MPI New England outgoing president Michael Lynch, Sebasco Harbor Resort, gives the chapter's 2010 Meeting Professional of the Year Award, Planner Category, to Betsy Gonzalez, CMP, Liberty Mutual

At its annual meeting June 28, the New England Chapter of Meeting Professionals International named Betsy Gonzalez, CMP, supervisor, conference & meeting management, at Liberty Mutual in Boston as the chapter’s 2010 Meeting Professional of the Year.

Gonzalez also will serve on the chapter’s 2010–11 Board of Directors as director, education.

MPI President and CEO Bruce MacMillan traveled to the northeast to give the keynote address at the meeting, held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. The meetings industry, MacMillan said, had to deal with a lot of “shift” in the previous year, adding, “the year of shift is over.” And the New England Chapter, for one, is looking forward optimistically with its annual meeting theme “Bold New You.”

Other award recipients included: Marie Caci, CMP, CPCE, chapter manager, and Carlos Rojas, associate director of sales, Hyatt Regency Boston, both of whom earned this year’s President’s Award, given by outgoing MPI New England President Michael Lynch, general manager, Sebasco Harbor Resort. Susan DiDonato, hospitality account executive, VDA Productions, was named Meeting Professional of the Year in the supplier category. And Joanne Durham, CMP, manager, conferences & meetings, at the National Fire Protection Association, was named Chapter Leader of the Year.

Karen King, CMP, CMM, principal, Meeting Strategists LLC, is the 2010–11 president of the New England Chapter. Elaborating on the Bold New You theme, King said, “Our goal is to help our membership grow professionally and stay engaged.” Check the chapter’s Web site for upcoming educational and networking events.