President's Corner - August 2025

As I sit down to write this column, we are busily preparing for the transition to the 2026 Board of Directors with Michele Gonzalez, CMP as your president.

That’s got me feeling a little nostalgic, and I hope you’ll humor me.

The first time I served as your president was 2008, and in some ways, a lot has changed.

- Neither Zoom nor Google Meet had been created yet. Every event was in person. While I appreciate the efficiencies of technology, I’ll admit that I miss the natural comradery that comes from not having a virtual option.

- I believe most hotel service charges were 18-20 percent, and coffee was far less than the $100+ per gallon that we pay now.

- Thanks to groups like MPI and USTA people actually understand me now when I tell them I’m an event planner.

But there’s a lot that hasn’t changed too.

- The meetings and hospitality industry is large and thriving. The numbers look a lot different now than they did nearly 20 years ago, but the heart of the industry hasn’t changed. For sure, people have come and gone, but the appetite for service and exciting, progressive events hasn’t changed.

- Your MPI chapter is still volunteer-lead. Professionals who face the same challenges and celebrate the same victories that you do every day are steering this ship forward.

-  We always need more volunteers. Getting involved in the MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter all those years ago is no doubt one of the best decisions I’ve made in my career. People who started out as colleagues became life-long friends. My activity with MPI THCC has been influential with two job changes. I’ll forever be grateful that I volunteered for the education committee all those years ago.

Believe me, I know how much you’re balancing between work and home, but I hope you’ll give some serious thought to getting involved with MPI THCC. The 2025 and 2026 Boards are full of amazing leaders, and we need your help to continue thriving.

Donna Harbers, CMP
president@mpithcc.org
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