BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH PRODID:-//Telerik Inc.//Sitefinity CMS 15.3//EN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Eastern Standard Time BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20251102T020000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=1SU;BYHOUR=2;BYMINUTE=0;BYMONTH=11 TZNAME:Eastern Standard Time TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20250301T020000 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=2SU;BYHOUR=2;BYMINUTE=0;BYMONTH=3 TZNAME:Eastern Daylight Time TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:Thursday\, August 211:00 - 5:00 PM \; Registration 2:00 - 2 :20 PM \; Welcome 2:20 - 3:20 PM \; [Education] \;Politics &am p\; Planning: Navigating Industry Changes in a Shifting Political Landscap e3:30 - 4:30 PM \; [Education] \;Rewriting the Script: How to Refr ame Negative Self-Talk 4:30 - 5:00 PM \; New Member &\; First-Timer Mix and Mingle - \;New members and first-time attendees are invited t o join the Member Engagement team for an icebreaker and non-alcoholic beve rages before going to the welcome reception. We'll also answer your MPI qu estions and provide information on chapter volunteer opportunities. \; 4:45 - 6:15 PM \; Networking ReceptionFriday\, August 228:00 AM - 10:0 0 AM Registration8:00 AM - 9:00 AM \; Breakfast8:45 - 9:15 AM \; C hapter Announcements \;- Chapter leadership will share updates about t he chapter and ongoing initiatives. We'll also recognize membership milest ones. \;9:20 - 11:30 AM \; [Education] \;Beyond the Surface: U nderstanding Human Trafficking in the Events Industry11:30 AM - 12:00 PM W EC Recall &\; \;Closing RemarksDEI ConnectsAug. 22\, 12:30 PM at Ta cos 4 Life Concord MillsThis is a casual and meaningful opportunity to bui ld community\, spark conversation\, and support a restaurant that&rsquo\;s making a difference. For every taco\, rice bowl\, salad\, quesadilla\, or nachos you enjoy\, \;Tacos 4 Life donates a portion to Feed My Starvi ng Children. It&rsquo\;s their \;Meal 4 Meal \;mission&mdash\;grea t tacos\, even greater cause. \;DEI Connects is hosted by the DEI Comm ittee. Food and beverage are order and pay your own way. \;If you requ ire accommodations in order to participate\, please reach out to \;Sta r.Robertson@ParksHotels.com\, who is here to support and explore options w ith you. \;Education SessionsPolitics &\; Planning - Navigating Ind ustry Changes in a Shifting Political Landscape: A Conversation with Deann a Jones \; \;As political landscapes evolve and public discourse g rows increasingly polarized\, the events industry is feeling the impact. F rom legislation influencing where we gather to scrutiny over program conte nt and speaker choices\, planners and suppliers are navigating complex and often unpredictable terrain.In this one-on-one conversation\, Najauna Whi te of Miles Partnership and Deanna Jones\, President of Harmony: NC LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce\, will explore how political and cultural shift s are influencing everything from sponsorship and site selection to progra mming decisions and attendee expectations.Together\, they&rsquo\;ll explor e:How recent policy changes are affecting event destinations\, partner rel ationships\, and the ability to create welcoming environments for all atte ndees.Real-world examples of events adapting to political pushback or need ing to shift strategies on the fly.Actionable strategies for planning with intention\, staying aligned with your organization&rsquo\;s values while navigating risk and resistance.How to remain resilient\, thoughtful\, and forward-thinking when designing events in politically charged environments .Join us for an honest\, solution-focused conversation about how to lead w ith purpose\, even when external pressures challenge your approach. This s ession will empower you to make informed decisions that honor your attende es\, support your team\, and protect the mission behind your work.Learning Takeaways:Understand how political and cultural shifts are shaping the ev ents industry\, including