MPISCC Intercom July/August 2014

INTERCOM VOLUME 110 | July/August 2014

Designed and Edited by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative

PLANNING A NEW YEAR

A year to Engage, Educate, Evolve kicks off with interactive team building and thoughtful strategizing at the 2014 MPISCC Board retreat.

PAGE 5

Santa Monica

6 Keys for Amazing Speeches

Stay wired at this city’s best destinations PAGE 12

PAGE 10 1

WES

No More Fluff or Boring Stuff PAGE 9

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter DESIGN & EDITORIAL Managing Editor/Design Director Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative alvalyn@alvalyn.com 805-857-7981 Contributing Editor Laura Bergersen, CMP Contributors Carl Christman Geraldine Gatehouse Joe Martin Travis Pham Photo Credits: pp. 5-8, 14, 17-19 & cover: Alvalyn Lundgren; pp. 12-13: Joakim Lloyd Raboff

INTERCOM is published six times a year by Meeting Professionals International–Southern California Chapter, a nonprofit professional association of meeting planners and suppliers. ©2014.

Article contributions are welcome.

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

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

INTERCOM110 IN THIS ISSUE

President’s Message

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Insider Tips 4 MPISCC MONTHxMONTH

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Planning a New Year 5

President Elect Mariles Krok, CMP Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board 424-731-7781 Immediate Past President David Anderson, CMP Eventive Group 562-438-4834

Coming Attractions 9 Weekend Educational Summit

Vice President of Education/Programs Nicole Newman SearchWide 951-640-3745

Six Keys for Amazing Speeches How to Wow Your Audience

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What Has MPI Done For You? Member Testimonial

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Destination Spotlight Santa Monica is Wired

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Photo Album 14 On the Ropes with the Board of Directors

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 Member Care Akemi Shapiro Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach 805-652-5118

Ethics: Shades of Gray May Program Highlights

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Optimizing Your Business Card A small but mighty marketing tool.

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Strategic Sponsorship Shang Hur HelmsBriscoe 310-562-0622

New Members

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MPISCC Strategic Sponsors

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Professional Development Bryan Quinan, CMP Milken Institute 310-570-4638

Send ideas and articles to: Alvalyn Lundgren, Managing Editor alvalyn@alvalyn.com

To Advertise

Please direct advertising inquiries to: Joe Martin | BDI Events 323-692-0802 joe@bdi-events.com 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.

President Beverly Laing, CMP, CTC Russell Harris Event Group 818-217-0817

Vice President of Communications Laura Bergerson, CMP Laura B Events 562-234-8819

Contribute to the Intercom!

We welcome articles, anecdotes, trends and best practices to inform and engage our membership.

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

Officers & Directors 2014-2015

Education Highlight 6 SoCal EdCon & Expo 2014

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

www.mpiscc.org

MPISCC

To Become an MPI Strategic Partner

Please direct sponsorship inquiries to: Shang Hur | HelmsBriscoe 310-562-0622 shur@helmsbriscoe.com 2

Monthly Programs Carlos Murillo Ceasars 818-760-6779 Public Relations and Media Meredith Delfosse Crowne Plaza Hotel Beverly Hills 310-651-3251 Special Education Projects Mai Hogan Luxor Hotel & Casino 702-262-4824 Special Events Michelle Thornton NBCUniversal 818-777-6044 Member Recruitment Michelle Conant VIP Limousines & Coaches 714-612-0067 Fundraising and Advertising Joe Martin BDI Events 323-692-0802 Marketing and Publications Jane Mato, CMP Hilton Waikoloa Village 310-523-3896 Awards and Recognition Shelley Grey, CMP Trust Company of the West 213-244-0579 Executive Director Debbie Hawkins, CAE, CMP 805-449-9111

INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EVOLVE Greetings MPISCC family and friends!

I

When you volunteer, you make valuable connections which have a healthy impact on your career;

am honored to be your incoming President and look forward to serving the Southern California Chapter. I hope to get to know each and every one of you in the months ahead!

You have the opportunity to make a difference in the chapter;

I chose this year’s theme, Engage, Educate, Evolve as it reflects my personal experience with MPI. I have been a member of MPI for the past 16 years. However, it wasn’t until I became engaged with the Chapter as a volunteer eight years ago that I realized my true potential in our industry. The education from the monthly programs, CMP class and ultimately, the CMP exam, brought out my passion for this industry. It was networking with planner peers and supplier partners who added to my personal and professional career advancement. Due to this engagement and education, I evolved in both my career and MPI.

You accumulate CEU credits towards your CMP/ CMM or other industry certifications; and You “give back” to this industry and support fellow members.

Think about how incredible our chapter would be if most of our members volunteered for at least one hour per month!

I challenge each of you to engage with MPISCC and become involved, even if it is only one hour at an event, helping with community service, or assisting with phone calls. I think if you try it, you’ll like us!

With a new board and a greater number of active committee members involved in the chapter, I am confident that MPISCC will continue to prosper. The Education Committee is working on providing high level education programs to help you advance in your career and create innovative and fun networking events.

None of the above programs and initiatives would be possible without a good foundation from past and present board members and active committee members. I thank all of you for sharing your time and talents with us! I pledge my commitment to be accessible and open to hearing your feedback and ideas in the coming months. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of your board members if we can serve you in any way.

The Communications Committee will continue to use our social media, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter to connect with you in meaningful ways. Intercom, STATS and our website will be used to deliver relevant, innovative information and educational articles.

I wish you a great summer with family and friends and look forward to seeing many of you at our revitalized Weekend Education Summit (WES), September 15-17, 2014 at the Omni Las Palmas in Palm Springs, CA.

One of my goals as President this year is to engage additional members to become active in the Chapter. Not all of you are as involved with our chapter as I would hope.

The benefits to volunteering are numerous!

Beverly A Laing, CMP MPISCC Chapter President Russell Harris Event Group

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

MPISCCMONTHxMONTH

FOR MPISCC MEMBERS

Insider T ps

JULY Backstage at the LA2015 World Games with Patrick McClenahan, President & CEO LA2015 World Games July 8, 2014 | 11:00-2:00 pm | Location TBA Monthly networking & program

More to Follow, More to Love Make more connections through MPISCC’s social sites: Facebook Page: /MPISCC

AUGUST

Facebook Group: /groups/MPISCC/

MPISCC Members Only Bash August 12 | 6:00-9:00 pm Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, CA

LinkedIn: /MPISCC Instagram: /mpisocalchapter YouTube: /user/MPISCC

SEPTEMBER

Twitter: @MPISCC

Membership Renewal Incentives

Weekend Educational Summit September 12-14, 2014 Omni Resorts Rancho Las Palmas Palm Springs, CA

Renew your MPI membership this summer and you could receive your choice of some nice incentives:

OCTOBER

Renew by July 31 and be entered into a drawing to win your choice of: Half off registration to WEC 2014 in Minneapolis (Aug 2-5) or EMEC 2015 (Feb) in Poland

Branding & Leadership October 14, 2014 | 11:00-2:00 pm The Garland, North Hollywood Monthly networking & program

2 complimentary tickets to RENDEZVOUS 2014 (Aug 4) at WEC

NOVEMBER

6 complimentary tickets to any chapter event (up to $300). Can be used for six tickets to one event, one ticket to six separate events or any combination. Must be used by August 2015.

DECEMBER

PAGE 9

MPISCC Annual Fundraiser To Be Announced

Holiday Event December 9, 2014 The Milken Institute

Renew by August 31 and be entered into a drawing to win your choice of: 1 year extended membership

Keep your eyes posted for MPISCC program and event details via your email inbox or on our website at www.mpiscc.org.

Receive 6 complimentary tickets to any chapter event (up to $300). Can be used for six tickets to one event, one ticket to six separate events or any combination.

Must be used by September 2015.

SEEN DeShawn Wynn

Complimentary CMP Study Kit (valued at $312)

was seen perusing the Intercom.

Membership Referral Program Earn a $25 credit for each new member referred who joins MPI. The new member must list referring member on their application.

Membership referrals are tracked and processed by MPI headquarters office. For information, contact MPI Member Services: 972-702-3053

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014 LEADERSHIP

PLANNING A NEW YEAR

by Geraldine Gatehouse | IMEX America

T

he theme for the 2014-2015 MPISCC board year is Engage, Educate, Evolve, and incoming President, Beverly Laing, CMP, certainly reinforced that message at the board retreat that took place April 27-29, 2014. The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in the beautifully scenic Santa Ynez Valley was our generous, hospitable and welcoming host venue. The ranch, set in a stunning location of 10,500 acres, is just a few miles outside Solvang. With the peace and tranquility all around and minimal distractions, it was the perfect place for what Beverly was looking to achieve at the retreat.

France. Its ambiance is unique and special, and contributed greatly to the overall dining experience we enjoyed.

Bright and early on Monday, after a delicious and plentiful breakfast in the Alisal’s Ranch Room, we headed to the Sycamore Room where we officially met Tara Liaschenko, our facilitator for the weekend. As well as owning her own meeting planning company, Tara has a background in working with MPI chapters, and so was well qualified to point us in the right direction. Chapter status updates with Judy Webster, our Chapter Business Manager, administrator presentations with Debbie Hawkins, and business department presentations from the Office of the President and Finance, rounded out the morning. Lunch was outside on the Creekside Lawn—a lovely location to continue the conversation. The afternoon included the rest of the business department presentations with input from membership, education, communications and leadership development; as well as budget and calendar reviews.

We all arrived on Sunday, and that afternoon our Hosts took us to Solvang for a skattejagt (Danish for “scavenger hunt”), for which we worked in teams made of current and new board members so we could work together in a fun atmosphere. Looking for clues around town and posting pics to Twitter and Instagram gave us the chance to experience some of Solvang’s sights and sounds, and led us to our final destination at Carivintas, a tasting room all ready for us with delicious wines and snacks. This fun, lively wine bar is a great venue to take a group, so this was definitely one “site inspection” that was very tasty and enjoyable.

Tara had a challenging, “knotty” interactive team building event for the whole group. Given a length of rope with knots tied at regular intervals, each person had to hold on to the rope with one hand which they were not allowed to move.

The object was to untie all the knots without anyone moving their hand or letting go of the rope. This proved to be a frustrating, lengthy and finally enlightening process which was ultimately successful! Rather than try to describe it here, take a look at the photo and ask anyone involved about the experience! It certainly showed our individual and collective strengths and weaknesses, and led us to understand more about ourselves and each other by the end of it.

The final day included information on succession planning, volunteer recruitment, management and delegation, volunteer assessment and organizational chart development. Marketing and communications calendar review and implementation by the marketing team finished off the morning’s work.

TweetBeam was new for most of us. This app provides a way to show photos and tweets from an event – such as our scavenger hunt - on a screen at its conclusion. It certainly added another dimension to the experience and is worth consideration at a future event.

Our final lunch included a hay wagon ride to the lake, set in the hills of the ranch property, where guests can enjoy fishing, archery and horse riding. A tasty BBQ had been set up with homemade lemonade as an accompaniment. It was a great way to see some of the land and take a break from the retreat work.

Dinner that evening was at the gorgeous Sunstone Winery where we all came together for a demonstration by Chef Leonardo Curti, and we enjoyed delicious Sunstone wines.

Bion Rice, President, C.E.O. and Winemaker, the son of founder Fred & Linda Rice, welcomed us with a history of the villa and the vineyards. The Villa is absolutely beautiful, made up in large part of stone and timbers brought in from

Back at the ranch, we summarized the retreat with action items for the year ahead. We have a lot of work to do on behalf of the MPISCC chapter. We have a vibrant board of talented individuals ready to devote and donate their time to making our chapter better. Together, with a significant number of committed volunteers, we anticipate a great year as we move forward to Engage, Educate and Evolve.

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

SEE

On April 11, 2014, three MPI chapters came together to champion the meetings industry in SoCal at the 2nd Annual Southern California EdCon & Expo held at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles.

Opening keynote: Roger Rickard. Closing keynote: Dr. Janet Lapp. Breakout Sessions: Larry Abel; Chris Clark Fabienne Hanks, DMCP; Lisa Meller, CMP, CEM; Bob Mellinger, CBCV; David E. Merrell; Kathleen Ronald; Lee Silber; Valarie Sparks; Tracy Stuckrath; CSEP, SMM, CHC; and Erick Weiss. Special thanks to the conference Chairs: Bryan Quinan, CMP (MPISCC), Heather Even (MPIOC), and Stephanie Chow (SDMPI).

“Life is better when shared.”

Michael Washington | General Manager Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles

“Ed-Con was a memorable time to connect with fellow MPI members and to learn about how to advocate for the Meetings industry.

The most inspirational seminar was Let It Go by Dr. Janet Lapp. Her message was motiviational, encouraging and important for us to know that we are valuable, to never forget the good we do, and to make one person happy a day!”

Amanda Ayers | Executive Assistant MGM Resorts International ​

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 July/August 2014

“The number one thing I learned from the keynote speaker was how one person with a vision can make such a difference in bringing people together to get something accomplished. This is how communication begins and meetings develop.

