Member Showcase- August 2022

A Dynamic Trio Leading the MPI Georgia Networking Committee 2022-2023

Three MPI Georgia members, Rachel, Toronda, and Jade, have diligently teamed up to continue our social networking events throughout 2022-2023. Our Member Showcase this month highlights this Trio of ambitious women looking forward to creating, innovating, and building new networking events that are always a positive experience. 

Networking is always one of the three top reasons members attend a function; it is one source of building success in the hospitality industry. But, have you ever been to an MPI Georgia gathering where you haven't met someone new or who can refer you to someone, or that person becomes a friend, client, or mentor?

Please make every attempt to support and attend as many Networking events as possible to encourage the trio to continue their Networking Dreams.

Rachel Jackson Director of Hosted Buyers Experience Connect Meetings Members since 2022

In addition to being one of three Committee Chairs for the Networking Committee, her company, Connect Meetings, recently promoted Rachel to Director of the Hosted Buyer Program at Connect Meetings after working at Connect for only six months. This certainly makes quite the statement about Rachel's capabilities and work ethic. 

Rachel was raised in a family that was very much involved with Hospitality which gave her deep insight into the details of our industry. After attending Kennesaw State, majoring in Public Relations, her first job was managing events and other responsibilities for a company in downtown Marietta. As she moved to another company that offered her a larger role, her company registered her in MPI. Fortunately, Rachel met Carla and Kareena, who, as we all know, sweep all of us off our feet towards committees and success!

Toronda Webb, CMP, CGMP CEO / Chief Event Strategist Alore Events Members since 2018

Toronda majored in Hospitality Management at Georgia State University. Her first job in the industry was as a Meeting/Conference Planner for the Department of Labor. Her first job out of GSU opened up opportunities in all aspects of meeting and event planning. She managed a little bit of everything, affording her a range of experiences, including coordinating Job Fairs, Senior Staff Retreats, Luncheons, Holiday Parties, and a host of other events.

Toronda has always loved to entertain. She was the one everyone convinced to plan their birthday or anniversary parties, family reunions, weddings, and special occasions. After fifteen years at the Department of Labor, she decided to branch out as an Independent Meeting Planner forming her own company, Alore Events. Lucky for MPI Georgia, she was influenced by other independent planners and suppliers to join our exceptional organization. As a result, she has additional credits in her career. Toronda was highlighted in Convention South magazine on their "Meeting Pros to Watch" list in 2008, 2009, and 2019. Welcome to the Committee – excited for your input!

Jade Howard Member Event Coordinator InspireCIO Members since 2021

Jade is the third member of the Trio and our second committee member who majored in Public Relations and graduated from Kennesaw State University. Jade, as did Rachel, had the good fortune to come in contact with our one and only Carla Carroll after being hired to be London's Nanny during her college years at Kennesaw.   

Carla saw potential in Jade and encouraged her, as she does so well, to consider the Hospitality industry as her career choice. Through Carla's position on the Phoenix Awards Committee, Jade was encouraged to experience what the industry was all about. 

Four years later, she is working as the Member Event Coordinator for InspireCIO, the preeminent peer leadership network of CIOs. This position has allowed her to tour the headquarters of many big-name companies, hospitals, ivy league schools, auto manufacturers, and offices of clothing brands, as well as behind-the-scenes tours of professional sports team stadiums. The third trio member appears to be a solid asset to this new Committee.  

Thank you all for your support, creativity, and innovation!