destination restrictions\, content risks\, and b udget impacts.Learn how to adapt planning strategies without compromising your organization&rsquo\;s values or attendee experience.Explore communica tion tactics that support inclusive programming while navigating political sensitivities.Gain practical tools for mitigating risk and fostering resi lience during uncertain times.About the SpeakersNajauna White is a marketi ng strategist who lives at the intersection of brand\, culture\, and conne ction. With 15+ years in the travel and tourism industry\, she&rsquo\;s bu ilt a career helping organizations turn passive audiences into loyal advoc ates through storytelling that actually sticks. Whether she's advising on strategic partnerships\, leading bold campaigns\, or shaping brand voice f rom the inside out\, Najauna brings a sharp lens on what it really means t o engage. She sits on several industry boards\, speaks nationally\, and wh en she's not on stage you can find her on LinkedIn\, unapologetically unpa cking cultural marketing\, social capital\, and why engagement is more tha n just a metric. \;Deanna Marie Jones brings over 35 years of experien ce in the technology sector with a focus on sales\, operations\, and proje ct management. She spent 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company lead ing initiatives\, building partnerships\, driving innovation\, and support ing growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce\, she c hampions inclusion and belonging. She also serves on the DEI Committee for Meeting Professionals International.Deanna helps organizations build and support a diverse workforce by rethinking how they recruit\, retain\, and raise up talent&mdash\;especially those too often overlooked. Her work cre ates cultures where people bring their full gifts to work and thrive. When people do what lights them up\, it lifts the entire organization. Drawing from both corporate leadership and lived experience\, she uses storytelli ng and insight to guide others through change and toward lasting impact.Sh e holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master&rsquo\;s in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare ti me\, she speaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T Ball. \;Rewriting the Script: How to Reframe Negative Self-TalkOur thoughts shape our reali ty&mdash\;and with tens of thousands of thoughts passing through our minds each day\, it&rsquo\;s no surprise that negative self-talk can take a ser ious toll on our confidence and mental well-being. In this practical and e mpowering workshop\, we&rsquo\;ll explore the science behind self-talk\, w hy it matters\, and how to interrupt the cycle of unhelpful internal dialo gue.Participants will learn how to:Recognize negative thought patterns and why this can affect our confidenceImplement a simple 3-step process to se lf-correct in real timePractice 3 powerful reframing techniques to shift f rom self-doubt to self-supportWalk away with different ways of reframing y our day-to-day thoughts to foster higher self-esteem and show up more conf ident at work and in your personal life.About the SpeakerGeorgia Homsany\, Founder &\; CEO of Daily Dose Wellness\, began her career in Marketing &\; Brand Management\, before creating her own corporate wellness comp any. After spending over 15 years in Corporate America\, Georgia started D aily Dose to provide virtual "wellness breaks" to give employees the time needed to prevent burnout and promote positive mental health.She is a self taught\, wellness guru with a business background\, a member of Raleigh M etro SHRM and writer for their Wellness Blog. She also recently published her first book- You're Not Lazy- Change Your Words to Change Your Worth to help people build their confidence through the power of self-talk.Georgia is a New Jersey native and holds a bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in Marketing from the University of Scranton and a Master&rsquo\;s in Business Administ ration (MBA) from Boston University. She is trained in level 2 Reiki\, EFT /Tapping\, loves yoga\, oysters\, wine and is an avid traveler.Georgia was recently a contestant on Season 14 of The Blox show for entrepreneurs.