June 18, 2025—Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced the recipients of this year’s RISE (Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence) Awards during the association’s 2025 World Education Congress (WEC25) in St. Louis, MO. The recipients were selected for exceptional achievements in the meeting and event industry.  

"It brings me great joy to celebrate the 2025 RISE Award recipients! Their passion, hard work, and remarkable achievements not only inspire our community but also reflect the values that we strive to uphold every day in our industry,” said MPI’s International Board of Directors Chair, Rob Adams. 

The RISE Awards feature seven awards in two categories: individual achievement and community achievement. Recipients are recognized for innovation, global transferability, impact, and influence within the industry, and will join the MPI Community of Honorees, a group composed of past MPI award winners and distinguished leaders.  

"I am incredibly proud of our RISE Award recipients for their exceptional achievements and dedication. Their work exemplifies the values and excellence that drive MPI and our industry forward. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition," said MPI’s President and CEO, Paul Van Deventer. 

The RISE Award for Young Professional Achievement was presented to Jordan Lacey, MBA, CMP. Lacey is a Project Manager, Tech Events at Capital One. She seamlessly blends her expertise in event strategy and technology to create impactful and engaging experiences.  She holds a degree in Event Management (Johnson & Wales), an Executive MBA (Colorado State), and the CMP designation—demonstrating her commitment to excellence. Jordan joined MPI in 2024. However her contributions to MPI are deeply rooted in innovation. As a member of the MPI New Jersey Chapter, she played a pivotal role in enhancing the chapter’s social media and video strategy, leveraging her tech-savvy skills to elevate engagement and visibility. Beyond her professional achievements, Jordan is a changemaker in the community.  

The RISE Award for Member of the Year was presented to Rafael Hernandez. Hernandez joined MPI in 2013 and quickly became engaged as a volunteer and served on the chapter board from 2014-2021. He has impacted the MPI LATAM region over the last several years through his volunteerism.  As the founder of Grupo Latin America Meetings, Rafael has made significant contributions to the international business and meetings industry. He studied International Business at Anahuac University and founded several influential publications, including LM Latin America Meetings Magazine, Unique magazine, LM Colombia magazine, and LM Latin America Meetings TV. In 2013, he established the World Meetings Forum (WMF), a business platform connecting high quality decision-makers with vendors, based on principles of culture, connections, closing, and purpose. In 2014, during the WMF, he proposed the Meeting Means Business Latin America Coalition and the Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID). He also founded and chairs the World Meetings Forum Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to including people with disabilities in the meetings industry. Since 2018, the foundation has included over 600 individuals in various events across Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. 

The RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership was presented to JC York. York is known for his extensive contributions to the meetings and events industry. A member of MPI since 2009, JC quickly became an active leader within the Tampa Bay Area Chapter, helping them earn a prestigious RISE Award. His leadership was crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, guiding the chapter through unprecedented challenges during an extended term as President and continuing his service through various committees, including the President's Council.  JC’s dedication to volunteerism is evident in his long-standing support and advocacy of The SEARCH Foundation, which helps industry professionals facing crisis and catastrophic need. Since 2010, JC has served in multiple roles, including Board Member and Director of Crisis Relief, a position he continues through at least 2026. He has also been instrumental in researching resources for those impacted by recent disasters, showcasing his passion for helping others.  JC’s leadership spans other associations as well, with roles at local and international levels. His most notable achievement was chairing and overhauling an international awards program, that earned him international recognition. He has earned numerous accolades from organizations like MPI, The Special Event, BizBash, and ILEA.  His mentorship, advocacy, and leadership have had a lasting impact on the industry, aligning with MPI's mission of connecting, learning, and empowering the global events community.  

The RISE Award for Innovative Educational Programming was presented to the MPI UK & Ireland Chapter. The “MPI Impacts Event” redefined educational programming by blending professional development with immersive, experiential learning. Held in Dublin in July, the event featured a dynamic mainstage program with four interactive sessions covering habit-breaking, workday management, community-building, and networking best practices.  A key innovation was "The Dublin Dialogues," replacing traditional breakouts with six curated experiences across the city. Attendees explored leadership in an art gallery, resilience in a recording studio, and mindfulness on a Viking settlement, among other uniquely tailored experiences. This approach deepened engagement and transformed passive learning into active participation. The program was highly successful, achieving a 96% satisfaction rate, exceeding attendance targets, and earning praise such as “A game-changer for educational events.” The innovative format, designed for longevity and transferability, has set a new standard for MPI programming globally.  By prioritizing diversity, sustainability, and experiential education, the event demonstrated best-in-class innovation, offering a replicable model that aligns with the evolving needs of the meetings and events industry.   