I enjoyed how he used MADD as an example of how a single person wanted to change one thing and by bringing people together and having a meeting to tell her story, a phenomenon started.�

Stephanie Harrison | Sales Manager Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

“I enjoyed my time at the 2014 SoCal EdCon and I feel it was worth the investment. The key take-aways from the Keynote Speaker for me were simple. Change the perception of what a Meeting Professional is and we will all benefit from the response. Most importantly, start with those around you... your family and friends.

The Expo was well laid out and I felt I had ample time to connect with new venues and new resources available to me as a Meeting Professional.

The venue was more than I expected for an “Airport Property” and I was more than impressed with the quality and abundance of food selections they presented.”

Pierre Charmasson | ARTISAN VOICE

“We plan and produce meetings, conferences, and events that inspire ingenuity, increase productivity, sell the organizational messaging, and provides an atmosphere of collaboration which ultimately drives profits.”

Michael McGuire, CMP Bolotta Entertainment and Production SDMPI 2013-2014 President.

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014 COMING ATTRACTION

A Weekend of Education to Evolve Together… as One Chapter and One Industry

2014 Weekend Educational Summit September 12-14, 2014 by Joe Martin | BDI Events

A

sk any MPISCC member what ACCOMMODATIONS their favorite events of the year are Meeting Planner Rooms: COMPLIMENTARY! and, more often than not, the first one (Only if you register by August 1 via CVENT.) they mention is the Weekend Educa- Meeting Planner Rooms after 8/1: $59/night tional Summit. This annual event brings Meeting Supplier Rooms: $149/night our chapter together for three days to explore, learn, and network with each Our goal is that as many of our chapter other. There is no greater feeling of com- members are able to attend as possible; munity in our chapter than at the WES. and we secured reduced room rates and kept the registration fees the same This year we are excited to have the as last year.

Omni Rancho Las Palmas as the host for the weekend. This luxurious WES REGISTRATION Palm Springs oasis offers serene and Member Planner Early Bird: $100 peaceful accommodations with plenty until August 1): of space to network with colleagues Member Planner Standard: $125 around areas such as a fire pit, lush Non-Member Planner Early Bird: $200 desert grounds for morning or evening Non-Member Planner Standard: $225 walks, a 27-hole championship golf $175 course for those that want to hit the Member Supplier Early Bird: $200 links with a client, and even a two-acre Member Supplier Standard: Splashtopia water park complete with Non-Member Supplier Early Bird: $275 slides, and a 450-foot lazy river. What Non-Member Supplier Standard: $300 more could you need for a weekend of Member Student: $75 fun and education?

We are excited about the low rates that the hotel is offering exclusively for our attendees to make it affordable for everyone’s budgets!

Non-Member Student:

$125

Member Supplier Tabletop: (Includes one registration)

$550

Non-Member Tabletop Exhibit (Includes one registration)

$750

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WES will feature top-notch education in workshops and general sessions. One of our Keynote Speakers is veteran planner, corporate sales trainer, and all around passionate meeting industry professional, Shawna Suckow, CMP. Shawna is the founder of SPIN, the Senior Planners Industry Network — the world’s largest association of seniorlevel planners. Her mission is to bridge the communication gap between customers and salespeople, to make the entire buying process easier for everyone. Shawna’s energy will truly inspire you with her presentation, Meetings 3.0: Enough’s Enough! No More Fluff or Boring Stuff! as we EVOLVE into the future of making meetings happen. www.shawnasuckow.com.

Stay tuned for more information. We promise to deliver an education line-up that is relevant to the most common topics in our industry, and presenters who will inspire you. And of course, we’ll have fun such as the Opening Reception sponsored by the Omni Rancho Las Palmas, the Friday Evening Poker Tournament, and more!

See you in the desert in September!

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter LEADERSHIP

6 Keys for Amazing Speeches It does not take much more work to go from delivering a good speech to delivering a great speech. Keep these six keys in mind and you are well on your way to wowing your next audience.

by Carl Cristman | CarlReadsMinds.com

W

e in the meetings industry have to speak to audiences on a regular basis. Our most basic goal is to get the information across clearly and, hopefully, without any major gaffs. There are secrets that allow us to connect with our audiences on a different level.

We need to focus on more than just communicating the content; we need to have a stage presence that truly engages the audience. A great speaker doesn’t just share the message, but shares something of him or herself.

turn out all right, there isn’t much incentive to listen. It isn’t possible to work jeopardy into all messages, but it can definitely be helpful. Whenever I tell a story, I want to build suspense so the audience is honestly concerned about the protagonist. In sharing a message with my audience, I want to make sure they know that it will make their lives better if they listen and worse if they don’t.

Empathy At our core, we are all emotional beings. Don’t just give us facts. Make your speech emotional and make us feel the importance of your topic. Statistics are easy. Real human examples take a speech to the next level.

Affinity Rapport between speaker and audience is the foundation of any good presentation. How do you relate to the audience?

People like people who are like them and are usually more comfortable around people who have had similar experiences. What do you have in common with your audience? How do your experiences overlap with theirs? It could be industry specific things. If you have worked in the same field or have

Authority Why should we listen to you? An audience will want to invest their time in listening to your message only if they think you know what you are talking about. There are various ways of establishing credibility. Having a job or education in the field you are discussing is helpful, but personal experiences can be even more powerful. When I speak, I generally work in my decade as a college professor, but I have found that my personal experiences are often more influential. For example, overcoming a personal hardship or family problem relating to your topic, is has far more impact than years of study.

A great speaker doesn’t just share the message, but shares something of him or herself. the same education, you have affinity. But more common human experiences work as well. Going to college, getting married, and having children are all things that most members of the audience can relate to, so by talking about these things you may establish a connection. This is why all of my talks start with a personal story. The first step is to connect.

Likability Likability seems so obvious that it is often overlooked by speakers. Does the audience like you? You might be an authority on the topic or have something in common with them, but do you seem like the kind of person they would want to spend time with. If I have done my job as a speaker, the audience will want to hang out with me after my speech.

Even if they couldn’t care less about the topic, I want them to want to take me out for a drink. If the audience doesn’t like you, nothing else matters.

Exclusivity Everyone wants to be special, to be part of the in-group privy to inside information. If your speech sounds like you’re following a script that you have delivered a thousand times, your audience won’t feel special. And if your message sounds like the same old generic thing they could hear from any other speaker, they won’t value the experience. Making your message seem unique increases its perceived value even though you might share the same general information with many people. Making your audience feel like you are sharing a secret with them will put them on the edges of their seats.

These six keys will help you establish a stage presence and deliver an engaging presentation. You do not need to use them all in a single message, but incorporating a few will certainly help make your speech memorable.

Author’s note: I would like to give special thanks to my friend Ruben Padilla for developing and sharing these keys.

Jeopardy Nothing makes people pay attention like danger. If you are telling a story and the audience knows that everything will

Carl Christman, member of the Magic Castle, is a mentalist, entertainer, teacher and author. Twitter: @carlcristman Facebook: /CarlReadsMinds. www.CarlReadsMinds.com 10

INTERCOM | Volume 110 July/August 2014

Something Sacred is at Stake at Every Event

310.558.8190 ContemporaryCatering.com

Los Angeles :: Malibu :: Orange County :: Beverly Hills :: Inland Empire :: Santa Barbara

What has

MPI Done for YOU?

Share your story, and you’ll be entered into a monthly drawing for cool stuff.

Go to our homepage at: www.mpiscc.org, click on the form link, complete the form and send it in.

The education that I recieved from MPISCC’s Weekend Educational Summit in September 2013 was exceptional.

I was encouraged to volunteer at WES and had a chance to sit on the planning committee. I learned the process behind planning these events and the time that is invested by each volunteer.

My company asked me to hold an event for them in 2014 and I learned through one of the speakers at WES the importance of hiring an event planner. I was able to find an Event Planner at WES and this has helped me to continue working and focusing on my job. I also got leads from event planners at WES which has proved beneficial to the company that I work for.

MPI has given me the chance to recieve up-to-date education on event trends, business connections and more.

Tiffany Arnold | Exhibitors Connection

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

Santa Monica

DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Santa Monica is a beachfront city where a number of things, including meetings and business travel, are done a bit differently.

by Travis Pham | Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau

A

conferences and global product launches. Already flush with fantastic meeting spaces – like iconic hotel properties, ocean view conference rooms with breezy terraces, poolside cabanas with flat screen televisions, a historic beachfront estate, art galleries, airport hangers, and the famous Santa Monica Pier – the city’s improved broadband capabilities now make them more desirable than ever before.

lthough the city has the charm and relaxing atmosphere of a Southern California beach town, it still offers all of the sophistication, cutting edge culture and business amenities of a big city. Its 300 days of sunshine a year, paired with its casual yet sophisticated setting and plethora of indoor and outdoor meetings spaces has long attracted business travelers and corporate meetings to its shores. However, a recent surge in the city’s creative and entrepreneurial scenes has caused Santa Monica to push its boundaries as an emerging tech destination, with more digital and technological capabilities for visitors and business travelers than ever before.

Stay wired at some of Santa Monica’s most soughtafter meeting destinations; Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Nestled at the top of the Santa Monica bluffs, and boasting unparallel views of the Pacific Ocean, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is a true Hollywood hideaway. Residing on five acres of lush, landscaped gardens and waterfalls, the Fairmont effortlessly combines historic elegance with modern appointments. This luxury, oceanfront Santa Monica hotel offers 15 meeting rooms with 25,000 square feet of meeting space.

One of the most exciting of these developments is that Santa Monica now has the broadband capability through City Net to keep the city connected with openaccess, fiber optic network that offers free City WiFi at 25 locations throughout the city. The City of Santa Monica can also now build out more broadband for special events, making it an ideal place for business travel,

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 July/August 2014

Annenberg Community Beach House is made up of three different event spaces combining inside and outside venues. Capacity for inside events 130 guests, capacity for combined inside and outside events 900 attendees. Originally developed and built by William Randolph Hearst as a 100-room mansion for his beloved Marion Davies, this onetime haven for Hollywood A-listers is now a public beach club. The five-acre facility delivers sweeping ocean views that make a perfect backdrop for a special event or meeting.

The beach house is so appealing that it was chosen by a panel of event professionals as the 2010 “Best New Venue” in the BizBash L.A. Event Style Awards. Groups can book a room, a building, or the entire site.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel is a beachfront hideaway with dramatic views of Santa Monica Beach and the Pacific Ocean. This freshly redesigned luxury hotel showcases a modern, residential new feel featuring the chic Ocean Spa & Fitness, alluring ocean view dining, and an expansive oceanfront pool and lounge area. A recent exterior overhaul has left the property looking fresh and revitalized. It offers 15 meeting rooms with 20,000 square feet of meeting space The Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel recently debuted 5,000 square feet of new meeting space, creating the ideal setting for executive retreats and intimate social gatherings, including receptions and high-level conferences. This new space, designed by Thomas Schoos, offers contemporary architecture and beachside style, which compliment the breathtaking views of the coastline and LA cityscape that the hotel offers. Three distinct venues offer understated luxury that is equally inviting and vibrant. The space accommodates events from 12–125 people.

Pacific Park Seaside Pavilion Located on the historic Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is a two-acre family amusement park with 12 rides (including the Pacific Wheel, the world’s first solar- powered Ferris wheel), and 20 midway games.

It’s the perfect space to create whatever beach event you can imagine. The new 3,300 square-foot covered Seaside Pavilion can accommodate groups from 25 to 300. More intimate spaces in the pavilion and seaside cabanas can accommodate groups as small as 20. Larger groups—up to 1,800—can rent the entire amusement park.

Barker Hangar With 36,000 sq/ft of event space, Barker Hangar is a massive structure with enough room to create your own world and atmosphere. Originally constructed to house airplanes, the hangar can accommodate a wide range of vehicles, very large displays, stages and lighting, and big screens. The hangar’s distinguished roster of events includes the People’s Choice Awards, MTV movie Awards, the Entertainment Software Association’s E3 Expo, TV Land Awards, TV Guide Awards, Billboard Awards and the Kids’ Choice Awards.

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

PHOTO ALBUM

MPISCC Annual Board Retreat Hosted by the Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Solvang, CA. Thank you to: Breakaway Tours, Caravintas Winery, Sunstone Winery, Chef Leonardo Curti, and the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau.

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 July/August 2014

Corporate and Event Branding Graphic Design & Visual Communications for Festivals, Conferences, Seminars, Trade Shows Print, Web, Email, Signage & Social Media

to the Great Frontier

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

Lighthouse Church Fall Branding Program | v1 | 7.10.2012

PRODUCTIONS

BREAK AWAY CAMP

Designing Influence. Drawing Attention.

PRODUCTIONS

@alvalyn

EDUCATION

/AlvalynCreative

/Alvalyn

/alvalyncreative

SEPTEMBER 12-14, 2014

MPISCC Weekend Educational Summit www.mpiscc.org!

PAGE 9

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

by Geraldine Gatehouse | IMEX America

For many attendees, it was their first visit to the Skirball Cultural Center. Located on fifteen acres in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Skirball is admired for its intimate scale and sensitivity to the natural environment. The peaceful garden patios and a dramatic, contemporary ballroom integrate light, space, water, and sweeping vistas. Our educational lunch was held in the impressive Guerin Pavilion, opened in 2013, with its majestic ceiling arches and lovely views of a cascading tiered garden.

of fennel and apple; the sautéed breast of chicken with a walnut pomegranate sauce was scrumptious. A flourless carrot cake dessert and coffee topped off this lovely meal.

producing meetings and conducting training around the globe for over three decades. Terri served MPI as the Chairwoman of the International Board of Directors in 2003-04, and was inducted David Anderson introduced the into the Convention Industry Council’s program, which was his last as Presi- Hall of Leaders for 2010. dent. It’s hard to believe that a year The topic of ethics was a highly relevant has gone by since he took on that role. one that affects all of us at some point.

Recognition was given to Michele Thorn- The material focused on the personal ton, Amani Roberts, Ron Havens elements of making decisions that are and Christine Hartman, who were appropriate for us, both personally presented with Shining Star Awards for and professionally. Terri’s walk-around The foyer space made an ideal setting their volunteer service. style and way of presenting her material for our pre-lunch reception, and the The topic for the lunch presentation was prompted some lively and thoughtbuzz that could be heard indicated that Ethics: Shades of Gray. Presenter Terri provoking responses. What do you do there was a lot of networking and catch- Breining, CMP, CMM, of the Breining when a supplier offers a large cash “boing up taking place.

Group, is a well-known and highly- nus” for sending a piece of business his Lunch included a fresh salad of field respected individual in the meetings way? You have signed up for a fam tour, greens, made special by the addition industry. She has been responsible for and then are offered a new position else-

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014

where? Do you go? Say something? Say nothing? Terri pointed out that for some questions, there is no right and wrong; it all depends upon the individual’s point of view and the specific circumstances as to the appropriate response for him or her.

Here’s another good test: Would you be okay if your actions showed up on an industry blog?

Values are elements that keep us focused on what we think are right actions for us. If you work for a company and don’t know its values, find out and When faced with an ethical dilemma, write them down. If you work for yourself, we learned that we need first to get all create your own set of values and again, the relevant facts, review all the pos- put them in writing. It makes them more

Would you be okay if your actions were discussed on an industry blog? sible actions and then seek the counsel of a mentor or trustworthy friend or colleague. Once we have made a decision it’s a good idea to see if its passes the Ethical Test. You might want to consider these points: 1. Does the action seem logical?

2. Does it past the test of sports manship – does it seem fair, in other words?

3. Where will your action lead?

4. What will you think of yourself afterward?

5. Separate yourself from the problem – look at it from an outside perspective.

concrete and real, and gives you an instant guideline when ethical issues occur.

Thanks to our in-kind sponsor, Lumi, we were fortunate enough to have the use of audience response devices with which to gauge our answers to various questions. The responses were very interesting; this interactive method of engaging us made the whole presentation very dynamic and much more meaningful, in my opinion.

This was a fun and educational event, set in a beautiful venue, with a very effective speaker, and our own MPISCC community in attendance. Thanks to all concerned for making this one of the best monthly programs!

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

PHOTO ALBUM

Networking Reception May 13, 2014 Skirball Cultural Center Los Angeles, CA

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INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter NETWORKING

OPTIMIZING YOUR

Business Card

Small but mighty, your business card is an interactive and amiable extension of your brand, and a catalyst for new relationships.

by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative

W

hether you’re a planner, supplier, owner or staff member, business cards continue to play a leading role at events, in business and in the marketplace. Take a look at your business card. Have you ever stopped to consider it, other than to make sure all your information is correct? That little card is an ambassador for your brand, builds credibility and initiates relationships.

Business cards were developed in China in the 1400s to present the credentials of nobles and dignitaries.

They made their way to Europe via trade routes where, by the time of Louis IV of France, calling cards were in prevalent use in upper class society as a means of introduction, to request meetings and to announce arrivals.

Rules of etiquette surrounded their use, and cards were collected and prominently displayed by households and merchants.

It was in London during the 1600s that calling cards “morphed” into trade cards distributed by merchants as a form of advertising. Now, professionals in all fields use business cards, and giving someone your card is the beginning of a relationship.

Despite our use of smartphones and digital contact lists, printed business cards are an essential tool. Printed cards have an appeal that digital data cannot match: they have personality.

They’re a small but mighty vehicle for branding and marketing.

The offer of a printed business card makes a smoother transaction than sharing contact information digitally.

Conversations can be maintained over the exchange of cards, and they

serve as ready surfaces to record reminders and notes to be followed up on later. A card can be scanned and added to a digital address book.

Business cards are inherently interactive. We hold them, flip them, write on them, fold them, crimp their corners and sometimes fling them.

They are lasting reminders of the people we meet and prompt us to stay in touch. Another thing to note is that we associate a business card with a specific individual. When you give someone your card, you invite them to connect with you.

