SO, HOW ARE YOU... Really?

Our Mental Health Check

VIRTUAL EVENT - WEDNESDAY, MAY 26

9:45 am ET - Early Bird Networking

10:00 am ET - Virtual Programming Begins

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The pandemic, now in its 15th month, has tested our mental and emotional balance, durability and stamina, and that of our loved ones and industry colleagues. Professional and lifestyle changes have altered and upended our sense of normalcy.

Are feelings of anxiety and depression common? What are the signs of more serious issues that we need to recognize? How do we help those we care about?

Join this insightful discussion with a mental health professional and a prominent meetings industry leader who will share essential knowledge and unique perspectives. We’ll have an active Q&A period with the capability to receive your questions anonymously if desired.

PANELISTS

Suzanne Robinson

Director of National Education Programs
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Suzanne Robinson is Director of National Education Programs responsible for curriculum and supervision of program managers. She co-authored NAMI Homefront for military/veteran families and developed the NAMI Family & Friends seminar. Prior to coming to NAMI, Suzanne’s positions included Director of Programs at NAMI Ohio, Senior Program Director at the University of Minnesota YMCA and Coordinator for St. Louis Partners AmeriCorps in Missouri. Suzanne received a BA in history from Washington University in St. Louis and an MSW from Ohio State University.

Vicki Johnson, CMP
Vicki Johnson & Associates

Vicki brings over 36 years of experience in a variety of capacities associated with the hospitality industry. She has been on the operations side of hotels, served as a meeting planner for several organizations, represented a CVB and led highly productive sales teams.

Vicki provides education and awareness to both the local and national community through her work and previous Board position with the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Capital Chapter of PCMA and Georgetown Main Street.

Moderator

Phil Rappoport
Virlybird

Phil founded Virlybird to support meeting planners in their quest to deliver quality virtual meeting experiences. Prior to Virlybird, he served as VP and General Manager of the AgendaPop mobile event app since 2015. Phil is the VP, Communications for the MPI Potomac Chapter, and is a member of PCMA, ASAE, SGMP, AMPs, and CSAE. His career has spanned the Internet and broadcasting, holding management positions at AOL, Surefire Local, Sony, Fox Television New York, radio stations in Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York. He also produced a weekly late-night program for the ABC Television Network featuring the top rock and roll artists.

Technical Producer

VINNU DESHETTY
Principal Planner
Apex Meetings & EVAreg.com

As a technology advocate, Vinnu helps clients embrace tools that improve their attendee experiences while making the meeting planner's job easier. With over 20 years experience in conference and event planning, Vinnu's portfolio ranges from working with government agencies including Internal Revenue Service and Department of Defense to social justice organizations like National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. With her meeting planner hat, Vinnu works with a team of developers at EVAreg.com to customize registration and virtual conference portals.

Raised as a coal miner’s daughter in western Kentucky, Vinnu stays true to her southern roots by valuing community in both her personal and professional lives. She obtained a Bachelors of Science from Vanderbilt University and a Masters of Public Administration.