MPI-CAC Celebrates Year of Metamorphosis with Hybrid Annual Awards Recognition Celebration

To celebrate the start of recovery from what may have been the toughest year for the meetings and events industry as well as celebrate the successes, the MPI Chicago Area Chapter hosted its first hybrid event for its Annual Awards Recognition Celebration June 2 at Galleria Marchetti in Chicago’s River North neighborhood as well as virtually via the HybriLuxe platform.

The Annual Awards Recognition Celebration honors the contributions of the chapter’s hardest working volunteers and recognizes those who are making an impact on the meetings and events industry.   

The event kicked off at lunchtime with a virtual dance party at Club Chrysalis, better known as HybriLuxe’s digital platform. Virtual attendees were also given access to red carpet interviews earlier in the evening. In-person guests were treated to an opening party drink — H1 Marketini sponsored by H1 Marketing — and patio games such as giant Jenga and bean bags. Some attendees also had their very first taste of The Original Rainbow Cone, who was on hand with its famous five-scoop treat.

The awards presentation kicked off during dinner with a musical performance by BeatMix Music before launching into the awards. New to this year’s award ceremony was the Resilience Award. “Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover from and how one adapts to difficult life events,” said past president Tina Luppino, who also presented the award. “This past year, all of us have experienced stress, emotional upheaval and suffering as a human race, together. The resilient ones relied on our mental toughness and the ability to work through that emotional pain and suffering. It didn't mean we weren't affected by what was happening in the world around us and in our own homes and circles. The way the resilient ones handled the uncertainty in the world was with our heads held high. We forged forward every day trying to stay positive and share our love for life and each other. This award was created for this year only with these principles in mind.”

Award winners are as follows:

Young Professional Achievement Award - Dillin Ravenscraft

Tomorrow’s Leader Award - Jennifer Charles, Lindsay Plath and Holly O’Donnell

Chapter Leader of the Year Award - Tanya Mishigian

Committee of the Year Award - Marketing & Communications (MarComm)

Eleanor H. Woods Supplier of the Year Award - Encore Global

Hall of Fame Individual Award - Margie McCartney

Hall of Fame Organization Award - U.S. Poker & Casino Parties - Jeff Durocher

Kathy Osterman Lifetime Achievement Award - Rose Horcher

Planner of the Year Award - Michelle Dallas

Resilience Award - Bunny Lee, Nicole Price and Whitney Taylor

President’s Award - Fergal O’Sullivan, Heather Warthen and the 2020-2021 Board of Directors

The committee for this event included Vice President of Special Events Tanya Mishigian, Director of AARC Jonathan Zani, co-chairs Stephanie Swaney and Michelle Dallas, and committee members Mekeda Johnson, Christie Springer, Katrina Stewart and Peggy Kennedy.

Sponsors for the event included: Ateema Media & Marketing, BeatMix Music, BlackOak Technical Productions, Bowery & Bash Inspired Rentals & Spaces, DJ Silkee, Encore Global, Fig Media, Gage Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Galleria Marchetti, H1 Marketing, HybriLuxe, InnerWorkings, Lola Valentina, Luxe Productions, One Chance Media, Pond Ripple Media, Quest Events, Record-A-Hit Entertainment, Rick Aguilar Studios, SSC Entertainment, U.S. Poker & Casino Parties, The Butterfly Company, The Original Rainbow Cone and Tourism Vancouver.

Check out the program here courtesy of BlackOak Technical Production.

For more information on sponsoring future events, check out our partner opportunities by clicking here.