MPISCC Intercom vol. 113 - January/February 2015

INTERCOM Designed and Edited by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative

VOLUME 113 | January/February 2015

Leadership 2015-2016 MPISCC Board Nominations Are Open PAGE 6

Technology 5 Tech Companies You Need to Know Building Interest, Informing and Opting-In

Remembering Beverly PAGE 7

PAGE 13

Destination Waterfront Cool: Marina del Rey PAGE 10

A Heartfelt Tribute to MPISCC President Beverly Laing by one of her close friends, and her final encouraging message to MPISCC members.

PAGE 3

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter MPISCC

Officers & Directors 2014-2015 President Mariles Krok, CMP Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board 424-731-7781 Immediate Past President David Anderson, CMP Eventive Group 562-438-4834 Vice President of Communications Laura Bergersen, CMP Laura B Events 562-234-8819 Vice President of Education/Programs Nicole Newman Searchwide 951-640-3745 Vice President of Finance Amy Zelinsky, CMP A to Z Special Events 818-646-3445 Vice President of Leadership Development Joe Marcy, CMP Westin Long Beach 310-748-3075 Vice President of Membership Christine Hartman Ice Hat Creative 310-601-0695 DIRECTORS Awards and Recognition Shelley Grey, CMP TCW 213-244-0579 Fundraising Joe Martin BDI Events 323-692-0802 Marketing and Publications Jane Mato, CMP Hilton Waikoloa Village 310-523-3896 Member Care Akemi Shapiro Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach 805-652-5118 Member Recruitment Michelle Conant VP Limousine & Coaches 949-400-4583 Monthly Programs Carlos Murillo Harrah’s Rincon Resort 760-751-3219 Professional Development Bryan Quinan, CMP Milken Institute 310-570-4638 Public Relations and Media Meredith Delfosse Crown Plaza Hotel Beverly Hills 310-651-3251 Special Education Mai Hogan Luxor & Excalibur Hotel & Casino 702-262-4824 Special Events Michelle Thornton, CMP NBCUniversal 818-777-6044 Strategic Sponsorship Shang Hur HelmsBriscoe 626-460-8991 Executive Director Debbie Hawkins, CAE, CMP 805-449-9111

MPISCC MONTHxMONTH JANUARY Monthly Networking & Program January 14, 2015 The London West Hollywood FEBRUARY State of the Industry Monthly Networking & Program February 10. 2015 SoCal location TBA February 11, 2015 Las Vegas location TBA

DESIGN & EDITORIAL Managing Editor & Designer Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative alvalyn@alvalyn.com 805-857-7981 Contributing Editor Laura Bergerson, CMP Contributors Elizabeth Glau, CMP; Heather Mason; Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau; Russell Harris, CMP, Deborah Shepard, CMP Photo Credits

pp 1, 8-9, 18: Alvalyn Lundgren; pp 14-16: ©Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau; pp 14-16: Brian Kramer Photography

MARCH Monthly Networking & Program Date & Location TBA MPISCC Golf Tournament & 5K March 23, 2015 Los Coyotes Golf Club APRIL Southern California Educational Conference & Expo Joint educational event, trade show and hosted buyer sessions with MPIOCC and MPISDC April 23-24, 2015 PAGE 4 Hilton Costa Mesa

INTERCOM is published six times a year by Meeting Professionals International–Southern California Chapter, a nonprofit professional association of meeting planners and suppliers. ©2015.

Article contributions and editorial guidelines requests should be sent to Alvalyn Lundgren, Managing Editor, at alvalyn@alvalyn.com.

Advertising Information www.mpiscc.org/marketplace/ advertising-kit/

MAY Monthly Networking & Program Date & Location TBA JUNE Installation & Gala Date & Location TBA

www.mpiscc.org 275 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Phone: 805-449-9111 Fax: 805-557-1133

/MPISCC MPISCC has deactivated its Facebook group.

Please LIKE our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MPISCC where you can post and stay connected.

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MPISCC MISSION STATEMENT MPISCC will be recognized as the leading local membership community that is committed to shaping and defining the meetings and event industry in Southern California.

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015 PRESIDENT’S PAGE

Remembering

Beverly

Beverly Laing was like family to me. She was my best friend, colleague, mentor, and confidant. It was her infectious laughter and positive attitude that opened doors, but it was her passion for life that swung them wide.

I met Beverly during a CMP study group in 2001, and we bonded immediately.

During the years that followed Beverly became my client who consistently threatened to come work with me… a promise she made good on last year when she joined the RHEG team.

Beverly was also the person who gently nudged me to become more active within our MPI chapter, and I will be forever grateful.

Along with Lynn Bynder, CMP, we were the “Three Musketeers”. We leaned upon and learned from each other. Beverly was the nucleus of our little group, helping to guide, challenge and encourage us. Her thoughtfulness knew no boundaries, and we were often surprised by little gestures and gifts she would bestow upon us, much like the one Lynn received recently – a magnet that read…

Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.

Surveys, Savings, and Stakeholders

by Beverly Laing, CMP, CTC | 1959-2014

Editor’s Note: This is Beverly’s latest message to MPISCC members and is published posthumously. You can post your own remembrance or tribute to Beverly via our Facebook page: facebook.com/MPISCC.

Happy New Year Southern California Chapter Members!

I hope your holidays were full of joy and fond memories with friends and families.

As Chapter President, I wish you much success in 2015. Thank you for continuing with your MPISCC Chapter membership!

As we begin 2015, I am sure many of us have thought about and/or written down goals we want to accomplish in the New Year. The Southern California Chapter is here to assist you in your profession by providing educational, motivational and networking programs.

I encourage you to visit the website for upcoming programs and register early for the best savings. We have some great educational programs in the works for the coming months.

Chapter Membership Survey Each year, MPI conducts a Chapter Membership Survey. This Survey will begin on February 13 and end on February 27.

The survey has a two week window and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

On February 13, each member will receive a unique link to the survey. This link is created specifically for each member and cannot be shared with another member.

Beverly will always hold a special place in my heart, and will be deeply missed.

by Russell Harris, CMP, Russell Harris Event Group 3

I would like to take the opportunity in this President’s Message to emphasize how essential this Survey is to all of us as chapter members. It is your opportunity to give your input and feedback. We can only make changes if we know that change is warranted. This will benefit and strengthen our Chapter. We can make your ideas a reality if we all do our part and use our voices. If you have attended at least one MPISCC educational program since September 2014, please take the survey!

We Are All Stakeholders What is at stake for our membership?

First, additional funding for our Chapter.

Second, ranking amongst all MPI Chapters and third, (the most important), knowing what you think the Chapter is doing right and what we can improve upon to make the Chapter the best it can be.

In the coming weeks, you will be provided with additional details via social media, phone calls and email blasts. Your feedback and participation and feedback will make this a highly productive year for us all.

I wish you much success, optimism and strength in 2015!

Beverly Laing, CMP, CTC 2014-2015 MPISCC Chapter President

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! Want to network with your fellow meeting professionals while putting together our tri-chapter education & trade show conference? Be ACTIVE in your industry and join the SoCal EdCon Committee! We’re looking for volunteer leaders to assist with: sponsorship, trade show, our hosted buyer reception and day-of volunteers.

Whether you can give one hour or want to be involved with the weekly progress of putting the entire event together, we want you!

FAQs: What is EdCon? The MPI SoCal Education Conference & Expo is a collaborative event combining three MPI Chapters: Orange County, San Diego & Southern California. In its third year, our educational conference has been combined to meet the needs of our membership and industry professionals from across North America, with a mission to:

• Support MPI’s core mission to make our members successful by building human connections through knowledge, ideas, relationships and marketplaces.

• Provide a high quality, affordable program of education and networking to meeting professionals.

• Create an environment for supplier members to build relationships with local planners and suppliers.

When & where is it?

The event will be held on April 23-24, 2015 at the Hilton in Costa Mesa, California.

Why should I get involved?

Networking! Working on a committee is the best way to meet and work side by side with your fellow industry professionals. Create new professional connections and possibly even meet your new best friend.

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Professional Development! Learn skills you don’t do in your day-to-day position or enhance and build upon the ones you have. Not only is it a great resumé builder, it’s just one of the many benefits of your MPI membership.

It’s fun! Yes it’s work, but as meeting and event professionals isn’t it the most amazing and fulfilling experience to see all of your hard work come together into an event people can walk away from as better individuals, having built upon their existing relationships, making new connections and having discovered their own “a-ha” moments?

Help us make that a reality for our 2015 event.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP: If you are interested in being a part of the SoCal EdCon Committee please email MPISCC’s Director of Special Events, Michelle Thornton at: michelle.thornton@nbcuni.com.

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter OUTREACH

LEADERSHIP

NOMINATIONS are OPEN!

MPISCC-Cares

Become a 2015-2016 MPISCC Director or Chair!

Community outreach has been a personal and professional focus of both Rosa Navas and Niki Jones, MPISCC-Cares newest co-chairs.

Opportunities to develop leadership skills through volunteering and community outreach MEET THE CO-CHAIRS

Rosa is the Advertising and Marketing Manager for La Opinion, the largest Hispanic newspaper in the United States. In her role with the publication she is involved with community outreach initiatives in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and she personally supports various nonprofit organizations via donations and volunteering.

Every year, we applaud our chapter leadership. These individuals drive the success of our organization.

It’s time for you to become one of them!

Keep your eyes open. The 2015-2016 Board of Directors and Chair Application is available now! It is time to start reviewing the opportunities and to find your fit.

This year, Chairs are also asked to apply for their positions.

Niki, Special Events Manager for Dave & Buster’s, also has a vested interest in the community professionally through her past work with United Way and through her current volunteer work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Los Angeles and Orange County.

Your 2015-2016 Nominating Committee

PLANS FOR 2015

We’re also happy to announce the Nominating Committee. These volunteers are objective, strategic, and are here to help with your long term volunteer goals:

The MPISCC-Cares committee will continue to focus on core events with our established partner organizations – Rainbow Services, Ronald McDonald House and the Los Angeles Mission – and will expand both volunteer outreach opportunities and fundraising with a few more!

David Anderson Margaret Garcia

We will also integrate social media utilizing #mpiscccares to engage the MPISCC community more consistently and provide opportunities to spread the word about our outreach initiatives both individually and as an organization.

Debbie Hawkins Mariles Krok Joe Marcy Audra Narikawa Deborah Shepard

JOIN THE TEAM

Natalie Wong

The Committee looks forward to working with member volunteers to advance the mission of MPISCC-Cares in 2015.

The application and nominating instructions will be available at mpiscc.org/volunteer-opportunities/.

We are currently seeking members who are passionate about giving back to the communities where they live and work through volunteerism. Committee roles will allow members to use their existing talents and skills, and develop brand new ones. MPISCC members who are interested in communications, planning, and overall community outreach are encouraged to join the team.

The deadline for submission of applications is January 9, 2015.

If you have questions, please contact Joe Marcy, CMP, Vice President of Leadership Development at 562-499-2005 or joseph.marcy@westinlb.com.

Join us today by contacting: Rosa: rosa.navas@laopinion.com or

We look forward to your engagement!

Niki: niki_jones@daveandbusters.com

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INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015 TECH TALK

TECH COMPANIES YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Elizabeth Glau, CMP | Building Blocks Social Media

Practical, impressive and unique, these products and services aim to increase attendee engagement and response.

O

ne thing IMEX America has done for event professionals is to expand the number of technology exhibitors and attendees. This year, I found five companies offering very special and very needed services to our industry. These days there are so many technology companies looking for ways to capitalize on the meetings and events industry. I’m impressed by those who offer a completely unique product or service (or better yet, disrupt the way we’ve always done things). UX (user experience design) is increasingly important as the competition grows and our attendees and guests use more and more apps in every area of their lives.

1 CatchTalk.TV is a free-to-use video platform for professionals. They aggregate and host high-level B2B video content from conferences, events and summits, making high-quality content from industry leaders easily accessible to you. Whether it’s a recent talk or industry-specific opinions you seek, CatchTalk.TV can provide it. You simply sign up with your LinkedIn profile. You will receive personalized recommendations to content that is most relevant for you, saving you time and keeping you up-to-date with business trends.

I’m looking forward to using their site to stay educated on the topics that are important to me. http://www.catchtalk.tv/

2 Crowd Mics turns iOS and Android devices into wireless microphones.

Guests can simply talk into their smartphone or tablet and are instantly broadcast over the sound system. No more passing microphones or telling your guests to get up and go to the microphone in the middle of the room!

Crowd Mics can also be used for sharing text comments and polling. Wi-Fi connection is all that is needed. http://crowdmics.com/

3 InitLive takes a mobile-first approach to managing teams on-site by facilitating scheduling and communication so the team can focus on their assigned tasks. Through this application, managers and volunteers have access to dashboards to keep them updated on information. These dashboards are used as a gateway to access details surrounding the event. Managers and volunteers also have access to a master schedule as well as individual schedules for the event. Thanks to this application, changes can be made without having to re-print schedules and any changes made on the web will be immediately updated in the app. http://www.initlive.com/

4 SmartCrowdz is taking a completely different business model and applying it to the attendee registration process: website/mobile app, event schedules/ maps/messages, donations/ registrations/ sponsorship – and it is all free!

What’s the catch? Advertising, of course. The same way we are able to use social networking sites for free, they are applying that model to a robust suite of attendee marketing, registration and communication tools. This model won’t work for every event, but for the ones who might sell advertising on their registration site anyway, it makes perfect sense. They tell me they are also looking at adding a paid version for those who don’t want the ads. www.smartcrowdz.com/

5 From the company who brought us Zenvoy, a way to exchange contact details, here’s a new product for the hospitality industry: thankz. Their goal is to make rewarding, recognizing and remembering irresistibly easy for your guests. Thankz is a revolutionary electronic name badge worn by customerfacing employees that is instantly recognizable by a Smart Phone App. When an individual is thanked by a customer, the interaction can be monitored by managers and leaders, who are then empowered to respond appropriately.

Customers want to reward great service but often lack the tools to do so in a fast, convenient and meaningful way so I’m excited about the future of this product. http://thankzapp.com/

Elizabeth Glau is Owner, Building Blocks Social Media, and Account Manager at SocialPoint. @ElizabethGlau 7

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

The next step centers on Controlling Your Brand. This includes reputation management online, in the press and among those who might talk about you, especially your brand champions.

Michelle suggested that we not leave this up to chance. She encouraged us to have a personal brand statement – a simple message and content that your brand champions can easily recite and pass along. It’s that 30second commercial we all know, but may not realize that it needs to be well known to those who like to positively talk about us. The message describes you in your own words (e.g., creative, approachable, competent); mentions your skills and accomplishments (speaker, author, top sales producer, event planner, etc); and spices it up with your personality and tone of voice. Generate buzz about your personal brand in a message you control and that is spread by consumers, friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and your community.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Building Your Professional Brand WITH MICHELE WIERZGAC, MSEd, CMM

by Deborah Shepard, CMP, CSP | destinationExcellence

W

ith a grand motorcycle entrance, Michelle Wierzgac opened the lively and informative session, Building Your Professional Identity: Why Personal Branding Matters. She asked the audience seated in the beautiful theatre at The Beverly Garland Hotel, “Why do some people stand out in a crowd when you deliver the same set of skills, products and services to the marketplace?“ The answer?

Self-Branding.

Knowing your core values and the passion that drives you will help you develop a brand that is unique and which you are able to communicate and control in order to be successful.

She likens the elements of building and maintaining our personal brand to product/service branding, a la Coca-Cola or Nike.

Michelle stressed that brands create revenue, consistency, visibility, a

sense of trust, energy and leadership.

Many strategists and coaches agree that there is a direct correlation between a person’s reputation and success. Reputation is about earning credibility, not expecting it. With credibility comes peoples’ confidence in doing business with you.

According to the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA.org), two-thirds of all economic activity is influenced by shared opinions about a product, service, or brand. Think: Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.

Once you have identified your gifts, passions, strengths, and skills, the steps to successful personal branding advance to Managing Appearances: wardrobe, grooming, body language, vocabulary, tone of voice, behavior, and even how you consume food and beverage in public.

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Michele Wierzgac, MSEd, CMM, is an ad-hoc professor and frequent guest lecturer for numerous colleges and universities, and is well known for her column Forward Thinking. She has been recognized by Meeting Professionals International as a Top 5 speaker. Michele has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Illinois State University and is a Certified Meeting Manager. In her spare time, Michele is a Rider Coach for Harley-Davidson’s Motorcycle Training Academy and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

The networking program was graciously hosted by the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood. With renovations soon to be completed, the Garland offers more than 16,000 sq. ft. of event space including its new outdoor venue, Beverly Park. Its 13 meeting spaces vary in size and configuration.

A unique feature is the 1,800 sq. ft.

Beverly Garland Theatre, which seats 130. A visual re-brand supports the hotel’s re-design and re-naming to The Garland.