The RISE Award for Marketplace Excellence was presented to the MPI New Jersey Chapter. The 2024 Golf Event, in its 26th year, is a key networking opportunity that connects planners and suppliers in a relaxed, outdoor setting. This annual event has evolved into a Signature Industry Favorite, fostering relationships among attendees.  In 2024, the event was enhanced through a mobile app and additional activities to attract individuals less familiar with golf. The mobile app facilitated pre-, during, and post-event connectivity, allowing attendees to interact, access information, and receive alerts. The event also introduced new non-golf activities to engage a wider clientele as well as improved sponsor communication.  These innovations came about through attendee feedback, brainstorming, and collaboration. Based on chapter feedback, the organizing committee chose to focus on two main objectives: enhancing the attendee experience and creating a comprehensive event playbook for future committees. This playbook can ensure consistency and improve efficiency each year. The event also incorporated corporate social responsibility (CSR) elements by supporting local organizations, including First Tee Raritan Valley and the Food Bank of Northwest New Jersey.  The event's success was evaluated through feedback, high engagement with the mobile app, and a positive attendee survey, with 81% of respondents indicating they would return. It has become the chapter’s biggest fundraiser, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, building long-term relationships, and fostering growth within the meetings and event industry.   

The RISE Award for Membership Achievement was presented to the Atlantic Canada Chapter. A Chapter Reimagined—A Legacy Redefined—the MPI Atlantic Chapter has undergone a bold transformation, emerging as a powerhouse of innovation, inclusivity, and impact. Faced with declining engagement, this chapter chose to redefine what a thriving chapter looks like.  To start, the chapter created opportunities for new members. Their Student Scholarship Program eliminated financial obstacles, welcoming the next generation of industry leaders. Its Inclusive Leadership Initiative challenged convention by inviting non-members into key board roles, bringing Page 7 March 2025 RISE Award Recipient for Approval fresh talent and perspectives that fuel innovation. Finally, by encouraging young leaders to take leadership roles, the chapter is empowering emerging leaders to shape the future.  Beyond leadership roles, the chapter created events customized to chapter needs. Drag Queen Bingo is more than an event—it’s a statement of inclusivity, breaking norms while raising critical funds for MPI. The chapter expanded its reach, taking programming beyond Halifax to engage a wider membership base. The chapter embraced technology by educating the community on AI and risk management. The chapter included a sense of purpose in its education, by tackling social responsibility head-on with anti-human trafficking initiatives.  The results speak for themselves—60.78% net membership growth (MPI target: 3.1%), 79.15% retention (MPI target: 73.1%), 14.07% net profit (MPI target: 1.1%), and an astonishing 503.74% in reserves (MPI target: 75.1%).  

The RISE Award for Social Impact was presented to the Ottawa Chapter. The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner is a longstanding annual event that brings together the meetings and events industry to support local charities selected by MPI Ottawa members. For over 25 years, this initiative has exemplified social responsibility by raising awareness and funds for organizations addressing key community challenges such as education, mental health, and food security.  In the past 15 years alone, the event has raised over $300,000, demonstrating the power of collective action in driving meaningful change. The success of the auction is made possible through the generous contributions of event professionals, suppliers, and partners who donate items and experiences, fostering a spirit of collaboration and philanthropy.  Beyond fundraising, the event is a platform for education and engagement, shedding light on important social causes while inspiring industry professionals to integrate charitable giving into their own practices. Its inclusive and innovative approach serves as a replicable model for other chapters and organizations looking to merge business events with community impact.  The MPI Ottawa Charity Auction & Dinner continues to evolve, adapting to new challenges and expanding its reach to maximize its positive influence. By uniting professionals in a shared mission, it reinforces the industry’s role in driving social change, making a lasting difference both locally and beyond.  

For more details on the MPI RISE Awards and this year’s recipients, visit www.mpiweb.org/RISE.