&nb sp\; \;Beyond the Surface: Understanding Human Trafficking in the Even ts IndustryJoin us for a powerful and eye-opening session designed specifi cally for event planners and industry suppliers to better understand the h idden realities of human trafficking and how our industry can be both vuln erable and pivotal in prevention.This impactful event includes:A clear ove rview of what human trafficking is\, including key indicators and misconce ptions.A live Q&\;A with a survivor\, offering firsthand insight into t he real-life experiences and red flags we often overlook.A hands-on worksh op and training to equip you with practical tools and resources to recogni ze\, report\, and help prevent trafficking in your workspaces\, venues\, a nd communities.Whether you&rsquo\;re a planner or a supplier\, this traini ng will deepen your awareness and empower you to be part of the solution.L et&rsquo\;s come together to create safer events and take action where it matters most.About the SpeakersPam Strickland is the founder of the nonpro fit NC Stop Human Trafficking and serves as its chief executive officer. S he has been training professionals in North Carolina about the reality of human trafficking for more than a decade. Under her leadership\, NC Stop H uman Trafficking founded and facilitates the Pitt County Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Pitt County Human Trafficking Multidisplinary T eam.Pam has spoken across the state in communities about what human traffi cking is and how to prevent it. She has also developed curriculum for fost er parents\, guardians ad litem\, human trafficking 101 for the community\ , and making the connection between human trafficking and pornography.In h er spare time\, she enjoys spending time with her husband\, son and their two dogs. Traveling\, reading\, and supporting the Tar Heels are other int erests. \;Sarah Hardman is a survivor of labor trafficking\, theologia n\, and community organizer with over a decade of experience in advocacy\, public theology\, and survivor leadership. As a Syrian Orthodox Christian and Arab-American\, her work centers the voices of marginalized communiti es\, especially in faith spaces. Sarah is the founder of trauma-informed p rograms for survivors\, and her research explores the intersections of spi ritual abuse\, displacement\, and exploitation. She speaks nationally on s urvivor empowerment\, cultural identity\, and decolonizing faith responses to trafficking. \; \;Help Make a Local ImpactWe're partnering wit h Pat&rsquo\;s Place Child Advocacy Center to support local students in ne ed.Pat&rsquo\;s Place plays a vital role in Mecklenburg County\, NC\, by c oordinating the investigation\, treatment\, and prosecution of the most se rious cases of child abuse. Their child-focused environment puts the well- being of kids first\, while their training\, education\, and outreach effo rts help break the cycle of abuse in our community.This month\, the greate st need is back-to-school supplies. We&rsquo\;re hosting a donation drive to support local students &mdash\; please consider bringing school items t o contribute! \;Suggested donations include notebook paper\, compositi on books\, pencils\, erasers\, highlighters\, markers\, colored pencils\, crayons\, glue sticks\, tissue boxes\, paper towels\, disinfectant wipes\ , and hand sanitizer. \;Thank You to Our Meeting Partners \; \ ; \; \;MPI Carolinas Chapter is a CMP Preferred Provider\, which m eans we are formally registered with the Events Industry Council (EIC) and are committed to providing education that aligns with the CMP Internation al Standards (CMP-IS). \; \; DTEND:20250822T160000Z DTSTAMP:20260308T234817Z DTSTART:20250821T180000Z LOCATION:NC\,USA\,Concord\,10175 Weddington Rd. SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:August Chapter Meeting UID:RFCALITEM639085924979809733 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Thursday\, Augu st 21

1:00 - 5:00 PM \; Registration
2:00 - 2:20 PM \; Welcome
2:20 - 3:20 PM \; [Education] \;Politics &\; Planning: Navigating Industry C hanges in a Shifting Political Landscape
3:30 - 4:30 PM \; [Education] \;Rewritin g the Script: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk < br />4:30 - 5:00 PM \; New Membe r &\; First-Timer Mix and Mingle - \;New members an d first-time attendees are invited to join the Member Engagement team for an icebreaker and non-alcoholic beverages before going to the welcome rece ption. We'll also answer your MPI questions and provide information on cha pter volunteer opportunities. \;
4:45 - 6:15 PM \; Networking Reception

Friday\, August 22

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM Registration
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM \; Breakfast
8:45 - 9:15 AM \; Chap ter Announcements \;- Chapter leadership will share up dates about the chapter and ongoing initiatives. We'll also recognize memb ership milestones. \;
9:20 - 11:30 AM \; [Education] \;Beyond the Surface: Understanding Hum an Trafficking in the Events Industry
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM WEC Recall &\; \;Cl osing Remarks

DEI Connects

Aug. 22\, 12:30 PM at Tacos 4 Life Concord Mills

This is a casua l and meaningful opportunity to build community\, spark conversation\, and support a restaurant that&rsquo\;s making a difference. For every taco\, rice bowl\, salad\, quesadilla\, or nachos you enjoy\, \;Tacos 4 Life donates a portion to Feed My Starving Children. It&rsquo\;s their \;Me al 4 Meal \;mission&mdash\;great tacos\, even greater cause. \;DEI Connects is hosted by the DEI Committee. Food and beverage are order and pay your own way. \;If you require accommodations in order to particip ate\, please reach out to \;Star.Robertson@P arksHotels.com\, who is here to support and explore options with you.< span style="background-color:initial\;font-size:inherit\;text-align:inheri t\;text-transform:inherit\;word-spacing:normal\;caret-color:auto\;white-sp ace:inherit\;">

 \;

Education Sessions

Politics &\; Planning - Navigating Industry Changes in a Shifting Political Landscape: A Conversation with Deanna Jones \;  \;

As political landscapes evolve and public discourse grows increasingly p olarized\, the events industry is feeling the impact. From legislation inf luencing where we gather to scrutiny over program content and speaker choi ces\, planners and suppliers are navigating complex and often unpredictabl e terrain.

In this one-o n-one conversation\, Najauna White of Miles Partnership and Deanna Jones\, President of Harmony: NC LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce\, will explore how political and cultural shifts are influencing everything from sponsors hip and site selection to programming decisions and attendee expectations.

Together\, they&rsquo\;ll explore:

Join us for an honest\, solution-focused conversation abo ut how to lead with purpose\, even when external pressures challenge your approach. This session will empower you to make informed decisions that ho nor your attendees\, support your team\, and protect the mission behind yo ur work.

Learning Takeaways:

About the Speakers

Najauna White< strong>Najauna White is a marketing strategist who lives at the i ntersection of brand\, culture\, and connection. With 15+ years in the tra vel and tourism industry\, she&rsquo\;s built a career helping organizatio ns turn passive audiences into loyal advocates through storytelling that a ctually sticks. Whether she's advising on strategic partnerships\, leading bold campaigns\, or shaping brand voice from the inside out\, Najauna bri ngs a sharp lens on what it really means to engage. She sits on several in dustry boards\, speaks nationally\, and when she's not on stage you can fi nd her on LinkedIn\, unapologetically unpacking cultural marketing\, socia l capital\, and why engagement is more than just a metric.

 \;

Deanna JonesDeanna Mar ie Jones brings over 35 years of experience in the technology sec tor with a focus on sales\, operations\, and project management. She spent 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company leading initiatives\, buildi ng partnerships\, driving innovation\, and supporting growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce\, she champions inclusion and b elonging. She also serves on the DEI Committee for Meeting Professionals I nternational.

Deanna helps orga nizations build and support a diverse workforce by rethinking how they rec ruit\, retain\, and raise up talent&mdash\;especially those too often over looked. Her work creates cultures where people bring their full gifts to w ork and thrive. When people do what lights them up\, it lifts the entire o rganization. Drawing from both corporate leadership and lived experience\, she uses storytelling and insight to guide others through change and towa rd lasting impact.

She holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master&rsquo\;s in Instructional Technolog y from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time\, she s peaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T Ball.

 \;

Rewriting the Script: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Our thoughts shape our reality&m dash\;and with tens of thousands of thoughts passing through our minds eac h day\, it&rsquo\;s no surprise that negative self-talk can take a serious toll on our confidence and mental well-being. In this practical and empow ering workshop\, we&rsquo\;ll explore the science behind self-talk\, why i t matters\, and how to interrupt the cycle of unhelpful internal dialogue.

Participants will learn how to:

Walk away with different ways of reframing your day-to-day though ts to foster higher self-esteem and show up more confident at work and in your personal life.

