VIRGINIA VIEW THE MPI
NEWSLETTER
THIRD QUARTER, 2025
President’s Letter
DWIGHT DRISKILL
A Vibrant Season of Engagement
The past six months have been a dynamic and inspiring time for the MPI Virginia Chapter. Through a diverse lineup of events, from intimate Morning Brew Meet-Ups to the high-energy Annual Education Conference, the chapter has cultivated a thriving community of meetings and events professionals across the Commonwealth. These gatherings have gone beyond networking; they’ve sparked meaningful conversations, shared innovative ideas, and built lasting relationships among planners, suppliers, and hospitality leaders. Educational sessions have tackled timely topics like sustainability, DEI, and the integration of AI in event planning, equipping members with tools to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. With a strong commitment to professional development, inclusion, and collaboration, MPI Virginia continues to elevate the meetings industry and empower its members to lead with purpose and creativity.
Spring & Summer Highlights
MPI Virgina saw a mix of virtual and in-person gatherings designed to foster member engagement and professional development. Southeast Regional Meetup at WEC (June 19, St. Louis, MO): MPI Virginia joined forces with other southeastern chapters for a collaborative networking event during the World Education Congress. Virtual Member Orientations in April, May, and June helped onboard new members and re-engage existing ones with chapter resources and benefits.
The centerpiece of the chapter’s calendar was the Annual Education Conference, held August 6–8 at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel. This multi-day event brought together planners, suppliers, and industry leaders that included a keynote presentation on innovation in event design and the future of hybrid meetings. Breakout sessions covering topics such as DEI in hospitality, sustainability practices, and leveraging AI in event planning. Networking Socials included a waterfront reception and themed happy hours that encouraged collaboration and camaraderie. The conference was widely praised for its professional execution and relevance to current industry challenges.
Following the conference, MPI Virginia kept the momentum going with several local events. Morning Brew Meet-Up (August 22, Richmond): A casual coffee gathering for members to reconnect post-conference. Happy Hour (August 20, Richmond): A relaxed social event to celebrate the success of the Annual Conference. Virtual Member Orientation (August 15): Continued efforts to welcome and educate new members. Education & Networking Social (September 23, Echelon Wine Bar, Richmond): A blend of learning and leisure in a vibrant setting.
Looking Ahead
We have a strong foundation, and MPI Virginia is poised for continued growth and impact. The momentum built through successful events, meaningful connections, and high-quality education has created a vibrant community of professionals eager to take the next step.
As we move into the final quarter of 2025, members can look forward to a robust calendar of events designed to enrich their professional lives. Upcoming Morning Brew Meet-Ups will offer relaxed, earlymorning networking opportunities in cities like Bon Air and Richmond. Happy Hours will continue to provide casual, after-work settings for collaboration and camaraderie, while Education Sessions will dive deeper into industry trends and best practices.
These events are more than just dates on a calendar they’re touchpoints for inspiration, learning, and leadership development. Whether you ' re a seasoned planner or new to the industry, MPI Virginia is committed to helping you grow, connect, and thrive.
Dwight Driskill President
Welcome Newest Members
Dayna Flowers Richmond Region Tourism
Kassidy Kool
Barry Moore
Kourtney Ramirez
Better Business Bureau
Michelle Rao Chesapeake Conference Center
Kristi Saunders Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center
Teresa Darnell Eastman Chemical Company
Jacqueline Evans Groovin Gourmets
Shirley Hamblet University of Virginia
Will Minnich
Stephanie Philcox
Robin Sweeney
Delta Hotels by Marriott Richmond Downtown
Kiernan Wilkins Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
We are pleased to offer you an opportunity to help a colleague, friend, or young professional experience the benefits of MPI membership.
LEARN MORE HERE
MembershipMilestones
Join us in celebrating these amazing members and their commitment to MPI Virginia
1-Year Members
Nadia Borta
Donna Casanave
Marianne Johnson, MEDRVA Foundation
Rachel Poarch
2-Year Members
Kate Belleman, Dover Hall Experiences, LLC
Melanie Bowman, GoldKey PHR
Alexa Kirkpatrick
Erica Long, University of Richmond
Jessica McCarthy-Hills, McCarthy Hills LLC
Valencia Moore, Chesapeake Convention & Visitors Bureau
Perkins Morgan, Paisley and Jade
Janel Pleasant, Greater Richmond Convention Center
Kristi Saunders, Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center
Lindsay Thompson
Beth Wood, Wintergreen Resort
5+ Year Members
Connie Brewer, C3 Coverage Coaching Consulting – 19 Years
Ariel Cole, Reynolds Community College – 18 Years
Ursula Dees, American Public Power Association – 9 Years
Penny Guiles, Richmond Marriott Downtown – 6 Years
Kathleen Hinger, Colonial Williamsburg Company – 6 Years
Lauren Keys, IBM – 7 Years
Michele Moker, Omni Richmond Hotel – 22 Years
Marla Popkin, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute – 25 Years
Shamera Stewart, American Physical Society – 5 Years
Abigail Tammen, Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS – 27 Years
Megan Williams, Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. – 25 Years
Member Spotlight
Event Sales Director
Town Point Club Sydney Way
Member Since: March 2025
Can’t Live Without: My pillow! The perfect pillow is crucial to a perfect night’s sleep.
