november/december 2013
OnSite
2 november/december 2013
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In this issue
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What’s New At MPI-NJ? Page 4
MPINJ 28 Years Later Page 5
Does Your Website Reflect What the Market Wants? Page 6
Social Media Completes the Communications Story Page 8
New Transfers and Affiliate Members Page 9
The Lawyers Debate Page 10
Strategic Partners Page 13
MPINJ Executive Board Page 16
MPINJ Board of Directors Page 16
MPINJ Committee Chairs Page 17
I
t is with great pride and my pleasure to provide you with another issue of OnSite to keep you updated and informed on Chapter happenings. Most of the articles are written by our great NJ Chapter volunteers. I was reading a blog the other day about ways to network and to get recommended for a position if you are in-between positions or just looking for a change. The writer mentioned “the best way to get recommended is to showcase your skills in a volunteer position.” By working on a project, shoulder to shoulder with colleagues you exhibit your talents, enthusiasm and work ethic. You are not only building a relationship, but also enhancing your reputation. This person would not hesitate to either hire you or recommend you to his/her colleagues. The writer further stated companies tend to hire “recommended” individuals because they stay longer at a job and have already proven themselves! Don’t be afraid to use your personal interests and hobbies to connect with
people you may not otherwise meet. If you don’t put yourself out there, you won’t meet new people. So, use your networking time with the Chapter to meet new contacts; volunteer on a committee which promotes your talents and in no time you will see positive things happen. As you may be aware, serving on the Board and/or Committee is purely on a volunteer basis. The commitment and passion our volunteers have for our Chapter and the advancement of our industry is truly admirable. With a strong team in place and a balanced cross-section of planners and suppliers to represent all interests and needs, I feel we are truly blessed! I look forward to your participation and feedback making this a highly productive year for us all! On behalf of the NJ Chapter Board, I wish you and your family Happy Holidays!
Julia Ramos, CMP
2013-14 MPI-NJ Events November 21, 2013
February 12, 2014
November 20, 2013
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM After 5 Networking Event Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel Rutherford, NJ Click Here To Register
Educational Program Portrait of an American Traveler With Peter Yesawich College of Saint Elizabeth Morristown, NJ
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM MPIGreater Philadelphia Area Chapter 26th Annual Silent Auction and Fall Social Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel
OTHER MPI CHAPTER EVENTS November 20, 2013
EIBTM Barcelona, Spain
January 24, 2014 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM Educational Program The Heldrich Hotel New Brunswick, NJ
OTHER INDUSTRY EVENTS November 19 – 21, 2013
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM February 23 – 25, 2014 MPIGreater New York Chapter After Six Mix: Networking Unplugged European Meetings & Events Conference Feile Restaurant at 131 W 33rd St., NYC Istanbul, Turkey
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What’s New At MPI-NJ?
F
all has arrived and we’re geared up at MPI-NJ for the upcoming year. We have filled many positions on our Committees but of course we’re always on the lookout for more involvement from our membership! If you’re interested in contributing your time and talent, please click here to see a list of committees…and sign up on our volunteer form.
advertising, or becoming a sponsor, please contact rmarion@mpinewjersey.org.
What an exciting year of programming we have ahead of us with a great mix of networking and educational programs to keep you connected. Please go to www.mpinewjersey.org to view the complete list of upcoming events at MPI-NJ. If you are a non-member of MPI-NJ, please consider joining so you can attend all these fabulous happenings (MPI-NJ policy states a non-member may only attend 2 events as a nonmember)!
MPI-NJ Chapter Congratulations to the Administrator following winners for their 201-875-2476 dedication and commitment to rmarion@mpinewjersey.org MPI-NJ and the entire meeting industry:
We have extended our 2013 advertising rates to run the entire fiscal year! If you’re interested in ad space, banner
New Jersey Sharing (a nonprofit organization to help promote organ donor awareness and sign up organ donors) has been selected as the designated charity for MPINJ 2013-2014. More information coming soon about fundraising events we plan to hold throughout the year!
Our next event is an AFTER 5 NETWORKING EVENT on November 21, 2013. This will be held at the Renaissance Marriott in Secaucus, NJ. Join the conversation! Stay connected with MPI-NJ on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook!