The right combination of paper stock, excellent design and quality printing make a card timelessly relevant, something people will value well enough to hold onto.

What makes for an effective card? Here are some pointers: Keep it simple. Business cards are not brochures. They’re more useful when they’re uncluttered. They’re an introduction; they should not be expected to close the deal.

Include only necessary information: name, title, company, and phone number, web site and e-mail. Make tag lines and vision statements secondary. Thing like special offers, disclaimers, bullet points and photos of yourself should be omitted unless your profession requires it. Labels such as “e-mail” and “web site” are no longer necessary for people to understand what those bits of information are.

Keep your information current. Did you change your phone number or address? Print new cards.

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Make your information legible and scannable. Use colors that contrast with the background and be sure that the type is large enough to be read without squinting or stretching, and dark enough to be picked up by a scanner. Legibility, by the way, is enhanced by white space.

QR codes link the card to a trackable online presence. Keep them small, since the codes add clutter. A card that engages digital technology is considered forward-thinking.

Two-sided cards printed in multiple colors are generally more memorable than one-sided, single-color cards.

Avoid gimmicks and special offers.

Folds, die-cuts and off-size cards help differentiate, but they may not be practical in the long run. Use offers and sales copy in a brochure or web site, not on a business card.

Size it right. The standard 3.5” x 2” format remains the most prevalent size in the USA. Use paper stock that accepts ballpoint, felt tip and roller ball inks, and design the card so that there’s white space where people can jot notes.

Avoid plastic, vinyl, leather and wood.

Cards that are thoughtfully designed are a cost-effective form of marketing. They make an impression for good or bad, so be sure to invest in the best quality you can afford. One final tip: always, always, always carry a stack of business cards with you.

Alvalyn Lundgren is the purveyor of design and branding at Alvalyn Creative, and is editor of the Intercom. Follow her on Twitter: @alvalyn. Portfolio and blog: www.alvalyn.com

INTERCOM | Volume 110 | July/August 2014 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Yvette Antoniou Marina Del Rey Hotel & Marina yantoniou@jamaicabayinn.com

Natalie Hagee AlliedPRA Los Angeles natalie.hagee@alliedpra.com

Carrie Audino Global Experience Specialists caudino@ges.com

Talia Lepoff Anthem Blue Cross talial@earthlink.net

Laura Beckman In-N-Out Burger lbeckman@innout.com

Karen Lish WellPoint, Inc Karen.Lish@wellpoint.com

Michele Berman Russell Harris Event Group michele@rheventgroup.com

Ivy Madden Griffin Capital Plaza imadden@griffincapital.com

Tonya Burns BOMA/GLA tburns@bomagla.org

Julie Miller UCSB Conference Services jmiller@housing.ucsb.edu

Laura Carr Le Meridien Delfina laura.carr@lemeridiendelfina.com

Kim Morales Southern California Gas Company KSMorales@semprautilities.com

Chris Chapman Tropicana Las Vegas cchapman@troplv.com

Leslie Morgan Student missmeef@hotmail.com

Sammy Vassilev sammy@photographikalasvegas.com

Ashley Cook Sodexo at Rand Corporation ashcook85@yahoo.com

Rosa Navas Ampuero La Opinion rosa.navas@laopinion.com

Cristina White Oasis Hotels & Resorts, Mexico cwhite@travamerica.com

Jenny Dempsey Madame Tussauds Hollywood Jenny.Dempsey@MadameTussaudsHW.com

Destiny Ogletree Student dmogletree8@yahoo.com

Courtney Wilkins Student clw2102@columbia.edu

Blair DuPree Exotics Racing blair@exoticsracing.com

Cindy Perkins Estancia La Jolla Hotel, Spa & Conference Center cperkins@estancialajolla.com

Charles Friend Brilliant Transportation cf@go-brilliant.com

Michael Punchios Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas mpunchios@hrhvegas.com

Timothy Glanzer Bellagio Hotel & Casino tglanzer@bellagioresort.com

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Sarita Ramgulam The Saban Research Institute; Children’s Hospital Los Angeles sramgulam@chla.usc.edu Sari Rudy Lanyon sari.rudy@activenetwork.com Danielle Sadler Experient, A Maritz Travel Company danielle.sadler@experientselect.com Ana Segura Holiday Inn LAX ana@hilax.com Victoria Smith Fuller Theological Seminary victoriasmith@fuller.edu C.J. Stermer RED Company cj@RED-company.com

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter MPISCC SPONSORS

Thank You

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