OC Meeting Industry Group Embraces Equality
The Orange County chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPIOC) is seeking meeting and event planners from diverse organizations and welcomes their first new member of their Equality MPIOC program. Equality MPIOC is an outreach initiative created by the chapter to reach planners who serve multicultural organizations and/or the LGBT community.
The chapter’s first member of Equality MPIOC is Sarah Kasman, the Executive Director of Shanti OrangeCounty. Shanti’s mission is to strive to preserve the dignity and well-being of individuals living with HIV and AIDS by providing supportive services, education and psychological care. Kasman is the heart and soul of the OC organization. Each month more than 100 volunteers assist those in need while Sarah and her staff ensure delivery of case management, education, health services, mental health services, home delivered meals and linkage to a wide array of services throughout Orange County.
There are no fees involved for members of the diversity initiative. Those who join forces with Equality MPIOC this month also receive complimentary attendance to all the chapter’s monthly dinner or lunch meetings through June and are eligible to win a complimentary, national annual membership to Meeting Professionals International. Topics at the meetings focus on career related education of interest to meeting MPIOC Program Chair and Director of Public Relations Charlie Reeves of GayTravel.com says, “I am thrilled to have Sarah as part of our chapter. Shanti’s message is so important. Sarah will learn a lot from MPIOC and vice versa. I can’t wait to introduce her to the chapter at our February 3 meeting at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.”
For more information on participation with MPIOC contact Charlie Reeves at Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world’s largest association for the $122.3 billion meetings and events industry which is committed to positioning meetings and events as a key strategic component of an organization’s success. The 300-plus member Orange County chapter of MPI, established in 1987, empowers its members to increase their strategic value with education, professional development and business growth opportunities. For more information, visit www.mpioc.com.