Mary Jo Blythe has a long history in the meetings industry, having founded Masterplan, Inc. in 1991, which was acquired by Creative Group in 2016. Deciding it was time to make a difference in their lives – one person at a time. She founded The Beyond and Beyond Foundation to award life-changing Heart of Hospitality grants of $10,000 to individuals recommended by planners and nominated by their employer (hotel or DMC) and then presented the award at a surprise awards ceremony Awarded by winners.
Meeting Innovator is a new series dedicated to spotlighting the trailblazers who are defining the future of the meetings industry. Each month, we feature visionary professionals who are breaking the mold with innovative strategies, fresh perspectives, and bold ideas. In addition to planning events, these pioneers create experiences that resonate, inspire and lead the way. Join us in celebrating the creative minds taking the future into their own hands and shaping the future of the meetings world.
Meeting Innovator Sponsor: living room.
What does innovation mean to your nonprofit and The Beyond and Beyond Foundation (TAABF)?
To me, innovation means finding new ways to create impact, overcome challenges and respond to change.
In nonprofits, where thousands of organizations work to make the world a better place, the challenge goes beyond just doing a good job. It’s about doing work that really stands out. With so many causes vying for attention and support, you have to be innovative to attract donors.
How are you innovatively rethinking traditional philanthropic models?
When I started the foundation, I realized we urgently needed to support our industry’s frontline workers—those who can easily be overlooked despite their hard work and dedication. These workers often survive on minimum wage.
Many organizations aim to help large numbers of people, but this can dilute the impact. So instead of casting a wide net, we focus on a small group of individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty to deliver exceptional service every day. By narrowing our focus, we create a meaningful way to deliver targeted support, resulting in more impactful results.
Does the meetings industry need more innovators and leaders?
Absolutely. Like any industry, the meetings industry is constantly evolving. People want more diverse and engaging experiences.
We need people who can push the envelope and develop new forms of activity. We need to reimagine the traditional agenda. We need to create new ways to deliver content in a way that appeals to younger generations.
How do you get support from others to support TAABF?
We start by building an emotional connection to our mission. Involving our supporters and donors directly in our awards ceremonies is the best way to showcase the work we do.
It’s impossible not to be moved when one sees the reaction on the face of the person (bartender, pool attendant, or bellhop) who wins these huge cash prizes! This certainly inspired a deeper commitment from our audience to our cause.
When did you feel like you became an innovator?
I believe innovation isn’t just about having a good idea; It’s about disrupting traditional ways of doing things and creating something new that resonates with people.
For me, becoming an innovator was when I realized we needed to rethink the way most nonprofits provide support to those in need. This challenges the typical philanthropic model.
Our upcoming $1 million grant demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. It is 100% funded through donations, which shows that people have confidence in this.
So, to me, innovation is seeing an idea implemented and become a movement that other people want to be a part of.
Where do you look for ideas and inspiration outside of the meetings industry?
As a meeting planner, I work with clients in many different industries, which gives me the opportunity to understand their challenges and solutions. Sometimes this sparks ideas that I can apply to foundations.
I am also inspired by the younger and older generations. The younger generation brings fresh ideas, while the older generation brings years of wisdom and experience. The intersection of the two is inspiring.