Favorite Hobby: I don’t have a favorite, but lately I’ve been reading a lot more.
Why She Joined MPI VA
“I joined MPI to expand my network, connections, and knowledge of the industry. It's also a tool for personal and professional growth, something I think everyone should strive for.”
Industry
“”The comradery and support amongst peers in this industry is unmatched. There are so many people I could call on to have my back if I ever needed help “ What She Loves Most About the
“Network, network, network. "It's about who you know not what you know" is a phrase I always heard from a professor and mentor in college He was right I am not successful on my own Having supportive staff, colleagues, and peers helps me achieve success Nurtured connections is key in this industry ”
Know someone we should spotlight next? Or want to be featured yourself? Let us know now!
Nominate
Annual Conference Recap
We’re still buzzing with excitement and gratitude after gathering with so many of you at this year’s MPI Virginia Annual Conference. From thought-provoking keynotes to hands-on labs, this event truly had something for everyone.
Our lineup of 13 speakers brought such diverse expertise and perspectives to the stage, sparking conversations and new ideas that we’ll carry back into our daily work
AI can simplify the everyday Trevor Sookraj showed us how artificial intelligence can turn daily event tasks into smarter workflows in AI on the Ground.
Inclusion isn’t Optional Joe Jamison highlighted practical ways to design accessible, welcoming meetings in Introduction to Disability Inclusion.
Partnership is Power Lisa Meriwether, Jamie Rawls, & Ann Hayes gave us insider insights on maximizing DMO and CVB collaborations
Stories Connect Us
Rob Haislip reminded us of the Incredible Power of Story to move and inspire
Leadership Starts Within Sam Bean shared high-impact habits for becoming stronger leaders in Learning to Lead Yourself.
The Future is hands-on Dr. Ling Ally Ling closed with the importance of building future-ready meeting talent through realworld experience.
Each presentation gave us new tools, fresh perspectives, and plenty of inspiration to bring back to our communities and careers.
Of course, the conference was also a time to network and celebrate one another. At our Annual Awards Dinner, we had the privilege of recognizing outstanding members who continue to raise the bar for our industry. A heartfelt congratulations to all of our award winners for your leadership, passion, and commitment.
We are deeply thankful to our speakers for sharing your expertise, to our sponsors for helping make this event possible, and to every single person who attended. Your energy, curiosity, and support made this year’s conference unforgettable. Here’s to continuing the conversations, building connections, and bringing all that we learned into the year ahead.
-
Rachael
Holt, CMP, VP of Education
Event Photos
TheCecilH.Bailey, CMP,Mentor Award: ArielCole,CMP
EducationProgramof theYear: “UnmaskingSuccess: UsingEmotional IntelligencetoConquer ImposterSyndrome”–LetitiaBates
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Meet Ups:
HAPPYHOURMEETUPS
SAVE THE DATES: Join MPI Virginia for casual networking and conversation with fellow meeting professionals. These Happy Hour Meet Ups are a great way to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen your community in a relaxed setting.
1.October 17, 2025 | 5:00 – 6:30 pm | Doswell, VA – Register
2.November 19, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 pm | Mechanicsville, VA – Register
3.December 3, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 pm | Richmond, VA – Register
SAVE THE DATES: Start your day with MPI Virginia! Our Morning Brew Meet Ups are a relaxed way to connect with fellow meeting professionals over coffee, conversation, and community.
Upcoming Meet Ups:
1.October 10, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 am | Bon Air, VA – Register
2.November 7, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 am | Richmond, VA – Register
3.December 12, 2025 | 8:00 – 9:00 am | Richmond, VA – Register
More Events
MEMBERORIENTATIONS
SAVE THE DATES: Join us to meet fellow members of the MPI Virginia Chapter, and learn more about how to get the most out of your membership.
Upcoming Orientations:
1.October 15, 2025: 10 am - 10:30 am EST Register Here
2.November 18, 2025: 10 am - 10:30 am EST Register Here
3.December 15, 2025: 11 am - 11:30 am EST Register Here
Learn more about ... Networking Opportunities
CMP Information
Virtual & Live Educational Sessions
Member Engagement & Getting Involved And Much More!
After registering, you will receive a Zoom link to attend the event virtually the day before the event.
Please contact Kathleen Hinger, Director of Sponsorships, for more details at khinger@cwf.org.
November 2025 Education and Networking Program
Date:November5–6,2025
Location:DoubleTreeMidlothian|Richmond,VA
Join us in Richmond for two days of education, insights, and networking designed to help you grow and connect.
Highlights include:
Building Employee Trust with Dr. Heather Williamson Board Seats, Big Impact panel featuring Penny Guiles & industry leaders ...and much more!
Key Deadlines:
Early-bird registration ends October 17
Hotel rate deadline October 20
Register Today
Industry Insights
Curated reads to keep you sharp, savvy, and in-the-know.
10 LESSONS FOR EVENT PROFS FROM HAMILTONS’ DECADE OF SUCCESS
By Matt Swenson | Corporate Event News
Ten years after its groundbreaking debut, 'Hamilton' is more than just a musical, it’s a masterclass in innovation, storytelling, and audience engagement. Consider these 10 powerful lessons event professionals can learn from the show that rewrote the rules
Read More
IMEX AMERICA: THE SCIENCE OF WOW
By Michael Pinchera | MPI Blog
A wow experienced by event attendees is measured by realtime brain responses that objectively show that the experience is valuable to them, second by second Valuable experiences are enjoyable, remembered and create a craving to repeat them. In 20 years of academic research, my group discovered the brain’s valuation network for social-emotional experiences that I named “Immersion” and I’ll be sharing a free app at IMEX America so anyone can measure wow during events
Read More
SILENT SEMINARS MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT
By Adam Parry | Event Industry News
Silent Seminars, a global leader in silent audio technology for events, marked a major milestone with its first large-scale deployment in North America at a leading investment industry conference In partnership with Show Gear, the company delivered crystal-clear audio across a multi-zone setup, supporting more than 1,500 attendees with wireless headsets across nine concurrent seminar areas
Read More
AIRLINE FOOD INNOVATORS HAVE HIGH ASPIRATIONS
By Robert Silk| Travel Weekly
It's Wednesday afternoon, and a few dozen people have gathered to watch Turkish Airlines chef Demir Duzel do a cooking demonstration of manti, a classic Turkish dish...
Turkish Airlines catering contracts manager Esra Karayaka addresses the crowd. Turkish Airlines, she says, views connecting the world through food to be one of its missions.
Read More
CALLING ALL INDUSTRY EXPERTS:
SHARE YOUR VOICE IN THE VIRGINIA VIEW!
MPI Virginia is now accepting original article submissions for our quarterly newsletter and wewantyoutocontribute!
We know our members are some of the most talented and insightful professionals in the meetingsandeventsindustry,andwewanttoshowcaseyourexpertise!Whetherit'saunique perspective,lessonslearned,emergingtrends,bestpractices,orcreativesolutions,yourvoice deservestobeheard
WhySubmit?
Engagewiththechapterinameaningful,visibleway
Elevateyourprofessionalprofile publishedarticlesareperfectforsharingonLinkedInor addingtoyourrésumé
Earnrecognitionamongyourpeersasathoughtleader
Contributetotheindustry’sgrowthbysharingyourknowledge
In some cases, published work may qualify for continuing education (CE) credits toward professionalcertifications
Guidelines:
Articlesshouldbeoriginalcontentandrelevanttothemeetingsandeventsindustry
Submissions may include personal insights, case studies, how-to guides, or commentary onindustrytrends
Wordcount:400–800words(flexible)
Allsubmissionsaresubjecttoeditorialreview
Whether you’re a seasoned planner or an emerging leader with fresh ideas, we encourage youtosubmit!
Readytocontribute?Submityourarticleinformation: SUBMITARTICLEHERE
VOLUNTEER Opportunities
LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED WITH MPI VA?
Are you new to the MPI Virginia Chapter, a current member looking to deepen your involvement, or someone seeking personal leadership opportunities? We are welcoming volunteers in a variety of areas such as planning events, creating content, connecting with members, and supporting behind the scenes. Bring your creativity, leadership, and enthusiasm to help us grow and serve our community. Complete the Volunteer Interest Form below to let us know how you’d like to get involved. We’d love to have you on board.
Volunteer Today
Stay Engaged with MPI Virginia!
This newsletter is just the beginning, the real impact happens when we come together. Join us at upcoming events, explore new ways to get involved, and celebrate the power of connection within our chapter.
We look forward to seeing you at the next gathering!
LET’S CONNECT!
Stay in the know with event updates, industry trends, and networking opportunities. Follow us on social media to stay connected with the MPI Virginia community!
Have a success, insight, or lesson learned that could inspire others? Submit your ideas to be featured in the next edition of The Virginia View.