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February 6, 2025 - February 7, 2025
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Top Performing Chapter Award

 

 

Chapter Awards & Honors

 

The Planner of the Year Award recognizes a planner-member who represents leadership and excellence in the meeting planning profession along with a commitment to the local events community and our chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Must be an MPI-CC member for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
  • Served or currently serves as a committee member or committee chair.
  • Demonstrated dedication, commitment and involvement in the meetings industry
  • Has not been selected in the past three years

Past Winners:

  • 2023 - Melanie Mason, CMP
  • 2022 - Cathy Mauldin, CMP
  • 2020 - Linda Ilsley, CMP
  • 2019 - Nicole Filippo, MBA, CMP
  • 2018 - Deanna Griffith-House, CMP, CMM
  • 2017 - April Ferguson, CMP, CMM
  • 2016 - Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM
  • 2015 - Alison Harding, CMP, GTP
  • 2014 - Diane Weems
  • 2013 - John Cruz, CMM
  • 2012 - Louise Paul, CMP, CMM
  • 2011 - Lori Hedrick, CMP, MHA
  • 2010 - Kathy Norris, CMP, CMM
  • 2009 - Wendy Mooneyham, CMP
  • 2008 - Jean Travers, CMP
  • 2007 - Diane Butzer, CMP
  • 2006 – Nancy Lowe, CMP
  • 2005 - Ginny Fountain, CMP
  • 2004 - Nancy Walborn, CMP
  • 2003 - Marla C. Amann, CMP
  • 2002 - Bonnie Wallsh, CMP
  • 2001 - Tina Whitmore
  • 2000 - Flora Moorman, CMP
  • 1999 - Colleen Schwoerke, CMP
  • 1998 - Catherine Voron, CMP, CMM
  • 1997 - Gail Vanderbeck
  • 1996 - Laura Saeger, CMP, CMM
  • 1995 - Cindy C. Smith, CMP
  • 1994 - Linda Cook Morris
  • 1993 - Marie Long, CMP
  • 1992 - Barbara Tilton, CMP
  • 1991 - Alan Skipper, CMP
  • 1990 - Rick Ghoens, CMP
  • 1989 - Martha Satterfield
  • 1988 - Toni Sylvester, CMP
  • 1987 - Linda Roland Crespino
  • 1986 - Nancy Holder
  • 1985 - Nancy Holder


The Supplier of the Year Award recognizes a supplier-member who represents leadership and excellence in the meeting planning profession along with a commitment to the local events community and our chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Must be an MPI-CC member for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
  • Served or currently serves as a committee member or committee chair.
  • Demonstrated dedication, commitment and involvement in the meetings industry
  • Has not been selected in the past three years  

Past Winners:

  • 2023 - Ricardo Hicks
  • 2022 - Tarshi McCoy, CMP, CHSP, TMP
  • 2020 - Barbara Dragan
  • 2019 - Mica Parekh, CMP
  • 2018 - Farrah Staub, CMP
  • 2017 - Maureen Donovan
  • 2016 - Myron Jones
  • 2015 - Erin Moye
  • 2014 - Molly Johnson, CMP
  • 2013 - Loretta Yingling, CMP
  • 2012 - Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE
  • 2011 - Corey Bizzell
  • 2010 - Myron Jones
  • 2009 - Scott Moore
  • 2008 - Kay Grant, CMP
  • 2007 - Kathy Flowe, CMP
  • 2006 – Lenore Donaldson
  • 2005 - Scott Crotty
  • 2004 - Linda Isley, CMP
  • 2003 - Andrew D. Schmidt, CHME
  • 2002 - Joe Blake
  • 2001 - Heidi Walters, CHME
  • 2000 - Candy Cline
  • 1999 - Susie Lichenstein, CMP
  • 1998 - Brenda Dempsey
  • 1997 - Judy Green, CHME
  • 1996 - Michael Carrier
  • 1995 - Sandra Hale
  • 1994 - Leslie Dillingham
  • 1993 - Bill Johnson
  • 1992 - Liz Guertin
  • 1991 - Jan Hogan
  • 1990 - Linda Blume
  • 1989 - Bob McCoy
  • 1988 - Lee Dodson
  • 1987 - Vince Chelena
  • 1986 - Bill Caldwell
  • 1985 - Alan Campey

