MPI Georgia Phoenix Awards

Celebrating this year’s MPI Georgia Showstoppers

at the annual Phoenix Awards Gala

The celebration for MPI Georgia's members and volunteers was definitely a night of "WOW.” Tim Barrett, CMP from Destination South Meetings & Events, and outgoing MPI Georgia President, kicked off the event with a big bang, a few tears, and plenty of humor. However, closing the fun-filled and action-packed awards ceremony was the biggest surprise for all. Who was this mystery guest that graced the stage? You’ll have to ask one of the attendees… or view the photos. Tim said he was “honored to have worked with excellent leaders and has been inspired by our membership, our volunteers, and our board of directors, our administrative staff, and our generous sponsors. The level of commitment from you all to this chapter and towards our vision has kept me motivated and challenged to ensure we bring you more.”

Drum roll please . . .

With a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes, Tim applauded the members. “Collectively we dreamt more with our innovative educational offerings. We learned more by bringing in experts in our field. We did more by giving back to the community. We became more by strengthening alignments with colleagues and forging new business opportunities, and, yes, we had more fun.”

He continued, “As I switch seats and support the next board of directors and incoming leadership, I reflect on my more. I’ve dreamt more about opportunities and places that should have been impossible for someone who grew up in Mud Creek, Georgia. I’ve learned more about myself and from the experts that have been made available to us. I’ve become more knowledgeable about leadership and running an organization. I’ve added more friends and resources worldwide. And I’ve become more grateful and honored than ever before.”

A HUGE THANK YOU to our Premier Annual Sponsors:

• Reno/Tahoe
• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Photosynthesis Studio
• Modern Luxury

2019 Phoenix Awards Sponsors:

• Active Productions & Design
• Akram Ibrahim
• Allegra
• AMP'D Entertainment
• B. Worley Productions
• Bradfordley Illustration & Design
• Button It Up
• Collection Furnishings
• Fancy's Face & Body Art
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Jekyll Island Authority
• Legendary Events
• Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board
• Louisville CVB
• MeetApp
• Mixology Partners
• Over the Top Linen
• Peachtree Tents & Events
• Popcorn Palooza
• Proof of the Pudding
• Salamander Hotels and Resorts
• SpeedPro Imaging
• Speer Entertainment
• The Sketch Effect
• Urban Enterprises
• Vintage Vixens
• Visit Roswell
• World of Coca-Cola

Another HUGE THANK YOU to the 2019 Phoenix Awards Committee, chaired by Carla Carroll and Brad Gibson. MPI Georgia is grateful to all of our volunteers. You certainly put the WOW in Made for WOW!

Phoenix Awards Details:

General Eligibility Criteria: Applies to all awards nominations

• Event/Program Date: The 2018-2019 fiscal year dates from July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019. All events and programs must have occurred within these dates to be eligible for an award, with the exception of Phoenix Awards 2018 (Phoenix Awards 2018 may be nominated) and their related sponsors, venues, committees and events based on submission deadlines.
• MPI Georgia Member: The nominated entity (organization, individual, etc.) must have representation in MPI Georgia and be a current member of MPI Georgia in good standing.
• Awards are based on the members work within MPI Georgia

Committee of the Year Award

Description: Awarded to the MPI Georgia volunteer committee (award accepted by the committee chair) that provided a significant impact and valuable contribution to our chapter during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Note that Phoenix Awards 2018 committee is eligible this year while Phoenix Awards 2019 committee will be eligible next year.

Chapter Leader of the Year

Description: Awarded to the member who has served in a leadership role and whose work has made considerable contribution to the growth of our chapter.

Supplier Member of the Year Award

Description: Awarded to a Supplier member who has impacted our chapter through their unwavering volunteer service and commitment.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Must be an active member on a committee within the current year
• Must not have held an MPI Georgia Board position within the past three (3) years

Planner Member of the Year Award

Description: Awarded to a Planner member who has impacted our chapter through their unwavering service and commitment.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Must be an active member on a committee within the current year
• Must not have held an MPI Georgia Board position within the past three (3) years
  

Creative Concept Award

Description: MPI Georgia’s volunteers are constantly enhancing our events with their creative ideas. Allowing our members to experience these concepts is a true value-add for our membership. This award is for a concept that has impacted our chapter through creativity or innovation. The award is intended to recognize creative ideas from the current year and will be accepted by the individual(s) and/or committee who implemented the concept.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Concept must have been executed within the current fiscal year
• Concept must not have won this award in the past 5 years
• Board members are not eligible to win this award; however, they can accept on behalf of a committee

Sponsor Impact Award

Description: Awarded to a sponsoring company that uses innovation and creativity to impact the membership and showcase their company. This award is not about who spent the most money but about who had the highest impact from their sponsorship. This award can be presented to a cash or an in-kind sponsor.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a cash or in-kind sponsor from the current fiscal year

Rising Star of the Year Award

Description: Awarded to a new member (tenure of three years or less) who has made the most notable contribution of volunteer time to our chapter.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Membership tenure cannot exceed three years
• Board members are not eligible

Student Member of the Year:

Description: Awarded to a student member who has impacted our chapter through their unwavering service and commitment.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Must be an active member on a committee within the current year
• Must be an enrolled student for the 2018-2019 fiscal year
• Must not have held an MPI Georgia Board position within the past three (3) years
• Note: If no valid nominations are made, this award will not be presented for this year

