INTERCOM Designed and Edited by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative
VOLUME 115 | May/June 2015
Creating a Lasting Legacy
MPISCC’s Annual Installation and Gala Celebrates a Legacy Page 13
Meet LA
Facilitating Education
Leadership
Destinations and features to meet in Los Angeles
Past President Gary Rosenberg Advocates for Education
The Role of the Mentor
PAGE 14
PAGE 18
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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 Meetings & Events 818-646-3445 Vice President of Leadership Development Joe Marcy, CMP Westin Long Beach 562-499-2005 Vice President of Membership Christine Hartman Ice Hat Creative 310-601-0695 Directors Awards and Recognition Shelley Grey, CMP TCW 213-244-0579 Fundraising & Advertising Joe Martin. CMP 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 LuxBus America 949-400-4583 Monthly Programs Carlos Murillo Harrah’s Rincon Resort 760-751-3219 Professional Development Bryan Quinan, CMP Milken Institute 310-570-4638 Special Education Mai Johnson 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 MAY Monthly Networking & Program MPISCC Connect Peer2Peer Roundtable Discussion May 12, 2015 | 11:00am-2:00pm The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA
DESIGN & EDITORIAL Managing Editor & Designer Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative alvalyn@alvalyn.com 805-857-7981 Contributing Editor Laura Bergerson, CMP Contributors Geraldine Gatehouse; Elizabeth Glau, CMP; Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board; Thomas Smith, CMP. Proofreader: Patricia Stuhff Photo Credits
JUNE Meeting Planning Basics & Beyond Part 2 June 3, 2015 | 9:30am - 4:00pm Hyatt Regency Valencia | Valencia, CA Installation & Gala PAGE 13 June 17, 2015 | 6:30pm - 10:30pm Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown
ATTENTION MEMBERS!
LET MPISCC FUND YOUR CMP STUDIES! Apply for the Gary J. Rosenberg CMP Scholarship
pp 1, 10-11, 17, 18, 20-21: Alvalyn Lundgren; pp 2, 14-16: ©Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Bureau 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/
Application Deadline is extended to May 15, 2015 Application and requirements: http://mpiscc.org/membership/rosenberg-cmpscholarship/
www.mpiscc.org 275 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Phone: 805-449-9111 Fax: 805-557-1133
The Nominees Are:
The Nomination Committee is pleased to announce 2015-2016 slate for MPISCC’s Board of Directors. Get to know these leaders by reviewing their bios: mpiscc.org/about/board-ofdirectors-slate-2015-2016/
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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 115 May/June 2015 PRESIDENT’S PAGE
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t’s hard to believe that this year is already coming to a close! When I look back and think about all that’s been accomplished, I know that Beverly would have been proud! We have truly embodied her theme, Engage, Educate, Evolve, and have done a stellar job in achieving her objectives of engaging our members to become active volunteers, encouraging non-members to join; as well as promoting our educational offerings so our members can evolve into potential leaders.
MPISCC Made Possible By… by Mariles Krok, CMP | Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board MPISCC 2015-2016 President
Speaking of education and leaders, I hope that you were able to come to our March Monthly program, at the newly renovated Marina del Rey Hotel! Our Leading Hoteliers Panel Discussion was moderated by Past President, Steve Copeland, Director of Programs for russell harris Event Group and featured Javier Cano, Vice President and Market General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and The JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, and General Managers Sandy Murphy from The Beverly Hilton, Susan Santiago from the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, and Ben Trodd from the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel. The panelists shared their insight and many years of experience as it pertained to leadership styles, characteristics of great leaders, and work-life balance. Ben communicated that having a clear vision was of the utmost importance. Next was to know a reasonable path to achieve that vision, and subsequently to have communication skills, to be able to deliver your message in different ways, and the ability to tailor your message to your audience. Sandy shared that authenticity, integrity, and being genuine/transparent were important to being a great leader. As for advice for new leaders, Sandy shared that being inquisitive, humble, and respectful were important qualities to possess. Susan added that a new leader should also remember to have fun. Javier concluded that having enthusiasm and passion were key: “to love what you do, and do what you love.” Kudos to Bryan Quinan, CMP, CTE, Director of Professional Development, Carlos Murillo, Director of Monthly Programs, Nicole Newman, Vice President of Education, and the entire Education team, for putting on such an engaging educational program! If you missed the March Monthly Program, then I hope that you were able to engage at our Beverly Laing Golf Tournament, 5K,
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& Wellness Day! Special thanks and recognition goes to Jason Soporito, who chaired the Golf Tournament, Shelley Grey, CMP, who spearheaded the Wellness Day and our very own Vice President of Finance, Amy Zelinsky, for taking the lead on our Chairman’s Challenge 5K! Thank you so much for producing such a great event! I’d also like to thank all of the volunteers that helped make the Beverly Laing Golf Tournament, 5K, & Wellness Day a success. I also hope that you were able to attend the 3rd Annual SoCal EdCon & Expo on April 23rd & 24th at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa! Thank you so much Michelle Thornton, our Director of Special Events, for collaborating with our Orange County and San Diego counterparts to put on yet another great educational program! It isn’t too late to register for our May Monthly Peer to Peer Program on May 12th! We will have various roundtable discussions where you’ll be able to meet with industry experts and your peers to discuss topics in three, 30-minute sessions. This is sure to be a great way to engage, educate, & evolve! And finally, please join us on Wednesday, June 17th at the newly renovated Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown for our MPISCC Installation & Awards Gala! Come support the incoming Board of Directors and recognize the efforts of our current board of directors and volunteers. This will be a great networking opportunity as well! Confirmed sponsors include Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown, L.A. Photo Party, Malibu Family Wines, and Sprinkles. Entertainment to be provided by the Replicas. With many more surprises in store, this is THE event that you won’t want to miss! In closing, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. It has truly been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you, our members. I have been so fortunate to have the support of Immediate Past President David Anderson, several past presidents (you know who you are), the current board of directors, chairs, volunteers, Debbie Hawkins, Association Management Services staff, Tom Gleason, and Alvalyn Lundgren. To all of our Strategic Sponsors, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for your support in serving our members. I hope that you had several opportunities to Engage, Educate, and Evolve first-hand!
Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter LEADERSHIP
PAST PRESIDENTS: PAST AND PRESENT
COCP by Thomas Smith, CMP
MPISCC has supported our local meetings industry for nearly 37 years. There are many wonderful activities that benefit our membership. They include our annual SoCal EdCon and Exhibition, award and recognition programs, CMP study program, member advocacy, the Meeting Planning Basics and Beyond sponsored by Hyatt, monthly educational programs, networking opportunities, newsletter communications, special events, and weekend educational retreats, just to name a few. When I step back and look at all our volunteers do to enhance our organization – I have to say that it’s all about the people. Speaking of people, allow me to update our readers on a group that I find to be extra-special – our MPISCC Council of Chapter Presidents. Since our chapter began back in 1978, thirty-eight volunteer leaders have “stepped up” and led this organization. They are affectionately referred to as our COCP. These amazing volunteers have collectively donated many thousands of hours to enhance and serve our industry. Many of them are thought of as industry pioneers – individuals who helped lay the foundation for meeting standards and, quite simply, the right way to roll out procedures and process – people like
Jennifer Brown, CMP; James Daggett, CAE, CMP; Ilene Reinhart, CMP and Gary Rosenberg, CMP, to name just a few. While each COCP member has given much of themselves, I must confess that my personal appreciation of this honorable team grew when I simply had the chance to sit with them at a banquet or meeting or awards presentation. To be in the presence of Claudia Brett, CMP; Laurel Coote, CMP, CMM; Tony DiRaimondo, Linda Jenkins, CMP; Charles Massey, CMP and Marge Risinger, CMP; to hear their thoughts about the industry, what they are working on and what they think MPISCC should be focusing on is a highlight for me each and every time I visit with them. To belong in the COCP, a MPISCC member must be a past president in good standing with the MPI organization. Each year, we choose a Chairperson and a Co-Chair to help with the work of the Council which meets together annually and participates in several conference calls to fulfill all obligations each year. One particular responsibility of the COCP includes the Gary J. Rosenberg Scholarship which has awarded close to $70,000 to 47 deserving MPISCC members over the past 25 years. Additionally, the COCP confers the annual Lois K. Hauser Service Award to a member who demonstrates unending commitment to committee work in service to the chapter. Each year at the June Installation and Awards Banquet, the COCP honors a member of our industry with a Past Presidents Award for outstanding contributions to the Southern California meetings industry. The COCP also undertakes special projects each year to support the goals of our MPISCC Board of Directors.
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The COCP members give of themselves throughout the industry. They serve on boards, strategic councils and committees; they lecture and serve as moderators and panelists. They teach, share, help, mentor and do all they can to make a difference in our wonderful meetings industry that each of us calls “home”. With heartfelt thanks, I recognize the great leaders I’ve named throughout this article. It gives me great pleasure to publicly thank: David Anderson, CMP; Frank Baptista; Lynne Bynder, CMP; Lori Chee; Ron Cole; Steve Copeland; Barbara Cummins, CMP; Maribel Denner; Michael Dominquez; John Ehlenfeldt, CMP; Gail Emery, CMP; Judi Froehlich, CMM; Tom Gaddis; Tara Gadsby, CMP, CHME; Carolyn Glassman, CMP; Margie Johnston; Beverly Laing, CMP, CTC; Audra Narikawa, CMP; MaryKim O’Brien, CMP; Herb Reinwasser; David Riddell; Larissa Schultz, CMP; Chuck Smith; Debra Karrenbrock; and Sarah Ulrich-Jensen. On behalf of our MPISCC membership, I send accolades to each and every one of our distinguished past presidents.
The MPISCC Council of Past Presidents is here to support and elevate the meetings industry. It is our sincere honor to serve each and every member of the MPISCC family of industry professionals. Thank you!
DODGER STADIUM
INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
YEAR ROUND PREMIERE EVENT VENUE
M A K E YO U R N E X T E V E N T A H O M E R U N !
STADIUM CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS
ON-FIELD WEDDINGS & EVENTS 5
OUTDOOR EVENT SPACES
FOR INFORMATION ON BOOKING YOUR NEXT EVENT
Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Role of the
MENTOR by Thomas Smith, CMP
S
ometimes we hear a quote that puts everything in perspective. A favorite one of mine is, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
MENTORS enhance our professional lives and career paths.
