September/October 2015
OnSite
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A quick escape to the other side of the world. Our authentic African resort makes your convention guests feel like they’re on an exotic, world-apart escape. They can relax in the spa, unwind at the swim-up bar and enjoy our gourmet dining options. Guests can even grab a tee time and hit the golf course. It’s all part of going above and beyond to make your convention exceed expectations. Visit KalahariMeetings.com/NJ or call 855.411.4605 to learn more.
POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA SANDUSKY, OH | WISCONSIN DELLS, WI
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In this issue
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
What’s New At MPI-NJ? Page 4
MPI-NJ Sept Education Meeting Page 5
WEC San Francisco Recap Page 67
10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Event Page 9
Communications Update Page 10
Are You Telling Your Story to Your Customers Page 11
An Evening on Top of the World Page 12
Techsytalk Live Page 13
Behind the Scenes at the MPINJ Golf Tournament Page 1415
Innovative Ways to Incorporate Humor Into Events Page 1617
CMP Designation Our Designation Page 1819
Membership Corner Page 20
New, Transfer & Affiliate Members Page 21
MPINJ Executive Board / Board Page 22
MPINJ Strategic Partners Page 23
MPI-NJ July Networking Event Back Cover
Happy September Everyone! – WOW – where did the summer go?
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hope you have been enjoying some relaxing time off with friends and family. I am fresh off a wonderful trip from the WEC in San Francisco! What a fabulous conference. MPI is really stepping up their game with educational offerings, new exciting programs, new certifications, and a host of new improvements for the chapters! It is an exciting time to be part of this great organization!
MPI New Jersey has an exciting time ahead for 2015-2016 – our volunteers are hard at work planning out the next 18 months beginning with terrific educational programs, our 30th Anniversary celebration, After-5 Meet Up events, NEW FAM tours, a NEW website that is more interactive and engaging, a CMM/CMP Recognition Luncheon, a special Young Meeting Professionals event or two and a redo of our awesome On-Site magazine and BiMonthly Newsletter.
With all of this activity and special programming we are really in need of additional volunteers to help. With WEC 2016 being held in Atlantic City all eyes are going to be on us and the great work we do! This is the perfect opportunity for our Chapter to be hosts to attendees coming to New Jersey from all over the world. Please consider donating a few hours of your time to help out on various committees below. It is a great way to gain exposure, get some points for your CMP or recertification, meet potential business leads, and have fun with your peers! 30th Anniversary Committee – we need assistance with all aspects of the celebration to be held in January. It will be a very highprofile event with elected officials, MPI International staff, commendations and awards, and a very special educational program – not-to-be-missed. Membership Committee – membership needs assistance in welcoming new members through the Ambassador Program, Awards and Scholarships Program, and FAM committees.
(Continued on page 8)
Editor: Carol Malinky, CMP editor@mpinewjersey.org
2015 MPI-NJ Events Wed., September 30, 2015 Educational Program Speaker: Michael Dominguez Hilton Hasbrouck Heights Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Click Here To Register
Thu., October 29, 2015 Educational Program Speaker: Jan Spence Topic: “GoalSetting Doesn’t Work! Dare to be Different” Details Coming Soon!
OTHER INDUSTRY EVENTS CMP Conclave 2015 September 2628, 2015 Reno, NV Click Here For Details
MPI WEC 2016 June 11 14, 2016 Atlantic City, NJ Click Here For Details
IMEX America October 13 15, 2015 Las Vegas, NV Click Here For Details
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What’s New At MPI-NJ?
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ow! That was FAST. I can hardly believe that in just a few weeks leaves will fall and temperatures will drop. I don’t know about you, but I had a great summer that included a chance to experience MPI WEC 2015 in San Francisco, visit family in Chicago, spend time with my daughter in the Berkshires and see a great Graham Nash concert at the Bergen Pac in Englewood! The upcoming year at MPI-NJ is going to be the most exciting and momentous to date! With a great Board in place and committees growing, things are already rolling at MPI-NJ. A Fun Run for charity, 30th Anniversary Celebration, FAM trips, CMP/CMM luncheon, Golf Outing and more are already in the works! I am so excited and blessed to be a part of this amazing group!
receive the same great member benefits and it is only $99.00 for the year! We are about to release our ALL NEW SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES! Wait and see the unique sponsor opportunities we have to offer at prices to suit every size company and budget. We will work with you to customize a sponsorship that will achieve your goals. If you want more information as soon as it is released, contact rmarion@mpinewjersey.org. I look forward to seeing you all in September. Please contact me at the MPI-NJ office is you have any questions, need assistance, or just to let us know how we are doing! Best Regards,
If you are not a member of MPI, please consider joining us! We are all about helping our members learn something new, advance their career paths, and make lifelong connections!
Rut h Marion, CMP MPI-NJ Chapter Administrator 201-875-2476 rmarion@mpinewjersey.org
Are you are a member of another MPI Chapter? How about an Affiliate Membership with MPI-NJ? You will
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions For more than a decade, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has provided unparalleled hospitality in a vacation-style setting. With a sales and catering team that totals more than 400 years of experience, we’ve hosted for the best event planners in America and have a proven ability to consistently increase meeting attendance by more than 20 percent, with an average block pickup of 108 percent. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions offers a unique all-under-one-roof experience so guests can maximize their time on-site. With top-notch meeting space, delicious dining options, award-winning indoor/outdoor attractions, retail shopping, Spa Kalahari and more, it’s the perfect destination for the entire family. The appeal of mixing work and play is only increasing. We’ve found that when a meeting is held at Kala-
hari Resorts and Conventions, it transforms from an obligation one family member has to attend to one the entire family gets to attend. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ unique differentiator is that the resorts are inspired by the culture, the art and the natural beauty of Africa; this is evident the moment you step foot into our resort and convention center. In November of 2014, the Nelson family and team returned to Africa to once again be inspired. Traveling 24,752 miles, in six countries over 23 days, their journey and inspiration of art, culture and beauty is shared with you and your guests now and every time you visit Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. For more information or to inquire about holding an event at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, please call 855-411-4605 or visit KalahariMeetings.com.
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SEPTEMBER EDUCATION MEETING Join us on September 30th to hear Michael Dominguez, who was recently selected to be on Successful Meetings’ impact players’ annual list as “The 25 Most Influential People In The Meetings Industry for 2015”. Speaker:
Michael Dominguez Senior Vice President, Global Hotel Sales Immediate-Past Chairman, International Board of Directors, MPI Executive Committee, US Travel Association Co-Chair, Meetings Mean Business Coalition Co-Chair, APEX Taskforce on Piracy
Michael Dominguez is the Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for MGM Resorts International providing oversight of sales strategies in the MICE and leisure segments, including industry relations, diversity sales and MGM Resorts Events & Production Services. Additionally, Michael oversees the GSO offices for MGM Resorts International overseeing the development and execution of a company-wide sales strategy for over 44,000 guest rooms and 3 million square feet of meeting space in the destinations accounts of Las Vegas, Detroit, Mississippi, Reno and global destinations of China, India and the Middle East. Michael is actively involved in leadership roles in the Meetings and Events Industry and currently serves as the Immediate Past Chairman on the International Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International. Michael’s other industry leadership involvement includes board positions with: US Travel Association (Executive Committee), Co-Chair of the Meetings Means Business Coalition, Advisory Boards of: Elite Meetings, Boundless Network, Meeting Match. Mike has also served on Taskforce positions for PCMA, ASAE and CIC. Michael was recently recognized as one of the “Successful Meetings 2013 & 2014, Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” as well as HispanicBusiness.com’s “50 Most Influential Hispanics in the US”. HSMAI’s 2014 Top Minds in Sales and Marketing and Smart Meetings 2015 Smartest Industry Leaders recognition.
Date: September 30, 2015 Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Location: Hilton Hasbrouck Heights 650 Terrace Ave Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 Continuing the Conversation 2.0 State of the Industry and Top Trends As the economic environment and hotel structure continue to change at a rapid pace, it is important to understand the current outlook, economic concerns and forecasts that will dictate behavior in the Meetings Environment. Our meeting’s world has become much more complex with a variety of issues from room piracy, cyber security, meetings advocacy and Health & Wellness leading the charge. Join Senior VicePresident of Global Hotel Sales for MGM Resorts International and MPI’s Immediate-Past Chairman of the International Board of Directors, Michael Dominguez for a review of where we have been, where we are and what is on the horizon for the meeting and event industry. You will have an opportunity to look at recommendations and dialogue on ways to prepare to take advantage or protect yourself in this current environment.
Learner Objectives: • Understand Pricing demands in today's meeting market • Review industry forecast for major North American Markets • Understand the need for change and rapidly changing technology • Understand behavior changes in audiences of the future • Review the future of Meeting Room design and the influences behind the trends • Go here to Register Link: http://www.cvent.com/d/mrqg6c/4W
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WEC SAN FRANC
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hat an amazing WEC in San Francisco! I swear MPI is raising the bar every year. I think this was one of my most rewarding WEC events I can remember. This was due in part to not only the educational
programming, networking and leadership training, but it was my engagement and involvement with my peers and MPI leadership. Here are some highlights from the conference: MPI Experiential Series – MPI has announced a new educational program which will immerse planners in events and provide a hands-on, behind the scenes look at key events throughout the US. The first one will be held from September 11-14 in Atlantic City at the Miss America Pageant. This three-day experience will bring you up close to the contestants, teams behind the event, and facilities that host the various events throughout the city. You will walk away with a certificate in Special Event Planning. MPI is offering a $200 discount on registration. For more information visit: www.mpiweb.org MPI Academy – Again, MPI has raised the bar and will be offering specialized certifications and training for members in various subject areas. The first one is the CMP – Healthcare certification. Again, visit the www.mpiweb.org website for more information. Educational Programming – the key focus this year talked about the Shared Economy, and we saw many speakers included from AirBnB, UBER, and Levis. We learned about personal struggles
“Big East”
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CISCO RECAP.... from Liz Murray who literally went from Homeless to Harvard. Additional offerings included: Technology, Meeting Trends, Food and Beverage issues such as allergies and legal responsibility, Sustainability, SMMP, US Travel and Tourism, Behavioral Cues, Pharmaceutical Planning, Time Management, Personal Branding, Attendee Engagement, Social Media, and Global Planning. WEC 2016 Preview Luncheon – MEET AC along with hosts Harrah’s and Caesars provided an amazing lunch of Scallops and Filet Mignon hosted by Guy Fieri and entertainment by our own Jersey Boys!! We were literally dancing in the aisles! The team for WEC 2016 rolled out a few special announcements including FREE transportation for all planners in the NJ, Philadelphia, NY, DC, and New England areas! They will also be offering FREE transportation to/from PHL airport for all planners coming from out of the area. Early Bird discount is now open, so register early! www.mpiweb.org MPI New Jersey Engagement at WEC – MPI New Jersey engaged with a video-sharing service called GLOOPT www.GLOOPT.com to record over 100 attendees at WEC to capture their best tips and thoughts on attending WEC next year in NJ. See our landing page with all of the videos at
http://mpinewjersey.gloopt.com/#/mpi Michael Shannon was also busy at WEC as the Chair of the MPINJ WEC 2016 Engagement Committee talking to other chapters who have hosted and discussed strategy with MPI staff for attendance and MPINJ involvement. As you can see, there were a lot of groundbreaking ideas and new information presented at WEC that we will capitalize on and bring to the chapter level. We are already looking to engage some of the speakers and replicate the educational content. To download ALL of the presentations from WEC, please visit: http://www.mpiweb.org/events/wec-2015?source=home
8 september/october 2015
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SUCCESS. SUCCE SS. BUILT BUIL LT IINTO RY NTO EVERY EVER MEETING. Get down to business in style. With every imaginable innovation. We’ve We’ve e a assembled the best and the brightest meeting pr rofessionals ofession o professionals to expertly map out the kind of details that take your meeting or trade show all the way to extraordinary. extraorrdinary d y. We’re We’rre at the top of our game, so s you can be at the top of yours. Contact: Alyssa Lippincott P s E !LYSSA ,IPPINCOTT SANDS COM P s E !LYSSA ,IPPINCOTT S ANDS COM
PaSands.com
President’s Message (Continued from Page 3) Membership will get a surge in numbers this year as people join our chapter so they can be a part of the WEC in Atlantic City – It will be key to nurture our entire membership and ensure we have lifelong members!! Communications Committee – the communications committee needs assistance with Social Media – if you are savvy and want to help engage members and promote the chapter, then this is the role for you!! Community Outreach – we are currently looking for a few members to assist with our community outreach efforts for monthly meetings and special events. Come and engage with charities in our community, please join this effort! Education Committee – the education committee needs assistance with not only the selection of educational programming, but the logistical planning and support for monthly programs. We need a few great people to help execute the education meetings, and add those little something extras to each program!
WEC 2016 Committee – volunteers are needed to help with the organization of our chapter’s involvement with WEC in Atlantic City next year! Golf Committee – we are always looking for additional members to assist with the golf outing, next year being held on June 9th – two days before WEC, so it is sure to be a sell-out! Strategic Partnerships – we would like to bring back the strategic partnership committee which is responsible for the selection of host properties, sponsors, and other industry partnerships. The chapter needs a few well-connected, engaging people to communicate our value to our partners and show how hosting and sponsorship brings results!! We look forward to hearing from you. Enjoy the rest of this summer weather and see you in a few weeks at our first education session of the season!
Pam CMM/CMP Recognition Luncheon – we are looking for a few volunteers to help plan and execute the luncheon including educational programming and logistical support.
PamWynne, HMCC, CMM, CMP MPI NJ Chapter President - 2015-2016
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10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NEXT EVENT LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR – Make sure you’re checking your venue/cities calendar when booking and consider local entertainment, local shows, local festivals, etc. as this can help save costs but still keep your attendees happy.
DON’T OVERTHINK YOUR F&B – Put yourself in your attendee’s shoes. Keep the food “manageable” but respectable. Carving stations mean more labor costs. Open bars can be a flood gate of expenses. Stay focused on what you want your event to accomplish. NEGOTIATE ALL OF YOUR COSTS UP FRONT – Make sure that all of your F&B, labor, AV, entertainment and rental costs are all negotiated up front. You don’t want ANY surprises when you see the bill. WORK WITH THE EXECUTIVE CHEF – Be upfront and honest with the Executive Chef on your budget and what you’re looking for. You will be surprised by what they can do for you if you just ask. STAY CLOSE – If you’re using an off-site venue, try and stay close to your main venue/hotel or use the hotel’s indoor or outdoor event space. Transportation is a huge cost that you may be able to avoid. STAY INTERACTIVE – If you’re doing multiple breakouts for your event, keep the breakouts smaller and more interactive and use the hotel’s public space if needed. Less A/V means less cost.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION – Make sure to use local bus, subway, train, etc. in the city that you are in. Transportation is another huge cost that may not always be needed with the right city/venue. PROFIT FROM YOUR STATUS – Work with the venues that will work with your status. Gov’t rated hotel rooms, non-profit status, tax-exempt status, etc. Make sure you know what exemptions your group may qualify for. BE FLEXIBLE – Just because you host your reception or dinner on one certain night doesn’t mean it has to be that way every year! If date/time availability offer discounts, be flexible to save your bottom line. BE SOCIAL IMMEDIATELY – Make sure to give your attendees the social medial platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) that they need to help promote your event as soon as possible to help drive registration and revenues. Mark Dallman HPN Global mdallman@hpnglobal.com http://ameetingplannersbestfriend.com 612.432.1397
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COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE Please click on the links below to like us, follow us and/or join in relevant discussions. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MPINJ?fref=ts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/MPI-New-JerseyChapter-2706348/about (Request to join and we’ll get you approved posthaste) Twitter: https://twitter.com/MPINewJersey TOOT YOUR HORN: If you have any business or personal milestones, we want to know about it so we can share it with others and provide exposure for your successes.
This year is one of the most exciting the chapter will ever experience: We’re celebrating the chapter’s 30th Anniversary with a big celebration and then the global meetings industry will join us next June for WEC 2016 in Atlantic City. What does this mean vis-à-vis communications? Let’s Get Social! Now is the time for our members to go all-in and get ENGAGED with us on our social media platforms and show the world that we’re a moving and shaking group of industry professionals! The influence of social media is undeniable, as was proven at WEC 2015 when our chapter, along with partners Meet AC, Gloopt and chapter friend, Kare Anderson, dazzled attendees at the MPI-NJ booth on the show floor and shot one-minute videos with attendees sharing best practices and thoughts about MPI. By coordinating BEFORE the conference to strategically schedule social media postings, along with encouraging attendees to also post on the spot, we reached an astounding 105,000 people by going viral! Now it’s YOUR TURN to join the conversation and help us ramp up our visibility on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
On another front, we hope you’re enjoying the new look and content of our bi-monthly email digest. You can expect to receive this every other week and it will always contain both chapter and industry information to keep you informed. Carol Malinky, CMP, former MPI-NJ Director of Communications / OnSite is delighted to continue working with MPI-NJ as the OnSite Newsletter Editor. In her role, Carol will be writing articles and procuring contributors to write articles that provide insight for our readers on the latest industry trends. If you’d like to contribute to our newsletter, Carol welcomes new ideas, updates, and industry articles. Please feel free to contact Carol at Editor@mpinewjersey.org I’m very enthused about the energy of our chapter this year and hope you’ll jump in to catch that enthusiasm…and you may even learn some new social media tricks along the way by watching what we do and then duplicating it for your own social media endeavors.
Submitted by: Patty Stern, CMP VP of Communications MPINJ patty@groupdmm.com
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ARE YOU TELLING YOUR STORY TO YOUR CUSTOMERS? quickly brought into the fold, feeling the strong sense of dedication and understand the high standards that must be met.
Travel and Transport’s successful ESOP story
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n our very competitive industry, we are always looking for ways to increase value to our customers. We often focus on pricing and service and overlook the ways to align the mission, values, and corporate culture to our customers. Customers today are looking for more than just pricing. Many have a deep moral compass and are looking for companies that have fair labor practices, treat the resources they utilize objectively and basically leave the world a better place. In the Meetings and Travel industry, it is no longer about providing a service and conducting transactional business. Companies that can actually show their value through the way they do business and not just what they do will set themselves apart. I had the opportunity to experience first-hand how Travel and Transport, an employee owned company headquartered in Omaha, NE shows their value through storytelling. Their unique company structure and history is a way to connect with customers and showcase the benefits of doing business with them. I had the opportunity to work with them and help them recognize their value and get an accurate, nonbiased picture of their current state through conversations with employees and clients. Travel and Transport was founded in 1946 as an employee-owned company. An ESOP, defined as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, is where the company sets up a trust fund, buys shares with that money, then distributes those shares to its employees periodically. There are over 11,000 employee owned companies in the US and ownership continues to grow. In 2015, Travel and Transport won the ESOP Company of the Year Award given by the National ESOP Association. The benefits of being part of an ESOP are the long term employee owners, accountability to each other and a strong sense of family. Newer employees are
A challenge for them is helping employees recognize the ways they do go above and beyond to provide exceptional service and recognize their accomplishments. Many employees take significant pride in their work and view their greatest accomplishments as just the way they do business. This humble nature is what sets them apart. I had the opportunity to speak with many employees that are motivated by their colleagues and recognize the value of the ESOP and their desire to continue to grow and expand to the benefit of the “family”. Customer feedback was similar, focusing on good service, knowledge in the industry, and dedication to their accounts. The ESOP culture promotes empowered employees, resulting in quick decision making for the customer. In thinking of the new marketing strategies today, Travel and Transport employees will play a vital role in showcasing the company and what better way to do that than through their own genuine support and satisfaction with their organization. Happy, engaged employees are one of the best ways customers and potential customers can see the value of doing business with you. Their employees are encouraged to join social media sites, promote the company’s vision, ideas, and share with their customers and potential customers industry best practices and benchmarking. This will increase credibility not only for the company but also the employees in the eyes of the customer. Wouldn’t you trust a valued partner who was bringing you new ideas and staying on top of innovative, cuttingedge ideas? By analyzing the company’s culture and history and then providing ways to tell their story to increase both employee engagement and industry exposure can be an example for other organizations in seeing how their unique story can create lasting relationships and influence buying decisions. Pam Wynne, HMCC, CMM, CMP President, MPI New Jersey Chapter
12 september/october 2015
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AN EVENING ON TOP OF THE WORLD
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YC & Company hosted a Tristate Meeting Planner event on June 30th at One World Observatory in the Freedom Tower.
This wonderful event brought together over 90 supplier partners and over 200 Meeting Planners from all over the NY/Tristate area. Meeting Planners had the opportunity to network with other planners and speak with hoteliers/suppliers about their upcoming events. The Exhibitors were not set up at your typical tables, but were incorporated into the event with small, clear kiosks within the space. These clear kiosks provided an open feel within the room and provided open communication amongst all the attendees. A beautiful view, delicious food and beverage, networking and a great time had by all. Thanks, NYC & Company for a fabulous evening! Written by: Carol Malinky, CMP Event Director C.A. Malinky Communications & Events Tmalinky@aol.com 201-232-0110 MPI-NJ Editor, OnSite Digital Publication Photos by Julienne Schaer
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TECHSYTALK LIVE
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ou may be asking yourself – what is “techsytalk Live”? I have attended this one day event 3 years in a row and is a “must see and experience’ every year. The agenda format on August 14th included 10-15 minute presentations from top industry speakers on latest trends, gadgets and need to know information in today’s event world. In addition to the compelling presentations, the agenda also included entertainment from host, Max Major, who is a mentalist and magician, Chicago City Limits whose improv kept us all laughing, and a 5 minute relaxation meditation provided by Sarah Vaynerman of Work from Om. The venue was downtown NYC at the beautiful Convene location where we all enjoyed breakfast, lunch and a reception which was followed by a mini exhibition with all the latest technologies. Chris Kelly, CoFounder & President of Convene said, “Convene loves Liz King and Techsy Talk and is honored to be their partner and host for three years running. The event brings together thought leaders, demonstrates future best practice and inspires us all to up our respective contributions to the industry." During the afternoon presentations, we all marveled at Liz King, Owner of Liz King Events as she provided the audience with a quick review of 60+ apps. in 9 minutes. I know several of us were downloading some of these on the ferry ride back to NJ! When I asked Liz why she enjoys organizing this event each year, she said, “Bringing together the events community around a topic I’m so passionate about is an honor and a pleasure. We aim to take the events industry to the next level by educating and inspiring event professionals to evolve and I’m proud to see our fingerprint on some of the evolution in our industry over the past five years.”
Liz King, CEO, Chief Event Specialist, Liz King Events, liz@lizkingevents.com
Written by Carol Malinky, CMP MPI-NJ Editor, OnSite 201-232-0110
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14 september/october 2015
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BEHIND THE SCENES: CREATING THE HIGHL Todd Steinberg, CMP
Melissa: “this is the best event we have had yet”
Global Account Director Sonesta Hotels & Resorts tsteinberg@sonesta.com
Q: In regards to Royce Brook Country Club, what do they do that makes it so successful for us? Melissa: Lynn Sexton, our planning contact really understands our program. She works closely with our sponsors and handles all of their individual’s needs. This is a big help in our planning process. The staff have worked on our event for several years and they remember the nuances each year regarding set up at the holes and specific vendor requests. The food has been wonderful and the chefs are very creative each year, so they change things up!
Melissa Ullmann, CHSE Account Director, Global Sales Wyndham Hotel Group melissa.ullmann@wyn.com
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PI New Jersey is taking time to sit down with two of the folks behind the successful MPINJ Golf tournament, Todd Steinberg, Global Account Director, Sonesta Hotels & Resorts and Melissa Ullmann, Account Director, Global Sales Wyndham Hotel Group. Having just finished the 18th Annual tournament, which according to many attendees was the best one yet, I think it would be a good idea to get into the minds of Todd and Melissa and hear their ideas and thoughts on why it is so successful and what it takes to plan this event.
