MPIKC Times

In December 2010 the KCMPI board of directors sent out a needs assessment, and here is how we have responded to your needs.

99% of respondents said education is an important element of your MPI membership. We received 17 topic suggestions and have planned programs on the following 11 topics:

• Contract negotiating (December 2011)
• Networking Tips (April 2012)
• Entertainment (March 2012, including a talent showcase)
• New Trends (F&B and Mobil Aps at PEC May 2012)
• AV Trends (March 2011)
• Budgeting and tips on saving money (PEC May 2011)
• Risk Management (PEC May 2012)
• Managing stress (PEC May 2011)
• Etiquette (April 2011)
• Industry Challenges (PEC May 2011)

90% of respondents said that networking is an important element of your MPI membership. We have hosted or will host the following networking events:

• Awards Banquet (June 2011)
• Dine Around (September 2011)
• Field 2 Table (September 2011)
• Membership Reception (March 2011 and November 2011)
• Holiday Party (January 2012)
• 30th Anniversary Party (June 2012)

You asked for continued communications via:

• Website – The website committee has been working on updating the current website and it will launch this spring.
• Newsletter – The newsletter committee has worked hard to collect industry relevant articles as well as updates on our members such as weddings, births, job changes and awards.
• Printed Membership Directory – The directory committee has committed to three more years of a printed directory and works each year to update all of the information.

94% of respondents said the golf tournament is not important, so we are not having one this year.

You asked if we could have events on days other than Thursday. This year we had events on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so that those who cannot attend events on one day of the week can come to events on others throughout the year.

Sponsors asked for more recognition at monthly events. We added a special section to announcements to recognize all sponsors of that event and we created a PowerPoint to play during registration to showcase our sponsors.

In addition to these initiatives the 2011-12 board of directors has accomplished much more, here are a few highlights from our year so far.

Communication

• In conjunction with the MPI campaign "I am MPI and I love what we do," the KCMPI chapter launched a similar campaign and has featured local members sharing their story with us on the website and newsletters.

Finance

• Maintaining a balanced budget without raising program fees in spite of lowered membership and reduced funding from MPI headquarters.
• Audit committee reviewed the budget and gave the board several great ideas to focus on the long-term solvency and continued success of the chapter.

Leadership

• Enhanced the Leader of the Quarter initiative by creating a leadership incentive program where one lucky winner will receive a complimentary registration to WEC in St. Louis in July 2012.

Membership

• Launched an affiliate membership program where MPI members from other chapters can be members of our chapter as well.
• Is currently working on a survey to our seasoned members to look for new ways to increase engagement and strengthen our education sessions.
• Hosted an annual membership reception and auction exceeding their budgeted revenue for the year.
• Has welcomed 13 new members to the chapter since July 2011.

Programs

• In 2011-12 will host six educational programs including our annual Professional Education Conference.
• September's Field 2 Table event was attended by 75 people representing a broad range of the Kansas City community and raised more than $5,000 for the chapter budget. Featured in the September October issue of MPI’s One + magazine, KCMPI was recognized for our commitment to educating members and fellow citizens about sustainability and events.
• Our committee is creating a 30th anniversary celebration event in June 2012.
• KCMPI Past Presidents host an annual educational program with a focus on communication and sharing experiences. 

Fundraising and Community Service

• The chapter raised $500 with a fall 2011 fundraiser selling tickets to a Chiefs game. What a fun way to raise money and have fun with our fellow chapter members.
• The board of directors adopted a family at ReStart for Christmas.
• The chapter collected gloves at the January After Holiday Reception.

In March 2012 MPI headquarters will send you a chapter satisfaction survey. Excellent results from this survey often result in rewards for the chapters to pass on to their members such as membership renewal, WEC registrations, and speakers for events.

We ask you to:

• Take a few minutes to answer the survey and let us know how we are doing.
• Remember all of the great things the chapter and board of directors has accomplished in the past year.
• Rate us as high as you feel comfortable, so we can pass on the rewards to our members.

 

In hospitality,

Shana Hoy, CMP
2011-12 President - KCMPI

HUSCH BLACKWELL, LLP
4801 Main Street, Suite 1000
Kansas City, MO 64112
Direct:  816-983-8809
Fax:  816-983-8080
Shana.Hoy@huschblackwell.com

 

Please join KCMPI on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn! 

Email me to let us know what you want to read about in KCMPI Times. 

