www.mpinewjersey.org
OnSite MARCH/APRIL 2016
MPI New Jersey Chapter Board of Directors 2015-2016
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Happy Spring!
PRESIDENT Pam Wynne, HMCC, CMM, CMP
Spring is a transitional season that embodies a chance for new beginnings and awakenings. Spring for me means birds singing, watching the Crocuses and Daffodils appear, getting my hands dirty in my garden planning for a big harvest, baseball season, Easter Ham, and that glorious first burger on the grill! Really, what would it mean to me if it didn’t involve lots of food!!
PRESIDENT-ELECT Kellie Ann Cahill, CMP IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Julia Ramos, CMP
I want to wish all of you a glorious Easter or Passover – both holidays hold meaning of renewal and new beginnings! Take a moment, smell the fresh grass in the air, wonder at the new flowers, and think about all of the ways you can refresh and renew.
VP COMMUNICATIONS Patty Stern, CMP VP EDUCATION Rhonda Moritz, CMP VP FINANCE Michael Brill, MBA VP MEMBERSHIP Rebecca Wakefield, CMP DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Amber LaFrance DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Mike Tidwell DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Kaaren Hamilton, CMP, CMM, HMCC DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP Alyssa Lippincott CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR Ruth Marion, CMP Telephone: 201-567-6338 Email: rmarion@mpinewjersey.org ONSITE EDITOR Carol Malinky, CMP Editor@mpinewjersey.org ONSITE DESIGNER Patty Stern, CMP patty@groupdmm.com www.pattystern.com
I am so proud of the work that our chapter has done since September engaging the meetings community either through networking or educational events. Did you know that we had 3 strong educational programs and 3 After 5 meet up events in just 5 months! We are really moving and shaking!! We have some great events coming up, so please visit us at www.mpinewjersey.org to check out the calendar. In addition to some great education and networking, we are looking forward to celebrating our CMMs and CMPs in April at a special luncheon. What a great way to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. In addition, we are busy planning the Golf Outing on June 9th at Royce Brook in Hillsborough. Our best event of the year will be the WEC in Atlantic City from June 11-14. We have a chapter challenge with the other 7 chapters in the Northeast. If New Jersey has the highest increase in attendance from 2015, we stand to win $2,500 for our chapter!! Plus, there will be a $3,400 donation to the MPI Foundation in our name!! I am always looking for feedback and new ideas on how to make our chapter better, so please feel free to reach out and give us your candid feedback and suggestions for improvement. We take our mission very seriously to enhance your professional value by providing you with best practices, superior education, the latest research and trends, professional development and networking opportunities. I would like to close with a special thanks to all of you who reached out either through cards, calls, and attending the services for the recent passing of my wife, Margaret. I was deeply moved and so humbled by your kind words of love and friendship. It really got me thinking what this chapter and profession mean to me personally. This career is not just about a job or a company, but rather the years of professional acquaintances that turned into colleagues that turned into trusted mentors, advisors, and friends. It has truly been a rewarding life in this industry! I always smile widely when friends and family members not in the “biz” say how much like a family we all behave. They hit it right on the head that we are one big, crazy family who all understand each other, and unless you are in the “biz” you just don’t get it!! Love to all of you,
Pam
March/April 2016
HOLA, PUERTO VALLARTA! Where In the World…Have YOU Been Lately? I recently returned from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where we held a 6 day Training/Sales Meeting. Puerto Vallarta was a wonderful destination. The weather in February was perfect for the outdoor pool/patio welcome reception, meeting breaks, lunches, outdoor restaurants overlooking the ocean, and the final night beach party dinner. And, we all enjoyed the spectacular sunsets every evening. The attendees had the unique experience of going to the Doña Chanita Tequila Distillery where they learned about harvesting of the Agave plant, the making of the tequila in the distillery, how to properly drink tequila, cooking and assembling empanadas/quesadillas, and time to enjoy lunch and tequila at the farm. Plus, the attendees each received a personalized bottle of tequila. Puerto Vallarta offers a lot of fine dining including the Vista Grill, a modern jazz club feel combined with an innovative Mexican cuisine and a spectacular view of the bay and Le Kliff which is nestled on the southern edge of Banderas Bay with panoramic views of the Pacific Coast. It was interesting to find out that there were many movies filmed in Puerto Vallarta including The Night of The Iguana (Richard Burton, Ava Gardner), Revenge (Kevin Costner & Anthony Quinn), Predator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), and Limitless (Bradley Cooper & Robert De Niro) to name a few. Our final evening in Puerto Vallarta included visiting charming cultural shops. We were fortunate to find Tierra Huichol which sold beautiful beaded figurines from The Huichol Indians of the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. Like all Huichol art, the bead work depicts the prominent patterns and symbols featured in the Huichol culture and each symbol has a meaning. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a gorgeous venue for meetings and to vacation. Written by: Carol Malinky, CMP Event Director C.A. Malinky Communications & Events Tmalinky@aol.com 201-232-0110
HAVE A MEETING OR CONFERENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN AN INTERESTING LOCATION? Share it with us and we’ll post to our Facebook page
March/April 2016
THE TOP 10 REASONS YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN A SMALL AIRPORT We’ve all been there. The lonely business trip which takes you to a remote location in which you ask yourself “I didn’t even know they had an airport there”. But these small airports often provide us with a pleasant experience, something to reflect on, and something to chuckle about. Therefore, as an ode to the small airport traveler, below are the “Top 10 Reasons You Know You’re In A Small Airport!”
10: You peer up at the daily departures board, and see three flights for the day: Denver, Denver, and Denver. The agent amuses herself by asking “So, sir, where will you be flying today?” 9: Your delay at the security line consists of a TSA agent having to announce “Ralph—wake up. Someone’s coming.” 8: You accidently leave your iPhone sitting on the bathroom sink. You return 10 minutes later, AND IT’S STILL THERE. 7: Your food choices consist of a vending machine, and a snack bar with a hand-written sign which reads “Back around 3:00.” Being resourceful, you dial 411 asking for the nearest pizza delivery joint, and order a medium pepperoni to be delivered to the terminal. (I did this in Bemidji, MN, by the way). 6: You look outside the window and see only one plane. It’s the size of a station wagon. It has propellers. It’s yours. 5: A gate change is announced overhead. It’s from Gate 1 to Gate 2. You move over one chair. 4: You don’t hear a single curse word. 3: The gate agent announces “Now boarding all zones, all rows.” You look to the only other person in the gate area and say “That’s us.” 2: An attendant named Julia checked you in at the ticket counter. The same attendant named Julia loaded your bags onto the plane. The same attendant named Julia now takes your boarding pass at the gate. “Ok, if Julia is also flying my plane, I’ve got a problem.” 1: Your flight arrives at a small airport late into the evening. After retrieving your bags, visiting the restroom, and calling for a hotel shuttle—you only see one person left in the airport…an employee. He waves at you and says “Lock up when you leave.” While larger airports have the luxuries, amenities, and restaurant choices—they also have the litany of hassles. I’ll take the refreshing experience of a small airport any day. ...Even if I do have to lock up when I leave. Contributed by: Andy Masters, MA, CSP Andy@Andy-Masters.com www.Andy-Masters.com About the Author: Andy Masters, MA, CSP has written 5 books, earned 4 degrees, and has earned the prestigious CSP award of the National Speakers Association (NSA). Andy presents programs on leadership, sales/service, and personal development topics.
A “CAKE BOSS” EXPERIENTIAL NETWORKING EVENT Take 40 Event Planners, add in cooking, cocktails, networking, eating, and laughter. Next, stir in a fun tour of the actual set where the “Cake Boss” is filmed at “Carlo's Bakery Cake Factory”. Combine the above with filling cannoli shells and lobster claws for dessert. Mix it all together and you have one recipe for an Outstanding, Creative Experiential / Networking Event! Top it off with a swag bag containing a Buddy Valastro autographed “Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss” cookbook and you have smiling Event Planners and a successful event! This fabulous event was held to celebrate the future opening of Buddy V’s Restaurant at Sands Bethlehem. Thanks to Alyssa Lippincott, Manager, Hotel Sales, Sands Bethlehem and her team, Executive Chef, Luis Collazo and the entire Carlo’s Bakery/ Buddy Valastro team for a unique and memorable experience for all! Written by: Carol Malinky, CMP Editor, OnSite MPI-NJ
Does your company host creative client events? Send us details and a few pictures and we’ll be happy to post to our Facebook page! Email to Patty Stern at patty@groupdmm.com
MPI NEW JERSEY FEBRUARY MEET UP RECAP The Bridgewater Marriott was a terrific venue for our February 4th Meet-Up!
With over 75 registered guests, attendees enjoyed the atmosphere of Bridgewater Marriott’s new restaurant, Booker and Zinc. Booker and Zinc strives to incorporate as many local New Jersey fresh, seasonal and sustainable products in both their kitchen and bar. The communal farmhouse setting provided great networking opportunities in a modern, social atmosphere for our attendees. The Meet-Up Committee would like to thank Frank Fricano and General Manager, Sal Pignio for hosting this phenomenal February Meet Up. Contributed by: Alyssa Lippincott Manager, Hotel Sales Sands Bethlehem
For additional information, questions, or donations, please contact: Todd Steinberg, Golf Co-Chair todd.steinberg@hilton.com Melissa Ullmann, CHSE, Golf Co-Chair mullmann513@gmail.com Patrice Vanance Golf Raffle Prize Donations pvanace@loews.com Missy Madden, CMP, CMM Golf Foursomes MMadden@eastwestconnection.com
WEC 2016 UPDATE This year’s MPI World Education Congress in Atlantic City, June 11-14, is shaping up to be one of the best yet. WEC 2016 offers you the professional development and experiences that will help you do your job better and grow as a professional. Earning clock hours at WEC is cost effective, and options abound with more than 80 education sessions and 30 clock hour opportunities. Plus, more than 70 percent of our speakers are new to WEC this year and will help you explore, experience and experiment with unconventional learning formats and cutting-edge education. A new offering this year is the technology showcase, and certification offers are vast, as WEC is a CMP Preferred Provider (sessions meet the criteria to be pre-approved for CMP certification credit) and attendees have the option to attend pre-conference MPI certificate courses (such as the Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate program). We also offer many networking and business-exchange opportunities. Our new Hosted Buyer Program allows all accepted planners to make appointments with both hosted buyer participating suppliers and WEC MarketSquare suppliers. And registering before April 27 is a $100 savings. Getting to WEC is probably easier than you think. Meet AC is providing free ground transportation to WEC host hotels from Philadelphia and Atlantic City international airports. We’re also pleased to share that 11 MPI chapters on the East Coast that enlist 15 percent of their member base to register for WEC 2016 are eligible to have their own bus take them from a local pickup point to Atlantic City and back compliments of Caesars Entertainment. We pride ourselves on top-level educational content with our general and Flash Point sessions, and this year is certainly no exception, with speakers such as Quiet Revolution co-founder Susan Cain taking to the stage. Cain’s book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, has been on The New York Times bestseller list for three years and has been translated into 36 languages. We spoke with her about introverts in advance of her WEC Flash Point presentation to learn a bit more about the topic and what attendees can expect in Atlantic City. “The idea is that we live in culture where everything is set up around extroverted norms, though half the population is actually introverted,” she said. “And we’re expecting the introverts in our companies to be creative and productive and take on leadership roles in the same mode that an extrovert would do. My belief is that we will see a huge spike in productivity and morale when we allow people to work in the ways that suit them best. There are some people who really want to be able to close the door to an office and put their head down and get into a state of flow and really focus and not come up for air for a while. Then there are other people who really want to be in the middle of a group multitasking. We should be allowing each person to work in a way that suits them, in accordance with their temperament.” To learn more about exciting educational opportunities or to register for WEC, visit www.mpiweb.org/wec16 Contributed by Blair Potter Managing Editor, The Meeting Professional Meeting Professionals International
March/April 2016
LATEST INDUSTRY TRENDS, NETWORKING & FUN: NEW YORK PCMA EDUCATION DAY This one day NYPCMA education meeting was a day well spent. The event was held at the beautiful Conrad New York. The hotel was open and trendy with great views of the Hudson River. We started off with networking and a delicious, colorful lunch. The addition of a DJ on the stage provided a fun atmosphere and a variety of upbeat walk-on music for presenters and sponsors. Luncheon Keynote speaker, Matt Tenney delivered an inspiring presentation entitled, “Serve to be Great: Leadership Lessons from a Prison, Monastery, and Boardroom”. Desserts in the gallery foyer provided another opportunity for networking and the chance to purchase tickets for the tricky tray of wonderful prizes from gift baskets to hotel stays! This fundraiser was a huge success raising $2,000 for Operation BBQ Relief disaster response which is a non-profit providing hot meals to those in need after disaster strikes. Chris FJ Lynn, NYPCMA Chapter President said, “NYPCMAs 2016 Education Day added new elements this year to deliver more value to our members through its Emerging Leaders and Volunteer Workshops. It also added new event aspects including a DJ to build energy and a perfect environment for the excellent education and networking opportunities!” The Education Speakers consisted of: David Saef, GES, Michelle Wyatt, Cadmium CD, Jessica Levin, MBA, CMP, CAE, Seven Degrees Communications, Tina C. Squillante, CMP, American Society of Transplantation and Christine Scholtz, Rockwell Group. The sessions provided the latest information on technology trends, apps., design concepts, sponsorship trends, and conference trends. In fact, we sat in a meeting room design concept which consisted of High boys with bar stools, cocktail rounds, couches, boardroom style tables, and theater seating. The attendees selected where they were most comfortable sitting and learning for the meeting. All the sessions provided the opportunity to learn about what’s new, share ideas, and ask questions so that we had takeaways to bring back to our companies.
I asked 2016 PCMA Chair, Bill Reed, FASAE, CMP his thoughts about NYPCMA Education Day.
Bill said, “If there was a word to describe the NYPCMA Education Day it would be quality. From the Student Town Hall to the workshop for Volunteers to the Keynote speaker to the breakout sessions and finally the networking, everything was done in true PCMA style—first class! I was especially impressed with the quality of the people in attendance. They were smart, approachable, hungry to learn, and thirsty for knowledge that will elevate their career and meeting performance”. The day ended with a cocktail reception and happy prize winners! Written by: Carol Malinky, CMP Event Director C.A. Malinky Communications & Events MPI-NJ Editor, Onsite
Photo credits (above pictures) Ian Bowman Photo credit (picture below) David Warner
JANUARY PROGRAM RECAP: THE NERD REPORT The Best of a Nerdy Meeting Planner’s Daily Tools January’s Education Program celebrated a day in the life of a nerdy meeting planner… showing how a professional planner could move through the day solving problems and staying organized with low-cost or free technology.
Here’s a wrap-up of favorite apps from the presentation.
Find a Time to Meet with a Team ScheduleOnce, Doodle and WhenIsGood.net How many emails does it take to set up a committee meeting? All the back and forth to find a time to meet can fill up an inbox and waste too much time. ScheduleOnce, Doodle and WhenIsGood.net are just a few of the tech tools that lets you set up a quick survey of potential dates and times to meet. Attendees simply check off or paint in their availability, making it simple to find a common time to meet. Make a Movie in an Instant Animoto and Magisto Animoto is one of those tools that make the crowds go “WOW” and look at you in wonder. The premise is incredibly simple: Gather 10 or more pictures and/or videos, throw in a title and choose a theme and soundtrack -- then push a button. Presto! Animoto instantly creates a perfectly timed, perfectly professional, perfectly awesome video to showcase your event. It’s so fast that you can take pictures of attendees as they enter the luncheon then have a movie on the screens by the time the entrée is served. Sign up through the mobile app for the lowest pricing, and you can also make movies on the web. Magisto is another instant movie maker. Just shoot video on the fly and tell Magisto to do its magic. Within five minutes, you’ll have a share-worthy montage of your clips and pictures. Bonus! Magisto’s new tool, Magisto Shot, animates a lowly picture and makes it something special. Design for Social Media Canva and PicMonkey Canva is a graphic tool for those who can’t find their way around Adobe Photoshop. Non-artistic folks love the templates and professional-looking graphics. The site provides modern and retro frameworks for everything from Facebook timeline images to Instagram posts. It takes just a few clicks of the mouse to make a downloadable PDF or JPG -- perfect for meeting planners who just need a quick graphic for a newsletter, social media post or website. Best part? If you use your own images, Canva is free. Use Canva’s professional images for just a buck apiece. Beth Ziesenis is Your Nerdy Best Friend. The author of several books on technology including “Nerd Know-How: The 27+ Best Apps for work… & How to Use ‘Em!”, Beth travels the country talking to organizations about free and bargain technology. Catch Beth’s sessions at WEC: A Day in the Life of a Nerdy Meeting Planner and Share and Share A Like: 29 Tech Tools to Create Cool Content for Social Media.
