MPI-CAC seeks nominations for annual awards gala

Nominations are now open for the 2019-2020 chapter awards through March 11

The time for members to shine is just around the corner as MPI-CAC is now accepting nominations for the 2019-2020 chapter awards.

“It’s simple - it takes five minutes, max,” said Sasha Sook, MPI-CAC Awards Selection Committee Co-Chairperson. “People should nominate their peers to say thanks, but to also use it as a way to appreciate their hard work. It feels good to put into words how you appreciate someone and what you value. It makes’s a difference in someone’s life.

“It’s also an opportunity to encourage others to volunteer and also lifts up the MPI organization to the company they work for.”

Awards categories include Young Professional Achievement Award, Tomorrow’s Leader Award, Chapter Leader of the Year Award, Committee of the Year Award, Eleanor H. Woods Supplier of the Year Award, Hall of Fame Awards, Planner of the Year Award and President’s Award.

The committee is also seeking nominations for the Kathy Osterman Meetings & Events Industry Advocate Award. While the majority of the other awards require the recipients to be an MPI member, this one does not. It was created in honor of the memory of Kathy Osterman who served several years in the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events. According to the award description, Osterman “was a dynamic public servant who made a significant contribution to the meetings and hospitality industry in Chicago. In her honor, this award recognizes someone that has contributed greatly to the awareness of our profession and advocates for the power of face to face meetings. He or she should be a recognized leader influential in the community at large.” Previous recipients include Tony Lorenz, CMM, PRA Business Events; Sean Lynch, NHS Global Events; Valerie Braun, Arena Americas; and Brian Palmer, National Speakers Bureau, to name a few.

“This award is our opportunity to rise beyond our internal volunteer force and connect what we do every day to our larger Chicago-area community,” said Joyce Paschall, MPI-CAC Awards Selection Committee Co-Chairperson. “We know that when we meet we change the world; this is our chance to make sure our surrounding community knows it, too!”

The committee is hoping for an outpouring of nominations.

“Honestly ... I don’t know [how many] but enough to make it hard to decide who the winner is,” Sook said.

Paschall agreed.

“We want to be completely inundated with so many submissions that we have to work 24/7 in a select-a-thon to get through them all and determine the most amazing contributions among all that are deserving,” she said.

The award winners and nominees will be recognized Tuesday, June 16, at the Annual Awards Recognition and Celebration at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago.

Nominations are open through March 11. To see a list of categories and criteria, click here.

To nominate, click here.

About the Author: Heather Warthen is Chief Events Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for 22nd Century Media, an award- winning media company specializing in hyperlocal content in Chicagoland. Hired as its first employee in 2005, she is a former award-winning journalist and photographer who now manages the planning, logistics, marketing and executing of more than a dozen community events and expos. She serves on the 2019-2020 MPI-CAC Board of Directors as Director of Marketing & Public Relations.