Rut h Marion, CMP
Excellence in Education – October 2012 Speaker Theresa Syer, CSP – “Maximizing Your Networking” Committee of the Year – Ambassador Committee: Suzanne Axt (Chair), Jennifer Sena (Co-Chair), Mike Brill, Jennifer Bruinooge, Russ Swenson, Liz Szatkowski, CMP Facility of the Year – College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ
“Mark Your Calendars” The 2014 MPI -NJ Golf Tournament will be held June 19th at Royce Brook Country Club. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more to come on our favorite June Event and Fundraiser!
MOVERS AND SHAKERS Merlene Wilder, CMP, just completed The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk Saturday, October 19th @ Verona Park. Her team, Olga's Garden, raised over $ 4,000.00 to help fight blood cancers Leukemia, Hodgkin’s & Lymphoma! Merlene was # 11 out of 1,646 individual fundraisers with $2,700.00 & her team was # 15 out of 147 Teams. She walked in memory of her Mom Olga Serrur who had Leukemia & she herself is a survivor of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
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MPI-NEW JERSEY - 28 YEARS LATER!
B
ack in December 1985, the New Jersey Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) was established. Twenty-eight years later, MPI-NJ is the leading statewide community committed to shaping and defining the future of the meeting and event industry. The MPI vision is to build a rich global meeting industry community. Its mission is to make members successful by building human connections through knowledge/ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. With almost 400 members, the chapter provides educational programs, best practices, professional development, and opportunities to network with MPI members and other industry professionals. For example, in the spring of 2012, MPI-NJ sponsored a program at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on the topic “Rev Up the Supplier/Planner Relationship.” The presentation, by Jay Gubrud, inspired a lively and very constructive discussion between our attending suppliers and planners. It just took on a life of its own and the speaker almost became a moderator! We are planning a follow-up program in 2014. “When I joined MPI-NJ ten years ago, I was a young professional, just getting my feet wet in this industry,” said Michelle Wescott, CHSP. “I attended my first monthly educational program at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City and the topic was Business Etiquette. It was a wonderful event and I had the opportunity to meet some great industry professionals. I still use what I learned at that meeting almost every day.” “Over the years, I volunteered on numerous committees and then served on the Board of Directors in Director and VP positions. Serving as the Chapter President was such an honor and I was happy to represent the great state of New Jersey for MPI,” said Michelle. The chapter recently created the Ambassador program. Its charter is to host new meeting attendees and facilitate networking during their first chapter meeting. The Ambassadors have been very well received and appreciated. MPI-NJ is also highly involved in the community through the Community Outreach team. The team
develops ways to promote good-will and enhance public awareness of MPI values through participation in humanitarian activities that reflect our diverse membership. The Committee provides an opportunity for chapter members to volunteer their time, skills, and creativity to plan and deliver events, entertainment, and services to charitable organizations. Julia Ramos, CMP, MPI-NJ President, described her vision for the chapter. “My vision for MPI-NJ is to continue to enrich our members’ professional careers through connections and education; to empower and enhance our wonderful volunteer Committee members; and to continue to grow and make the MPI-NJ Chapter the organization that planners, suppliers, and students cannot do without!” If you are interested in becoming a member of MPI-NJ, please contact our Chapter Administrator, Ruth Marion, at rmarion@mpinewjersey.org or call 201-875-2476. You can view the chapter website at www.mpinewjersey.org.
Michelle Wescott, Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP), (above left) has been a member of MPI-NJ since 2003 and served on the Board of Directors for the past five years. Michelle is a Corporate Sales Manager at Skytop Lodge, a beautiful historic hotel in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. She has been with the property for 13+ years. Julia Ramos, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), (above right) has been a member of MPI-NJ since 2003. She has served MPI-NJ in several leadership positions including Ambassador Committee Chair, CoChair Member Services Committee, and VP Membership. Julia is a global meeting professional fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and has extensive corporate event planning experience. She specializes in meetings, special events, and incentive/recognition programs.
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DOES YOUR WEBSITE REFLECT
W
hat features and functions do travelers truly value in websites that promote the sale of travel services? The answers may surprise you. According to the MMGY Global 2013 Portrait of American Travelers™, three of the five most desirable website features relate to the price/value of travel services: “the ability to check the lowest available
fares/rates” (83%), “a lowest price/rate guarantee”(80%), and “the ability to compare the fares/rates of multiple suppliers” (73%). Visual portrayals of the product/experience also make the top five: “photos of the hotel and resort facilities” (78%). Convenience is also cited as a very desirable attribute: “having an easy-touse booking feature” (74%).
PETER C. YESAWICH
Vice Chairman, MMGY Global Peter C. Yesawich is vice chairman of MMGY Global, America’s leading marketing, advertising and public relations agency serving travel, leisure and lifestyle clients. The agency represents clients in every category of the travel industry through offices across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. MMGY is an integrated marketing communications company that is known for its strategic thinking, breakthrough creativity and innovation in marketing practice. The firm’s Research & Brand Strategy Group is also regarded as one of the most respected sources of insights on the emerging travel habits, preferences and intentions of Americans and coauthors the widely acclaimed Portrait of American TravelersSM survey with Harrison Group, LLC. Yesawich is a frequent commentator on travel trends in such publications as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek and Business Week. He is also featured on the CNN, CNBC, MSNBC and BBC World television networks and National Public Radio. He serves as a featured columnist in several industry trade publications and has authored numerous articles on marketing and advertising strategy in professional journals. He is also a coauthor of Marketing Leadership in Hospitality published by Prentice Hall. Listed in Who’s Who in America, Yesawich is the recipient of the World Travel Award from the American Association of Travel Editors, The Albert E. Koehl Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He was also named one of the 25 Most Extraordinary Marketing Minds by HSMAI and is a former member of the board of directors of the U.S. Travel Association. Yesawich received three degrees from Cornell, including a doctorate in applied psychology, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Yale. Come hear Peter Yesawich speak: MPI NJ Educational Program Portrait of American Travelers 2013 Wednesday, February 12, 2014 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM College of Saint Elizabeth 2 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ
Other visual content attributes cluster in the second tier of preference, cited by roughly seven out of ten travelers who plan/book online. These include “photos of the area” (73%) and “the ability to preview room locations” (68%). The “ability to check last minute air, hotel and carrental availability” is valued by two thirds (62%) of leisure travelers who plan/book online, as is the “ability to download coupons for savings” (58%). User-generated reviews that feature commentary from travelers who have had a personal experience with a
specific travel service supplier are valued by just over half (51%) of all travelers. Three out of ten (30%) cite mobile apps and social functions such as the ability to share photos and personal experiences (28%). Links to the leading social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) are cited by just one out of four. Travelers who use the Internet to obtain travel information and/or make reservations are generally less likely to consider several website attributes very/extremely desirable today versus just two years ago. The attributes for which the greatest differences (>10%) have been observed include: • Email notification of travel specials and discounts when they become available (14%); • The ability to download coupons for savings on air tickets, hotel rooms, rental car services or vacation packages (11%); • Virtual video tours of the hotel and resort facilities (10%); • Virtual video tours of the area (10%); • Being able to download and print promotional literature and brochures from the website (10%). These data are summarized in the table at the right: For more information on the MMGY Global Portrait of American Travelers™ please contact Mr. Steve Cohen at scohen@mmgyglobal.com. This article was written by: By Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D.
