This is it! June marks my final president's message for MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter.

It has been a true honor to lead an incredible board and be a part of something bigger than myself. When I started this journey, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, and yet I was looking forward to the opportunity to serve the membership, as well as grow as a professional.

Taking on this role allowed me to step out and push the boundaries of who I am. I challenge you, as industry professionals, to step out of your comfort zone and go for it, so you will experience first-hand how rewarding it can be.

Imagine how tedious our daily lives would be if we kept doing the same thing and didn’t grab the opportunities that are just waiting to help us grow. In the events industry, we are always pushing the boundaries. Why not push boundaries when it comes to our own personal growth?

I learned so much about myself through communication and leadership experiences and how to face successes and challenges one step at a time.Thank you for your support this year! There are no words for the passion and commitment I have to serve this chapter of incredible people. It’s been an honor!

This month, we had the Chapter Celebration in San Antonio, where we recognized our award recipients and chapter accomplishments over the past year. I had the honor of recognizing our award recipients in last month’s newsletter; this month, I would like to extend a special thank you to the hard-working members who received the 2018-2019 President’s Award:

Congratulations to Debbie Farnum, CMP; Meaghan Rhame, CMP; and Marcia Williams, CMM, CMP for your dedication, creativity, strategic planning and commitment to give 110% to see the chapter grow. You have been an inspiration to me, both professionally and personally.

We close out the year with 323 members, over 90 active volunteers and a new member growth of 77. WOW, this is in large part to the hard work of you, our members. Thank you!

It is now with great respect that I pass the gavel on to President-Elect Marcia Williams, CMM, CMP, whose enthusiasm and commitment to the chapter and industry is without measure. The chapter will greatly benefit from her leadership as we continue to push the chapter forward in growth, education and experiences. I am proud to sit on the board next year as she leads us forward.

I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our existing board members, who are moving on. Their work behind the scenes has not gone unnoticed, and we are a more vibrant chapter because of each one of them (Jessica Chester; Kathy Danielson, C.F.E.E., T.M.P.; Sharon Hill, CMP; Kathy Kasper; Lindsi Little, CMP; Kelly Luna and Rachel Stroik, CMP).

When writing this final message, I went back to the first message I wrote last July. Our focus was to provide our members and prospective members the platform to CREATE…Connections, Opportunities and Inspiration. This year, I hope that you were inspired to be part of something bigger than yourself, that you experienced valuable takeaways at education and networking events throughout the year. And, lastly, that you connected on another level with your fellow members of the chapter.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

Have a blessed summer,  Donna

>Donna Musselman, CMP
President, MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter