context, creates a sense of expectation, and clues us in on how to prepare. How we prepare for a brainstorming session is different than how we prepare for a focus group, which is different than how we prepare for a networking gathering.
Who are we going to invite?
Having the right people in attendance makes all the difference. Leaving important people off the list means that the group could be lacking needed expertise or authority to make decisions. Worse still, not inviting some people could create unintentional political blowback, or simply mean that more work will be needed to disseminate information from the meeting to those not present. On the other hand, inviting extraneous people can create a confusing amount of input, dilute the purpose of the meeting, or risk sensitive information.
resources needed, do we have the physical space needed, and what level of health and safety risks are we exposing ourselves to. Again, there are no right or wrong answers to these questions, as every meeting will have its own unique set of circumstances. However, careful consideration of these elements will carry us a long way in powerfully and productively reinventing meetings as the world continues to evolve.
Make your next meeting a success by working with Sewa Beats. Connect with us at www.sewabeatsusa.com or call us at 800-273-1465.
What is our platform?
The choice to go virtual, face-to-face or hybrid is one that brings up several other questions. Not only do we want the platform to work in the context of the above three considerations, but we can also ask ourselves how long the meeting will be, do we have the technological
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
Bill Scheidt Managing Partner Sewa Beats North America
CAROLINAS CHAPTER
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Statement MPI – Carolinas Chapter is a community of professionals who value inclusivity, professional development, and action through purposeful connections with one another. This year, we have added a new focus for our board and our membership, and that focus is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We understand as a chapter that it’s our responsibility to our members and our industry to embrace learning, conversations, and tangible outcomes of DEI that are current and to come. DEI is ever-changing and sometimes complex, but we dedicate each meeting in FY 2021-2022 to exploring new elements of DEI that represent various aspects of our industry. Those elements include meeting programs and new chapter policies presented by people of varying genders, races, cultures, ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, and people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. Some of the places where you may have already noticed our commitment to DEI and will continue to see it: • Education Sessions and Programming • University Partnerships and Mentoring • Member Relations and Engagement • MPI-CC Board • Marketing and Social Media
This will be a new journey for us as a chapter and for some of us as individuals. We have a passion for teaching, learning, and growing together as a membership. Keeping that in mind, we ask for the following actions from our members: 1. Give us feedback and ask questions 2. Let us know what resources you need and topics you don’t understand 3. Continue to be open, honest, and flexible about learning + development 4. Join our committee if you want to be an active ally
“Diversity is a FACT, but inclusion is a CHOICE we make every day! As leaders, we have to put out the message that we embrace and not just tolerate diversity.”
— Nellie Borrero
• Meeting Locations • Registration • Speakers • Set-up • F&B
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ENGAGING by nature WE ARE KIAWAH ISLAND
Welcome The Gastonia Conference Center, located in the revitalized downtown and adjacent to the boutique Esquire Hotel, is a state-of-the-art facility providing 30,000 square feet of tech-savvy space accommodating groups of up to 450 and located only minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
GoGastonNC.org 704-825-4044 | @GoGastonNC
d r a w r o F g n i g v n o i t M c e n & Recon e n mor er bee in v e n s elp s ha re to h eeting son m y, we are he r e p to in ead u are r g back g. Gettin nt. When yo econnectin r a t d impor forward an g movin
PROUD HOST
Sarah Davis, CMP, Director of Sales & Marketing 828.322.1335 Sarah@hickorymetro.com www.visithickorymetro.com Convention Center & Visitors Bureau
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
800.576.1585 • KiawahMeetings.com
MPI-CC
Volunteer of the Quarter 2nd quarter
Diane Weems NC Aggregates Association
Our Volunteer of the 2nd Quarter is Diane Weems with the NC Aggregates Association. Diane is a longtime member of MPI and has been an active volunteer of the Carolinas Chapter since joining. Diane received two nominations this quarter for her volunteer work on the Member Engagement Committee. She is always ready to help wherever necessary. Diane is often volunteering at the registration desk and always brings a big smile! Diane – Thank you for your dedication to the Carolinas Chapter, we appreciate your time and passion! Any member can nominate another for their volunteerism within the chapter, please take the time to acknowledge those that are giving back. You can see the full list of past winners on the chapter website on the Honors page as well as submit your nomination for the next Volunteer of the Quarter. n
Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB Awards Committee Chair
Meet over cocktails ...or spreadsheets. YOU’RE WELCOME.
You’re welcome to work hard and play hard in Greensboro.
visitcabarrus.com
VISITGREENSBORONC.COM
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Jonathan Corbett
We’ve missed hosting meetings—and we can’t wait to welcome groups of all sizes back to Raleigh. Venues like the GBAC STAR™accredited Raleigh Convention Center are now fully open and prepared to safely host visitors once more. Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next meeting, convention or event, we’re ready to lend a helping hand.
visitRaleigh.com/wishmeetings
WHAT EXPERIENCE WILL YOU
C reate?
NETWORKING UPTOWN STYLE
Another hidden gem
Beyond our modern meeting spaces and networking-friendly hotels, you’ll discover legendary Eastern NC whole hog BBQ and a vibrant Uptown District. We’re ready to host your corporate event, trade show or reunion whenever you are. NC’s Emerald City is filled with countless hidden gems.
ashevillemeetings.com
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
See you soon at VisitGreenvilleNC.com
Season of Giving WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN GIVING A DONATION TO OUR ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION?
Serving on our Fundraising Committee was never something on my radar. I am not a numbers person, and the word FUNDRAISING is just so daunting, right? But something changed for me after serving on the board of directors and in the role of Office of the President. Time in those positions taught me just how important fundraising was for our organization. MPI-Carolinas Chapter is a business and although we are run by a group of volunteer leaders, we still have bills and responsibilities just like a business would. While serving on the board, I learned that we only receive a percentage of our membership dues while the majority goes to MPI Global to support education and events on a global scale. Currently, while we are still building back from the pandemic, we receive a 9% reimbursement from MPI Global. Let’s do the math! From a $400 membership that ends up being $36. $36 X 300 members is $10,800. That’s not enough to sustain our chapter and support our own education and events. That being said, we hold annual fundraisers. These fundraisers, like the auction and tradeshow, allow for networking and relationship building, while also providing valuable dollars for our chapter. Can you donate to the Annual Silent Auction? We need your support. Please visit our website and click the bidding for good link or email me directly to learn how you can give back to a chapter that we all love so much. Feel free to think outside the box or partner with a few fellow members to put together a stellar package. We are grateful for your steadfast support and participation in MPI-CC. Nicole Keshler, nkeshler@visitraleigh.com
Nicole Keshler Greater Raleigh CVB Fundraising Committee
CAROLINAS CHAPTER
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Are you passionate about the meeting and events industry? Do you thrive in a team environment? Are you interested in affecting positive change for our chapter?
MPI-CC 2022-2023 Board of Directors Call for Nominations Please consider applying for the MPI-Carolinas Chapter 2022-2023 Board of Directors. As a member of MPI-CC, you have the privilege of nominating yourself or others to serve on the board. We invite you to submit yourself or to recommend someone who you think would be a great leader or contributor to one of the committees. Applications are live on our website, and we’d appreciate your consideration in applying for a board position. Serving on the Board of Directors gives you a chance to work closely with others who have our member’s best interests in mind and are working towards the same goal of growing and evolving our chapter.
How do you qualify to serve on the board? It’s simple! • Be an active member of MPI-CC in good standing. • Be willing to fulfill the obligations of the office in the capacity indicated. • Have a history of involvement in chapter activities. • Have served as a dependable volunteer on a committee (start today!). • Be willing to commit a contribution of time, energy, and creativity to the chapter.
Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP Immediate Past President Nominating Committee Chair
Want another reason to be thankful for attending IMEX America? You’ll receive 20% off new MPI memberships and renewals! Use promo code IMEXA2021 when joining or renewing. Offer valid for premier and preferred memberships only. Join or renew your MPI membership today!
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| Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021
NESTLED
IN
NATURE
CaesarsMeansBusiness.com | 855-633-8238 Carolina Blitz | October - November 2021 |
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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
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.
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 Office; Ricardo Hicks, Tech Factory Productions; Alicia Miller, CMP, Raleigh Chamber; Najauna White, CMP, CDE, The Diversity Movement; Nicole Keshler, Visit Raleigh; Molly Johnson, CMP, QAS, Wilmington & Beaches CVB; Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP, NC Association of CPAs; Bill Scheidt, Sewa Beats North America Photographer Tesh Parekh • IWP Photography 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
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.
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!