Thursday, August 21

1:00 - 5:00 PM  Registration
2:00 - 2:20 PM  Welcome
2:20 - 3:20 PM  [Education] Politics & Planning: Navigating Industry Changes in a Shifting Political Landscape
3:30 - 4:30 PM  [Education] Rewriting the Script: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk
4:30 - 5:00 PM  New Member & First-Timer Mix and Mingle - New members and first-time attendees are invited to join the Member Engagement team for an icebreaker and non-alcoholic beverages before going to the welcome reception. We'll also answer your MPI questions and provide information on chapter 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  Chapter Announcements - Chapter leadership will share updates about the chapter and ongoing initiatives. We'll also recognize membership milestones. 
9:20 - 11:30 AM  [Education] Beyond the Surface: Understanding Human Trafficking in the Events Industry
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM WEC Recall & Closing Remarks

DEI Connects

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

This is a casual and meaningful opportunity to build community, spark conversation, and support a restaurant that’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’s their Meal 4 Meal mission—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 participate, please reach out to Star.Robertson@ParksHotels.com, who is here to support and explore options with you.

As political landscapes evolve and public discourse grows increasingly polarized, the events industry is feeling the impact. From legislation influencing where we gather to scrutiny over program content and speaker choices, planners and suppliers are navigating complex and often unpredictable terrain.

In this one-on-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 sponsorship and site selection to programming decisions and attendee expectations.

Together, they’ll explore:

• How recent policy changes are affecting event destinations, partner relationships, and the ability to create welcoming environments for all attendees.
  

• Real-world examples of events adapting to political pushback or needing to shift strategies on the fly.
  

• Actionable strategies for planning with intention, staying aligned with your organization’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 with purpose, even when external pressures challenge your approach. This session will empower you to make informed decisions that honor your attendees, support your team, and protect the mission behind your work.

Learning Takeaways:

• Understand how political and cultural shifts are shaping the events industry, including destination restrictions, content risks, and budget impacts.
  

• Learn how to adapt planning strategies without compromising your organization’s values or attendee experience.
  

• Explore communication tactics that support inclusive programming while navigating political sensitivities.
  

• Gain practical tools for mitigating risk and fostering resilience during uncertain times.

About the Speakers

Najauna White is a marketing strategist who lives at the intersection of brand, culture, and connection. With 15+ years in the travel and tourism industry, she’s built a career helping organizations turn passive audiences into loyal advocates through storytelling that actually sticks. Whether she's advising on strategic partnerships, leading bold campaigns, or shaping brand voice from the inside out, Najauna brings a sharp lens on what it really means to engage. She sits on several industry boards, speaks nationally, and when she's not on stage you can find her on LinkedIn, unapologetically unpacking cultural marketing, social capital, and why engagement is more than just a metric.

Deanna Marie Jones brings over 35 years of experience in the technology sector with a focus on sales, operations, and project management. She spent 25 years at a Fortune 100 technology company leading initiatives, building partnerships, driving innovation, and supporting growth. As President of the Harmony LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, she champions 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—especially those too often overlooked. Her work creates 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 storytelling and insight to guide others through change and toward lasting impact.

She holds an MBA from Elon University and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In her spare time, she speaks at The Monti in Durham and coaches T Ball.

Rewriting the Script: How to Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Our thoughts shape our reality—and with tens of thousands of thoughts passing through our minds each day, it’s no surprise that negative self-talk can take a serious toll on our confidence and mental well-being. In this practical and empowering workshop, we’ll explore the science behind self-talk, why it matters, and how to interrupt the cycle of unhelpful internal dialogue.

Participants will learn how to:

• Recognize negative thought patterns and why this can affect our confidence
• Implement a simple 3-step process to self-correct in real time
• Practice 3 powerful reframing techniques to shift from self-doubt to self-support

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

About the Speaker

Georgia Homsany, Founder & CEO of Daily Dose Wellness, began her career in Marketing & Brand Management, before creating her own corporate wellness company. After spending over 15 years 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 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’s degree in Marketing from the University of Scranton and a Master’s in Business Administration (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. 

This impactful event includes:

• A clear overview of what human trafficking is, including key indicators and misconceptions.
• A live Q&A with a survivor, offering firsthand insight into the real-life experiences and red flags we often overlook.
• A hands-on workshop and training to equip you with practical tools and resources to recognize, report, and help prevent trafficking in your workspaces, venues, and communities.

Whether you’re a planner or a supplier, this training will deepen your awareness and empower you to be part of the solution.

Let’s come together to create safer events and take action where it matters most.

About the Speakers

Pam Strickland is the founder of the nonprofit NC Stop Human Trafficking and serves as its chief executive 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 County Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Pitt County Human Trafficking Multidisplinary Team.

Pam has spoken across the state in communities about what human trafficking is and how to prevent it. She has also developed curriculum for foster parents, guardians ad litem, human trafficking 101 for the community, and making the connection between human trafficking and pornography.

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

 

Sarah Hardman is a survivor of labor trafficking, theologian, 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 communities, especially in faith spaces. Sarah is the founder of trauma-informed programs for survivors, and her research explores the intersections of spiritual abuse, displacement, and exploitation. She speaks nationally on survivor empowerment, cultural identity, and decolonizing faith responses to trafficking.

 

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Help Make a Local Impact

We're partnering with Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center to support local students in need.

Pat’s Place plays a vital role in Mecklenburg County, NC, by coordinating the investigation, treatment, and prosecution of the most serious cases of child 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 need is back-to-school supplies. We’re hosting a donation drive to support local students — please consider bringing school items to contribute! 

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

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Thank You to Our Meeting Partners

 

 

 

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MPI Carolinas Chapter is a CMP Preferred Provider, which means we are formally registered with the Events Industry Council (EIC) and are committed to providing education that aligns with the CMP International Standards (CMP-IS).

 

 

Great Wolf Lodge Charlotte/Concord
10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027