Q: How many years have you been involved in the golf tournament? Todd: This is my 6th year on the committee and for the past 3 I have co-chaired the event. Melissa: I have been on the donation committee for 5 years and the Co-Chair for the past two years. Q: About how many man hours does it take to put together this event? Todd: LOL…It is a lot of man hours, I think too many to count. The committee gathers and begins the planning process right after the tournament so we can determine what worked well, what needs improvement, and what our final revenues were. This outing in particular has a lot of moving parts: putting contest, silent auction, raffles, live auction, dinner, and team photos. This year we even had a fabulous video! Q: What was the best comment someone made to you on that day? Todd: Thank you for making this event so special and thank you for all you do…
Q: Why do you think people were saying this year was the best year yet? Todd: I feel this was two-fold: this year we had the best supplier to planner ratio than in years before and the weather was truly on our side. Melissa: We had wonderful weather, the logistical planning was seamless, and we had great awards and raffle prizes provided. We have really great, creative sponsors who add special, fun games and obstacles to their holes! Q: What is the most rewarding part of planning this event for you? Todd: The minute all of the carts leave for the tee boxes…LOL…all kidding aside, the partnership that Melissa and I share. I get to work with someone I enjoy working with and admire in the industry. Melissa: When everyone has a great time. When suppliers and planners can meet in a neutral, fun location for an enjoyable day of networking, seeing old friends, and meeting new ones! Q: What tips or best piece of advice do you have for other chapters/organizations planning a similar event? Todd: start really early, select a strong committee with members of all ages and experience levels, follow up with planning and trust the venue – they are used to putting out high-quality events. They are the experts when it comes to golf! Melissa: Have a very organized committee that can follow through with their tasks. Having a wonderful partnership with the golf course that can be flexible with all of your unusual needs and
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LY SUCCESSFUL MPI-NJ GOLF TOURNAMENT
understand the purpose of our event is not truly to golf but golf as the backdrop to a day of networking and business exchange. Q: What do you think are the chapter’s greatest challenges in holding future events? Todd: Next year may be a challenge as MPIWEC will be in June in Atlantic City and we are discussing our obstacles and new ideas for how to take advantage of this great event coming to our state for the 1st time ever while continuing on in the MPINJ Golf tradition. Melissa: Reach out to our sponsors early to confirm participation. We have a waiting list every year so it is getting more and more challenging to hold slots. If they are not responding or not interested in participating again, move on to the next in line. Another obstacle is getting the foursome list finalized. Always remember to keep
in mind this is a fundraiser for the chapter so we accept everyone to participate. Q: Do you have any final words of wisdom for your fellow MPINJ members? Todd: Words of wisdom…yes, you absolutely get out exactly what you put in to your experience in MPINJ…Get involved! Melissa: For a successful outing, start your planning early and make sure you have a great committee that can follow through with all of their tasks. Be creative and have fun. Todd and Melissa - Thank you for your time and effort on this event. The chapter is so grateful for your leadership of the committee. A special thank you goes out to the Golf committee and all of the volunteers that day. If you have any feedback or ideas for the Golf Outing next year, please email me at Pamelaawynne@gmail.com with your comments.
16 september/october 2015
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INNOVATIVE WAYS TO INCORP
O
kay, stop me if you’ve heard this. How many event planners does it take to change a light bulb? Oh, hold on, sorry. I’m getting ahead of myself. But you do want to know, right? You want that punch line. That’s because simple amusement is one of the most sought after of human experiences, right up there with happy hour, chocolate, and bacon. We love to laugh. The experience of humor, in nearly any form, lifts our hearts, brightens our days and gives us something to share with others. So why then is humor generally absent in the context of business? Business, of course, is Serious. Billions of dollars may be on the line. However, including humor at events is an opportunity to connect with your
audience. Having them all in one place at one time is golden. Get them to laugh and your messages will be immediately understood and absorbed. Humor in this context, properly conceived and delivered, creates a shared positive experience, brings the story to life and burns it into memory with a shot of adrenaline. It also creates a branded message which you can build related digital tactics throughout the year. With this philosophy in mind, Pixel Light Digital Media has provided clients with humor as part of our specialty communications services for over twenty years. Not all clients choose this direction, but for those who do, we begin by analyzing their messages. For example, if the event is a national sales meeting, what’s the theme? What’s most important on the agenda? What new behaviors are employees expected to embrace when they return to their jobs? Next, we search for a creative direction that dovetails with these points. It must be a solid vehicle for the client’s messages, and the resulting mash-up must be sure to get laughs. Focusing the creative comes down to exploring aspects of popular culture, film, television, or just everyday life that resonates with the key messages, while also providing opportunities for humorous execution. That may sound very analytical, but when the work is finished we’re definitely in LOL territory. Humorous video modules are a way to incorporate humor into your events and using parodies of wellknown TV spots or Hollywood films works great. And today, with media accessible virtually everywhere, there is no shortage of possibilities. The following are two examples: • Spinning off a dating reality show, we created two rather novel human characters: the client’s hernia surgical product, and an
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PORATE HUMOR INTO EVENTS abdominal wall where the product is used. The hernia mesh product was male, the abdominal wall was female. The actors wore realistic costumes matching their roles. Dialogue was very straight, suggesting a man and woman weary of the dating scene, and yet they were optimistic about finding “the perfect match!” Again, brand messages were part of virtually every line. The audience positively howled when the clients walked on stage wearing the costumes at the live event. • Well known TV spots are often ideal for such reprocessing. Another example - for a medical company, the Dos Equis “Most interesting man” became the “Most secure surgeon.” In all other respects, these pieces were identical to their antecedent. At the end of each, the bearded, supremely confident actor urged the audience to, “Stay secure, my friends.” A home run for the company at the event and as a monthly series on sales rep mobile phones to keep the momentum going. These videos, and many others, have been highly successful. But this sort of creative can do even more when incorporated into broader, longer term communications efforts. For example, e-mails with save-the-date messages can introduce the chosen style and characters well in advance of the event. A related mobile app can provide site information, collect meeting feedback or facilitate break-out activities. And interactive games, in which the player takes the role of a video character, can become training elements that are both effective and entertaining. Bottom line: the next time a client asks for ideas to support an upcoming event, offer at least a couple that will get their audience laughing. They will
appreciate your suggestion and the opportunity to create a unique and innovative event. Business may be serious, but humor should be an essential component in the tool kit of effective business communications. And by the way, the punch line is, “Forget the light bulbs, I need a thousand glow sticks and a fog machine.” Written by: Gail Trumbetti Account Director Pixel Light Digital Media Inc. 201-804-0606, x104 trumbetti@pldm.com www.pldm.com
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THE CMP DESIGNATIO • Submit your recertification application. For all of you who are up for recertification in 2015, please submit your application in the beginning of the year to take advantage of the financial discount for early submission. And for those of you who were supposed to recertify in 2014, you still have until the end of the year to submit your recertification application and to change your "lapsed" status back to active status. • Submit a CMP-HC application.