Debra Sweeten, Chair KCMPI Times
913-422-1149
debra.sweeten@yahoo.com

 

At the conclusion of the holiday season, it seems like everyone needs to let loose and have a good time. The shopping, the family, the constant change in the barometric pressure where Mother Nature can’t decide what season it is... it all makes us a little crazy at times. So, what better way to celebrate the end of the crazy than to have a happy hour at a dueling piano bar!?!?

On Wednesday, January 11th, dozens of KCMPI members gathered at Howl at the Moon in Kansas City’s Power & Light District.   Members enjoyed tasty pork sliders, stuffed mushrooms, wontons and more, courtesy of KC Live! Catering.

Howl at the Moon, one of the most unique nightlife experiences in the country, not only provided great music during the event, they also provided beverages and a few free t-shirts.

The Howl at the Moon musicians weren’t the only one providing entertainment that night. President Shana Hoy was spotted on numerous occasions belting it out along to Sweet Caroline, Tiny Dancer and many others!

A very special "Thank You" to our generous sponsors, Howl at the Moon and KC Live! Catering. Without their support, we would all still be grinching our way through January!

Location:
KC Live! at the Power & Light District
1334 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106 
816-471-4695

Thank you to Matthew Wiggins for writing this article for KCMPI Times. 

 

"Hotel Renovations" – the phrase send chills down the spine of meeting planners and conjures mixed emotions for hotel and convention bureau staffs. 

• The Good – a property is being refreshed, updated and revitalized. 
• The Bad – disruption of meetings and events. 
• The Ugly – unfulfilled promises, angry planners and attendees, doubt of the success of the renovation, doubt that it was worth the time, money and potential lost business.

KCMPI's past presidents hosted a lively discussion on hotel renovations and how they affect the meetings and events industry.  Members were able to share their own stories and ask questions.  Together, we learned and received input from our experts. Following the program, attendees connected with colleagues and friends during the cocktail reception, while also enjoying a tour of the newly-renovated Hotel Phillips. 

Many thanks to our great sponsor, the Hotel Phillips!

 

 

You’re invited to a day of education and fun during Professional Education Conference being held on May 16, 2012. PEC 2012 will restore, refurbish, and rejuvenate your meeting ideas.  Plus, you will be among the first to experience the newly renovated Elms Hotel & Spa in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

With keynote speakers Lenn Millbower and Michelle Thompson, you’ll renovate your thinking and rejuvenate your mind!

During the day’s event a great deal of insightful information will be presented, such as:

• Meet like a Mouse: Apply Theme Park Methodology, Deliver Magical Results
• Designing by Committee: Successful event Planning with Multiple Stakeholders
• Break-out sessions to personalize your education
• Meet with Sponsors who can bring excitement to your meeting ideas
• Networking in the newly renovated Elms Hotel & Spa
• Lunch and evening reception are included with registration

Registration is now open and the cost is only $95.00. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information on our speakers and topics visit the PEC website or visit our Facebook page.  Speakers and agenda are subject to change at the direction of the PEC Committee or KCMPI Board of Directors.

 

Going once. Going twice. Awarded to the outstanding member who wants to be rewarded for their chapter involvement!

Each year, KCMPI awards various scholarships. This year we are offering a complimentary membership renewal to one lucky member. This scholarship is available to any current KCMPI member, in good standing, renewing their MPI membership during the 2011-12 fiscal year. 

All qualified applications are reviewed by the scholarship committee and a recommendation is made to the board for approval. The board approves the final selection made by the committee. The recipient must present proof of membership renewal prior to June 25 during the fiscal year awarded, preference will be given to active volunteer members. 

Additional information and scholarship application can be found on the KCMPI website or by following the link: /www.kcmpi.org/html/memberresources/scholarships.html.

Don’t delay. The scholarship application deadline is February 29, 2012.

 

Volunteering with a KCMPI committee as a committee chair or member is a great way to connect with fellow meeting professional colleagues and add to your professional development portfolio. Without your expertise and assistance, our committees and programs would not be successful!

Current open leadership opportunities are available in the following areas:

Communications -  Marketing ("I am MPI, I love what we do") Committee Chair

• The Marketing Committee invites KCMPI members to submit their stories and submits three KCMPI membership stories to Nationals by determined deadline using the designated Web site form.

