Annual MPI Chicago Area Chapter Awards

The MPI-CAC Chapter Leader of the Year recognizes an engaged member who has contributed significantly to the chapter in the current fiscal year.  Nominees’ contributions may include inspiring other members, creating new initiatives or acting as a catalyst to bring about exceptional results in the chapter.  Nominees will also be considered for their MPI-CAC leadership, industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.

Individuals that have previously received this award are not eligible to be selected again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:  

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC.
• This person must have served as a committee or task force member or as a chapter leader in the current fiscal year.
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• The nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.
  

The MPI-CAC Committee of the Year Award is presented to the committee whose efforts, initiatives, and creativity have resulted in significant contributions to the chapter. Nominees will be evaluated upon goal achievement, administrative excellence, committee member engagement, leadership succession, and innovation or creativity.

Criteria:  

• This award is based on service from the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year (April 1 - June 30) through the first three quarters of the current fiscal year (July 1 - March 31).
• The nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration
• Must submit your committee business plan

This award was renamed to honor the career and industry involvement of Eleanor H. Woods, following her passing. Eleanor was the owner of On the Scene, a prominent Chicago destination management company. She was universally respected as an active MPI-CAC member and a highly visible supplier member of the meetings community. This award is presented to a supplier member who has made significant contributions to the meetings industry and is an exemplary representative of our profession. Nominees will be considered for professional experience, involvement in MPI, industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.  

Current Board members are not eligible for this award. Individuals that have previously received this award are not eligible to be selected again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC and be classified as a Supplier Meeting Professional.
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.

The MPI-CAC Hall of Fame is comprised of esteemed members and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness, professionalism, and growth of the meetings industry and the chapter specifically. Each year, the chapter may select an individual inductee or organization into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame. Inductees will have served in a leadership capacity or have shared their time, talent, or resources with MPI. Nominees will be considered for professional experience, involvement in MPI (either locally or internationally), industry engagement, community service, and recognition by their peers.

Current Board members are not eligible for individual induction into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame. Individuals and Organizations that have previously been inducted into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame are not eligible to be inducted again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

 
Criteria:

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC or organizations will have at least one chapter member in their employment.
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.

The MPI-CAC Hall of Fame is comprised of esteemed members and organizations that have made significant contributions to the awareness, professionalism, and growth of the meetings industry and the chapter specifically. Each year, the chapter may select an individual inductee or organization into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame. Inductees will have served in a leadership capacity or have shared their time, talent, or resources with MPI. Nominees will be considered for professional experience, involvement in MPI (either locally or internationally), industry engagement, community service, and recognition by their peers.

Current Board members are not eligible for individual induction into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame. Individuals and Organizations that have previously been inducted into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame are not eligible to be inducted again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:

• Organizations must have at least one MPI-CAC member in their employment.
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.

To be awarded every 5 years. Next award in 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

Created to honor the memory of Kathy Osterman, who served many years in the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.  She was a dynamic public servant who made a significant contribution to the meetings and hospitality Industry in Chicago. In her honor, this award recognizes a seasoned hospitality industry professional that has brought a heartfelt passion to their business and community. This person has contributed greatly to the public’s awareness of our profession and/or chapter. He or she should be a recognized leader within the hospitality industry or influential in the community at large.  

Current Board members are not eligible for this award. Individuals that have previously received this award are not eligible to be selected again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:

• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.

The MPI-CAC Planner of the Year Award recognizes a planner member who has made significant contributions to the meetings industry and is an exemplary representative of our profession. Nominees will be considered for professional experience, involvement in MPI, industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.  

Current Board members are not eligible for this award. Individuals that have previously received this award are not eligible to be selected again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC and be in the one of the following categories:  Corporate Meeting Professional, Association/Non-Profit Meeting Professional, Government Meeting Professional, Meeting Management Professional or Independent Meeting Professional.
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.
  

This award is at the sole discretion of the current President of the Chapter. The President may select up to three (3) recipients of a special recognition award aptly named "the President's Award." Criteria for the President's Award should include at least, industry service, assistance to the Office of the President, integrity, honesty and commitment to the success of the Office of the President and/or MPI.

The Emerging Leader Award is presented annually to chapter members who have made contributions to the chapter and shown dedication to MPI-CAC. They show promise to be future leaders through their chapter involvement, professional experience, industry involvement, or community engagement and recognition by their peers. 

Current Board members are not eligible for this award. Individuals that have previously received this award are not eligible to be selected again.
Click here for to view previous award winners.

Criteria:

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a current chapter member must be submitted
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration
• Nominee must have three (3) years or less committee involvement

As part of MPI-CAC's ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the meetings and events industry, MPI-CAC is proud to announce the inauguration of its IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) Champion of Change Award. This award seeks to raise awareness of the value a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment brings to a community by recognizing a diversity and inclusion champion within MPI-CAC.

The MPI-CAC IDEA Champion of Change Award winner is a chapter member who demonstrates and showcases the importance of embracing and engaging in IDEA best practices, and the positive impact that this has on all of us. This inspiring individual truly represents diversity and inclusion by leading as a champion of change, both within our organization, and the industry. 

Criteria:

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC
• In order to be considered, a nomination by a current chapter member must be submitted
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration