President

Marie Johnson, CMP
ConferenceDirect
Email

MPI-WI Member for 5 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?

MPI-WI is a fabulous organization dedicated to advancing the personal and professional goals of our members. Every individual in our chapter has an opportunity to get involved and make a personal contribution to leave their mark. However, it is particularly rewarding to participate at the board level, collaborate with my peers, and provide guidance on the strategic direction and long-term sustainability of our association.

What is your greatest MPI memory?

I had been a member of the MPI-WI Chapter for about two years when I attended my first MPI-WEC the summer of 2006 in Dallas. It was an amazing event and really opened my eyes to all the opportunities MPI has to offer. The education was top notch, the speakers engaging, and the offsite events executed to perfection. My experience was so positive that I decided to get more involved in our chapter and earn my CMP designation. It was the beginning of many wonderful things to come.

President Elect

Susan Kainz
ConferenceDirect
Email

MPI-WI Member for 5 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?

• Having the opportunity to make positive contributions to ensure the Chapter’s success.
• The interaction between Board Members is really special – it’s taking relationships to a higher level.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
It’s hard to select one – a few that come to mind are: The fundraising efforts to support victims of Hurricane Katrina – the support from members, Chapter leaders, and matched by the Radisson Green Bay was overwhelming.

The Chapter Leadership Conference in Dallas and getting to know fellow Board Members.

Certainly, sitting in Andrew’s restaurant singing with fellow MPI members – Jimmy Buffet has nothing over our group.

Immediate Past-President

Tami Gilbertson, CMP
WPS Health Insurance
Email

MPI-WI Member for 6 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
Stepping into the role of President both thrills me. and nauseates me at the same time. I am honored by the opportunity and hope I can do a fabulous job for our membership. Wish me luck!

What is your greatest MPI memory?
There are so many memories to choose from; however, Past President Paulette Heney, CMM, selecting me for the President Award is still such a huge and humbling surprise. I still can't believe she picked me!

VP Finance

Denise Henson
Racine Marriott
Email

MPI-WI Member for 9+ years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
I am proud to be an active part in shaping the current experiences and laying future plans to ensure that members continue to see value in being a part of the Wisconsin Chapter. It is so important that members continue to view MPI Wisconsin as an invaluable asset to their professional development.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
Seeing the successful collaboration of planner and suppliers coming together to create such memorable events as the Annual Golf Outing and Awards Gala!

 

VP Education

Sherry Benzmiller, CMP
Energy Center of WI
Email

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
The personal and professional connections that I have made and continue to make. Learning new skills and having the ability to contribute to the direction of the chapter.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
I fondly remember a team building exercise that involved a PCV tube with holes, water and me getting drenched!

 

VP Membership

Tina Luther, CMP
The Abbey Resort
Email

MPI-WI Member for 8 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?

• New experience – stepping outside of my comfort zone.
• Being involved, understanding the “behind the scenes” of MPI and how it all comes together.
• Networking and personal growth
• Feeling as if I’m making a difference and contributing to the Chapter’s success

What is your greatest MPI memory?

• Heidel House Event and Scavenger Hunt on the Pontoon Boat
• WEC – Closing night in Vegas – Unbelievable!
• Networking and sharing your experiences in planning events with those that “understand” and share the excitement

VP Communications

Naomi Tucker, CMP
Humana
Email

MPI-WI Member for 4-5 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?

• New friendships
• Increased knowledge of MPI (back of house knowledge)
• More education on specific responsibilities
• Opportunities to learn other job skills and advance
• Option of potentially going to leadership events, CLC, WEC etc...

What is your greatest MPI memory?
2005 Awards Gala at Paper Valley Hotel/Performing Arts Center
Heidel House Event on Pontoon Boat

Director - Awards and Scholarships, Recruitment

Jen Hlavachek
Madison Concourse Hotel & Governor's Club
Email

MPI-WI Member for 2 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
Even though I have only been a member for a couple of years, I am truly amazed at what this Chapter accomplishes each month with our volunteers. I am looking forward to being part of the leadership that continues to positively shape our Chapter because this group has such amazing energy!

What is your greatest MPI memory?
My greatest memory is the first meeting I attended. I immediately felt like this was the organization I needed to join and dedicate my energies. Lynette Resch invited me to volunteer with the Gala committee, and I jumped in immediately.