Finance -  Fundraising Chair

• The Fundraising Committee determines viable fundraising opportunities available to the Chapter, and coordinates volunteers and schedules in order to maximize benefit.

Membership - Membership Retention Committee Chair and Scholarship Committee Chair

• The Member Retention Committee develops and implements an incentive program to members; ensures members are recognized on their anniversaries in the KCMPI newsletter and at the monthly meeting; and is responsible for planning the annual spring Member Appreciation Reception.
• The Scholarship Committee oversees the Chapter scholarships program, including setting the criteria for eligibility, promoting the program and selecting recipients.

If interested in any of these available chair positions or serving on any KCMPI committee, please contact Andrea Heldt Coates, Director of the Leadership Committee, at eventdevelopmentinc@gmail.com.

 

Since joining MPI four years ago, Rebecca Hensel has been a prominent member of the Membership Committee and active in the chapter. She was nominated by two members of the KCMPI Board of Directors and voted as KCMPI's 2011-2012 Leader of the Second Quarter. Recently, when the need arose for a Strategic Alliance (SA) liaison for the Membership Committee, she volunteered promptly while also working diligently as a joint lead for the November Membership Reception. Her efforts were instrumental in the planning of that event. Rebecca is hardworking and eager to make our MPI chapter successful now and in the future.

Rebecca works for the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association, and has represented that organization for more than four years as a Sales Account Executive. She is active with other associations, loves to travel and is also busy planning her upcoming wedding this March. The KCMPI Board members are grateful for the commitment of all of our members, and are pleased to honor Rebecca, once again, as Leader of the Second Quarter.

 

Molly Lieberknecht, has recently started a new position for Chateau on the Lake, as the Area Sales Manager, in Chateau on the Lake's Satallite Office in KC. She started in this new position in October and works mainly with corporate business in the Greater KC and St. Louis areas.

A contributing member to KCMPI since 2009, Molly has has volunteered on the PEC Committee for two years, 2009-10, 2010-11, and currently serves as Logistics Chair for 2011-12.

Molly says "I have a passion for the Chateau on the Lake and the Branson Area-not just a meeting but a memorabe exerience for the attendees."

You can contact Molly at:
417-559-6873
molly.lieberknecht@jqh.com
415 North State Highway 265
Branson, MO 65616

Congratulations and Best Wishes in your new role, Molly!

 

MPI members and website visitors can now engage with our organization, our ProfessionalDevelopment on Demand, and award winning publications in an enhanced web experience unparalleled in the market. With the most recent enhancements to mpiweb.org, MPI members now have access to the most up-to-date, interactive and educational member website within the meeting and event industry.

A new online community, My MPI, enables members to enhance their local network with regional and global contacts. This creates almost limitless opportunities for career exploration and even sourcing for contractors or experts. In this online community of peers you have a safe place to ask that question your boss thinks you already have the answer to. You can share resources and explore different specialties and even career opportunities. Throughout the new My MPI members have access to their chapter groups as well as the ability to join any number of community groups, or start their own. Beyond the new member community, the entire site is now focused more on providing easy access for the user to areas of interest. By listening to member feedback and studying how visitors use mpiweb.org, we enhanced the navigation and created a structure that brings the most current information to the forefront. Visitors and members will encounter a richer and more educationally relevant experience as MPI keeps content fresh by integrating blogs into all of the primary areas of mpiweb.org. The news and informative posts covered in our award winning blogs are relevant to members for a variety of reasons.

Also, through enhanced navigation, members will find it easier to locate career resources, search for members in any of our communities around the globe and access training and education tools. Professional Development on Demand is available on desktop as well as through the MPI smart phone application. With more than 160 hours of education programming that is CIC approved for contact hours and 239 unique sessions of audio recordings, videos and webinars it’s an exceptional resource for our members because they have free, unlimited access to it all. And now, through an improved and fresh web experience members can enjoy it even more.

 

Tracy Orpin, CMP, is KCMPI and loves what we do!

Tracy, Meetings & Events Manager, Independent Contractor, has been a KCMPI member for 11 years.

Why KCMPI is important to Tracy and what does she get out of her membership and involvement?

Tracy says, "Over the years I have held many jobs and have gone through several layoffs. KCMPI has been a wealth of resources and information throughout my involvement. The people I have met through networking and being on committees with MPI have been an invaluable wealth of knowledge as well as amazing people and friends. I am grateful for what MPI has offered me. Since joining MPI I have earned my CMP. I went through CMP Study group with MPI and learned a tremendous amount and found it very helpful in taking the exam. It was also nice to be around others going through the process as we all supported one another. Having my CMP has been an asset to my career and I am glad I have it."

