My MPI Story
When I think of MPI THCC I think of family, seriously! I have made hundreds of friends during my time as an MPI member. I have served on numerous committees, boards, and task forces with international as well and I have loved every minute of it. My work life and my personal life have been enriched by all the people I have met along the way. What an incredible experience being involved with the MPI THCC chapter, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Wow, when I think back at taking my first steps in the hospitality industry, I can honestly say that I owe my professional growth, career, and servant leadership experience to MPI. I have been a member since 2001 and have learned a lot about the industry and myself in that timeframe. My personal growth I can contribute to MPI by giving me the platform to be a better business professional, learn and grow as an individual, be the best volunteer leader possible, and allow me to give back to an industry I have been a part of for over 25 years. The MPI Family has been by my side through every part of my life and supportive in every aspect of my development. I truly would not be where I am today if it were not for MPI and the Texas Hill Country Chapter. Congratulations on 40 years!!
My MPI THCC story began when I joined the MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter in 1991 early in my hospitality career while working at the Omni Bayfront in Corpus Christi. The first meeting I attended was in San Antonio at the Ripley’s Wax Museum, located across from the Alamo, where I met several chapter members. I was invited to lunch, on a subsequent trip, by the chapter Director of Membership (there were no VP’s yet), whose name was Tillie Rheiner. Over lunch Tillie explained to me the best ways to maximize my membership, as well as the ways to get involved. Within the year we hosted a weekend-long THCC chapter educational retreat in Corpus, so I had the chance to put my MPI membership to work immediately!
Read more from Joe…
I’ve really enjoyed getting involved within our local meeting professionals community. Joining MPI THCC has given me the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with those I know which is fun and a good way to stay connected. It’s been rewarding volunteering within the Communications Committee and I’ve strengthened my business skills by writing Volunteer of the Month articles and Social Media posts for the chapter. I’ve also enjoyed the educational opportunities on both a local and national level and I look forward to continuing my MPI journey. Thanks for always being a strong presence within our industry and Happy 40th Anniversary MPI THCC!
I have been involved on and off with MPITHCC for many years throughout my career. This latest time, I decided to jump back in because I wanted to attend TEC for networking purposes. I met so many wonderful members, and re-connected with some I already knew. Shortly after I was asked to assist with VOM articles, by interviewing the member chosen. It was a way for me to get to know members and potential clients a little more personally. That task turned into me not only interviewing but writing the stories. Wow I was so excited to see my name as author on my first solo article. Who knew! So nice to belong to a community that not only values members for their strengths, but also challenge you to elevate your skills. I’m now VP of Communications, and I’m learning so much about leadership, and guidance. I just hope I’m able to give back as much as I have received!
My background is in education with a bachelors and masters degree. After leaving the teaching world and moving to Austin in 2001 I was hired by an association as their meeting planner, web manager, receptionist and education coordinator. I knew nothing about meeting planning except that I had entertained extensively in my home. Jeff Bell, the MPI THCC president (2002-2003), came to visit me on a professional call at the association and first introduced me to MPI. Within a few months I joined MPI in 2003 at the age of 55 and by 2006 had earned my CMP. Within a year of joining I applied for the board and was elected VP-Finance. These events have generated a twenty-year love story with MPI and granted me countless friends – true friends. This is an industry that is easy to fall in love with and I have done that and fallen hard. Forever grateful and forever committed.
When I first started in this industry, I was told by everyone I met that MPI would be important to me and for me. When I transferred my main membership to THCC, I knew that was the chapter where I belonged. The lifelong friendships, connections, support and opportunities to serve have been amazing, and still continue to excite me!
My MPI THCC membership has been invaluable for the last 25 of my 38-year career in the meetings industry. In the beginning, I was primarily interested in the educational offerings but quickly learned that there is so much more on a local, national, and international level. Not only do MPI and MPI THCC continue to keep me current on the latest meeting industry trends but I found terrific leadership and networking opportunities as well. On a more personal level, I’ve connected with the most amazing people and developed friendships that I know will last for years to come. Thank you MPI THCC and HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!
I joined MPI THCC in 2014. Since I was still relatively new to the Austin event community I decided this would be a great way to meet some industry folks and learn about new venues. I was right. Joining MPI THCC helped me learn about the events community and get to know the city I lived in better. In 2019, I decided to join the board. Two days after my first meeting as an incoming board member the world shut down and everything changed. I had to witness a lot of change on the present board and a complete re-invention of events in a very short time. I considered myself one of the lucky ones that still had a job so I wanted to help our community any way I could. The easiest way was to reach out to our membership virtually. I wasn’t as much of a stranger to this as others so I jumped in and helped the board any way I could with the new model. I worked hard to create meaningful education, and the first virtual TEC. I also thought we all needed some cheering up so I started doing virtual happy hours with our legendary colleague Jeff Rasco. Hooray for dueling DJ’s and trivia! I have met so many amazing people and made so many meaningful connections. Thank you MPI THCC. Cheers to 40 years and many more to come.
I was a brand new association planner when I first volunteered for MPI. I initially got involved to grow my skills and expand my network, and boy, did MPI THCC do that for me. It also gave me life-long friends and cherished memories. I got my current job (16+ years ago) in part because of contacts I’d made volunteering for MPI. Involvement in the chapter has done so much for me, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I’ve enjoyed membership in MPI THCC since 2004. The chapter is my source for the best in education and networking to keep up with industry forward trends. Many life long friendships have come out of THCC, too. Industry leaders who share their time and talents with the membership make the membership a must for me.
MPI THCC has been the best organization for me to be successful in the hospitality market. I value the relationships with people I have met throughout the years. I do not think there are enough words to say about MPI THCC. I would not be the proud company owner I am without THCC’s commitment to helping entrepreneurs like myself. It is truly inspiring and I am so grateful for everything MPI THCC has done for me. From education to networking events – I never get enough.
As I tell anyone who will listen, I owe my professional success to MPI. By getting involved at the committee and board levels, both in Houston and later in the Texas Hill Country Chapter, I built relationships that helped me grow my leadership skills and ultimately led to business success when we started our business in 2001. Being able to serve at the international level, on committees, the International Board of Directors and the MPI Foundation Board of Trustees certainly added to those relationships and aided our success. The thing is, anybody can do what I was able to do – just say yes to volunteerism!
I joined MPI THCC as a student member while I was getting my Master’s degree and working as an association planner. As they say, the rest is history! MPI’s welcoming attitude, high-energy events, and passion for the events industry inspired me to continue my career as an association planner.
By attending events, participating in CMP study programs, earning my CMP designation thanks to MPI THCC’s study group and leadership opportunities…I am where I am today. As a shy, unconfident association professional, I took the leap into MPI THCC leadership opportunities by applying for the Board of Directors on a whim. After success through education, MPI THCC provided even more skills through Board leadership.
Attendee Management has served as administrator MPI Texas Hill Country Chapter since 2009. Because of my increased involvement with THCC MarComm, I joined the Board of Directors as VP of Communications for the 2021-22 term. My experience on the board helped me to grow professionally, allowed me to work together with a great team, and I created some very special and important relationships. MPI has helped me (and our family business!) be successful and well-respected in the meetings and events industry – for that I am so extremely grateful.
I joined MPI shortly after joining the Convention and Visitors Bureau. It was just what you did. I remember attending my first Texas Education Conference in San Antonio. It was electric. I looked forward to becoming more involved in a group that seemed so warm and everyone knew one another. Sophie Curtis was my director at the time and as she became more involved in MPI THCC, she encouraged me to do the same. I joined the Communication Team as a volunteer and had my first opportunity to learn more about how the chapter operates. More memorable experiences include hosting two Board of Director Retreats in College Station and finally this past year attending the Retreats as a Board member. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for our chapter.
