Gary Schirmacher—one of MPI’s 50th anniversary “Legacy Contributors,” recognized this year—shares, in his own words, some of his MPI origin and history.

When I moved to Colorado from Chicago in 1996, I didn’t know anyone and felt like joining MPI would be a great way to network. The Rocky Mountain Chapter was the first MPI chapter and I found when I joined MPI that there was a strong spirit and great education and networking calendar of events. I attended as a non-member for a year and then joined MPI in 1998.

Since then, I’ve been to so many Rocky Mountain Chapter events and WEC annually and was lucky to be elected to the MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees in 2018—now I’m the chair of the Foundation. MPI really gives individuals so many leadership opportunities at the chapter and international levels.

Since 2018, I’ve been the auctioneer at the MPI Red, White and You Auction in Las Vegas during IMEX America. We raise lots of money for scholarships and grants. There have been many special fundraising moments at the auctions, but I’m always proud of selling a Magnum of Silver Oak annually for right around $5K. It’s fun and the audience gets a chance to competitive bid on a tasty wine to start the evening. I even sell the box that the Magnum comes in, priceless.

Stay thirsty my friends.