ASSOCIATIONS

Meeting Professionals International Names Recipients of 2007 Meeting Professional Awards
Top Industry Professionals Recognized for Strategic Leadership and Service
29/7/2007
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announces the 2007 Meeting Professional Award recipients, sponsored by Hilton Hotels, recognizing the contributions of individual planners and suppliers who lead the meetings and events community. Winners were announced during the opening session at MPI’s 2007 World Education Congress a la Montreal.
Janet Sperstad, CMP, was named International Planner of the Year, and Bob Walker received the International Supplier of the Year award. Mary Ellen Murphy, CMP, CMM, was honored with the Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader award. Megan Welsh was selected for the Tomorrow’s Leader award.
“Congratulations to these outstanding winners who truly represent the best of MPI and our industry,” said Angie Pfeifer, CMM, MPI’s 2007-2008 chairwoman of the International Board of Directors. “These exceptional individuals will lead MPI into a successful future with their unsurpassed leadership, relentless drive and passion and their constant commitment to education and community.” urrently lends his “voice” to the MPI phone system, as it is Walker that is heard when phoning MPI headquarters. Walker served on the Marketing Committee of MPI during a time when significant changes were made to the MPI organization, as well as the industry. Walker’s Marketing Committee involvement helped create the Global Paragon Awards – the first and only award given to organizations of all types recognizing their work for event production excellence. In 2005, the Dallas MPI chapter recognized Walker’s dedication and contributions to the industry by presenting him with the coveted Spirit Award. Walker’s speaking engagements are extensive and he has been featured in numerous meeting industry publications.
Mary Ellen Murphy, CMP, CMM, director of special events for Del Posto restaurant in Manhattan, New York, was the choice for the Marion N. Kershner Memorial Chapter Leader award. Since joining MPI more than 15 years ago, Murphy has served in numerous leadership roles with the MPI Greater New York chapter. Her involvement includes serving as chapter president, as well as vice president of the communications, membership and education committees. Murphy was a founding member of the chapter’s Women’s Leadership Initiative. She was instrumental in creating the chapter’s Jay Magazine Memorial Fund – a fund that provides partial scholarships to worthy high school students pursuing a career in the industry. In 2003, Murphy was voted into the Hall of Fame for her unprecedented contributions and commitment to the chapter. Murphy’s tireless energy and service have been instrumental in successfully guiding the Greater New York chapter’s leadership development, fund raising efforts and membership growth and participation.
Megan Welsh, national sales manager for Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan, and president of the MPI Michigan chapter, is the recipient of the Tomorrow’s Leader award. Since joining the chapter, Welsh has served as president elect, director of special education programs and liaison for the Women’s Leadership Initiative. She recently implemented the first ever Michigan Event Industry Day bringing together five industry associations. In addition to receiving the Presidents Award, the Michigan chapter also honored Welsh with their Emerging Leader and Rising Star awards. Welsh has also been asked to speak at numerous MPI chapter and educational events. Her dedication and passion to the chapter, makes her the clear choice for the award.