MPI Georgia Phoenix Awards

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.

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 2022-2023 fiscal year. Note that Phoenix Awards 2022 committee is eligible this year.

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

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

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 concept

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

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

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 2022-2023 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

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

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

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

Chapter Leader of the Year: Carla Jean-Thomas Carroll, CIS

Committee of the Year: 2022 Spring Summit

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: Communications: Spring Summit Tool Kit

Planner Member of the Year: Kareena Bakhsh

President's Award: Melissa Legaux, CMP

Rising Star of the Year: Curt Johnson

Supplier Member of the Year: Ted Basco

Sponsor Impact of the Year: Jekyll Islan Authority 

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Kareena Bakhsh

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Jeff Whitney

Hall of Fame Achievement Award: Kethi Kelly

Chapter Leader of the Year: Carla Jean-Thomas Carroll, CIS

Committee of the Year: 2022 Spring Summit

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: Communications: Spring Summit Tool Kit

Planner Member of the Year: Kareena Bakhsh

President's Award: Melissa Legaux, CMP

Rising Star of the Year: Curt Johnson

Supplier Member of the Year: Ted Basco

Sponsor Impact of the Year: Jekyll Islan Authority 

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Kareena Bakhsh

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Jeff Whitney

Hall of Fame Achievement Award: Kethi Kelly

Chapter Leader of the Year: Allyson Wagner, CMP

Committee of the Year: 2020 Fall Classic

Creative Concept of the Year: MPI Georgia Social Media

Planner Member of the Year: Paulette Hopkins

President's Award: Abby Freeman

Rising Star of the Year: Neysa Crist, CMP

Sponsor Impact Award: Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA)

Supplier Member of the Year: Shaun Tracy

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Paulette Hopkins

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Paulette Hopkins

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Lesli Castaneda, CMP

Chapter Leader of the Year: Tim Barrett, CMP

Committee of the Year: Membership - Hospitality/Welcome Committee 

Creative Concept of the Year: MPI Georgia Mobile App

Planner Member of the Year: Peter Schmidt

President's Award: Tierra Copeland

Rising Star of the Year: Peter Schmidt

Sponsor Impact Award: Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA)

Supplier Member of the Year: Joel Miller

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Heather Herrig, CMP

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Russell LoPinto

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Dwayne Keller

Chapter Leader of the Year: Melissa Legaux, CMP

Committee of the Year: Membership - Networking Events Committee

Creative Concept of the Year: The Exchange

Planner Member of the Year: Laura Steele, CMP

President's Award: Tara Zeravsky, CMP

Rising Star of the Year: Brad Gibson

Sponsor Impact Award: Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau

Supplier Member of the Year: Carla Carroll

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Maria Trammell

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Cynthia Alford, DMCP

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Megan Perks, CMP, CMM

A HUGE THANK YOU to our Premier Annual Sponsors: Reno/Tahoe, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Photosynthesis Studio, and 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, and World of Coca-Cola

Chapter Leader of the Year: Ashley Izydore Euler, CMP

Committee of the Year: Communications - ReConnect

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: TechTalks, 2018 Tech Summit 

Planner Member of the Year: Lesli Castaneda, CMP

President's Award: Jeff Holland

Rising Star of the Year: Megan Wolszczak

Sponsor Impact Award: Active Production and Design 

Supplier Member of the Year: Devon McKenna

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Melissa Legaux, CMP

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Brenda Dempsey

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Cynthia Alford, DMCP

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!

Chapter Leader of the Year: Jeff Whitney

Committee of the Year: Membership - Retention Committee

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: Fall Classic "Plan B"

Planner Member of the Year: Ashley Izydore, CMP

President's Award: Pamela Shepherd

Rising Star of the Year: Steven Schumacher

Supplier Member of the Year: Ginny Izydore

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Jeff Whitney

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Lesli Castaneda, CMP

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Jeff Whitney

Chapter Leader of the Year: Chris Bonnett, CMP

Committee of the Year: 2016 Phoenix Awards Committee

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: 2017 Tech Summit: Apps & The Game of Techs

Planner Member of the Year: Chris Bonnett, CMP

President's Award: Sybil Lee, CMP

Rising Star of the Year: Lissette Mathus

Supplier Member of the Year: Tara Brashear

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Eileen Roehl, CMP

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Carol D. Hall

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Ginny Izydore

The 2017 Phoenix Awards: Rising from the Ashes Celebrating Southern Legacy was a night 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 15, 2017 at the Atlanta History Center in the heart of Buckhead.

A huge thank you to our Premier Annual Sponsors: Atlanta CVB, Visit Raleigh, Topper Worldwide Transportation, PhotoSynthesis Studio; and to our 2017 Phoenix Awards Sponsors: Active Production and Design, A Divine Event, Atlanta Fever Entertainment, Atlanta History Center, BBJ Linen Rental, Be a Star Entertainment, Caesars Entertainment, Courtney Renee Jazz, Daytona Beach CVB, Discover DeKalb CVB,  Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead, Fuse Graphics, Georgia World Congress Center Authority, Greater Birmingham CVB, Greene Worldwide Transportation, Hilton Atlanta, Jekyll Island Georgia, L.E.D Experience Design, Loews Hotels, Louisville CVB, Modern Luxury, Peachtree Tents & Events, Tulip Blooming Creations, We Rent Atlanta, and the World of Coca-Cola!

Chapter Leader of the Year: Jeff Whitney

Committee of the Year: Membership - Retention Committee

Creative/Innovative Concept of the Year: Fall Classic "Plan B"

Planner Member of the Year: Ashley Izydore, CMP

President's Award: Pamela Shepherd

Rising Star of the Year: Steven Schumacher

Supplier Member of the Year: Ginny Izydore

Lorraine Powell Influence Award: Jeff Whitney

Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP, Continuing Quality Award: Lesli Castaneda, CMP

Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement Award: Jeff Whitney

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!