Perhaps, in our industry of meeting, event and hospitality professionals, it takes a village to continually inspire our colleagues. Let’s be honest – nothing is easy these days; particularly, if we try to do things all on our own. Yes, there are those who are fortunate, who seem to dodge or escape the day-to-day challenges that the majority of us experience. Each day, we do the best we can to live, work, educate ourselves, and yes, even endure, all that life manages to toss our way. We survive… Many people in our industry are struggling both personally and professionally. It’s a bit of a taboo topic, but, it’s true, isn’t it? So, today I ask each of you to engage with me as I share some thoughts on The Role of the Mentor. Personally, I have two mentors. They’ve been important people in my world for the past thirty years. They are held in the highest of regard – they always have been. When I think of excellence, they quickly come to mind. Over the years, when I’ve experienced challenges with a program or individual, I immediately think of my mentors and place myself in their mindset. Then, thanks to my mentors, Claudia Brett, CMP and Gary Rosenberg, CMP, my world becomes just that much better. Why do adults need a mentor? The answer is quite simple – to enhance our professional lives and career paths. What follows are ten easy-to-manage steps to have a successful mentor relationship with someone you hold in the highest regard: 1. Accept and recognize that your world will be enhanced with a mentor in your life. As you network and spend time with your professional peers, visit with colleagues who have a mentor or with actual mentors themselves. Ask them what a mentor role means in their lives. Within a few moments, you will understand why these relationships are so valuable.
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INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
2. Seek a mentor who will speak honestly with you. The last thing we need is someone who simply tells us that we are OK and that everything we are doing is on-track. No… we need a mentor with a straight-shooter style. One who will speak the truth. A mentor who will point-out that there are improvements and changes that must be made. You need a mentor whose mission it is to help “YOU” get back on course. One who will remind you of your goals and share steps to help us reach our destiny.
before a job interview or sales pitch. Please, do not put these time pressures on your mentor. Each mentor relationship is unique and special. Find that “safe-place” where each of you has respect, consideration and an awareness of what is right and wrong.
be sure to say thank you
3. Be selective – this is your life and career path that we are enhancing. Don’t rush to engage in a mentor relationship; rather take time to ensure that this partnership is one that will be mutually beneficial for years to come. Understand that individuals who are held in that high of esteem may be quite busy – we should not pressure or push our way into their lives. A mentor relationship should be easy, pleasant, smooth and never/ever over-scheduled.
9. Today, I see my mentors several times a year. When I do – it’s like “going home.” How I frequently honor Claudia and Gary is with public gatherings. When I speak on mentoring and industry relationships – I honor them and spread the word that these individuals are the “template” the “bar” that all of us should aspire to be. Just the other evening, I spoke to my students at Cal Lutheran University about relationships – about trust, always doing the right thing – about we get one chance to do it right the first time – and about treating others as we would like to be treated our selves. I spoke of Claudia and Gary – that they are my role models and examples of “good”. With this, I honored my mentors and spread the word of the importance of this relationship.
4. Be the kind of professional that a mentor wants to partner with. Respect your mentor. Listen with no judgment or sensitivity. Be open and welcome their council, their possible straight shooter style and approach. Understand fully that their time is precious. Be grateful for a bite-sized morsel of support. Think quality not quantity when it comes to your time with your mentor. 5. Understand that your mentor has a life. They are busy professionals with families and lives of their own. They ARE NOT your therapist. They ARE NOT your stylist or New Year’s Eve companion.
10. Be sure to say “THANK YOU”. Send a hand written note from time-to-time and express your gratitude for the mentor’s role in your professional life. One of the worst things we can ever neglect to do is to express thanks.
6. DO NOT share their name or offer them up like a sacrificial offering to others. What you have is intimate and precious. Treat this relationship with the utmost care sensitivity.
We collectively have one big thing in common – we live and work to provide for ourselves and our families. Why not have some amazing person in our corner – someone we think of when things become difficult – someone who has our best interests at heart. There are so many outstanding human beings within our MPI association – it’s time for each of us to encourage professional mentor partnerships.
7. As this relationship evolves, you will find a method of communication that works for each of you. This may include email, telephone calls from time-to-time, an occasional coffee or even a lunch visit. WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS – it’s very easy to “cross the line of TOO MUCH.” Take it slowly and allow the mentor to be in the driver’s seat of this professional relationship.
The difficult times that began for our industry in 2008 are dissipating. It’s time to be kind to yourself and allow someone special to come into your work life. It’s OK to do all of this with someone. It’s OK to ask for a bit of help.
8. Your mentor is NOT there to re-write your resume, to help you create your marketing branding sheet or to coach you the night
All my best to each of you…
Thomas “Tom” Smith, CMP leads Global Medical Events for the Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Tom is an Adjunct Professor in Event Planning and Management at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA. 7
Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter TECH TALK
Is It All Just Fun and Games? by Elizabeth Glau, CMP | Attendee Experience Manager, ISTE
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am on a quest to turn our game into a meaningful experience for my attendees. In this pursuit, I have been researching the theories behind gamification for business. My goal is to connect our game to the goals and objectives of the event instead of providing a game for the sake of the game. In a TED talk by Seth Priebatsch: The Game Layer On Top Of the World, he explains the different types of motivations for action. The appointment dynamic refers to something time-based. You may be familiar with the concept of happy hour. A restaurant will motivate you to visit during times when they are slow by offering a discount. There are many applications for this type of dynamic during events. When do you want attendees to participate in specific activities like visiting your on-site store or walking the trade show floor? Incentivize that activity during a time when it makes sense. Influence or status dynamic is something we are all familiar with because we know the loyalty that gold cards/ black cards create. Event app games can help you with this type of game. Giving badges or stickers that attendees can make public will certainly motivate some of them. Where many of us drop the ball is giving badges for meaningless activity. Instead, incorporate activities like viewing content that supports your brand or sharing their experience on social media. Progression dynamic provides a sense of accomplishment like completing your LinkedIn profile. Levels of activity that graphically represent the opportunity to complete all levels will
motivate certain types of personalities. Maybe you want to provide a prize to everyone who visits all of the booths or sponsors instead of picking one winner so that more attendees are motivated to play. The communal discovery dynamic is the hardest to organize, but potentially, the most rewarding. Did you know that there are people who work together to complete the McDonalds Monopoly game? The game isn’t set up for people to do this on purpose, but your attendees may be smart enough to help each other if they see a potential upside. Or, you can design the game for attendees to work in teams or get information from each other in order to complete the task. Jane McGonigal asks: “How can this game lead to real and positive impacts?” In other words, how can this game
help players cultivate the full range of positive emotions and engagement, stronger social connections and relationships, more resilience in the face of challenges and obstacles, more ambitious and surprising accomplishments, and service to something bigger than themselves? I have enjoyed the CSR activities at MPI’s WEC (World Education Congress) such as assembling prosthetic hands or packaging food. Put your attendees in teams and provide an incentive for completing a certain number (showing what impact they have by reaching 100%). These types of activities can accomplish many of the goals that McGonigal speaks of.
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Adrian Segar has a new book coming out and he reminds us of some of the goals and objectives we should keep in mind when designing our games. Learning goals (amount, quality, relevance, retention), attendee experience (enjoyment, engagement, satisfaction) and connections amongst attendees (quality, quantity and the strength of the event community). To incentivize learning, you may have to turn the learning into something more interactive like a trivia game that can track attendee responses and progress. For years, planners have been offering a prize drawing for everyone who fills out an event survey. Maybe there are other ways of coordinating this using Priebatsch’s dynamics. For example, each session or specific survey an attendee fills out, they earn a badge – or completing all of them – gives them a score of 100%. Connecting your attendees by rewarding them for networking is good, but rewarding attendees for meeting more relevant contacts is better. Remember, competition does motivate most people, but it may not work for everyone. Or, you may have attendees who are so competitive that they’ll stop playing if they think they no longer have a chance of winning. Incorporating some of these other motivations and incentives may be the ticket to accomplishing your goals and objectives while engaging the largest number of attendees. RESOURCES: http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_priebatsch_the_game_layer_on_top_of_the_ world?language=en http://janemcgonigal.com/ http://www.conferencesthatwork.com/
Follow Elizabeth on Twitter: @ElizabethGlau
INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter
PHOTO ALBUM
State of the Industry:
A Divergent View Dr. Laila Rach, Founding Dean and Professor with the Tisch Center for Hospitality at New York University, presented an informative outlook of the meetings industry from a divergent point of view at our February program hosted by The LA Line Hotel. Divergent thinkers see problems and challenges as opportunities, not obstacles. They ask the right questions in order to land on the best answers. Divergent thinking is a topic that is gaining awareness, along with the rising focus on design thinking and the IDEO model, in business. Traditional thinking starts with a premise or a question, explores options and converges on the best solution. Divergent thinking explores what the best questions are to begin with, seeks insight to determine the right question to solve, and then solves the problem. While traditional problem solving often imitates, a divergent approach almost always innovates.
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INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
A
Wellness Trend Taking It Personally
By Geraldine Gatehouse | IMEX America
The tipping point”, as Malcolm Gladwell notes in his book of the same name,”is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.”
health and wellbeing, as well as a Wellbeing Map that will highlight healthy food outlets. In its March 2015 issue, Smart Meetings offered some tips for avoiding burnout via www.themuse.com that included consciously scheduling free time into your calendar. That sounds a bit counter-intuitive but it’s easy to let that precious personal time slip away into just one more email! Short power naps and focusing on mindfulness are two other suggestions.
W
hen I thought more about wellness, it seemed to me that this was a great example of a tipping point taking place in the hospitality industry. So, I thought a little research was in order on what to me was an interest ing topic.
Mindfulness Mindfulness can suffer from a perception image. For many people it is something other people do and usually involves meditational practices, or some vague New Age activity. Mindfulness, in reality, is being consciously aware of what we are doing, rather than moving forward just doing without a lot of thought. Even taking the time to just sit somewhere peaceful for ten minutes – minus electronic devices! - can be a huge boost to a change in mental outlook and level of energy. And of course it is where some of our best thinking can take place.
Starting close to home, MPISCC recently held its Beverly Laing Golf & Wellness Day event in March at the Los Coyotes Country Club, Buena Park. For those that don’t play, the wellness offerings are a new and different alternative to the regular lifestyle activity options. The sessions included Fitness, Yoga and “Living a Balanced Life: An Exploration of Your Unique Mind/Body Personality Type” offered by The Chopra Center. Desirable and much talked about, a successful work/life balance is particularly challenging and often hard to achieve. Despite this, it is particularly important in our industry when our job demands often outstrip the amount of time we have for ourselves.
Gratitude Gratitude also plays a big part in how people feel about themselves. Recent studies have suggested that people who are more grateful have higher levels of wellbeing; they tend to be happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships They also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. This ties in with awareness of self - our sense of who we are.
Balancing Act Part of the solution may lie in hotels and resorts offering recuperative and healthy environments. The MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, offers an innovative “Stay Well” program, with specially-designed and equipped rooms, facilities and amenities. The technologies include those from wellness real-estate pioneer, Delos, in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Deepak Chopra. (The Delos approach places health and wellness at the center of design and construction.) The “Stay Well” rooms offer a unique stay for those guests looking to experience a complete wellness hotel experience.
So, here’s a suggestion for a basic recipe! Gratitude + acceptance of self + taking time for ourselves, friends and family + looking after our health + smart eating = a personal base to launch a life of wellness.
Being part of the IMEX team, I am delighted that we will have a “Be Well at IMEX” initiative for our Frankfurt 2015 show attendees. Exhibitors are also being invited to get involved. Some of the benefits offered include a room set aside for meditation, an educational track focusing on
Geraldine Gatehouse, IMEX America, is the 2015 President of SITE SoCal, and is a member and Strategic Projects Chair 2014-2015 of MPISCC.
*Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.
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INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015 2015 Annual Gala & Installation
Creating a Lasting
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oin us on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 for a “Taste of Los Angeles” featuring local wine, craft beer and spirits, as well as the annual chapter awards and installation dinner. This year’s event will be held at the completely transformed Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel. The dinner is held annually in June and features the formal induction of the new board of directors. Along with this ceremony, we celebrate the past year’s success by honoring members with various awards for their contributions to the chapter.
The evening’s sponsors include Sprinkles, LA Photo Party, Malibu Family Wines, The Good Photographer, and the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel. Entertainment will be provided by The Replicas and DJ Danno. If you would like to support the evening or volunteer please contact Russell Harris, CMP at 818-760-6779, or Jon Michaels at 818-783-6112.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown 711 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Since 1979, MPISCC has been recognized as an awardwinning chapter with over 650 members serving the Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and greater Los Angeles areas. As a volunteer organization we rely on members to craft, guide and direct the local meetings industry in support of MPI’s vision and mission.
SCHEDULE 4:30 – 7:30 PM Registration RECEPTIONS 5:00 – 5:30 PM 5:30 – 6:00 PM 6:00 – 7:00 PM 6:30 – 7:30 PM
The 2015-2016 board will be led by chapter President, Mariles Krok, CMP of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Her vision for the upcoming term will be about creating a lasting Legacy as a guiding principle. We will continue to build on the late Beverly Laing’s legacy of Leadership and Succession Planning; remaining committed to Membership Growth and Retention; providing our members and volunteers with relevant, quality Education; improving Advocacy for our region’s meeting and events; uniting our Community; and Collaborating with industry partners to leave our chapter stronger and better than when we started.
Past President’s Reception (by invitation only) Strategic Sponsor Reception (by invitation only) Volunteer Reception (by invitation only) General Reception
DINNER & AWARDS 7:30 – 8:15 PM Awards Ceremony 8:15 – 9:30 PM Dinner Stations 9:30 – 10:30 PM Dessert 10:30 –11:00 PM After Party
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Creating a Lasting Legacy
We look forward to celebrating with you in June!
Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT
A thriving and vibrant destination boasting uniquely L.A. experiences, endless entertainment, culture and world-class amenities. A welcoming city where days are filled with warm sunshine, Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world offering myriad exclusive attractions where unforgettable customized experiences can be delivered to any type of group.
MEET
Downtown L.A. The urban heart of Los Angeles’ global metropolis, Downtown L.A’s renaissance has created a walkable, vibrant hub of arts and culture with trendy hotels, critically acclaimed restaurants, countless shops and thriving nightlife. With an inventory of thousands of guestrooms and a wide range of meeting and event facilities, Downtown L.A. is a growing, thrilling setting for meetings and groups of all sizes. Meeting attendees can discover energy and excitement at the anchor of the Downtown experience, L.A. LIVE. The go-to entertainment destination in Los Angeles, L.A. LIVE features several group and event venues including the 7,000seat Nokia Theatre; the 2,300-seat Club
Nokia; an 800-seat Premiere House; the Target Terrace, a function space with jawdropping skyline views; a 1,000-personcapacity nightclub and several delectable restaurants. Completing this robust campus in the heart of the city are STAPLES Center, the premier venue for professional sports and entertainment, and the Los Angeles Convention Center. Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) is much more than just a functional space; it’s designed with soaring atriums to bring in warm California sunshine into the lobbies and concourses, while the contemporary feel of the building fits perfectly within the urban setting. LACC offers 770,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, creatively 14
designed for different groups to meet simultaneously. All of the Convention Center’s halls are divisible into two or more spaces, giving meeting professionals the opportunity to set up breakout sessions. There’s also a tiered-seat theatre, perfect for press conferences, product unveilings, screenings and other gatherings. Quickly becoming a culinary destination in its own right, Downtown L.A. boasts one of the hottest dining scenes in the country. New hotspots such as Bestia, the multiregional Italian restaurant and Redbird, offering full patio seating with a retractable roof complement the everevolving dining scene; many of which offer private spaces and alfresco dining for memorable events.
INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
“Only in L.A.”
Surf’s Up!
Los Angeles is a true ‘bucket-list’ destination, offering an array of experiences and activities for which generations of people aspire to visit whether it’s for work or leisure (or both). L.A. features the opportunity to incorporate a wide range of endless entertainment into meeting programing: celebrity appearances, prestigious award shows and tours of major movie studios such as Warner Bros., Paramount Studious or Universal Studios HollywoodSM.
Los Angeles also offers an array of beach settings to host inspiring meetings and events for groups of all sizes. The coastal destinations of L.A.’s Beach Cities are filled with affordable hotels primed for getaways, group travel, large-scale meetings and events.
“A big trend we’re seeing in L.A. are clients consistently incorporating ‘only-inL.A.’ venues in their programming,” said Darren Green, Senior Vice President of Sales at Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. “Meeting planners want to integrate these exclusive venues and provide their attendees with an unforgettable customized experience.” While the entertainment spotlight shines on Los Angeles all year long, the glitz and glamour are always put on full display during awards season. The world’s biggest movie, TV and music stars share the magical red carpet at the world’s most prestigious award ceremonies such as The Golden Globe Awards, The Primetime Emmy Awards, The GRAMMYs, and The Oscars®, which all broadcast from the City of Angels. Elevate events into red-carpet affairs and capture the magic and excitement of these ceremonies for attendees yearround. Whether it’s The GRAMMY Museum, The Beverly Hilton (Golden Globes), Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland (The Oscars®) or Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (Primetime Emmys), attendees can relive moments by their favorite stars, or create their own, at these only-in-L.A. venues. Network while surrounded by historic U.S. landmarks such as Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center. Enjoy L.A.’s fantastic weather year-around and experience a reception under the stars at iconic outdoor locations such as the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek Theatre; all of which can be customized to host any size meeting or event.
Towns like Hermosa Beach, Manhattan, Marina del Rey and Venice offer a classic Southern California beach city vibe, each with distinct experiences. Take a meeting on the calming water with a beach cruise in Marina del Rey, a charming village centered on one of the largest man-made, small-boat marinas in the country. Right next door, submerge the team in the eclectic mix of culture in Venice. Home to the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica boasts high-end shopping, live performance venues and versatile spaces for meetings and events; plenty of which are set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific. And up the coast, Malibu is the perfect place to get away from it all, offering a unique setting with award-winning wineries and scenic overlooks. Coastal hotels are among the most luxurious and beautiful in California, providing attendees with world-class amenities in resort settings that are sure to make any event feel like a relaxing vacation. All within close proximity to the beach, hotels range from surprisingly affordable accommodations and hip boutique properties to luxury resorts. Meeting options and group experiences in L.A.’s Beach Cities are endless – from sunset cruises, full-dining yacht excursions to watersports and beach yoga. Attendees can quickly turn work into play with weekend staycations, cruise getaways into the Pacific or a scenic ferry ride to Catalina Island. Getting & Staying There: Access to L.A. has never been easier. Los Angeles Airport (LAX) continues its multi-billion dollar modernization program to re-imagine the airport experience to truly reflect L.A.’s culture, cuisine, and 21st century lifestyle. The crown jewel of the project, the new state-of-the-art $2 billion Tom Bradley International Terminal features groundbreaking
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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter
architecture, luxurious lounges and more than 60 signature L.A. shops and eateries. LAX offers unmatched lift for both national and international visitors with convenient flights and competitive fares. For groups with international attendees, LAX serves as the perfect gateway to the destination. Los Angeles is famous for its glitz and glamour, but the city’s hotels offer much more than star power for planners who are looking for everything from accommodations to board rooms and event spaces for thousands of guests. “Whether it’s a five-star luxury resort, a cutting edge boutique hotel or a historic property, planners can be assured we will find a property that fits their budget and offers every amenity and service they need,” said Green. Meet LATCB Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (LATCB) provides personalized service to ensure a seamless experience when holding any meeting or event in L.A. As destination experts, LATCB is a comprehensive source of information and one-stop-shop whose number one priority is to help planners make informed decisions that will meet or exceed their objectives. LATCB is able to customize any program to focus on matching a planner’s goals while showcasing unique L.A. experiences. LATCB’s client services team works hand-in-hand with our sales directors to create experiences that are both professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable. The team has the inside scoop on venues and services, and will help clients take advantage of everything Los Angeles has to offer. And with a team of representatives based in major cities globally, LATCB makes planning and decision-making easy, simple and stress-free.
Contact Information Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board 333 S. Hope St. Floor 18 Los Angeles, CA 90071 213.624.7300 discoverLosAngeles.com/meetLA
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INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015 PHOTO ALBUM
Co-Host American Golf Corporation Dinner Co-Sponsor IMEX Exhibitions
Beverly Laing Golf Tournament, 5K and Wellness Day Thank you to everyone who attended the Beverly Laing Golf Tournament, 5K and Wellness Day on March 23! Partnering with American Golf and our generous sponsors made this event a great success.
