Message from your President
Deborah Gardner, CMP
COMPETE BETTER NOW!, LLC

If you attended the recent AZ MPI Awards Gala, you had the opportunity to hear Deborah Gardner's acceptance speech as your 2008-09 Chapter President. Below is an excerpt of that speech.

We all know that the meetings industry has grown and forever rapidly evolving. And with that growth, there is movement, excitement, and a lot to be exchanged. Therefore, we are in a position today to engage all our energy and growth into a form that can really make a difference for ourselves and for others around us.

There is no doubt that this year is going to fly by. It reminds me of the Country Singer, Kenny Chesney's newly released song, "Don't Blink!" where he reflects on not letting the year pass you by yet focus on the important things. For our chapter there are two areas that I believe are important and we are ready to focus on this year.

The first one is... RECOGNITION. Studies have shown that the number one need of people... is to be appreciated. To be valued and acknowledged when giving your talents, your knowledge and experiences. One of the things I appreciate... is music. With our goals, we can create our own harmony and "band" together by rewarding your contributions and your participation by implementing a new automated nomination process that will help us to honor you.

The 2nd area of focus is... BUY MPI. To do business with each other, we need to know each other. Some innovative ideas are already in motion to help this process. For example, Christina Tzavellas with CTZ & Associates has created what is called "the floaters". As a floater, you choose when you may be available to serve. Rochell Planty with Rockin R Meetings & Events, LLC is coordinating an "Independent Meeting Planners Forum" that will allow face to face brainstorming discussions. The program committee will do what no other MPI chapter has even thought of doing - partner with the students for a generation to generation panel program. What are your ideas? What is it going to take to make you "bring it on" with your expertise and talents?

To move all your energies into action, we need to move you so "MPI ROCKS YOU!" We know we are rock SOLID with a healthy and continuous growing membership and we are STRONG with so many experts and resources within our chapter. We have rhythm like jazz, hip hop, rap, gospel and even rock and roll. We have soul, creativity, awareness, originality and many other talents. And just like the instruments in a band... the drums, the guitar... all sound great individually, yet put them ALL together, the sound... "ELECTRIFIES". That electric synergy has already begun with our new leadership team that met at the beautiful Francisco Grande-hosted by Tina Cramp. Thank you Tina!

As a professional speaker, one of "my" all time favorite professional speakers, Charles Tremendous Jones says, "The only difference between where you are now and where you will be next year at this same time are the people that you meet." Are you ready to meet the people that can change where you are next year at this same time? We welcome you to change and to participate this year because we are ready for YOU! We are ready to ROCK YOU!

So, as you're new President of the MPI Sunbelt Chapter, I'm honored to serve you. Yes, we are going to shake things up a bit. So don't blink!