T
he first month of each New Year always motivates me to take a good look at the year we have just completed, as well as to look forward to the future. In 2014, there were many advancements and enhancement to the CMP Program, and we all should be proud of the many volunteers who helped make this happen. Let me just recap some of our 2014 accomplishments and take this opportunity to thank Ms. Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP, for her leadership as 2014 CMP Board Chair: • The first subspecialty of the CMP Program – the CMP Healthcare (CMP-HC) was launched. • The CIC Manual 9th Edition was published in both hard copy and e-book format thereby facilitating easier access to this publication for global CMP candidates and those who prefer an e-book format. • The 2014 CMP Conclave in New Orleans was the largest Conclave on record with more than 400 attendees. • The CMP Board was restructured by the CIC Board to ensure that the CMP governing body will be structured appropriately to reflect its charge as a certification governing entity. We will now be known as The CMP Governance Commission. In 2015, CIC answered CMP and CMP candidate requests to allow for online application submissions, and we are proud to report that it is now possible to use the online portal to:
• Submit the CMP application. This is important for all of you to know when speaking with and encouraging CMP candidates. With this new application process, those applying to sit for the CMP will no longer be tied to specific application, registration or scheduling deadlines. Education activities and employment experience can be tracked as they are accumulated and once the prerequisites are met, the application can be submitted for approval. Sincere thanks to the CIC staff for working hard to get the online portal application process available for all of us! Whether recertifying or applying for a designation, the opportunity to submit the application online will be an invaluable asset for present CMPs, future CMPs and CMP–HC candidates. I would like to start 2015 off with a question for all of you:
Why are you proud to be a CMP? Each of us has a different answer to that question but I think it would be fun to gather your thoughts and ideas over the course of the year. So please feel free to send me a short email and I will share your responses, if you give me permission to do so, in my upcoming articles. To start us off, let me share three of my thoughts. Community: We share a very special bond by Join us on September 30th to hear Michael Dominguez, who was recently selected to be on Successful Meetings’ impact players’ annual list as “The 25 Most Influential People In The Meetings Industry for 2015”.
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N – OUR DESIGNATION Relationships and Friendships: The most important part of the total CMP experience develops out of knowing CMP colleagues and meeting potential CMPs. How we all enjoy the CMP breakfasts at industry events, and I know that new CMPs always marvel that there are so many of us willing to get up so early to spend time with each other.
I wish you all a successful, professionally rewarding, and CMP active 2015 and look forward to my year representing all CMPs and future CMPs as Chair of the CMP Governance Commission. And, as mentioned above, I look forward to learning your reasons why having and maintaining your CMP designation is important for you.
Professional Education: Our very own CMP Conclave will be held September 26-28, 2015 in Reno, NV. Please put this on your calendar now and make sure that you seize the opportunity to attend. Of course, you will receive clock hours for your recertification applications, but the relationships and friendships you develop may serve as a catalyst toward obtaining future goals and objectives. You will never know "What Conclave Can Do for You" if you don’t attend!
With best regards, Joanne Joanne H. Joham, CMP, CMM 2015 Chair: CMP Governance Commission Regional Director North America – ICCA jjoham@optonline.net
This article originally appeared in the Convention Industry Council’s January 2015 CMP Today enewsletter, which is a monthly publication provided to those who have earned the CMP designation. Reprinted with permission.
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MEMBERSHIP
C O R N E R
MPI-NJ Member Spotlight... Donna Vitale-Schwartz
Favorite saying or quote? “Only You can control your future” –Dr. Seuss Favorite gadget or technology? I love my
National Sales Manager iPhone! Caesars Entertainment Phone: 732-569-0522 Tell us about something most people don’t Email: dschwartz1@caesars.com know about you: I am a certified yoga teacher.
How long have you been in the meetings industry? Over 20 years… What was your first job in this industry? Banquet Server Tell us about your job: I am one of the In Market National Sales Managers for Caesars Entertainment. I represent our portfolio of over 40 hotels throughout the country and specifically our Atlantic City hotels: Caesars, Bally’s and Harrah’s.