 

KCMPI welcomes its new members:

Pame Nickelsen, Perceptive Software

Wendy Jeanne Worley, Plan Ahead Events – Kansas City

Corey Ringh, Westin

 

 

Patty Steck, Sprint Corporation

 

 

 

Trisha Bach, Drury Hotels

 

 

 

Beth Follmer, Henry W. Bloch School of Management, UMKC

 

17 Years!
Liz Skahan, CMP - Independent Planner - 02/09/95

15 Years!
Caprice Caster, CMP - Automotive Parts Associates - 01/06/97

11 Years!
Marlys Arnold - ImageSpecialist - 02/28/01
Dan Nilsen - Bishop McCann - 01/21/01

8 Years!
June Dobson - HNTB Companies - 01/07/04
Shari Hockenbery, CMP - Francis Family Foundation - 02/26/04

6 Years!
Shana Hoy, CMP - Husch Blackwell LLP - 02/27/06

5 Years!
Andrea Bauer - Epic Entertainment - 01/11/07
Jen Ipsen - Marriott Country Club Plaza - 01/31/07
Kendra Murray, CMM - Account Service Group Inc - 02/27/07

4 Years!
Shannon (Christopher) Wyly - Hilton President Kansas City - 02/20/08
Michele Bushart - Sprint - 01/15/08
Rebecca Jones - Hyatt Regency Wichita - 01/07/08
Diana Midyett - Teva Animal Health - 02/20/08
Janet Ranallo, CMP - A-S-K Associates, Inc. - 02/13/08
Sheri Resa - U.S. AGBANK, FCB - 01/22/08

3 Years!
Karen Bond, CMP CTE CTE - HNTB Companies - 01/08/09
Elizabeth Brawders, CMP  - 02/10/09
Kathleen Murray - PhoneFactor - 02/02/09
Stacey Stahl - Hilton Kansas City Airport - 01/30/09

2 Years!
Julie Chatelain - Overland Limousine Service - 01/20/10
Jesse Harrison - University of Missouri Columbia - 02/07/10
Dorothy Theisen, CMP - Advanstar Communications Inc. - 02/05/10
Matthew Wiggins - Nueterra Companies - 01/15/10

1 Year!
Shelby Bailey - University of Central Missouri - 01/21/11
Emily Dalbom - Sprint - 01/08/11
Denise DeJulio, CASE - Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association - 02/02/11
Sheri Hamilton - H & A Events / RegOnDemand - 01/07/11
Elizabeth Huston - Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association - 02/01/11
Shirley Hutchins - Lodge of Four Seasons - 02/25/11
Dana Maugans - CDME Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau - 02/22/11
Will McCubbins - Chateau on the Lake - 02/16/11
Reina Murphy - Baker University - 01/31/11

 

Have you changed jobs? Moved? Received a promotion? Got married? Have a new email address? Then it’s time for you to update your KCMPI contact information! Each year KCMPI provides a printed membership directory and an electronic version.

 

In order for your KCMPI peers to reach you, prospective clients to reach you, and KCMPI can find you, we need all our members to make sure that their contact information is correct.  The best part it will only take you a few minutes – that’s a guarantee!

 

Since all our member records are maintained on the MPI Headquarters website, you simply need to visit www.mpiweb.org  and enter your login and password. On the left side of the page, under the Hello! Greeting, click on "Edit my contact info" to make changes to your personal, employment and contact information. It's THAT easy!

 

We appreciate your assistance in ensuring our membership directory has the latest information and ask that this be completed by February 24, 2012. Your contact information is used by the chapter and members to keep in touch with you, and to ensure you receive all information on events, newsletters, and other member benefits. If you have any trouble with your updating process please contact your KCMPI office at kcmpi@kcmpi.org or 816-668-9424. 

 

A note from reStart, Inc.: 
On behalf of the board of directors, staff, guests and volunteers at reStart, thank you for your generous donation.

We appreciate your generosity and give thanks for your continued support for the 550 homeless men, women, youth and families we serve each day.

Over the past year, we have seen the numbers of families and children needing shelter and other services double and your support is needed more than ever.

Thank you KCMPI Board of Directors.