Annual MPI Chicago Area Chapter Awards

The Young Professional Achievement Award recognizes an individual 30 years of age or younger with five or less years of professional experience that has made outstanding contributions to the meetings and hospitality industry. Nominees will also be considered for their professional experience, educational background, industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.

Criteria:

• 30 years of age or younger (before 31st birthday at time of nomination).
• >Five or less years of professional experience.
• Not limited to MPI members.
• Anyone serving on the MPI-CAC Board of Directors within the last three years is not eligible.
• 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.
• 2019-2020 Recipient: Emily Thompson, American Epilepsy Society

The Tomorrow’s Leader Award is presented annually to chapter members who have made contributions to the chapter showing 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.  

Criteria: 

• Individual must maintain current membership in MPI-CAC.
• 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.
• Current Board Members are not eligible.
• 2019-2020 Recipients
  • Allison Hines, NHS Global Events
  • Mallory Mondloch, Choose Chicago
  • Jessica Lindberg, Edward Fox Photography & Video

• 2020-2021 Recipients
  • Jennifer Charles, College of DuPage
  • Holly O'Donnell, Slone Solutions, LLC
  • Lindsay Plath, Illinois Association of School Business Officials

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.

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.
• Nominee must submit a completed application to be eligible for consideration.
• 2019-2020 Recipient: Heather Brown, CMP, DMCP
• 2020-2021 Recipient: Tanya Mishigian

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 (either locally or internationally), industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.  

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.
• Current Board Members are not eligible.
• 2019-2020 Recipient: Jeff Durocher
• 2020-2021 Recipient: Adam Hud

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. 
 
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.
• Current Board Members are not eligible for individual induction into the MPI-CAC Hall of Fame.
• 2019-2020 Recipients: No recipient

• 2020-2021 Recipients: Margie McCartney, DMCP, CIS

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.  

Criteria:

• In order to be considered, a nomination by a chapter member must be submitted.
• Current Board Members are not eligible. 
• 2019-2020 Recipient: No recipient 
• 2020-2021 Recipient: Rose Horcher, CMP, CEM, CGSP

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 (either locally or internationally), industry engagement, community service and recognition by their peers.  

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 or Meeting Management 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.
• Current Board Members are not eligible.
• 2019-2020 Recipient Planner: Kelsey Kottkamp, CMP
• 2020-2021 Recipient Planner: Michelle Dallas

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.

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.

• 2019-2020 Recipient: No recipient
• 2020-2021 Recipient: US Poker & Casino Parties

The MPI-CAC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility) 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:

• Be a current MPI-CAC member in good standing
• Demonstrate commitment to being an IDEA champion
• Support, advance and embody core values of IDEA
• Take action to advance and advocate DEI within the community and organization
• Raise awareness of the importance and value of being a diverse and inclusive industry
• Lead by working collaboratively with others to achieve IDEA objectives
• Inspire strategies and industry best practices that embrace IDEA