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THE MPI

VIRGINIA VIEW NEWSLETTER

THIRD QUARTER, 2026

Updates & Annoucements Welcome to the The Virginia View! Welcome to the latest edition of The Virginia View. As we move through 2026, we're excited to share highlights from the second quarter, celebrate member accomplishments, and keep you informed about upcoming events and opportunities to connect. Thank you for being an important part of the MPI Virginia community. We look forward to seeing you at an event soon.

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In This Issue President’s Letter Membership News Happy Hour Recaps Annual Conference Recap Upcoming Events 2027 Board Slate Industry Insights Get Involved Sponsor Thank You

President’s Letter PENNY GUILES As we move into the Fall season, I am energized by the momentum and engagement across our MPI -Virginia community. The last couple of months have provided meaningful opportunities to strengthen our relationships, expand our professional networks, and showcase the value and impact of our industry. One of the highlights was our successful Annual Education Conference, where we began celebrating our chapter's 40th Anniversary and came together under the theme Legacy in Motion: Connect. Learn. Lead. The conference was a powerful reminder of the impact our members have made over the past four decades and the exciting future that lies ahead. The insights gained, relationships strengthened, and ideas exchanged throughout the conference underscored the vitality of our chapter and our dedication to advancing the meetings and events profession. We were also proud to participate in VSAE’s Fall Conference & Expo, further strengthening the ongoing partnership between MPI-Virginia and VSAE. Our collaboration continues to create valuable opportunities for connection, education, and industry advancement while fostering relationships between meeting professionals and association leaders across the Commonwealth. Through our ongoing partnership, both organizations remain committed to supporting the meetings and events industry, sharing best practices, and creating meaningful experiences that benefit our members and the communities we serve. As we look ahead, I encourage each of you to stay connected and continue taking advantage of the many opportunities our chapter provides. Whether through educational programs, networking events, volunteer leadership, or industry partnerships, your involvement is what makes MPI-Virginia thrive. As we look ahead, I am excited to finish my presidential year strong by working alongside our incoming Board of Directors to ensure a seamless transition and set the stage for another successful year for MPI-Virginia. As we continue celebrating our 40th Anniversary, I am reminded of the incredible leaders, volunteers, and members who have helped shape our chapter's legacy over the past four decades. While we honor our history, we are also focused on the future, investing in new leaders, fostering member engagement, and building on the momentum we've created together. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to MPI-Virginia.

Penny Guiles President MPI-VA Chapter

Welcome Newest Members

Wilson Brown Angelica Harris Tracey Hughes, CMP Nicki McCarthy Leigh-Ann Wenzel, CMP 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

Member Spotlight Rachael Koch, CMP Assistant Director of Sales, Richmond Marriott, Courtyard and Residence Inn Downtown Member Since: 2023 Can’t Live Without: Coffee Favorite Hobby: Reading - currently into any and all Romantasy series

Why She Joined MPI VA “”I have always loved to network and wanted to be apart of a community that offered great networking and continuing education. It was a goal of mine to get my CMP and MPI Virginia helped me get there!”

What She Loves Most About the Industry ”Everyday is different! I love that I get to see full events come to life from the begining until the end and seeing all the hard work pay off on the attendees faces.”

Her Advice to Newcomers “Get involved! You only get out what you put in and I am a product of that. When I was asked to join the board I didn’t think I was cut out for it, but have grown more professionally through MPI Virginia than I ever thought possible!”

Know someone we should spotlight next? Or want to be featured yourself? Let us know now!

Nominate

Membership Milestones Join us in celebrating these amazing members and their commitment to MPI Virginia 1 Year Members Kassidy Kool Barry Moore Teresa Darnell Shirley Hamblet Will Minnich Stephanie Philcox Kiernan Wilkins

1 Year Student Members Ryleigh Allen, Bella Bartlett, Rebecca Couric, Amanda Douthat, Hannah Estes, Anna Garrison, Alyssa Helmick, Victoria Inmon, Nariah Johnson, Ester Kaya, Aliki Leonard, Hannah Matthews, Hanna Mowery, Jadelyn Smoot, Gracie Starnes, Avery Sullivan, & Lacey Voiles

2-4 Year Members

Dayna Flowers - 2 years Jessica McCarthy-Hills, CAPM- 2 years Janel Pleasant - 2 years Kourtney Ramirez - 2 years Michelle Rao - 2 years Jacqueline Evans - 2 years Robin Sweeney - 2 years Marianne Johnson - 2 years Tiffany Joyner, MBA - 2 years Melanie Bowman, CMP - 3 years Alexa Kirkpatrick - 3 years Valencia Moore - 3 years Kristi Saunders - 3 years Beth Wood - 3 years Lindsay Thompson, CMP - 3 years Rachel Foutz - 4 years Tracey Hughes, CMP - 4 years Cheryl Simmons - 4 years Erica Long - 4 years Gillian Saul - 4 years

Membership Milestones 5-10 Year Members

Rachel Foutz - 4 years Tracey Hughes, CMP - 4 years Cheryl Simmons - 4 years Erica Long - 4 years Gillian Saul - 4 years Shaun Simon - 5 years Shamera Stewart, CMP, MBA, DES - 5 years Lauren Keys - 7 years Penny Guiles - 7 years Ursula Dees, CMM - 10 years

19+ Year Members

Ariel Cole, CMP - 19 years Michele Moker - 23 years Megan Williams, CMP, CAE - 26 years Abigail Tammen - 28 years

MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, MPI Virginia is proud to offer a Membership Scholarship to help professionals connect, grow, and get more involved in our community. The scholarship includes one complimentary Preferred Level Planner or Supplier Membership, available for either a new membership or renewal.