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

L Waterfront Cool

Marina del Rey Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau

ocated in the heart of the Los Angeles coastline and only four miles north of LAX, Marina del Rey is a waterfront playground with endless harbor views and a relaxed “California cool” vibe on the bustling Westside. Traditional meetings take a back seat here as the harbor is showcased through unique venues like luxury yachts, on-the-water team-building activities, and waterfront dining. And with Silicon Beach and tech hotbed Playa Vista nearby, the Marina appeals to high-end corporate business and the tech industry, keeping the community on the cusp of emerging trends.

Additionally, Marina del Rey hotels are known for their unbeatable value, covering nearly 60,000 square footage of unique meeting space and offering approximately 1,000 hotel rooms. From bigger properties like the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott to boutique properties like the chic Jamaica Bay Inn, the iconic Marina del Rey Hotel, and the contemporary Hilton Garden Inn, the hotels are 10

competitively priced and located just steps from the water’s edge. Collectively, the hotels’ recent renovations have kept the properties stylish and on-trend with new restaurants, open communal spaces and other modern touches.

What’s New? Hotel renovations and a surge of new retail and restaurants have added to the Marina’s modern luxuries. Highlights include: • The historic and iconic waterfront property, Marina del Rey Hotel, will reopen in winter 2014 after a year-long $20M full renovation. The new 160-room hotel will boast 4-star amenities, including a full-service restaurant, 24-hour room service, concierge assistance, an outdoor, marina-facing pool and sundeck, an outdoor wedding venue, and a roster of additional offerings.

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015

• Marina del Rey Marriott recently renovated its sleeping rooms and is currently undergoing a $6M renovation to its pubic space which is expected to be complete in January 2015. The modern property has 370 guest rooms, most with water views and 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey opened its new signature restaurant, Cast & Plow, which is a farm-totable concept, featuring seasonal cuisine from local farmers and fishermen. The restaurant’s private dining room is available for groups up to 16.

• The Marina Marketplace has recently been renovated to include vibrant dining and entertainment options with nationally recognized brands like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Yardhouse, Benihana’s RA Sushi, Equinox Gym, AMC Theaters, Pier 1 Imports and

Paiche, which was named one of the country’s top ten new restaurants by Equinox Magazine in 2013.

Waterfront Dining & Entertainment The Marina’s expanding culinary corridor features award-winning restaurants and panoramic views along with harbor side hotels and yacht clubs. With more than 100,000 square feet of unique meeting and event space accommodating up to 600 people banquet style, there’s a wide selection of stylish venues like: • Waterside decks, terraces and patios with year-round dining • Chic banquet rooms with waterfront views • Poolside settings with yacht-filled views • Beachside courtyards and a private rose garden perfect for outdoor luncheons or receptions

• Exclusive yacht club lawns • Sleek lounges with outdoor fire rings and mood-lighting The Marina’s relaxed environment also evokes the perfect backdrop for intimate group dining such as opening night receptions, closing night ceremonies, client entertainment and company celebrations.

Where Board Room Meets Fun Marina del Rey’s waterfront location initiates a creative twist to meeting space. Add a little flair with one of the Marina’s signature events: • Host a sunset cocktail reception aboard a harbor cruise • Hold a seminar at sea or a dockside meeting on a yacht • Meet in a rooftop ballroom with sweeping views of Los Angeles • Arrange a harbor side meeting in a private yacht club continued on page 12

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

MARINA DEL REY

continued

• Collaborate with an on-site planner to create customized menus

available and introductory or group lessons can be arranged. Popular selections include:

• Enjoy the breezy coastal climate in an intimate rose garden or private outdoor terrace

• On-the-water activities like stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing

• Organize team-building events like mini-sailing regattas, group rowing and deep sea fishing

• Daily parasailing excursions that soar above Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach

Because of the close proximity of hotels, restaurants and activities, meeting in the Marina is a breeze as guests can easily walk or bike.

Parking is also plentiful.

Group Leisure Activities In between meetings or at the start/ end of each day, the Marina’s active community will keep attendees busy with recreational fun – either as a group outing or individual experience. The best part? No experience is needed, hourly rentals are often

• Leisurely bike rides along the Los Angeles coastline • Cruising the harbor on an electric boat • Breaking out on the Pacific with a high-speed power boat • One of six self-guided walking tours, covering everything from nature and bird watching to architecture and elegant yachts

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$2,000 Reasons to Book your Marina Meeting As a special promotion, the Marina del Rey CVB is offering up to $2,000 in incentives for your next meeting in one of our five hotel properties – Hilton Garden Inn, Jamaica Bay Inn, Marina del Rey Hotel, Marina del Rey Marriott, and the Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. Credits can be used toward an intimate dining experience on the water, spa treatments, and more!