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WHAT THE MARKET WANTS? DESIRABILITY OF VARIOUS WEBSITE FEATURES* Extremely/Very Desirable** Being able to check the lowest available fares or rates A lowest price/rate guarantee Photos of the hotel and resort facilities, rooms, etc. Having an easy-to-use booking feature The ability to compare the fares or rates of multiple suppliers Photos of the area The ability to preview room location The option of scheduling and confirming vacation activities in advance of arrival The ability to check last-minute air, hotel and car rental availability An interactive map that lets you explore the destination visually Virtual video tours of the hotel and resort facilities The ability to download coupons for savings on air tickets, hotel rooms, rental car services or vacation packages Local transportation information on limos, trains, taxis and shuttles Virtual video tours of the area User-generated reviews or commentary from others who have visited a specific travel-service supplier, place or destination Email notification of travel specials and discounts when they become available Ability to request printed guidebooks or brochures about the destination The ability to create an online account for the purpose of saving preferences or trip itineraries Ability to request digital guidebooks or brochures about the destination A trip itinerary planner Having a view that works/fits when accessed from my smartphone or Tablet Being able to download and print promotional literature and brochures from the website Live chat to handle questions and inquiries*** Ability to sign up to receive informational email newsletters Special offers or discounts for followers of their social media fan page Ability to sign-up for text message notifications of travel specials and/or discounts when they become available The availability of a mobile application The ability to share photographs and personal accounts of travel experiences Ability to share information with others through social media sharing functionality Links to social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. a b c d *
Denotes statistically significant difference from 2010. Denotes statistically significant difference from 2011. Denotes statistically significant difference from 2012. Denotes statistically significant difference from 2013. Asked among those who have used the internet or an online service to get travel information and prices or make a travel reservation.
2010 %
2011 %
2012 %
2013 %
83 82 76 75 78 66 67
bc
84 82 78 78 78 72 71
84 81 81 78 77 73 72
83 80 78 74 73 73 68
bc
64
bc
69
70
62
bc
63
bc
68
66
62
bc
66 68 acd
65 65
62 58
bc
69 60 61 acd
62 ab 62 56
58 ab 57 53
56
56
51
62 acd NA
56 d NA
48 44
NA NA NA NA
NA NA NA NA
42 41 41 40
48 acd 40 NA 39
41 d 37 NA 39
38 35 34 32
NA 30
NA 32
30 30
32
30
28
NA
NA
NA
25
NA
24
23
22
NA 65 66 54 55
bcd bc
d
bcd
NA 59 NA
d
NA NA NA NA 44 42 NA NA NA 25 25
d
bc
bc
d
abc
bc
ab
bc
bc
** Top two box score on a scale of one to five where one equals “not at all desirable” and five equals “extremely desirable.” *** The wording on this attribute changed since 2010. Thus, 2011, 2012 and 2013 proportions may not be comparable to that of 2010.
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SOCIAL MEDIA COMPLETES THE COMMUNICATIONS STORY!
S
OCIAL MEDIA RULE OF THUMB: In order for people to be interested, you must be interesting!
I'm obsessed in the quest to keep up with intelligent marketing resources that will help you be successful in your marketing endeavors to build clientele and keep your company or organization's name top of mind in the community. The social media platform I like to focus on...the one that I deem the “blue-chip” of social media platforms is FACEBOOK! The number of users on Facebook is staggering and shall continue to grow. Facebook has accumulated 1.10 billion monthly active users and 680 million mobile users! (As of June 2013) Over the past two years, I’ve watched Facebook evolve from a social novelty into a standard and expected part of our personal and professional culture. I’m fascinated watching how Facebook, a valuable communication and marketing tool, is used and how, in many cases, it’s just not being used appropriately, effectively or strategically. Yes...there is a strategy to utilizing Facebook for your business successfully. If you’re a decent Scrabble player, then you know that a longer word doesn’t always add up to a higher score. In fact, you’ve probably confounded opponents a time or two by putting down a 2 or 3 letter word at just the right turn in just the right place on the board to score the big points that cause your opponent’s eyes to bulge (and sometimes flip the board!). Use “small yet powerful” as your strategy with Facebook! Longer postings, loading too many pictures, posting too often and not thinking out the message before you post will cause you to lose points in Facebookland! On Facebook, the most important component is the NEWS FEED. That’s where everything you post and everything all your fans & friends post ends up in one big, happy Facebook digest! What an ego boost Facebook is, right? Where else can you post a new piece of information about your life or your business and get the instant gratification of people “liking” what you shared or “commenting” on what you said? But, there’s a trend I’m seeing in the news feed: People and businesses are getting sloppy about all that instant gratification. They’re posting too often and using information that’s not very
