2026 Lifetime Achievement Award

We are proud to recognize Sarah Pinkowski, CMP, as the recipient of the MPI St. Louis 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sarah is Director of Meetings & Travel for Enterprise Mobility, where she leads a team responsible for employee engagement and leadership meetings and oversees the company’s transient business travel program. Her career has also included nearly 10 years with The Boeing Company, along with roles in meeting planning, hospitality and tourism.

Sarah has been an active member of MPI St. Louis since 2004 and has served the chapter in a number of leadership roles, including Chapter President. She has held her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation since 2007.

With a career spanning both the planner and supplier sides of our industry and more than two decades of involvement with MPI St. Louis, Sarah has been a familiar and valued part of our chapter and the St. Louis meetings community.

Join us on November 4th as we recognize Sarah, celebrate this year’s Circle of Excellence Award recipients and enjoy an evening together with MPI St. Louis.

Show Your Support in the Circle of Excellence Digital Program

• Tribute - $100 - Be listed as a MPI St. Louis Chapter Donor
• Quarter Page Ad - $250 - 4.25" wide by 5.5" tall
• Half Page Ad - $500 - 8.5" wide by 5.5" tall
• Full Page Ad - $1,000 - 8.5" wide by 11" tall

Congratulations to the
2026 Circle of Excellence Nominees!

Our nominees are extremely deserving and we are proud of their contributions this year to the MPI St. Louis Area Chapter.

Planner Member of the Year
Nikki Corder, Thompson Coburn LLP
Jennifer Devonshire, RGA Reinsurance Group of America
Julie Holtgrave, CMP, HMCC, American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Jason Moder, CHA, Saint Louis Zoo
Kathy Pelch, Federal Reserve Bank
Emily Thomas, CMP, Enterprise Mobility

Supplier Member of the Year
Katelyn Hatch, Lodging Hospitality Management
Deloris Hudson, Compass
Teri Rafferty, Heard Global
Anna Rask, Lodging Hospitality Management
Darrion Richard, Explore St. Louis
Troy Rolen, Logic Systems
Katie Schankman, Contemporary Productions
Erin Schulte, Exclusive Events
Kourtney Shaw, Butler's Pantry
Michelle Steuterman, Live! by Loews - St. Louis
Sophie Williams, Missouri Historical Society
Scott Yankey, Magnolia Hotel St. Louis

Chapter Leader of the Year
Sophie Baker - Director Special Events
Katelyn Hatch - Vice President Membership
Cara McGuire, CMP - Vice President Finance
Kelly Metter - Director Member Networking
Heather Peterson, CMP - Director Member Retention
Emily Thomas, CMP - Director EduCon

Volunteer of the Year
Mollie Emerick - Communications, Membership, Strategic Partnership Marketing
Mathew Hall - Membership
Jeff Lefton - Membership
Taylor Springer - Special Events
Denise Wallhermfechtel - Strategic Partnership Marketing

Mentor of the Year
Katelyn Hatch, Lodging Hospitality Management
Cara McGuire, CMP, Maritz
Jennifer Poindexter, Explore St. Louis
Katelyn Ruggeri, Heard Global
Kaitlin Jakel, CMP, NISC

Emerging Professional of the Year
Sophie Baker, Destination St. Louis
Taylor Springer, Destination St. Louis

Venue of the Year
America's Center
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa
Drury Plaza Hotel Brentwood
Energizer Park
Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel
Live! By Loews
Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel
Orlando's Event Center - South
Saint Louis Zoo
The Charles F. Knight Center
The Moonrise Hotel
The Sheldon Concert Hall & Galleries
WOW! Entertainment

MPI St. Louis Strategic Partners
Alpha Tooth
Fete Booth
Heard Global
The Morse Group
Stifel Theatre