Available now through March 31, 2015. Visit www.marinadelrey.com/ promo/incentives for the full details.

To plan your waterfront meeting or group business, contact Larry Stafford, Business Development Manager, Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310-306-9900 or lstafford@visitmarinadelrey.com or go to www.visitmarinadelrey.com.

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015 INDUSTRY TRENDS

Panacea AND Pandora Building Interest, Informing and Opting-In

By Heather Mason | A Caspian Production

I

’ve often dreamt of technologies that can help bridge the gap between event goals, and event measurement. The good news is this is becoming a reality. New start-ups and apps are unveiled all the time allowing us more and more tracking capability and giving us even more insight into the activities and interactions of our attendees.

thinking about how I could finally justify everything I’ve been saying from gut experience for 15 years with actual hard numbers and real data. However, the marketer in me is starting to say ‘Opt In’ and ‘Inform.’

I have not studied either of the two technologies enough to know if there are built-in disclosures which let attendees know how the data will be used, and whether it will be anonymized, aggregated, etc. I also don’t know if they have the option to opt-in either.

While this is clearly a panacea for event producers, some interesting questions come with it, not the least of which is how much of the ‘tracking’ do we allow our attendees to know about? And if they do know about it – can they opt out? Or can we make it a game where they’d prefer to opt-in?

I only know that as a former marketer, there are plenty of missteps along the ‘big data’ trail where the excitement of getting mass quantities of consumer data subsumed the notion that we were supposed to be getting permission.

Or at the very least informed consent.

Let’s take a few of the apps I’m most excited about from a usability point of view.

Loopd (mentioned at IMEX this year) provides insight into traffic patterns and interactions. This wearable badge can track both attendee networking and individual meet-ups, as well as tradeshow booth visits. It’s incredibly valuable data both on the individual level and in the aggregate. Without knowing all that this Loopd badge can provide, it’s clear that this type of tracking information can provide excellent transparency and actionable data for follow-up.

There is a place and a time for each technology depending on the audience and what they expect to get from the event.

We need to be aware that the same thing could happen in events. There have been moments where I’ve been pitching a technology to a client (like badges that alert you when someone you want to meet is within x feet of you at a networking function) and it felt like a great, efficient solution to a problem, and at the same time, a bit ‘stalker-ish’. It reminds me there is a place and a time for each technology depending on the audience and what they expect to get from the event.

And, isn’t this exactly what we hear from clients and executives all the time? That once an event is over, what happens?

Where is the follow-up? Well, while we can’t force people to follow up, technologies like Loopd and others like it could make the follow-up a lot easier to track.

Speecheo was the app winning top prize for technology start-up at IMEX this year, and instead of looking at physical traffic and patterns is looking at content traffic. It allows users the value add of taking notes on the presenter’s slides, while allowing the event producer (or speaker) to see which parts of the content are the most popular.

While I for one, am definitely excited to venture into a world where events can be much more concretely justified and accounted for, I’m also trying to keep my giddiness in check with concerns for privacy and the possible overreach of data collection.

It’s a fascinating look into the audience as a real-time temperature check, and not just via a gradient in interest but in actual written notes and takeaways as well. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to tell an executive – and back it up with data – that the part about the company doing well in Q4 was an absolute hit? AND people actually took notes on it!

I believe that in any instance as long as we continue to keep the attendee experience top of mind, cater to the audience needs (whether that be more information or less) and let them have a say in whether they participate, we’ll be fine.

Now at my next event - how many of these apps can I try??

I must say, the event producer in me gets a little bit giddy

Heather Mason is president of A Caspian Production, an event production firm. www.aCaspianProduction.com @ACaspian 13

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PHOTO ALBUM

M MPISCC

2014 ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

We knocked it out of the park!

ore than 200 guests came on November 12, 2014 for a festive sports-themed evening at The Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium.

The fundraiser raised over $25,000 for MPISCC programs and education.

The evening began with a behind-thescenes tour through the stadium which included the trophy room, club suites, press box, dugouts and field. Guests then enjoyed a tasty buffet and drinks overlooking the stadium while browsing and bidding on a plethora of entertaining opportunities.