interesting just for the sake of posting because, hey, it’s Monday. That’s not very strategic, is it? And it doesn’t work anymore. I check my newsfeed 10 times a day and I’m watching businesses LOSE the number of likes and comments (Facebook popularity quotient) for their posts! Stay popular! Stay relevant! Keep fans & friends interested in you! Here’s my “TOP 5” tips for Facebook success: 1) Come up with a schedule to post on Facebook: 3-4 times a week is perfect! This gives you time to focus on finding interesting things to share. 2) Think before you post: Never post anything on Facebook until you’ve written it out in a document to make sure it’s accurate, concise, interesting and will elicit response. Always stay cognizant about the fact that everything you post reflects back on your company! 3) Information versus ACTION: Facebook is an amazing (and FREE) chance to promote specials. Use Facebook to communicate what the special is and include a hyperlink in the posting that takes the person back to your company website! This is vital. IMPORTANT: Be sure before posting a special on Facebook that you’ve already added it to your website! 4) Too many pictures, too little time: Don’t post more than 10 pictures at a time maximum and never post as an album. 5) Pay attention to images you use: A: Resize images to 300 pixels wide before you post so they show up “in the box”. B: If you take a picture on a smartphone horizontally, it will show up sideways on Facebook. Solution: Take vertical pictures only if you’re planning to post to Facebook on the spot! Patty Stern, CMP Chief Creative Officer Patty Stern Creative www.pattysterncreative.com
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New, Transfer & Affiliate Members NEW MEMBERS PJ CAMPBELL Director of Events Wiley 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030
JOANNA MORENO Sales Support Specialist Wyndham Hotel Group 1233 Wenzel Ct. South PlainďŹ eld, NJ 07080 STACY SCHLAGS Student Rider University 69 Juniper Way Trenton, NJ 08617
CINDY CHISMAN Business Development Manager Exotic Driving Experience 2725 E. Mine Creek Rd. #1023 DONNA BERIONT Phoenix, AZ 85024 Student Brookdale College JENNA JARDIN 45 Hillcrest Rd. Catering Sales Manager Fair Haven, NJ 07704 Hilton Parsippany 1 Hilton Ct. NANCY DEPALMA Cresskill, NJ 07626 Editor NJ and PA Meetings & Events 2 Voorhees Ct. Pennington, NJ 08534
SUSAN PARSONS Sales Support Specialist ACA Compliance Group 2180 Headquarters Pl., East Tower, Suite 205 Morristown, NJ 07960 ALYSE PASHMAN, CMP Meeting & Events Coordinator The Charles Group, Inc. 22 Grant St. – 2nd Floor Elmwood Park, NJ 07407 SHEILAH PROCTOR Student Brookdale College 175 Joline Ave. Long Branch, NJ 07740
TRANSFERS GREG MICHAEL WERNER Director of Corporate Catering Landmark Hospitality 675 GarďŹ eld Ave. Jersey City, NJ 07305
AFFILIATE MEMBER ELIZABETH BAUM Chateau Elan Winery & Resort 100 Rue Charlemagne Braselton, GA 30517 ebaum@chateauelan.com
This listing contains all New Members, Chapter Transfer Members and Affiliate Members from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013. If you should not be listed please contact: rmarion@mpinewjersey.org
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10 november/december 2013
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THE LAWYERS’ DEBATE: TODAY’S HO
T
he MPI New Jersey Chapter's September meeting featured a lively "point/counterpoint" discussion regarding hot topics in event contracts between two industry lawyers: Barbara Dunn, who represents groups and associations and Lisa Sommer Devlin who represents hotels. While there were some areas in which they had strong differences of opinion, there were also many areas in which they agreed. The hour and a half session, followed with an additional question and answer period covered a wide range of topics. The following are a few of the highlights: Lowest Rate Clauses: Devlin emphasized "rate protection" and similar clauses are not required under the law, actually hotels have the right to sell their inventory at whatever rate the market will bear. She joked when customers ask for the clause she says she will agree if the customer will agree to pay a higher rate if prevailing rates increase. Dunn agreed, but added a customer reserving a significant block at a hotel may be able to convince the hotel to accept the clause. Both agree it is more likely a hotel will agree to a clause which requires it to close off lower rates opposed to dropping the group's rate to match any lower rate offered.
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OTTEST TOPICS HOTEL CONTRACTS Attrition: While a clause is not required, Dunn warned if a contract is silent on attrition, it means the group is responsible for 100% of the block, so smart groups include a clause to cap their potential exposure. The attorneys agreed it is not smart to attempt to avoid liability by having a "no attrition" clause, because this could mean the entire contract is unenforceable due to lack of commitment by the group. This could allow the hotel to cancel the group without liability! The attorneys discussed other key elements of the attrition provision such as minimum number of rooms which must be used, whether the shortfall in room pickup should be assessed as lost profit versus lost revenue for rooms, and whether the group should be entitled to a credit for resold rooms. Cancellation: Many people incorrectly believe damage clauses must be based on "profit," according to Devlin. The damages can be based on revenue so long as they are a reasonable estimate of the loss the hotel would suffer. Similarly, the law does not require proof of actual damages or resale. While Dunn agreed on the legal requirements, she emphasized groups are often able to negotiate clauses to limit damages or to include credit for replacement or rebooked business. Both emphasized the importance of making all damage clauses very
clear and to include formulas any person can apply to determine the amount owed. Dunn also recommended groups review and negotiate the date parameters for cancellation to ensure the timing and corresponding cancellation fee are acceptable. The most common cause of disputes is over poorly written damage clauses. Force Majeure: While the attorneys agreed a clause is technically not required to excuse a party from a contract if performance becomes impossible, Dunn prefers including a longer clause which includes a "grocery list" of circumstances that would excuse the group. She noted it is also important to focus on the standard of impact included in the clause which would determine whether the clause could be invoked to excuse performance. Often, the standards such as “impossible” or “illegal” are difficult to establish; both attorneys recommended including standards such as “commercially impracticable” or “materially affect NUMBER% of attendees from attending the event”. These provisions will make it easier to determine whether the clause can be invoked to excuse performance. Construction Competing Groups and Financial Difficulties at Hotel: Typical clauses on these topics allow a group to cancel a contract without liability. The presenters Continued on page 12
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THE LAWYERS’ DEBATE
agreed that instead of incurring the time and expense of having to move an event to a new location, the group is better served by negotiating the clauses to ensure that the group's event is disrupted as little as possible and receives concessions or financial incentives from the hotel in exchange for the disruption. Such clauses are a "win/win" for both sides. Housing Pirates: Dunn and Devlin warned the problem of third party wholesalers contacting potential event attendees or exhibitors to try to sell them rooms for an event at a lower rate is occurring again. Sometimes these wholesalers have real rooms to offer, other times they do not even have any rooms and the guest arrives at the hotel after fully prepaying a reduced rate to the wholesaler only to discover there was never any reservation. These "Pirates" are difficult to pursue legally and are detrimental to both groups and hotels. The attorneys urged hotels and groups to closely monitor the internet to look for pirating activity and to educate attendees regarding the importance of using official housing procedures. The MPI members thoroughly enjoyed the program and are hoping to have a follow up presentation from Dunn and Devlin at a future MPI event!
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11)
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MPI-NJ CHAPTER would like to acknowledge and thank our Strategic Partners for their Support of the Chapter
Gold
Silver
Wynn Las Vegas 7027707000 www.wynnlasvegas.com
Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center 7329329144 ruicc.rutgers.edu
Hilton Short Hills 9733790100 www.hiltonshorthills.com/de faulten.html Ocean Place Resort & Spa 7325714000 www.oceanplace.com
Pocono Mountains 5704215791 or 1800POCONOS 18007626667 www.PoconoMountains.com
Skytop Lodge 8553457759 www.skytop.com
Bronze Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem 8668255361 www.pasands.com
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When Kare Anderson speaks, people collaborate and connect!! learn more at www.sayitbetter.com It’s not every day you get to hear an Emmy Award-Winning Speaker! Well, here’s your chance! Coming this January to MPI-NJ at the Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick
SAYINGS FROM KARE “The fun is in discovering how the sum of us can be greater than apart.”
MPINJ is happy to present Emmy-award winning Author, Speaker, Coach and Thought-Leader Kare Anderson who will share with us ideas on collaboration and how to become the unforgettable face of your organization, firm or your own brand. Kare has recently received awards for being one of the Nifty50 (one of the top 50 contributors on Twitter) as well as one of the Top 10 Business Thought Leaders via AMEX Open Forum. Plan to arrive early and go with Kare on an eye-opening Walkabout around the hotel to showcase opportunities to storyboard your meeting through the eyes of the attendee using ways to increase engagement and the user experience!
...AS SEEN IN
Say it Better
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16 november/december 2013
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EXECUTIVE BOARD President Julia Ramos, CMP JR Global Events Associates, LLC 2013338834 juliaramos@comcast.net
PresidentElect Pam Wynne, CMM, CMP Merck, Co., Inc. 9084230526 pamela.wynne@merck.com
Past President Michelle Wescott, CHSP Skytop Lodge 5705958937 mwescott@skytop.com
VP Administration Kaaren Hamilton, CMP Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group 9084487804 khamilton@carlsonrezidor.com
VP Communications Mary Lou Pollack Ocean Place Resort and Spa 7325715739 mpollack@oceanplace.com
VP Education Kellie Ann Cahill, CMP New York Hilton Midtown 2122615966 kellie.cahill@hilton.com
VP Finance Todd Steinberg, CMP Sonesta Collection 8622287079 tsteinberg@sonesta.com
VP Membership Chet Jasinski, CMP 9082341481 vpmembership@mpinewjersey.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Director of Internal Communications Carol Malinky, CMP C.A.Malinky Communications 2012320110 tmalinky@aol.com
Director of Education Nancy Sutta Berns Nancy Sutta Berns, LLC. 7328868852 nsuttaberns@optonline.net
Director of Finance Michael Brill MEDALS LLC (Medical Education Delivery, Advisory and Logistics Support) 7326591133 medalsllc@aol.com Director of Strategic Partnerships John Pursel Hyatt Regency Jersey City 2014694763 John.pursel@gmail.com
www.mpinewjersey.org
november/december 2013
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COMMITTEE CHAIRS Ambassador Committee
Membercare Committee
Special Events Committee
Jennifer Sena, Chair Puerto Rico Convention Bureau 2017665205 jsena@prcb.org
Rebecca Wakefield, CMP, Chair KPMG LLP 2013077259 rlwakefield@kpmg.com
Merlene Wilder, CMP, CoChair UniRec 9733259111 merlene@unirecgames.com
Awards & Scholarship Committee
Bruce Boillotat, CoChair Royal Coachman 9734003204 bruce.boillotat@royalcoachman.com
Jamie Keith, CMP, Chair Hilton Woodbridge 7326037790 Jamie.keith@hilton.com
Education Committee Lisa Kelly, Chair The Westfield Group lkelly@westfieldgroupusa.com Rhonda Moritz, CoChair Cadaret Grant and Company 9737702300 rmoritz@cadaretgrant.com
Golf Committee Melissa Ullmann, CoChair Philadelphia CVB 8562287079 melissa@discoverphl.com
OnSite Committee Ilyse Link, CMP, CoChair Parexel 2018835814 Ilyse.link@parexel.com Patty Stern, CMP, CoChair DMM Group Communications 9736692891 patty@groupdmm.com
Dagmaris Graziani, CMP, CoChair 9176202762 Dagmaris.graziani@gmail.com
Student Leadership Committee Melissa Winfield, Chair Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group 9739199125 mwinfield@carlsonrezidor.com Linda SantangeloMosley, CoChair Santangelo Consulting, LLC 9736151398 lsantangelomos@optonline.net
PR/Marketing Committee Patty Stern, CMP, Chair DMM Group Communications 9736692891 patty@groupdmm.com
Social Media Committee Lisa Drake, Chair Ocean Place Resort & Spa 7325715739 ldrake@oceanplace.com
Chapter Administrator Ruth Marion, CMP MPI NJ Chapter Phone: 2018752476 rmarion@mpinewjersey.org