The MPI Awards Gala was held on June 9, 2011. Here, you can meet the people who won awards that night, and what they’ve done to deserve those awards.
Planner of the Year
Mary Young, CMP, M.Y. Events
Throughout Mary Young’s 25 years as an industry leader, she has been consistently named one of the Top 25 Meeting Planners in the Valley by the Phoenix Business Journal because of her demonstration of leadership and her dedication to make an impact on MPI and the meeting’s industry. She successfully owns a full-service meeting planning company that she opened in 1997. In addition to that, she has served on the board of directors and other committees for the chapter.
Supplier of the Year
Gordon Murray, Super PhotoVideo
Gordon Murray, a nine-year member, has always supported the chapter by providing his photography services for meetings and events, and has also served on many committees. He has photographed two monthly programs and the BUY MPI Trade Show. Murray was also the photographer at Leadership Retreat.
Rising Star Award
Amy Miranda, Tourism Office
Amy Miranda wasted no time and created a new committee as chair of fundraisers the minute she rejoined last year. She is a true asset to her employer and always shows her strong dedication and support to the chapter.
James A. Fausel Student of the Year Award (two winners)
— Heather Luvisi is a student at ASU studying Business with a minor in Tourism, Development, and Management. She started as a key volunteer for the Student Run program, while being part of the Education Committee. She is president of the MPI Student Club.
— David Borsheim promotes AzMPI and the industry as a whole to rally students in the hospitality sector. He made himself known throughout the chapter and has become the face of AzMPI while serving as Student Relations chair. He graduates in December and has landed an internship with Enterprise Holdings, which he has already begun.
Special Recognition
Angela Prestinario, Stratum Laser Tag
Angela Prestinario shows her loyalty by attending almost all meetings and events. She also is a committee chair and gives to the chapter and donates to its raffles. Prestinario also sponsors members for the Chapter Fun Event at her family venue, Stratum Laser Tag.
Committee of the Year Award
2010 Summer Education Forum, Rochell Planty, CMP, CTA Chair and Tiffany Higgins, Co-Chair
The 2010 Summer Education Forum Committee came together and put team effort into creating outstanding educational programs such as the one held last August in Tucson. It held up to its theme, “Tucson Will Surprise You.” It was also awarded an “Award of Excellence in Association Management” by the Arizona Society of Association Executives for its exceptional location, effort and style.
Host Property/Venue of the Year
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino hosted the November Monthly Educational Program. It went above and beyond to make a memorable event for all members by adding a special honor to Veteran’s Day. It also hosted the VIP reception along with providing accommodations and private airport transportation for MPI International Chair, Eric Rozenberg. It will also host the Leadership Retreat.
Sponsor of the Year
Mark Anderson, Southwest Scenic Group
This eight-year MPI member has consistently shown dedication through his contribution of goods and services. He never says “no” to an event request and his contributions have been described as crucial to the success of BUY MPI Tradeshows, Annual Awards Galas, Monthly Programs and the ummer Education Forum. He served as co-chair of the BUY MPI Committee and will be serving as co-chair of the 2012 Education Forum.
Member of the Year Award
Margie Long, Hot Air Expeditions
Margie Long has been a part of MPI for 16 years and has been a great example of an outstanding member. In 2010, she served as a sponsor for one of the monthly programs and has always worked behind the scenes. Long is generous with raffle donations and she co-chaired the Host & Hospitality Committee for two years.
Edward E. Scannell Award
Pamela Traficanti, CTA, Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau
Pamela Traficanti is a 21-year MPI member with more accomplishments than can be named. She devoted her time and services to MPI and several other industry associations including AzSAE and HSMAI. Traficanti also is involved in Arizona Children’s Association as a board member, and Up with People reunions.
President’s Achievement Award
Jamie Cook, CMP Strategic Meetings & Incentives
Coming up on 20 years as an MPI member, Jamie Cook is a past president who runs an extremely successful meeting planning company. Cook is respected among her peers and clients.
MPI Gala sponsors:
| PHXproductionsCort Furniture
Strategic Meetings & Incentives Southwest Scenic Group PSAV Hilton Hotels US Airways Tempe Tourism Office Super PhotoVideo |
McDonald Floral & GiftsTucson Convention and Visitors Bureau
Lisa Pressman Ensemble Swank Audio Visuals Meetings & Concierge Source Dave & Buster’s Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau SuperShuttle/ExecuCar Khani Cole |