Dinner Co-Sponsor Revolution RFP Reception Sponsor SITE SoCal Putting Contest Sponsor Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels Golf Cart Sponsor Visit Huntington Beach - Surf City, USA Hole Sponsors Continental Interpreting Services, Inc JNR Incorporated Revenue Resources Management, LLC Russell Harris Event Group Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Travel Tacoma + Pierce County, WA Water Station Sponsor Where Will They Stay? DJ The Amani Experience Beer Sponsor Anheuser-Busch Wellness Seminar Sponsor California Health & Longevity Institute Ice Luge & Ice Bar Sponsor Carving Ice Wellness Seminar Sponsor The Chopra Center for Wellbeing Rentals Sponsor Classic Party Rentals Amenity Kit Sponsor Crown Plaza Ventura Beach FotoBomb Sponsor FotoBomb powered by DJ Danno Mobile Massage Sponsor Heavenly Spa Workout Sponsor Hilton Anaheim Live Music Sponsor Kirschner Creative Artists Ball Drop Sponsor MGM Resorts International Wine Sponsor Milken Institute Towel Sponsor Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau Interactive Games & Sound System Sponsor Plan-It Interactive Ice Cream Sponsor Sprinkles Vodka Sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka
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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter
Facilitating EDUCATION
by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative, with Gary Rosenberg, CMP, MPISCC President 1984-1985
E
ships of Hyatt, they established the educational seminar series, Meeting Planning Basics which subsequently evolved into Meeting Planning Basics and Beyond. This annual 3-part seminar series covers what meeting pros do, how to become a meetings professional, requirements for CMP designation, and related topics.
ducation is a primary component of MPI membership. The SoCal Chapter provides a variety of opportunities for its members to develop knowledge and skill, from CMP certification study groups to monthly educational programs and more. To encourage members in their professional education pursuits, MPISCC established a scholarship to honor long-time member and past president, Gary Rosenberg. Gary’s career began in the music industry, where he ended up as Billboard Magazine’s director of business affairs. In that role, he dealt with the business side of meetings in the industry: site selection, negotiations, budgets, logistics, etc. along with his other duties. He became intrigued by the concept of meeting planning. Already an MPI member, he left the magazine, and utilized his contacts within MPISCC to help establish his meeting planning business. Gary served as president of MPISCC in 1984-1985. This was the year that the chapter received its first Chapter of the Year designation from MPI. Until then, volunteer committees didn’t officially exist within MPISCC. All the work of the chapter was carried out by the directors themselves. It was under Gary’s watch that committees for various responsibilities were developed, and volunteers were recruited from among the membership at large.
Gary J. Rosenberg,CMP Benefits of the committee system revealed themselves almost immediately. Chapter members could develop new skills and insight, and foster relationships with fellow members very quickly. They were able to engage directly with the chapter leadership and experience firsthand the ongoing operations of the chapter. Committees became a pipeline for leadership development, engagement and career advancement. The Need for Education One of Gary’s primary goals was to provide relevant education. Along with his business partner, Marjorie Risinger, CMP, and with the sponsor-
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In the early days of the meeting planning profession, education and certification were not available. To increase the visibility and viability of the meetings profession, educational programs were established by some degreegranting institutions. Major universities established certificate programs. Thirty years later, education is foundational for credibility and long term success in the industry. Certification and degree programs in Hospitality and Travel & Tourism have been established at a variety of institutions, but the study is not yet mainstream. Opportunities can be exploited more. Advice for Fellow Members Gary believes we become better at what we do when we teach others to do it. When we teach, even the most introverted among us become extroverts and advocates. By teaching, we share knowledge and skills, perpetuating the profession. There is no greater asset to an emerging meetings professional than an experienced teacher and mentor who’s is an established professional.
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Education As such, Gary advises those in the middle and later years of their career to seek opportunities for speaking, presenting and teaching. Become an educator in the field. Share your knowledge and insights. Do not be protective of your knowledge. His advice to Millenials is to set aside your devices from time to time and get face to face with mentors. All the technology in the world cannot replace people skills. And, no generation knows it all. But, by meeting up and sharing ideas, we all benefit.
There is no greater asset to an emerging meetings professional than an experienced teacher and mentor. Reflecting on his years with MPISCC, one of the things Gary has enjoyed most is that no one is excluded. Our chapter boasts an array of generations, viewpoints, market sectors and experiences. The membership is currently split almost 50:50 between suppliers and planners. He observes a strong sense of respect in the younger members for the experienced, and a desire among mature members to pass on a legacy to the up-and-coming. This is obvious by simply observing the networking that takes place prior to each monthly program.
About the Gary J. Rosenberg CMP Scholarship The Gary J. Rosenberg, CMP Scholarship was established by the MPISCC Board of Directors in Gary’s honor. It is reserved for meetings professionals, not students preparing to enter the profession. Applicants must be a meetings professional and an MPISCC member for at least 12 months before applying, and must have attended a minimum of 6 chapter monthly programs in the last 18 months, and be actively serving on one or more chapter committees. The scholarship provides up to $1,500 which the recipient can use for professional education expenses, including CMP study materials and groups, CMP and CMM certification, MPISCC and industryrelated programs, and MPI educational conferences and training. Funds may not be applied toward the chapter’s monthly programs. To apply, go to: http://mpiscc.org/ membership/rosenberg-cmpscholarship/. Applications are due in April of each year. The scholarship committee is comprised of MPISCC’s past presidents who are still members in good standing, and is chaired by the immediate past president. Turn to page 4 to learn more about the Council of Chapter Presidents.
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”The Gary J. Rosenberg Scholarship allowed me to reach a personal goal of achieving my CMP. Having the process 100% paid for was a burden lifted off my shoulders.” —Whitney Wilson, CMP The Eventive Group
”The Gary Rosenberg scholarship provided me with the funds to take my professional development to the next level. With the generous scholarship I was able to cover all of the fees for my CMP exam, including the various study materials.” —Joe Martin, CMP BDI Events
Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PHOTO ALBUM
Leading Hoteliers Panel Discussion O
n March 17, the Marina del Rey Hotel hosted MPISCC’s Leading Hoteliers Panel Discussion featuring: Susan Santiago, Area VP, Hyatt Regency & Century Plaza; Ben Trodd, Regional VP & GM, Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons; Sandy Murphy, GM, Beverly Hilton; and Javier Csno, GM, Ritz Carlton LA & JW Marriott at LA Line Hotel.
The panelists discussed topics including leadership, how to hire the right people, how to train and manage a multi-generational workforce, how to balance work with downtime, the changing customer experience, and how the hospitality industry is changing. The presentation was moderated by Steve Copeland, Director of Programs, russell harris event group, and attended by over 150 MPISCC members and guests.
Read the President’s Message (page 3) for more insights.
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INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015
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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter NEW MEMBERS
SAY HELLO! Jennifer Auchterlonie Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa Jennifer.Auchterlonie@marriott.com
Tiffany Gonzales The Capital Group Companies Inc tgg@capgroup.com
Patricia Rubalcava The Capital Group Companies, Inc. pmr@capgroup.com
Kate Bartlett AFR Event Furnishings West Coast ks.bartlett@hotmail.com
Merley Greenidge Celebrate Sweetly gifts@celebratesweetly.com
Antonio Ruiz Courtyard by Marriott – Los Angeles Westside Antonio.ruiz@hhmlp.com
Larry Bryant The Garland LBryant@TheGarland.com
Skylar Jarvis Hilton Worldwide Sales skylar.jarvis@hilton.com
Laurie A. Calaunan Janet Kang DoubleTree by HIlton Student Los Angeles Downtown missjanetkang@gmail.com laurie.calaunan@hilton.com Janice Kim Micaela Castranova Student Starwood Hotels Westin Monache Resort janicegykim@gmail.com Micaela.Castranova@westinmammoth.com Lisa A. Lani, CMP Lindsey Crigler Meeting Management Professional Terranea Resort lisalani2001@yahoo.com lcrigler@destinationhotels.com Yesenia Lopez Tammy Dickerson Student The Baker Group eventsbyyes@yahoo.com tammy@tbakergroup.com Mario A. Manzanilla Armando Escobar Student UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin mmanzanilla@kennedycorp.com Conference Center jescobar@ha.ucla.edu Candace Miller Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles Josephine Falvo cmiller@trumpnational.com Meadowood Napa Valley jfalvo@meadowood.com Ascanio Pignatelli apex CEO Stacey E. Fitzgerald ascanio@apexceo.com 3D Cruise Partners sfitzgerald@3Dcruisepartners.com Juan J. Pineda Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Thom Furtado jpineda@thompsonhotels.com Kokoro Exhibits, LLC thom@kokoroexhibits.com Veronica Puleo The Replicas Music Marilyn J. Glawson info@thereplicasmusic.com Marilyn’s Event Management marilyn@marilynseventmgt.com
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Janice Solves The Queen Mary Janice.Solves@queenmary.com Nicole Stubbs Manhattan Country Club nicole.stubbs@manhattancc.com Karen Tomlinson Hotel Irvine Jamboree Center ktomlinson@hotelirvine.com Scott Michael Topper Scott Topper DJ Productions scott@scotttopperproductions.com Clint Upchurch Extraordinary Events cupchurch@extraordinaryevents.net Dawnee Mashea Valencia Student dawneemashea@yahoo.com Lindsey M. Walker Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau lwalker@anaheimoc.org Tyson Ray Weder DoubleTree by HIlton Los Angeles Downtown tyson.weder@hilton.com Marc Weinstock Pacific Event Lighting Marc@PacificEventLighting.com
INTERCOM | Volume 115 May/June 2015 OUR MPISCC STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Thank You
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275 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
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Application Deadline Extended to May 15, 2015
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IN THIS ISSUE
MonthxMonth Calendar & Announcements 2
Preview: 2015 Annual Gala & Installation 13
President’s Message
Destination: Meet LA 14
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Leadership: Past Presidents: Past and Present 4
Photo Album: Beverly Laing Golf Tournament
Leadership: The Role of the Mentor 6
Education: Facilitating Education 18
Tech Talk: Is It All Just Fun and Games? 8
Photo Album: March Networking 20
Photo Album: February Networking
New Members
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Strategic Partners
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Industry Trends: The Wellness Trend 12
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Gary J. Rosenberg CMP Scholarship PAGE 20
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