Meeting Professionals International Michigan chapter recognized outstanding members during a year-end celebration held recently at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center.
Celebration! Gala awards were presented to:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bay City-Riverfront—Innovative Venue
Amber Sheerin, program and event director, Michigan Library Association—Innovative Planner
Sarah Botruff, Michigan State University graduate and employed at Ngage Management—Rising Star
Julie Oatman, director of sales and catering, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort—Kristina Kauffman Industry Cheerleader Award
Mary Gettel, director of education, Health Care Association of Michigan—MaryEllen Jansen Educational Leadership Award
Kim Corcoran, executive director, Meetings Michigan/Destination Michigan—President’s Award
Sarah Dysinger, senior program specialist, KCI Management—President’s Award
“The gala recognizes the work of MPI Michigan Chapter’s members and partners throughout the year,” says incoming Meeting Professionals International Michigan Chapter President Jenn Morden. “MPI Michigan is a volunteer-led organization, and it’s important that we show our appreciation to our engaged members. The work that they do helps move our organization forward.”
Corcoran describes the Meeting Professionals International Michigan celebration as an opportunity to celebrate the work members do all year long.
“Often the hard work of our industry goes unnoticed,” Corcoran says, “and the Celebration! Gala is a way to recognize all that goes on behind the scenes … we often gather for business purposes and it’s nice to gather to celebrate our members’ hard work and accomplishment.”
Some awards were presented based on survey and member feedback. Additional recognition came from nominations by fellow chapter members, curated by a small group of industry peers.
“The current president (Debbie Hughes, 2022-2023) awarded two individual board members with a special President’s award, given to a board member they felt went above and beyond and supported them in their presidency,” Morden says.
As one of those recipients, Corcoran says she enjoyed the opportunity to support Hughes during her year as president, explaining, “I just try to do my part and provide guidance and assistance when I can.”
Clarissa Lange, director of sales for the Double Tree by Hilton Bay City-Riverfront, says being recognized by peers provides a sense of “making an impact in your industry.”
“I believe we were chosen as an innovative venue due to our team’s willingness to get creative with our meeting and event space,” Lange says. “We love to think outside of the box and utilize all aspects of our property, whether it be tenting our pool patio, utilizing our front lawn by the river, or even working with the Bay City parks to use Wenonah Park next door to help our clients achieve their event goals.
“We’re also now getting into off-site catering. The last few years we have worked with the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational on providing catering for their VIP party to kick off the LPGA tournament.”
Meanwhile, Morden is looking forward to the coming year as an opportunity to get “back to basics” regarding what it is that she says makes the Meeting Professionals International Michigan chapter strong.
“We continue to welcome new members who see the value in this growing professional organization with our education and networking opportunities available throughout the year,” she says. “This year we are focused on strengthening our connections, providing innovative education, celebrating our members, and showing ROI to our strategic partners.”