Cory D BizzellThe Bizzell Award of Excellence was created in memory of Corey D. Bizzell, a longtime member of the Carolinas Chapter of MPI. Corey exemplified excellence and dedication, not only to the chapter, but in every aspect of his life. Bizzell was a constant advocate of elevating our meetings industry to the next level. In honor of his legacy, the President will award a chapter member who has demonstrated a superior level of excellence, passion, and leadership in their service to MPI-CC.  

 

Past Award Recipients

  • 2023 - Cathy Carpenter
  • 2022 - Rachel Whitten, CMP
  • 2020 - Vince Chelena
  • 2019 - Molly Johnson, CMP
  • 2018 - Christine Irwin, CMP and Sarah Johnson
  • 2017 - Tim Miron
  • 2016 - Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE
  • 2015 - Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM

This award recognizes the meeting that had the greatest impact on our members and provided a return on investment.  Board will review candidates provided by the Management Office, based on overall attendee evaluation score of the venue and welcome reception. Certificates of appreciation will be awarded to all vendors involved in producing the meeting.

Criteria for Eligibility:

With this award being presented at the Annual meeting in May, the meetings that are eligible are the Annual Meeting (May) from the previous fiscal year through the March meeting of the current fiscal year. 

Past Award Recipients

  • 2023 - Drive Shack Raleigh - October 2022 Chapter Meeting
  • 2022 - Raleigh Marriott Crabtree - September 2021 Chapter Meeting
  • 2020 - Graylyn International Conference Center - January 2020 Chapter Meeting
  • 2019 - Marriott Twin City Quarter / Benton Convention Center - July 2018 Chapter Meeting
  • 2018 - The StateView Hotel - March 2018 Chapter Meeting
  • 2017 - Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley - September 2016 Education & Business Exchange
  • 2016 - Spartanburg Marriott - March 2016 Chapter Meeting

This award honors the Committee's outstanding contributions to the Chapter during the current year and is selected by the Chapter President, President-Elect and Immediate Past President. 

Past Award Recipients

2023 - Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Mitch Savoie Hill, CPC
Tarshi McCoy, CMP, TMP
Kathryn Short
Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE
Renita Williams
Erin White
Shannon Groff
Kesha Moore

2020 - Member Engagement

Alicia Miller
Yolanda Diaz
Olivia Terrell
Rachel Whitten
Teresa Gitomer
Alicia Perry
Heide Roland
Diane Weems
Benny Williford
Claudia Wooten-Outlaw
Tammy Pleasants-Merritt
Brittany Ruebesam
Lance Miller
Tarshi McCoy

2019 - Marketing & Communications Committee
Mindy Kozlowski
Najauna White
Ashelyn Roberts
Cathy Mauldin
Nicole Filippo, CMP

2018 - Education Committee
Wendy Jeffries - Co-Chair
Alison Flaig - Co-Chair
Nicole Filippo, CMP
Sharon Elder
Tammy Jeffries

2017 - Social Media Committee
Mica Parekh - Committee Chair
Jean Travers
Neelam Patel
Tennessa Moore
Najauna White

The Hall of Fame Award recognizes a long-standing MPI-CC member who has continually contributed to the chapter with their ongoing commitment and a strong sense of leadership and volunteerism. This person has exemplified professionalism, dedication and overall excellence in the chapter, the meetings industry and in the community in which they serve.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Current, active MPI-CC Member with minimum of 10 years of membership
  • Served or currently serves as a committee member, committee chair or Board member
  • Has not been previously selected.
  • Nomination will be reviewed and approved by current Board of Directors. 

Past Award Recipients:

  • 2023 - Danny Treece
  • 2022 - Nicole Keshler
  • 2020 - Lori Hedrick, CMP, CMM, MHA, CSEP
  • 2019 - Rod Abraham
  • 2018 - Molly Johnson, CMP
  • 2017 - Christian Schroeder
  • 2016 - Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE
  • 2015 - Nancy Lowe, CMP
  • 2014 - Kathy B. Flowe, CMP
  • 2013 - Ginny Fountain, CMP
  • 2012 - Andrew Schmidt, CHME
  • 2011 Joe Blake
  • 2010 - Lenore Donaldson
  • 2009 - Heidi Walters, CHME
  • 2008 - Linda Ilsley, CMP
  • 2007 - Linda Ekeland
  • 2006 - Jerry Lotich
  • 2005 - Candy Cline
  • 2004 - Catherine Voron, CMP, CMM
  • 2003 - Melvin Tennant, CAE
  • 2002 - Judy Green, CHME
  • 2001 - Liz Guertin


This award is selected by the current Chapter President. This is not a mandatory award that must be given each year, but it is at the discretion of the Chapter President. It goes to a Chapter member whom the president feels has given 110% to MPI-CC during his/her membership and may be awarded at any bi-monthly meeting and/or at the annual meeting.

Past Award Recipients:

  • 2023 - Rachel Whitten, CMP
  • 2022 - Cathy Mauldin, CMP
  • 2020 - Nicole Filippo, CMP
  • 2019 - Maureen Donovan
  • 2018 - Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM
  • 2017 - Molly Johnson, CMP
  • 2016 - Christine Irwin, CMP
  • 2015 - Christine Irwin, CMP
  • 2014 - Lenore Donaldson
  • 2013 - Ginny Fountain, CMP and Beverly Abraham
  • 2012 - Vince Chelena
  • 2011 - Linda Ilsley, CMP
  • 2010 - Linda Ilsley, CMP and Amanda DeHaven
  • 2009 - Diane Butzer, CMP, CMM
  • 2008 - Tim Miron
  • 2007 - Kathy Flowe, CMP
  • 2006 - Heidi Walters, CHME and Erin Moye
  • 2005 - Andrew Schmidt, CHME
  • 2004 - Danny Treece
  • 2003 - Karen Knox, CMP and Brenda Taylor
  • 2002 - Judy Green, CHME

 


This award recognizes a Chapter member for their enthusiastic contributions to the chapter, involvement in a committee and demonstrated leadership ability during their first four years of membership in MPI and MPI Carolina’s Chapter.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Current, active MPI-CC Member with 4 years or less of membership and service
  • Currently employed as a meeting planner or industry supplier
  • Has not been selected in the past three years
  • Demonstrates exemplary leadership skills

Past Award Recipients:

  • 2023 - Alex Morales
  • 2022 - Rachel Whitten, CMP
  • 2020 - Olivia Terrell
  • 2019 - Najauna White
  • 2018 - Karen Wall
  • 2017 - Mallory Middleton, CMP
  • 2016 - Selah Bideau, TMP
  • 2015 - Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM
  • 2014 - Kevin Snyder
  • 2013 - Wendy Mesa
  • 2012 - Adair Yatko
  • 2011 - Lisa Barber, CHSP
  • 2010 - April Ferguson, CMP, CMM
  • 2009 - Malinda Harrell, CASE, CMP
  • 2008 - Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM
  • 2007 - Diane Godwin
  • 2006 - Scott Moore
  • 2005 - Monica Smith, CMP
  • 2004 - Scott Crotty
  • 2003 - Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM
  • 2002 - Lenore Donaldson
  • 2001 - Elizabeth Lyons, CMP

 


Do You Know a Volunteer of the Quarter? We have so many active members who deserve recognition for their efforts! If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, share their name and volunteer accomplishments with us so we can give them a shout out. This person can be a committee chair or member or even a brand new MPI-CC member who has already started to shine. Volunteer of the Quarter Awards are given quarterly and nominations are accepted all the time!