March/April 2016
PicMonkey is a worthy Canva competitor that also includes handy blemish removers and teeth whiteners to give the award recipients in your banquet pictures even more star quality Transform a Hard Copy Document into an Editable File Office Lens Many planners use apps that let you scan hard copies on the go to convert them to PDFs. This capability is perfect for signing contracts, digitizing older documents and keeping track of random paperwork. Microsoft Office Lens scanner takes the functionality to another level by making the scanned document editable. Just snap a picture of the document in Office Lens, and within a couple of clicks, you can open the page in Microsoft Word, put your finger on the screen and start typing just as if you opened the file on your computer. Office Lens has two limitations. First, unlike other scanners, you can scan only one page at a time. In addition, you need to have a subscription to Microsoft 365 ($99/year or less if you hunt around) to move beyond “read only” status. Stay Safe on the Go SafeTrek If you’ve ever been alone in a convention center after hours, you may have felt a little uncomfortable about your safety. The SafeTrek app lets you literally keep your finger on a button that may give you peace of mind. The app was made by college students for college students, and the concept is simple: When you launch the app, a big blue button fills the screen. If you are uncomfortable, hold your phone with your thumb on the button. When you remove your thumb, the button turns red, and you have 10 seconds to input a four-digit code. If you don’t input your code, SafeTrek notifies the authorities of your location and information. The app costs $3.99 a month, and that’s not much to pay to feel safe.
MPI NEW JERSEY CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS! In addition to our education meeting on January 22nd, the MPI-NJ Chapter Awards were presented to the following award recipients. We congratulate each of you and thank you for the dedication you show on behalf of our chapter! PLANNER OF THE YEAR Patty Stern, CMP, Patty Stern Creative Marketing Solutions
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR Kellie Cahill, CMP, New York Hilton Midtown
CHAPTER LEADER OF THE YEAR Alyssa Lippincott, Sands Bethlehem
RISING STAR Gregory Butler, Greenest Meetings
PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Carol Malinky, CMP, C.A. Malinky Communications & Events
BEHIND THE SCENES AWARD
Ruth Marion, CMP, Marion Meetings
COMMITTEE OF THE YEAR: MEET-UP COMMITTEE Rebecca Wakefield, CMP, KPMG Alyssa Lippincott, Sands Bethlehem
SPEAKER OF THE YEAR: CALVIN ANDERSON FACILITY OF THE YEAR: STONE HOUSE AT STIRLING RIDGE Supplier, Planner and Chapter Leader of the Year were based on our Chapter's votes. Speaker of the Year and Facility of the Year were a result from the surveys attendees receive after each education program. Rising Star and Committee of the Year were nominated by the Nominations Committee and selected by Board. President's Award and Behind the Scenes award is determined by the Chapter President.
There IS STILL TIME TO APPLY! Attend WEC 2016 with a FREE Registration! The MPI-NJ Scholarship Committee is offering FREE registrations to attend the 2016 WEC being held June 11-14 in Atlantic City, NJ • Three (3) Planner Scholarships for $850.00 each towards Planner Member Registration Fees • Three (3) Supplier Scholarships for $950.00 each towards Supplier Member Registration Fees • One (1) Student Scholarship for $179.00 toward Student Member Registration Fee Any MPI-NJ Chapter Member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year and who has not been a scholarship recipient for the previous two (2) years is eligible to apply for the Scholarship. The President and President Elect of the Chapter are ineligible.
Application Deadline: March 25, 2016 Questions? Please contact: Jamie Keith, CMP - Chair, Scholarships Committee, Jrkeith2@yahoo.com Alyssa Lippincott - Scholarships Committee, Alyssa.lippincott@sands.com
MPI NEW JERSEY JANUARY MEET UP RECAP What a way to start the new year!
We kicked off 2016 in style! Over 100 guests registered to attend the January 7th Meet Up at the Liberty House in Jersey City, NJ. Guests enjoyed the breathtaking views of New York City as well as the delicious food and great company. Attendees were able to enjoy the indoor and outdoor space that Liberty House has to offer. Meet Ups are complimentary and the perfect opportunity to invite your industry colleagues who may be thinking of joining our MPI-NJ Chapter. We cannot thank Liberty House and Landmark Hospitality enough for providing a great venue for our Meet Up. Our members are still talking about the venue and what a great time they had networking! Contributed by: Alyssa Lippincott Manager, Hotel Sales Sands Bethlehem