Helen Moskovitz was a Lifetime Member of Meeting Professionals International and an icon within the destination management, event planning and hospitality industry. She left us on May 8, 2024, as the result of stroke that had occurred a couple of days earlier.
Helen was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of her death in the hospital. She was living in Boca Raton, Fla., which was the retirement place that she and her husband, Perry, had selected. They had moved to Boca Raton from Nashville, Tenn.—their longtime home of over 60 years.
Helen created and led Helen L. Moskovitz and Associates in Nashville for over 25 years. It primarily served as a destination and event management company as Nashville was rising to be one of the major meeting destinations in the U.S.
Helen had many accomplishments within MPI. She was a founding member of the Tennessee Chapter, serving on the chapter board of directors and as an officer from 1980-1982. She served on MPI’s International Board of Directors from 1982-1985. After the first strategic plan for MPI was completed in 1984, the focus of the organization transitioned to a focus on education for both planners and suppliers within the organization. The plan was that MPI could improve the industry by bringing a common educational curriculum to planners and suppliers that would also elevate the role of meeting management, a goal of MPI, in the association and particularly the corporate sectors. Helen became chair of the new and revitalized Education Committee in 1984 to develop the plans and launch the new education platform for MPI, which was a turning point for the organization.
Helen also served as government affairs liaison from 1990-1993, where she and other MPI members went to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and created the MPI Congressional Caucus for the purpose of MPI members meeting with congressional leaders to educate representatives and senators on the positive economic impact of the meeting industry through increased commerce and tax dollars generated in local, state and national communities. Helen chaired or served on several other chapter and international committees that developed member programs, policies and activities. Helen received MPI’s Supplier of the Year Award in 1993 and the MPI Tennessee Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. She was a recipient of the American Airlines Eagle Award as an outstanding partner within the meeting industry.
“She was special. Always professional and caring. An icon in our industry and especially in Nashville.”
In addition to MPI, Helen was an active member with Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and The DMC Network.
Some of tributes to Helen call out her positive nature and the support that she offered to so many. Jerry Wayne, former MPI president and chairman of the Foundation, says, “She was special. Always professional and caring. An icon in our industry and especially in Nashville.” Beverly Kinkade, former MPI president, says, “Helen Moskovitz was the gold standard of friends. Passionate about those she loved, the meetings and hospitality industry and zealous of her Nashville.” Bill Grusich, retired SVP of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) calls her, “Helen, the mayor of Nashville. Everyone knew and loved her. She was an icon in both the DMC world and of course MPI. You didn’t even think of doing anything in Nashville until you were in touch with her.”
In her personal life, Helen was passionate about the Akiva School, the first Jewish school in Nashville where she was a founder; the National Council of Jewish Women; and The Dee Wallach Mental Health Center. She was also active in her synagogue, Congregation Sherith Israel, and Chabad Central of Boca Raton.
Helen is survived by her husband of 67 years, Perry, three daughters, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Pictured at top: Joseph Martori, MPI’s 1993 International Planner of the Year, and Helen L. Moskovitz, MPI’s 1993 International Supplier of the year.
