On Friday night, the South Florida chapter of Meeting Professionals International hosted its annual award and installation dinner at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hallandale Beach. Nearly 110 people attended the cocktail and dinner event designed and coordinated by Deborah Corrao from Meeting Dynamics Global Inc. and Sammy Caban of Sammy Caban Event Design Group, which also provided the ballroom decor and flowers.
Carlos Molinet, president and C.E.O. of leadership training company the Molinet Institute, served as the night’s guest speaker, discussing the concept of servant leadership, which encourages members to engage in serving one another. Here’s a look at the award winners and new officers.
The chapter gave awards to Lori Change (Rising Star Award), Judy Turner Meyer (Planner of the Year), Jay Guttveg (Supplier of the Year), Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale (Venue of the Year), Nikki Grossman (Norma Bondy Legacy Award), Pamela Gadol (President's Award), and Dahlton Bennington and Steven Pollock (Appreciation Awards).
Here are members of the 2010-2011 board of directors:
Christine Tascione, president
Judy Goldman, immediate past president
Tracy Wallach, vice president of education and programs
Natalie Anderson-Hernandez, vice president of membership
Karyn Altman, vice president of communications
Jay Guttveg, vice president administration
Gilbert Villard, director of leadership development
Cathy Jenkins, director of marketing and public relations
Jennifer Weaver, director of publications
Misty Pohlironikas, director of community relations
Lauren Halpern, director of professional development
Lori Change, director of partnership
Deborah Corrao, director of special events
Kristen Obst, director of membership
The positions of president-elect and vice president of finance are still open, with applications for the latter being accepted through June 30.
Local companies contributing to the dinner included PSAV (audiovisual production, lighting, sound), Award Excellence Marketing (awards), Expo Convention Contractors (decor), A&M Productions (DJ), Joy Entertainment (entertainment), Room Service by AFR Event Rentals (furniture), Over the Top Rental Party Linens (linens), ImageSound Americas (sound), Creative Focus (photography), and Christie’s Photographic Studio (photography).
