ICYMI (In Case You Missed It): December Spark Sessions Recap

Spark Sessions, launched in spring 2020, are small online group discussions that provide an opportunity for participants to connect with industry peers, gain valuable knowledge and collaborate on solutions.

On December 3, MPI-Carolinas Chapter hosted a round of Spark Sessions on imposter syndrome, human trafficking, professional/career development, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Here are just a few of the takeaways:

“Own Who You Are & Let Go of Who You’re Not”
Facilitated by Kristin Frade, coach, speaker, trainer

• Operate your top strength purposefully.
• Everyone has different experiences. You can’t compare apples to apples because no one’s journey is the same.
• Let go: Be ok with disappointing people. Their disappointment is not your responsibility. You saying “no” opens an opportunity for someone else.

“Hidden in Plain Sight”
Facilitated by Alexa Nagy, Lily Pad Haven

• North Carolina consistently ranks as a Top 10 state for human trafficking.
• Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
• Report suspicions and share hotline in venues’ bathrooms.
• Review MPI’s Anti-Human Trafficking resources.

“Journey of a Successful Event Planner”
Facilitated by Nancy Lowe, CMP, FirstPoint Management Resources

• Find a mentor, then become a mentor.
• Take every opportunity to build relationships with hoteliers and other vendors.
• Take time to build relationships with new contacts. Introduce yourself to new people at meetings.
• Take advantage of online educational opportunities and webinars, many of them free at Plan Your Meetings through MPI.

“Start Here: Assessing Your Company’s Role in DEI”
Facilitators: Tanida Mullen, CMP, CTE, TDM, co-chair of MPI’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, & Zoe Moore, co-chair of MPI’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee

• Assess your situation before creating a plan. How did we get here? Why now? Understand stakeholders’ views and demographics before implementing initiatives.
• Before crafting a mission statement, ask how will you commit to actual change? How can your stakeholders hold you accountable?
• Be intentional with partnerships.
• Check out MPI Resources for Equality & Justice

“These spark sessions are very informative and full of content as I could write a small novel about Nancy’s presentation as she hit it out of the park and was fantastic,” said Kevin Mullane, owner of Silver Oak Transportation, who participated in the session facilitated by Nancy Lowe, CMP.

The chapter looks forward to continuing our learning journey in 2021!

If you’d like to volunteer to facilitate a future Spark Session or offer feedback, please send an email to nfilippo@elon.edu.