Thank you to the sponsors who made the evening possible: A1 Party Rentals, Alvalyn Creative, Brian Kramer Photography, Dash Entertainment, Dodger Stadium, Ice Hat Creative, Levy Catering, Lotus & Lily, Lumi, Luners Production Services, Minuteman Press, Plan-It Interactive, Scott Cummings Music, Social Point, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, VIP Limousines & Coaches; and to the silent auction donors: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Huntington Beach, Ceasar’s Entertainment, Las Vegas, Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Seattle, Tacoma Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Visit Newport Beach.

The Fundraising Event Committee Director of Fundraising & Advertising: Joe Martin, BDI Events; Fundraising Chair: Morgen Hoffman, Morgen Hoffman Events Event Production & Program Kristin Pagdilao, DoubleTree by Hilton Monrovia-Pasadena Area Silent Auction Tamera Love, NBCUniversal; Citlalie Gallegos, Peterson Automotive Museum; Kenisha Danley, Pepperdine University CVB Liaison Travis Pham, Santa Monica CVB Sponsorship Liaison Kimberlee Wolfe, Student, CSULB Entertainment & Games Liaison Jason Soporito, Plan-It Interactive 14

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

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INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015

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in monthly STATS eblasts Starting at $630

BUY from MPISCC SUPPLIER MEMBERS!

Get started now!

Visit MPISCC.ORG to download your MPISCC advertising kit!

For more information, contact Director of Fundraising & Advertising, Joe Martin at joe@bdi-events.com

Corporate and Event Branding Effective Branding and Visual Design for Festivals, Conferences, Seminars, Trade Shows, and for those who create them.

Print, Web, Email, Signage, Social Media

to the Great Frontier

Lighthouse Church Fall Branding Program | v1 | 7.10.2012

Alvalyn Lundgren www.alvalyn.com alvalyn @ alvalyn.com 805.857.7981

BREAK AWAY CAMP

@alvalyn

/AlvalynCreative

/Alvalyn

/alvalyncreative

17

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter OUR NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME Jeanne Brand PSAV jbrand@psav.com

Manuel Loayza CR&A Custom, Inc mloayza@rocketmail.com

Cynthia Bryant Le Reve Reine Event Consultants lerevereine@gmail.com

Elias Murray Student murraye91@gmail.com

Sarah Cavey Bowlmor AMF SCavey@Bowlmor-AMF.com

Tracy Newell MeetingWise tlnewell@meetingwise.net

Cynthia Cosio Hotel Corque cynthia.cosio@hotelcorque.com

Nikki Plaid MCW Events nikki@mcwevents.com

Rayshon Davis Implant Direct radavis@implantdirect.com

Cassie Pressentin Anaheim Convention Bureau cpressentin@anaheimoc.org

Sarah Diem Student diemse@gmail.com

Stephanie Reynolds Jillian’s sreynolds@gameworks.com

Danny Farrell NYC DJ’S danny@nyc-djs.com

Karla Rodriguez Ruiz SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills Karla.rodriguez-ruiz@luxurycollection.com

David Fletcher SME Entertainment Group, LLC dfletcher@smelivenation.com

Ying Voong Student yyvjsc@gmail.com

Yula Greco Reg-Insure, LLC ygreco@reg-insure.com

Wanda Wallace Student charriezw@yahoo.com

Kristin Haugan Shore Hotel kristinhaugan@shorehotel.com

Alysa Yamauchi Student alyssa-yamauchi@yahoo.com

Jennifer Hood Student jen@previeowchomes.com

Kayli Yoong The Garland kayli@thegarland.com

18

INTERCOM | Volume 113 January/February 2015 OUR MPISCC STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Thank You www.DashEntertainment.com

PMS 179 C 0/79/100/0

PMS Orange 021 C 0/53/100/0

19

275 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

PAGE PAGE 88

PAGE 10

IN THIS ISSUE

MonthxMonth Calendar 2

Program Highlights: Professional Branding 8

President’s Message & Tribute

Destination: Marina del Rey 10

3

Call for Volunteers: SoCal EdCon & Expo 4

Industry Trends: Panacea and Pandora

Leadership: Officer & Director Nominations 6

Photo Album: 2014 Annual Fundraiser 14

Call for Volunteers: MPISCC Cares 6

New Members

18

Tech Talk: 5 Tech Companies You Need to Know 7

Support Our Strategic Partners

19

INTERCOM

PAGE 3

PAGE 14

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