This award recognizes an MPI chapter, club or student club for achievement in advancing the education and professional development of its members through innovative programming.

Insight provided by Courtney McGee, CMP, chair of the MPI Tennessee Chapter’s 2023 Connect Educational Conference and Tradeshow—the event for which the chapter received this award.

Are there some specific factors that you feel contributed the most to your chapter’s success, leading to this RISE Award recognition?

The main key factor was that we had the best committee, comprised of an even mix of planners (independent, corporate and association representatives) and suppliers that all contributed to the design development and execution of the program. A few examples:

Challenge: The team was spread across the state of Tennessee, posing logistical challenges for effective collaboration and inclusion.

Solution: We turned this challenge into an opportunity by setting a chapter precedent for statewide inclusion. Utilizing virtual collaboration tools and regular communication, we ensured that every team member, regardless of location, had an equal opportunity to contribute. This approach fostered a sense of unity and diversity, enriching the overall planning process.

Challenge: Navigating the diverse strengths and creative inputs of a team to create a cohesive event that appeals to a broad audience.

Solution: We embraced the diversity within our team, recognizing it as a strength. Through collaborative brainstorming sessions and open communication, we harnessed each member’s creativity and strengths, blending them into a harmonious and engaging event. This approach ensured that Connect TV appealed to a wide spectrum of event professionals.

Challenge: The desire to create an event that went beyond conventional expectations and broke new ground in the industry.

Solution: We embraced a fearless mindset, challenging traditional norms and expectations. By pushing boundaries, experimenting with innovative ideas and daring to do something unprecedented, Connect TV became a groundbreaking event that set a new standard for creativity and innovation within our chapter and the broader MPI community.

In summary, the learning opportunities faced during the design of Connect TV—including geographical challenges, ownership distribution, collaborative creativity, early planning, and boundary-breaking expectations—were transformed into key strengths. These challenges provided opportunities for growth, inclusivity and innovation, contributing to the success of Connect TV as an event that stands out for its creativity, inclusivity and impact.

Can you name any certain skills—existing or new—that played a significant role?

The planning committee was comprised of a multi-talented group of meeting professionals and we tapped into each person’s strengths and interests across registration, marketing, graphic design and visual identity, trade show, food and beverage, production, speaker development, event design, etc.

Is there a skill that you’re keen for your chapter to learn, or develop further, in the next year or so?

To develop future leaders. The longevity of any organization is succession planning and the development of future leadership. The MPI Tennessee Chapter has a very viable mentor program that has been focused on newer members to the chapter and industry. Our past presidents have meet and are discussing a board mentor program.

What advice do you have for other chapter leaders who may be struggling with some of the challenges currently facing association volunteers?

Leadership teams should take a strategic look at all programs to ensure that the diverse needs of their membership are being met. Once this has been accomplished, chapter members should be approached for specific volunteer roles, tapping into their strength and interests. Just asking for volunteers is not the best approach to filling committee needs.

What is something that your chapter is most excited about in the near future?

Growth! Nashville continues to be a top destination and the prospect to expand our chapter is exciting and brings us many opportunities to tap into the skills of existing and new members.

What led to the MPI Tennessee Chapter receiving this RISE Award?

For its annual Connect Educational Conference and Tradeshow in 2023, with the goal to “educate through entertainment,” the MPI Tennessee Chapter” developed a faux TV network with a lineup of shows modeled after popular series to take the place of education sessions, trade shows and a luncheon under the network name “Connect TV.”

The chapter pursued overall goals of an inclusive planning process, inclusive education and giving back to the MPI Foundation. To achieve these aims, the chapter assembled a diverse planning group to ensure that Connect TV would appeal to a broad audience.

Enhancing interactivity, attendees were part of a live television studio audience with a variety of program formats to appeal to the chapter’s diverse membership, including an audience Q&A modeled after Top Chef, company pitches modeled after Shark Tank, a lunch-and-learn modeled after The Price is Right and more.

The chapter received its highest attendance numbers ever recorded by the chapter and gained unprecedented social media traction. The chapter believes its success can be replicated by other chapters and looks forward to implementing a second edition of the program in 2024.