What advice do you have for a planner or supplier new to the meetings industry? To ask a lot of questions of those around you and learn from them. And more importantly, to be a good listener. Sometimes people say something that will often be the answer to a question you have in the future.
Contributor: Jennifer Sena President SENA Sales & Marketing
What is your favorite part of your job? Meeting people from all types of industries and learning about them and their company. Why did you join MPI? I have been a member over the years and always enjoy meeting new members in our industry and keeping up with the current trends of our industry.
We are delighted to announce that the MPI-NJ 2013-2014 Scholarship winner just passed the CMP exam.
What do you do when not at work? Chase after 3 boys! What is your favorite color? Black Favorite vacation spot? So far….Italy. Favorite type of food? Italian Favorite book? Any Dr. Seuss book….
It's now official Congratulations, Rhonda Moritz, CMP!
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NEW, TRANSFER & AFFILIATE MEMBERS NEW MEMBERS JENNIFER BRANDT Manager of Meetigs and Special Events New Jersey Association for Justice Inc. jbrandt@nj-justice.org ANTHONY CHERICHELLA CFO/COO The Westfield Group tcherichella@westfieldgroupusa.com MELISSA CLAYTON Manager, Event Planning Helsinn melissa.clayton@helsinn.com NATHALIE GONZALEZ Sales Manager Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson nathalie.gonzalez@hyatt.com ELAINE LEIES Sales Manager Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark eleies@camelbackresort.com
JULIANNE MAINES Student - Middlesex Community College juliannemaines@gmail.com KARINA MAKAROVA Marketing & Technology Manager Meet AC kmakarova@meetinac.com JESSICA MERRILL Communications Manager Meet AC jmerrill@meetinac.com
BRANDON PERGOLA Assistant Director, Special Events MetLife Stadium bpergola@metlifestadium.com KATHERINE POWELL Consulting/Independent Planner Powered Services LLC katpowell78@gmail.com JIM WOOD President & CEO Meet AC jwood@meetinac.com
JOAN MOONEY Director of Sales Meet AC jmooney@meetinac.com
CHAPTER TRANSFER
ISABEL MUSIAL-DOTTO Vice President The Compass Group, Inc isabel@thecompassgroupinc.com GARY MUSICH Vice President, Convention Sales Meet AC gmusich@meetinac.com
AMANDA HANSLEY Event Manager Kroll ahansley@kroll.com
NEW AFFILIATE MEMBER ELIZABETH DEXTER National Sales Manager Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa edexter@wyndham.com
This listing contains all New Members, Chapter Transfer Members and Affiliate Members from July 1 to August 31, 2015. If you should not be listed please contact: rmarion@mpinewjersey.org
Update from Membership Supplier Members - Membership recently sent out a RFP for future Education Programs, Meet Ups, and the first annual CMM/CMP Recognition event. This is a great opportunity to showcase your venue to members and there are great sponsorship perks. If you are interested in sponsoring an event, or did not receive the email and are interested in learning more, please contact Ruth Marion at rmarion@mpinewjersey.org.
Thank you for your support by providing ground transportation to our guests.
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EXECUTIVE BOARD President Pam Wynne, HCCC, CMM, CMP 9084230526 pamelaawynne@gmail.com
President Elect Mary Lou Pollack 9738093967 maryloupollack1@gmail.com
Immediate Past President Julia Ramos, CMP JR Global Events Associates 2013338834 juliaramos@comcast.net
VP Finance Michael Brill MEDALS LLC (Medical Education Delivery, Advisory and Logistics Support) 7326591133 medalsllc@aol.com VP Education Kellie Ann Cahill, CMP New York Hilton Midtown 2122615966 kellie.cahill@hilton.com VP Membership Rebecca Wakefield, CMP KPMG, LLP 2013077259 rlwakefield@kpmg.com
VP Communications Patty Stern, CMP Chief Creative Officer Patty Stern Creative 9736692891 patty@groupdmm.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director of Communications Amber LaFrance Ocean Place Resort & Spa 7325714000 alafrance@oceanplace.com
Director of Finance Kaaren Hamilton, CMP Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group 9084487804 khamilton@carlsonrezidor.com
Director of Education Michael Tidwell Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Course 6097487663 mike.tidwell@dolce.com
Director of Membership Alyssa Lippincott Sands Bethlehem 4847777497 Alyssa.Lippincott@sands.com
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MPI-NJ CHAPTER would like to acknowledge and thank our Strategic Partners for their Support of the Chapter
Diamond
Platinum
Hamilton Park Hotel & Conference Center
Gold
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MPI-NJ JULY NETWORKING EVENT On July 15, 2015, MPI-NJ members, non-members and guests gathered together for our Summer Networking Event at the beautiful Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ. What a treat for all 70 guests that attended! Everyone enjoyed networking in the clubhouse bar while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to enjoy music provided by a great DJ and take fun photos at the photobooth in the Ballroom.
Plus, everyone had a chance to take a ride around the golf course and see the beautiful outdoor space that is available for events. A big thank you to Jennifer Forshee, Director of Catering and Sales, for organizing this fabulous event for MPI-NJ on behalf of Galloping Hill Country Club!