A Journey with Michael Bergman

The MPI global community has lost a valued colleague. Michael Bergman passed away peacefully in his home. 

Michael began his career in the hospitality industry at the Hilton Minneapolis hotel working at the front desk. During his 13 years at the Hilton he held many positions. His final role was as Director of Group Sales. In 2008, he joined HelmsBriscoe and as Vice President, North America he led regional and global leadership teams to co-create and execute growth strategies. In 2016 Michael realized his dream and founded REFUSE2hate. An organization designed to inspire and support people to take a stand against hate and to promote healing.

I met Michael at an MPI MN Education and Supplier Showcase meeting. We were both suppliers at the time with a display table across the aisle from each other. It was a circus theme, and I was dressed as a gypsy. Years later, when Michael would introduce me to someone, he often told them, “When I met Dianna, she was a gypsy”. He would smile, be quiet, and let me dig my way out of that conversation. Michael enjoyed having a good time with friends.

He held many volunteer positions in MPI MN chapter and MPI International during his 19 years of membership.

Michael’s MPI volunteer involvement:

• Minnesota Chapter Past President
• Minnesota Chapter President
• Minnesota Chapter President-Elect
• Minnesota Chapter VP of Strategic Alliances
• Minnesota Chapter Membership Committee
• International Chapter Leadership Committee
• International Marketplace Advisory Council
• International RISE Awards Judging Panel
• International Knowledge Advisory Council
• International Senior Executive Task Force
• International Senior Executive Professional Task Force
• International Meeting Executive Task Force

Our chapter struggled for years to get volunteers for the Finance committee. When Michael was VP of Finance, he restructured it and changed the name to Strategic Alliances. He grew that team to become one of the largest teams in our chapter at the time.

This is what Michael did. He mentored people. He developed teams. He encouraged participation and helped people discover their talents.

Michael’s charisma alone was enough to keep a team motivated. He had the innate ability to recognize the skills of his team and utilize those skills to strategically accomplish any project, large or small. He offered encouragement and used his keen sense of humor to inject fun into the workplace. 

I was fortunate to be a part of many journeys with Michael. From serving on the MPI MN Board together to working under his leadership at HelmsBriscoe to helping him with REFUSE2hate. He had more talents and friends than anyone I have ever known. He loved fresh flowers, crazy socks, the color orange, and great music. But most of all, he loved his family and friends.

He made everyone feel special. We will miss you, my Friend.