Congratulations to Ashley Craven, who in addition to her full-time role with Intertask Conferences as Senior Project Coordinator, will be starting to teach! Craven will be joining the amazing team of professors at Algonquin College in the Event Management Program. She will be teaching one course during the 2019 Winter semester, Computer Applications for Events and can be contacted at craven@algonquincollege.com.

Ah New Year’s, the time of year where we reflect on the year that has passed, and look forward to the year to come. It is a time for resolutions and new beginnings. As I write this, I reflect myself on what I would like to achieve in 2019. There is no denying being in the events industry is stressful. Many studies have shown how event planners continuously rank as one of the most stressful jobs in the world. And so my fellow MPI colleagues, I invite you to join me in the following resolutions and make 2019 your best year yet.

Aicha Ahmed Said Position: Account Executive / Déléguée commerciale Employer: Ramada Plaza Manoir du Casino Gatineau/Ottawa Joined MPI in July 2018

The elves of MPI Ottawa’s Community Outreach Sub-Committee have had a very busy holiday season! It all kicked off at the Festive Dinner on November 28 where the tape-a-toonie initiative was, once again, front and centre as guests arrived. Attendees were asked to bring non-perishable food items with toonies taped to them, and they did not disappoint. A large box of food was collected for each the Ottawa Food Bank and Moisson Outaouais in Gatineau. In addition to the non-perishable items, each organization received a cheque for $209.50 collected from the donated toonies and half the 50/50 draw.

The Brookstreet Hotel is excited to welcome Gabrielle Whittaker to its sales and events team as its new Executive Meeting Manager. Whittaker will be working in both a sales and events capacity, continuing to deliver the high service standards offered by The Brookstreet Hotel. She is excited for this opportunity and hopes to be able to collaborate with many of her fellow MPI colleagues in this new role.

I’m sorry if you are hoping this will be a tell-all article full of scandalous stories. My hope is always to provide an update, in a slightly entertaining fashion, on what your MPI Ottawa Chapter is up to and what your Board has been working on. Please allow me to share a few confessions from my term as your chapter president thus far.

On Wednesday, November 26, 2018 members and guests of the MPI Ottawa Chapter gathered at the newly renovated host venue, Sala San Marco Conference & Events Centre to kick off the festive season. ‘Puttin’ on the Glitz Dinner Extravaganza’ was designed to be a night to remember with little surprises embedded into the evening programming. Guests were encouraged to put their best glitzy foot forward with a semi-formal to formal dress attire. The planning committee was thrilled to see guests took the theme to heart and showcased everything from glitzy shoes and dresses, to bow ties and top hats. MPI Ottawa sure knows how to dress to impress!

Last month, The Westin Ottawa hosted a Breakfast & Learn for clients in honour of Global Appreciation Week. Cynthia, the founder of Voice Found, addressed the group about human trafficking, specifically, how to recognize the signs and how to help prevent it in our communities. Needless to say, the conversation was powerful and eye opening.