Click here to nominate a Volunteer of the Quarter

2021

November
Diane Weems
NC Aggregates Association

September
Melanie Mason
EnsembleIQ

2020

January
Alicia Miller, CMP
Raleigh Chamber

April
Cathy Mauldin, CMP
DESA, Inc.

2019

January
Ashelyn Roberts
ConferenceDirect

March
Najauna White
Discover Durham


July

Yolanda Diaz
DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone University


September
Rachel Whitten
Greenville-Pitt County CVB

2018

November
Jamie Frydlo
Hotel Indigo RTP

2017

September
Lori Hedrick, CMP, CMM, MHA, CSEP
Burroughs Wellcome Fund

2016

March
Jennifer Kist, CMP
Vroomz

Farrah Staub, CMP
Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley


November
Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM
NC Association of Electric Cooperatives

2015

January
Cathy Mauldin, CMP
DESA, Inc. 

2014

March
Randi Sullivan
DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia

July
Brittany O’Shaughnessy
Francis Marion Hotel

September
Stephen Valliere
Hawks Cay Island Resort

November
Kimberly Harrelson
Kingsmill Resort

2013

January
Tonya Miller
Embassy Suites Greensboro

March
Lenore Donaldson
The Carolina Inn

July
Alison Harding, CMP
Global Knowledge

September
Kevin Snyder
Inspir-Active Solutions, Inc.

November
Jeanette Keys
Greenville Convention Center

2011

January
Diane Kinlaw
Destination Site Visit

March
Myron Jones
Fayetteville CVB

July
Jean Travers 
HelmsBriscoe

September
April Clark Ferguson, CMP
Experient, Onsite at Cisco Systems

November
Dayma Edwards, CMP
Wilmington Regional Association

of REALTORS

2010

January
Alyce Kelly
Sheraton Atlantic Oceanfront Hotel

March
Louise Paul, CMP, CMM
Cisco Systems

July
Joe Murtagh
The Dream Speaker

September
Annette Zarriello, CMP, CMM
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

November
Karolyn Stone, CHSP, CMP
Marriott and Courtyard Columbia Downtown

2009

January
Maureen Donovan
Holiday Inn Sunspree Wrightsville Beach

March
April Clark, CMP 
North Carolina Advocates for Justice

July
Karen Knox, CMP, CMM
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC

September
Patricia Easley
Norfolk Marriott

November
Kathryn Byrd, CMP, CPP
Meetings Plus More! LLC

2008

January
Wendy Bassett, CMP
HelmsBriscoe

March
Jean Travers
HelmsBriscoe

July
David Perez
Crown Plaza Resort Asheville

September
Diane Butzer, CMP
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC

November
Tracie Panko
The Carolina Inn

2007

January
Danna Lilly
Myrtle Beach Area CVB

March
Myron Jones 
Fayetteville CVB

July
Carol Hawks Smith
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Hotel

September
Karolyn Stone, CHSP, CMP
Marriott Columbia

November
Regan Hodges 
Harris Conference Center 

2006

July
Marie Stiles, CMP
Meetings with Style LLC

September
Dianne Brice
Visit Charlotte

November 
Kay Grant, CMP
Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club

This award is presented to a MPI-CC member who is going above and beyond as a volunteer to the Carolinas Chapter. They can be a committee chair, committee member or even a brand new MPI-CC member who has already started to shine.

Criteria for Eligibility:

  • Current, active MPI-CC Member
  • Currently employed as a meeting planner or industry supplier
  • Committee Membership (current Board of Directors is not eligible)
  • Involvement in committee-driven initiatives within the past year

Past Award Recipients 

  • 2023 - Kathryn Short
  • 2022 - Melanie Mason, CMP
  • 2020 - Rachel Whitten
  • 2019 - Olivia Terrell 
  • 2018 - Cathy Mauldin, CMP
  • 2017 - Kathy B. Flowe, CMP
  • 2016 - Linda Ilsley, CMP


Each year, MPI honors its best and brightest chapters and volunteers through the Recognizing Industry Success & Excellence (RISE) Awards.

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