The Phoenix Awards – Moving Forward While Looking Back

Authors:

Lance Hornecker, CMP, CMM

Davidson Hospitality Group

Connie Bergeron, CMP

Site Selection Solutions

MPI Georgia has a rich and storied history and as we move forward, it is always important to look back at our rich history and understand where we came from and where we are going.

In 1976, several like-minded industry professionals approached a relatively young Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and we became a “Chapter in Formation” with the mission of gathering 50+ plus members in order to be installed as an official chapter. In 1977, our chapter was formed and championed by the first president, Ester White. This makes MPI Georgia 45 years old and one of the oldest chapters within MPI. Several years later, the chapter saw the need to recognize the accomplishments of our volunteer members, and our awards gala was born.

“The awards gala was originally a luncheon but was moved to a dinner event during my year in order to allow the nominees to enjoy their event with their family and friends”, recalls Connie Bergeron, CMP, who was president from 1990-1991.

In 2001, the Strategic Events Team, led by Ann Godi, CMP, formed an exploratory committee with the goal of rebranding the awards gala, raising awareness and growing our attendance. In 2001, the first Phoenix Awards was held in the Egyptian Ballroom at the Fox Theater. Given Atlanta’s rich history of coming back from the brink of being burned during the civil war, it was only fitting that we would choose a Phoenix to serve as the inspiration for the name.

The Legacy Awards.

Have you ever wondered where our Two legacy awards get their names?

Hayward C. Cox, Jr. CMP Continuing Quality

In keeping with our amazing heritage and volunteer engagement In the early 1990’s, Connie was on a sales trip with fellow MPI Member fellow counterpart with the Arizona Sunbelt Chapter and mentioned that she wanted to create an award to honor those in long-time volunteer service. “I mentioned my vision for this to my fellow chapter president, and she said that their chapter had just created a similar award”, says Bergeron. “I really struggled with a name, then it occurred to me that the award should carry the namesake of our 3-time president Hayward C. Cox, Jr.”. The Hayward C. Cox, Jr., CMP Continuing Quality Award was created to honor those whose long-time volunteer service made the most impact on our chapter. A legend in his own right, Cox retired from Equitable Companies after a long and successful career, and started his second career as a caterer and event planner. Hayward also served as chapter president in 1986, 1987 and 1989. Only 3 people have ever served for more than 1 term. Hayward also served on the MPI International Board for 10 years and obtained the newly minted Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in the second class in 1986.

The Lorraine Powell Influence Award

In 2012, Bergeron again brought forth a motion to the board to create another award designed to recognize a member who influenced the path and future of an MPI member and/or the chapter as a whole. Named for Lorraine H. Powell, who was president in 1993, the award recipient will embody the spirit of MPI and what it means to its members and the meetings industry. Sadly, we lost Powell to cancer in 2011, but her memory is forever cemented with an award in her name. The first Lorraine Powell Influence Award was given out in 2012 to then chapter president, Jeff Whitney. Whitney won the award again in 2016 and has been the only member to date to have won twice.

The President’s Award

In 2007, as chapter president, I saw the need to create an award to honor those whose contributions impacted not only the chapter, but also had a profound effect and influence on me in the role as president of the chapter. The President’s Award was created and awarded at the 2007 Phoenix Awards held at the Sheraton Atlanta. There were double recipients; Brian Green, CMP, CMM and Lavon Lacey for their commitment to excellence. Green receiving for his unwavering support as a sponsor with the Barbados Tourism Authority and Lacey for his excellence in education as the chair of our monthly educational programs.

• Historically, The Phoenix Awards, is when the “passing of the gavel” happens with the outgoing president turning the reigns over to the incoming president.
• Only one person has won the Lorraine Powell Influence Award twice, Jeff Whitney.
• Only one person has won Supplier of the Year twice, Lance Hornecker, CMP, CMM
• Only one person has won Planner of the Year twice, Leslie Castaneda, CMP.
• Most Awarded Committee for Committee of the Year: The Phoenix Awards Committee
• 2020 saw the first ever Virtual Phoenix Awards, presided over by president Abby Freeman.
• Since 2002, The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, W Atlanta Midtown & The Fox Theater have hosted the awards the most at 2 each.
• Most awarded MPI Georgia Member to date (individual or as committee chair) is Connie Bergeron, CMP followed by Lance Hornecker, CMP, CMM
• Longest serving MPI Georgia Members are, Connie Bergeron, CMP (joined 1980), followed by Paulette Hopkins (1987) and Paul Griffing (1987).
• Past presidents serving the most terms, Gerald O. Demery (1978, 1979 and 1990), Hayward C. Cox Jr., CMP (1986, 1987 and 1989), followed by David A. Smith (1982 and 1983).
• The longest serving chairs of any committee are Connie Bergeron, CMP and Gregg Lauer, CMP, for their work on the MPI Georgia CMP Study Group.