MPI Arizona Sunbelt Chapter

🌸 April is blooming with new faces, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🌸 Please join us in giving a BIG welcome to our newest members! This group brings so much talent, creativity, and energy to the mix—we’re lucky to have them as part of our community. Make sure to say hi, connect, and show them what makes our network so special! 👏 Welcome to: 🎉 Jorge Hernandez – JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass 🎉 Rob Johnson – Marx Productions 🎉 Chelle Lopker – Mesa Convention Center & Amphitheatre 🎉 Gary Matsuda – Jovie 🎉 Frank Molina – Pretty Powder Rooms 🎉 Jessica Painter – KCA Association Management/Events 🎉 Taylor Swajanen – Shamrock Foods Co 🎉 Melissa Weihert – Divinity Event Lighting 🎉 Teagen Wynveen – Desert Diamond Arena We’re thrilled to have each of you on board and can’t wait to see the amazing things we’ll do together. Let’s make this spring one to remember! 🌟🌿 #mpicommunity #mpisunbelt  #eventpros #recognition

A HUGE thank you to everyone who made yesterday's Arizona Celebrates Global Meetings Industry Day such a success! 🎉 To our amazing attendees, generous sponsors, and fantastic vendors - your energy and support made it a truly memorable day. We appreciate you all! Phoenix Convention Center & Venues  U.S. Travel Association  #GMID2025 #MPIAZ #meetingsmatter

Today, Arizona's meeting professionals are gathering to showcase our community’s amazing planners, suppliers, venues, DMCs, corporate event pros, and anyone who makes events happen! While we’re honored to celebrate GMID 2025, we’re also excited to share this day as Arizona Meetings Industry Day (recognized by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs)! Today’s event isn’t just another industry conference—it’s a community, a learning hub, and a chance to level up in the industry. We’re inviting our meeting professionals to join us for: • Dual Education Tracks: Tailored sessions for both emerging and seasoned professionals. • AI Event Toolkit Workshop: A hands-on experience exploring the future of events. • Dynamic Keynote & Luncheon: Inspiring insights and networking. • Immersive Vendor Showcase: Featuring interactive activations and unique experiences. • MPI Global Live Stream: Stay connected with industry updates via silent headphones. • Live Podcasting by Hospitality Today Live: Share your story! • Networking Opportunities & Closing Reception: Connect and celebrate! We're proud to show the world that Arizona is a vibrant and dynamic hub for meetings and events! #GMID2025 #MPIAZ #MeetingsMatter

To celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day, MPI is offering 30% off memberships when using code “GMIDOFFER25” to join or renew! Offer valid April 3, 2025 and cannot be combined with discounts including faculty, students, retired, dual memberships, and business memberships. Link here ---> mpi.org/join #meetingprofs #gmid2025 #mpiaz #professionaldevelopment #eventprofs

Happy April Fools’ Day! 🎉😆 As event pros, we know how to spot a good bluff… but did we fool you? 🤭 ✅ TRUE! Arizona does have the only McDonald's with turquoise arches—Find it in Sedona! 🍔💙 ✅ TRUE! The London Bridge was actually relocated to Lake Havasu City—talk about a venue with history! 🌉🌵 ❌ APRIL FOOLS! The Grand Canyon may be iconic, but it’s not the deepest in the world! (That title goes to Nepal’s Kali Gandaki Gorge.) 🌄🤯 How many of you got it right? #aprilfools #mpiaz #eventindustry #mpisunbelt

Global Meetings Industry Day is a time for meeting and event professionals to come together and celebrate the incredible impact of what we do. Face-to-face meetings and events not only drive organizations’ bottom lines, they drive cultures, communities and humanity forward. GMID is the perfect shared opportunity to connect, learn and refuel for the year ahead. Can't join our chapter celebration in person? Join MPI’s Global Meetings Industry Day on April 3rd for an 8-hour broadcast made just for the meeting and events industry! Connect with colleagues, earn clock hours and celebrate our impact as event professionals! MPI’s free broadcast is returning this year -- with a twist -- and it’s your chance to earn up to 12 clock hours while gaining insights and takeaways from top industry leaders, connecting with your peers and partners, and rally for your profession! Learn more ---> mpi.org/gmid #gmid2025 #MPIAZ #mpicommunity

It's official! Not only is April 3, 2025 Global Meetings Industry Day, it has now also been proclaimed Arizona Meetings Industry Day! 🎉 We’re deeply grateful to the Office of Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, for this incredible recognition - and for supporting Arizona's meetings industry! Thank you! #mpiaz #gmid2025 #globalmeetingsindustryday  #meetingsmatter 🔗https://lnkd.in/gVQQJXjK U.S. Travel Association

Have a meeting coming up? Need the perfect culinary setting?

Check out our Keynote speaker Kevin Coffey for the upcoming GMID celebration on April 3rd! Registration is almost closed ⏳ More information here --> https://lnkd.in/ge6hcBQk

🚨 MPI AZ Sunbelt Chapter - GMID Conference - This Wednesday 🚨 Meeting Professionals: Are You Ready to Answer This Critical Question? If you're a meeting professional in Arizona, you won’t want to miss the Meeting Professionals International Arizona Sunbelt Chapter Global Meetings Industry Day Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center & Venues this Thursday, April 3rd. As the keynote speaker, I'll be diving into a topic that is essential for every planner and supplier: "Meeting & Event Risk: A Guide for Planners and Suppliers." In the video I created, I posed a question that many meeting professionals often aren't prepared to answer. That’s why this session is so important — it’s time to understand the critical role risk management plays in our industry. Many planners and suppliers mistakenly believe that managing event risks is solely the responsibility of the venue. However, every person involved in a meeting or event must understand how to incorporate risk management — not just in their safety plans, but into their organizational culture as well. At this conference, I’ll be sharing a wealth of actionable insights, tips, and resources to help you effectively manage risks and safeguard your most valuable asset: your attendees. In the event of an emergency, your attendees may need to rely on your organization — let’s ensure you’re ready! This full-day conference includes six educational sessions, two fireside chats, breakfast, and lunch. Plus, there’s a networking event at the end — where the real connections are made! ⏰ REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT CLOSES THIS MONDAY, MARCH 31st Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your knowledge and network with fellow industry professionals. For more details and to register, here's the link: https://lnkd.in/gUHPsUht Special thanks to Phoenix Convention Center & Venues for sponsoring the venue, Visit Phoenix for being the lunch sponsor, Aventura Catering for sponsoring the F&B, and Patricia Zollman, for sponsoring my travel. See you there! Amber D. May, CMP, CMM, Sukki Jahnke, CMP, IOM, Mary Anne Whittle, CMP, Heather Switzer, CMP, CMM, Kerri O'Brien Rose, CMP Vanessa Gonzalez Mandy Ocenas Ashley Redick #MPI #SITE #PCMA #FICP #meetings #MeetingProfessionals #meetingrisk Meeting Professionals International