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award

Description: Awarded to a long-standing member who has committed at least a decade of service to our association. This member strives to make our industry a strong force of education and personal achievement. Nominees for this award are chosen by the MPI Georgia Past Presidents Council.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a current member of MPI Georgia in good standing (minimum ten years)
• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Must not have held an MPI Georgia Board position within the past three (3) years

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP Continuing Quality Award

Description: Awarded to a long-standing member who has committed at least five years of service to our association. This member has made substantial contributions to the chapter. Nominees for this award are chosen by the MPI Georgia Past Presidents Council.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a current member of MPI Georgia in good standing (minimum five years)
• Must not have won this award in any previous year
• Must not have held an MPI Georgia Board position within the past three (3) years

The Lorraine Powell Influence Award

Description: The Lorraine Powell Influence Award honors MPI Georgia Chapter Past President Lorraine Powell, who influenced countless MPI members and the overall direction of the chapter for decades. This award will be given to an MPI Georgia member who has influenced the path and future of an MPI member and/or the chapter as a whole. The award recipient will embody the spirit of MPI and what it means to its members and the meetings industry.

Additional Eligibility Criteria:

• Must not be a current member of the Board of Directors

President’s Award

Description: The current MPI Georgia President will select a volunteer to receive the President’s Award.

The 2018 Phoenix Awards: City of Stars - It's Your Time to Shine

City of Stars - It's Your Time to Shine was a night to remember. This annual awards gala recognizes our chapter’s volunteer members and sponsors as well as the overall successes of another great year. Through the amazing support of our sponsors, the Phoenix Awards were held June 28, 2018 at the W. Atlanta Midtown.

A huge thank you to our Premier Annual Sponsors: Atlanta CVB and PhotoSynthesis Studio; and to our 2018 Phoenix Awards Sponsors: 360 Destination Group, Active Production and Design, AlphaGraphics of Buckhead, Amp'd Entertainment, BOLD Design, Caesars Entertainment, Collection Event Furnishings, Discover DeKalb CVB, Far Out Galaxy, Flowering Events, FoxHall Sporting Club, Garrett Popcorn Shops, Georgia Speakers Bureau, GTS Entertainment, Jeenyoux, Jekyll Island Georgia, JW Marriott Nashville, L.E.D Experience, Loews Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board,  Louisville CVB, Party Tables, Peachtree Tents & Events, PSAV W. Atlanta Midtown, Salamander Hotels and Resorts, World of Coca-Cola, Vinny Verelli, and the W. Atlanta Midtown!

A HUGE shout out and thank you to the 2018 Phoenix Awards Committee, chaired by Miranda Behner von Litolff and Carla Carroll. MPI Georgia is grateful to all of our volunteers. You are certainly the stars of MPI Georgia!

Congratulations to all the nominees and the winners!

The 2017 Phoenix Awards: Rising from the Ashes

The 2016 Phoenix Awards : The Speakeasy

The 2016 Phoenix Awards: The Speakeasy offered “A Night of Vintage Glamour” and lots of celebration. This annual awards gala recognizes our chapter’s volunteer members and sponsors as well as the overall successes of another great year. Through the amazing support of our sponsors, the Phoenix Awards were held June 30, 2016 at Flourish by Legendary Events in the heart of Buckhead.

A huge thank you to our Premier Annual Sponsors: Atlanta CVB, Visit Raleigh, Topper Worldwide Transportation, PWP Studios; and to our 2016 Phoenix Awards Sponsors: Absolute ENT, Active Production and Design, Branding Hawk, Button It Up, Caesars, Collection Event Furnishings, Courtney Renee Jazz, Emory Conference Center Hotel, Event Drapery, Flourish, Greater Birmingham CVB, Greene Worldwide Transportation, Hilton Atlanta, Humor Wins, Jekyll Island Georgia, Juice Studios, Louisville CVB, Martino-White Printing, NYC & Company, Party Tables, Shepard Exposition, St. Louis CVB, the Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens, Westin Hotel and the Yonah Mountain Vineyards!

A HUGE shout out and thank you to the 2016 Phoenix Awards Committee, chaired by Brittany Hinger and Jamie Lea Shiver. MPI Georgia is successful because of our volunteers and these members rose to the occasion! It was an amazing evening of entertainment, engaging conversation and electrifying energy. 

Congratulations to all the nominees and the winners!

The 2015 Phoenix Awards: A Spirited Soirée! 

A BIG thank you to our Premier Annual Sponsors: Atlanta CVB, Visit Raleigh and DoubleTree by Hilton; and to our 2015 Phoenix Awards Sponsors: American Spirit Works, Choose Chicago, Legendary Events, Proof of the Pudding, Event Rentals Unlimited, Meet College Park Georgia, The MAGNUM Companies Ltd., QuestDrape, PWP Studio, Party Tables, AFR Event Furnishings and Amp’d Entertainment. 

A HUGE shout out and thank you to the 2015 Phoenix Awards Committee, chaired by Anna Williams of Juice Studio and Tracy Keller, CMP of ASHRAE. MPI Georgia is successful because of our volunteers and these members rose to the occasion! It was an amazing evening of entertainment, engaging conversation and electrifying energy. Congratulations to all the nominees and to the winners.

Take a look at this year’s award recipients: