Message From The President

Well, I only have a couple newsletters left as your President so this time I have chosen to do a brief letter instead of a video.

I’ve learned a very hard but valuable lesson recently, as most of you know. The loss of a parent, who is also truly your best friend, is something I didn’t think I’d have to deal with so soon in life. I know I’m lucky to have had her this long but it was still way too soon. I really do appreciate all the kind words and thoughts from everyone. I’m taking it day by day – learning to adjust to a new normal with the closeness of my amazing friends, family and colleagues. If I’ve said this once – I’ve said this a thousand times over the past few weeks – hug those you love. Tell them you love them and hug them close. You really AREN’T guaranteed a tomorrow.

Now – not to be a tear-jerker because my mom would tell me to knock it off and make this more upbeat and fun…….

I unfortunately missed the last chapter meeting but you all were in good hands. We truly do have an amazing Chapter that I am proud to be a part of. We are currently at 103 members as of today (4/5/18) and we’d like to finish the year at 106 so let’s get those referrals going and make some money!!

Our next meeting in person is our Annual Meeting in May at the Thompson Alumni Center at UNO on May 17^th, 2018. We have some amazing speakers lined up and the committee is working diligently on securing great auction items for you. There are still some sponsorship opportunities available so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to be a part of this great annual event. Registration ends on May 1st, 2018.

I know you’ve come to look forward to my videos (ha ha) but I’ll make up for it with my last newsletter for my Presidential year.Thank you for all you do and for being a part of this great chapter. See you in Omaha in May!

Angie Kistaitis
MPI Heartland Chapter President 2017-2018

Property Sales Manager
Harrah's Casino & Hotel, Horseshoe Casino, Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs IA

Contact Angie here >>>

Heartland Happenings

Current Enrollment

Congrats to the Chapter for keeping our enrollment up with 103 Members! Keep the referrals coming to earn CASH $$ and continue being recognized as an ever-growing and successful chapter.

In honor of Global Meetings Industry Day, MPI Global is offering $100 off New Premier & Preferred membership!
Use MPIGMID18 by April 25, 2018.

Welcome New Members

Laurel Jacobsen
Staybridge Suites

Shari McCormick
Omaha Marriott Hotel

Alicia Frieze
Council Bluffs CVB

Stacy Munk
Hilton Garden Inn - Omaha East/Council Bluffs

Robyn Nichols
Reno Tahoe CVB

Anniversaries

1 year (HEY!)
Angie Baker - 5/19/17
Kim Abels - 5/19/17
Lee Kuenstling - 5/18/17
Mattie Scheeter, CMP - 5/4/17
Deanna Fuller - 4/30/17
Erica Niewoehner - 4/28/17
Erin Cox - 4/21/17
Adrianne Robinson - 4/3/17

2-5 years (YAY!)
Maureen Geis - 5/19/16
Megan Dickinson - 5/19/16
Kelsey Packer - 5/5/16
Kathleen Estes - 4/28/16
Jessica Erickson - 4/19/16
Jennifer Flacke - 4/15/16
Jean Rogers, CHSE - 5/4/15
Laurie Nielsen-Singer - 4/27/15
Adam Curl - 4/25/14

5-10 years (WOO!)
Kathleen Van Gundy, CTC - 5/27/10
Julie Kronlage - 5/13/10
Teresa Cox, CMP - 4/23/10

10+ years (WOW!)
Lesley Brandt - 4/8/03
Renee Black - 4/8/03
Judy Tallant - 5/17/02
Patricia Fortune - 4/29/02
Mary Cason - 4/28/00

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kim Johnson-Smith
Go Stagestruck, a Division of Iowa Sound
Founder & CEO

As a continued MPI member, over the course of the last decade, let us celebrate Kim Johnson-Smith and her many contributions to the events industry.

Read more about our newest Member Spotlight >>

FREE Transportation to the May Annual Meeting in Omaha

Windstar Lines is providing complimentary bus transportation between Des Moines and Omaha. Transportation will depart from Holiday Inn & Suites Jordan Creek at 2 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 in order to arrive in Omaha in time to participate in the Dine Around event (transportation will be provided for Dine Around also). Return transportation will depart at 4 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from the Thompson Alumni Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.

Sign up through the meeting registration process by Tuesday, May 1, 2018

CALL for Nominations

MPI Heartland Chapter is launching a new Annual Awards Program in place of the Heartland Star Awards of years past. New categories of winners include: Planner of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Rising Star and President's Award.

Nominations are currently being accepted and will be voted on/presented at the May Annual meeting. Nomination deadline is
Friday, April 27, 2018.

Download and submit a nomination form today!

Don't miss out on Dine-Around, Meeting and Free Transportation!
Register by May 1, 2018 >>>

Thank you to our annual chapter sponsors!

MPI Heartland Chapter
Brenda Ram, CMP, CHCP
Chapter Administrator
heartlandadmin@cox.net

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