APPLY TODAY!

Applications Close Friday, September 18th

Happy Hour Recaps July 9th | Virginia Guesthouse | Charolettesville, VA

MPI Virginia members gathered at Perch at Virginia Guesthouse in Charlottesville for an evening of networking, conversation, and connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this Happy Hour a great opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals!

July 22nd | Chesapeake Conference Center | Chesapeake, VA

Our MPI Virginia community came together at Chesapeake Conference Center for a fun evening of networking and connection. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make our July Happy Hour a memorable evening!

2026 Annual Conference Recap

This year’s conference honored four decades of connection, education, leadership, and community while looking ahead to what’s next for our chapter and our industry. Attendees came together for three days of meaningful education, inspiring conversations, and opportunities to strengthen relationships across Virginia’s meetings and events community. We explored everything from the future of the industry and the evolving economy to difficult conversations, human trafficking awareness, intentional networking, and creating more meaningful experiences through meetings.

A special highlight was hearing from Michael Dominguez, President & CEO of ALHI, who brought his industry expertise and perspective to the conference as one of our featured speakers. We also welcomed an incredible lineup of educators and industry leaders, including Abby Tammen, Brenda Neckvatal, David Carberry, Christian Markow, and many others who challenged us to think differently, lead intentionally, and continue growing.

Stay Up-To-Date and View All Our Events

Of course, no 40th anniversary celebration would be complete without taking time to recognize the people who have helped shape MPI Virginia over the years. Our anniversary celebration was a wonderful reminder that our chapter’s legacy is built by the members, volunteers, leaders, partners, and industry friends who continue to show up and invest in one another. We are incredibly grateful to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, Board of Directors, host hotel, and every attendee who helped make this milestone conference so special. 40 years behind us. A legacy to build on. And so much still ahead. Thank you for being part of the MPI Virginia story.

Event Photos Stay Up-To-Date and View All Our Events

Congratulations to our MPI VA Annual Award Winners

Most Creative Host Facility of the Year : The Rennissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel

The J.B. Bostic Torchlight Award: Heather Buss

Howard Feiertag Impact Member of the Year Award: Valenica Moore

Young Professional Award: Caleb Shifflett

The Cecil H. Bailey, CMP, Mentor Award: Christi Ruddy, CMP

Meeting Industry Leadership Award: Martina James

President’s Award: Valencia Moore

Education Program of the Year: “Fostering a Culture of Innovation” Shawn Smith

Thank you to our 2026 Annual Conference Sponsors! Diamond Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Event Partners

Interested in Sponsoring Next Year? We’re currently looking for 2027 Sponsors and Silent Auction Items!

All proceeds go back to MPI Virignia’s Education’s and Sponsorhip Programs!

Reach out to info@mpivirginia.org to learn more!

Upcoming Events

Registration opening soon! Stay Up-To-Date and View All Our Events

2027 Board of Directors Slate The MPI Virginia Chapter Governance and Nominating Committee has selected the following individuals, whom we believe to have the skills, dedication, and integrity to provide outstanding leadership to our chapter during their term of office.

If you are a member in good standing, you have the right to review and challenge the slate of directors by October 8th as indicated in the chapter bylaws. Feedback should be emailed to info@mpivirginia.org. If positions remain uncontested, the slate of officers and directors will be considered approved by a unanimous vote after 30 days. Please congratulate and thank these members for their service.

Industry Insights

Curated reads to keep you sharp, savvy, and in-the-know.

BEYOND THE JUICE BAR: SYSTEMATIZING WELLBEING TO PROTECT EVENT ROI

By Erika Gonzalez | EIC Sustainability and Social Impact Committee The direct costs of event planning have increased by 12.2% since 2019, according to the 2026 EIC Global Economic Significance of Business Events report. In light of escalating food and materials expenses, event strategists face the pressing challenge of protecting their return on investment (ROI).

LEADERSHIP IS A PRACTICE, NOT A POSITION By Devin Lews, CMP-Fellow, CEM, DES Chair, CMP Governance Commission Leadership is often associated with a title, a position or a moment of visible achievement. It is reflected in how we prepare, how we respond when plans change and how we support the people around us. It is demonstrated through the standards we uphold when no one is watching and our willingness to share what we have learned with those who will lead after us.

BUILDING AN INDUSTRY WHERE PEOPLE CAN THRIVE This month, we focus on Wellbeing—and the responsibility and opportunity we share to create healthier, more sustainable experiences for the people who power our industry.

BEYOND ECONOMIC IMPACT: WHY IT’S TIME WE TELL A STRONGER STORY ABOUT BUSINESS EVENTS By Deanna Griffith‑House, CMP Fellow, CMM, PMP CMP Governance Commission Chair Elect As the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study has now confirmed, our industry is one of the most powerful economic and societal forces in the world. We have the data. We know the impact. But the question remains: Are we telling that story as powerfully as we could? And in today’s environment, that matters more than ever.

GET INVOLVED WITH MPI VIRGINIA Looking to connect and grow within the meetings and events industry? MPI Virginia offers opportunities to lead, volunteer, and share your voice.

VOLUNTEER Opportunities

Are you new to the MPI Virginia Chapter? Are you a current member looking to engage further with chapter membership? Or are you looking for personal leadership opportunities and experience? Reach out to Kristy Geiger, Director of Leadership Development at kristy@eventivethinking.com to learn how you can maximize your membership today.

CALLING ALL INDUSTRY EXPERTS: SHARE YOUR VOICE IN THE VIRGINIA VIEW! Share insights on trends, lessons learned, best practices, or creative solutions shaping the meetings and events industry. Contribute an original article to The Virginia View, MPI Virginia’s quarterly newsletter, and showcase your expertise.

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