Director - Member Care

John Dorgan
Bridgewood Resort Hotel
Email

MPI-WI Member for 6 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
I am excited to take on a new role as VP of Member Care, working in the areas of membership growth and retention. My first charge is to re-energize the mentoring program for new members so, I will be looking for some seasoned members to take on the role as mentor. . . any volunteers?

What is your greatest MPI memory?
My greatest MPI memory to date would be of LInda Hale greeting me as a new member and how she followed up with a call to get me involved on a planning team for the fall education day. There is no better way to break that "new member feeling" then to jump in an volunteer!

Director - Monthly Programming

Lynette Resch, CMP
TDS Telecom
Email

MPI-WI Member for 9 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
I’m excited to be a member of the Board as it has not only increased the level of my involvement with MPI but is also giving me the opportunity to make a difference.  I’m just beginning to see the “Big Picture” of what it really means to be a part of this organization.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
The networking opportunities are huge … it truly makes a difference when you get involved.  I’ve enjoyed being a member on several planning committees, attending WEC in Las Vegas, participating in the scavenger hunt at the Heidel House, attending the MPI Education Days, being exposed to motivational speakers (Paul Wesselmann & Walter Bond) … the networking opportunities are endless so please get involved.

Director - Professional Development

Alison Huber, CMP
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau, Inc.
Email

MPI-WI Member for 4 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
I am excited about the opportunities to both further myself in the meetings industry by being involved on the board and to help the Wisconsin Chapter and its members to move forward in their careers as well.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
There are so many great MPI memories already, but if I have to pick one, I would say my greatest MPI memory was attending the 2007 MPI WEC in Montreal, Canada for a few reasons. The first was my experience as a leader of the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum. This was my second chance to organize and speak at this fantastic event and it has helped me in reaching some of my professional goals. The second reason was having the opportunity to witness as fellow chapter members Janet Sperstad, CMP (Planner of the Year) and the Energy Center of Wisconsin (Global Paragon) received their international awards. As a former student of Janet's and a former "intern" at the Energy Center, it was fabulous to be part of that day.

Director - Publications, Advertising & Community Outreach

Shannon Timmerman, CMP
Wilderness Territories
Email

MPI-WI Member for 3 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
Since the moment I joined MPI, I have made every effort to get involved in the Chapter through volunteering. Now that I have been elected to the Board, I can continue to play a role in being involved in this wonderful chapter on a whole new level. I look forward to learning from my peers and furthering myself within this industry. I also look forward to the new relationships that are sure to be created along this journey!

What is your greatest MPI memory?
There are so many memories that I cherish throughout the past few years, but if I had to pick one I would have to say my first event. It was the MPI/WSAE golf outing in 2006 at the Heidel House. I didn't know anyone, and within an hour I had made lifetime friends and had an absolute blast! From that moment on I have made every effort to attend every event and continue to make great memories!! A close second would have to be the Historic Tavern Tour in Neenah. I never laughed so much, and I will never look at a parrot the same!

Director - Special Education Projects

Jodi Goldbeck, CMP
MATC
Email

MPI-WI Member for 7 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
I hope to be an influence to students attending Madison College to join in on such a wonderful group of professionals.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
My favorite MPI memory was the 2009 Awards Banquet in Wisconsin Dells.  It was the first banquet I attended and the energy in the room was awesome.  I presented the Kirsten Bjurstrom Krueger Scholarship, which made it even more exciting for me!

Director - Special Events, Fundraising & Strategic Alliances

Tamara Putney, CMP
Fox Premier Meetings & Incentives
Email

MPI-WI Member for 5 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
Having an opportunity to serve on behalf of the members with such a talented group of people.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
Working in collaboration with the MN Chapter to gain sponsorships for the Midwest Conference.

 

Director - Website, Public Relations & Advocacy

Taci Tolzman
Meetings and Incentives
Email

MPI-WI Member for 4 years

What excites you most about being a part of the Board of Directors for MPI-WI?
What excites me most is having a voice in shaping the future of the chapter. Also the friendships and networks of people I will gain as being a part of the board.

What is your greatest MPI memory?
I will never forget WEC in Vegas! It was my first MPI International event and everything about it, amazed me. From the Wisconsin Chapter events, Definitely the Pembine event in April of 2009.