Ab out the Speaker

Ge orgia HomsanyGeorgia Homs any\, Founder &\; CEO of Daily D ose Wellness\, began her career in Marketing &\; Brand Management\, bef ore creating her own corporate wellness company. After spending over 15 ye ars in Corporate America\, Georgia started Daily Dose to provide virtual " wellness breaks" to give employees the time needed to prevent burnout and promote positive mental health.

She is a self taught\, wellness guru with a business background\, a member of Raleigh Metro SHRM and writer for their Wellness Blog. She als o recently published her first book- You're Not Lazy- Change Your Words to Change Your Worth to help people build their confidence through the power of self-talk.

Georgia is a New Jersey native and holds a bachelor&rsquo\;s degree in Marketing from the University of Scranton and a Master&rsquo\;s in Business Administration (M BA) from Boston University. She is trained in level 2 Reiki\, EFT/Tapping\ , loves yoga\, oysters\, wine and is an avid traveler.

Georgia was recently a contestant on Season 14 of The Blox show for entrepreneurs. \;

& nbsp\;

Beyond the Surface: Understanding Human Trafficking in the Events Industry


Join us for a powerful and eye-opening session designed spe cifically for event planners and industry suppliers to better understand t he hidden realities of human trafficking and how our industry can be both vulnerable and pivotal in prevention.

T his impactful event includes:

Whether you&rsquo\;re a planner or a supplier\, this training will dee pen your awareness and empower you to be part of the solution.

Let&rsquo\;s come together to create safer events an d take action where it matters most.

About the Speakers

Pa m StricklandPam Strickland is the founde r of the nonprofit NC Stop Human Trafficking and serves as its chief execu tive officer. She has been training professionals in North Carolina about the reality of human trafficking for more than a decade. Under her leadership\, NC Stop Human Trafficking founded and facilitates the Pitt Co unty Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Pitt County Human Traffic king Multidisplinary Team.

Pam has spoken across the state in co mmunities about what human trafficking is and how to prevent it. She has a lso developed curriculum for foster parents\, guardians ad litem\, human t rafficking 101 for the community\, and making the connection between human trafficking and pornography.

In her spare time\, she enjoys spendin g time with her husband\, son and their two dogs. Traveling\, reading\, an d supporting the Tar Heels are other interests.

 \;

Sarah Hard man

Sarah Har dman is a survivor of labor trafficking\, theologian\, and commun ity organizer with over a decade of experience in advocacy\, public theolo gy\, and survivor leadership. As a Syrian Orthodox Christian and Arab-Amer ican\, her work centers the voices of marginalized communities\, especiall y in faith spaces. Sarah is the founder of trauma-informed programs for su rvivors\, and her research explores the intersections of spiritual abuse\, displacement\, and exploitation. She speaks nationally on survivor empowe rment\, cultural identity\, and decolonizing faith responses to traffickin g.

  \;

 \;

Help Make a Local Impact

We're partne ring with Pat&rsqu o\;s Place Child Advocacy Center to support local students in need.

Pat 9\;s Place child advocacy center< p>Pat&rsquo\;s Pla ce plays a vital role in Mecklenburg County\, NC\, by coordinating the inv estigation\, treatment\, and prosecution of the most serious cases of chil d abuse. Their child-focused environment puts the well-being of kids first \, while their training\, education\, and outreach efforts help break the cycle of abuse in our community.

This month\, the greatest ne ed is back-to-school supplies. We&rsquo\;re hosting a donation drive to su pport local students &mdash\; please consider bringing school items to con tribute! \;

Suggested donations include notebook paper\, composition books\, penci ls\, erasers\, highlighters\, markers\, colored pencils\, crayons\, glue sticks\, tissue boxes\, paper towels\, disinfectant wipes\, and hand sanit izer.

 \;

Thank You to Our Meeting Partners

&nbs p\;

Great Wolf Lodge

 \;

 \;

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CMP preferred provider. Powered by the events industry council MPI Carolinas Chapter is a CMP Preferred Provider\, which means we are for mally registered with the Events Industry Council (EIC) and are committed to providing education that aligns with the CMP International Standards (C MP-IS).

 \;

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END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR