MPIKC Times

The holidays are here again! On behalf of myself and the entire KCMPI Board of Directors, I wanted to thank you for making our work possible. I appreciate you and wish to express my gratitude to those who make KCMPI a great chapter! We couldn't do it without you! I am so grateful for your support this year, and look forward to building on our successes together in 2013.

I leave you with a poem written by Joanna Fuchs and wish you the happiest of holidays and see you all next year!

Pieces of Time

New year’s come and new year’s go,
Pieces of time all in a row.
As we live our life, each second and minute,
we know we’re privileged to have you in it.
Our appreciation never ends
for our greatest blessings: our family and friends.
Happy New Year!

                                      

In hospitality,

Kara Brady
KCMPI Chapter President, 2012-2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Eat Healthier - Lose Weight" is what I have been telling myself for the past few years in preparation for the New Year. Knowing how much I love to eat and sample a variety of new dishes which is abundant in our industry, makes me wonder if this is an attainable personal resolution. After much thought however, and with some variations – bigger portions of eating something healthy or smaller portions of eating something NOT so healthy, exercise daily – this IS a very attainable resolution.

Professionally, I am also in the midst of setting my 2013 resolutions which are constantly redefined thru the year. One of them of course is to constantly strive to find ways to make every KCMPI Newsletter issue more engaging for our readers. YOUR feedback largely determines what direction we take towards future issues. Would you consider -- sending us feedback about current issues -- as an addition to your KCMPI New Year's Resolution list in addition to the following:

• Get to know the New Members featured
• Write a Post Event article
• Aim to be a "Gold Medal" Awardee
• Join a Committee
• Sign up for more monthly meetings/events
• Network more with other KCMPI members
• Reconnect with KCMPI friends and business partners
• Submit articles to the KCMPI Newsletter....

Hmmm, I like the last resolution the best !!!

What is your KCMPI Newsletter New Year's Resolution? Maybe "Volunteer More -- Live Longer"...

Cheers to a Happy and Productive 2013!

 

Maria

Maria R. Davis, CMP

KCMPI e-Newsletter Chair

and

Director of Sales

The Resort at Port Arrowhead

mdavis@theresortatportarrowhead.com

Ph: 800-532-3575 x 615

 

 

 

 Please congratulate these gold medalists for doing something, for making KCMPI their chapter and for loving what we do!

Maria R. Davis, CMP (The Resort at Port Arrowhead) – September/October KCMPI Times Newsletter

Michelle Lizak, CMP (Sprint) - September/October KCMPI Times Newsletter

Shana Hoy, CMP (Husch Blackwell) - October Past Presidents Program

Patti Gaughan, CMP (Independent Planner) - November Trivia Night

Chris Aquino (InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza) - November Trivia Night

Shari Hockenbery, CMP (Francis Family Foundation) - November Trivia Night

Jill Davis (Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza) - November Trivia Night & December After 5

Who will be the next KCMPI gold medalist?  Will it be you?  Look for more gold medal winners in the next issue of the KCMPI Times newsletter.

 

KCMPI held an After 5 networking event on Wednesday, December 5, downtown at Snow & Co.  These networking events offer you a way to get to know your fellow KCMPI members better.  The After 5 receptions are a chance to mix and mingle after work; we’ve designed them as something you can attend on your way home from the office.

We’d like to give a huge thank you to our generous sponsor, Snow & Company, for hosting the December event.  Members enjoyed artful frozen cocktails made with fresh squeezed juices and house made syrups.  Some members rang in the holiday season with "hot tail!’  Delightful appetizers and a warm and comfortable atmosphere was just the thing for this fun night of networking and catching up with industry friends! 
  

While enjoying their time at Snow & Company, KCMPI members could enter a chance drawing for a "Night on the Plaza" that included a hotel stay, dinner on the plaza and a holiday light tour!   The lucky winner of the night was our own KCMPI president,  Kara Brady!  Congratulations, Kara!

This event was a fun way to ring in the holiday season with friends and colleagues and we’re excited to bring you more After 5 events in the coming months.  Watch your email for announcements for an upcoming KCMPI After 5 event.  We look forward to seeing you at the next After 5!

    

 

 

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

"Using Business to Manage Events Strategically"

Event planners do an unbelievable job of making our conferences memorable experiences. But what about the information that becomes available during the process of planning an event? Every event goes through the same steps. How are you capturing that information to help you, your team and your organization to understand the total value of your meetings to help you in current and future negotiations with suppliers?

Come learn about the value of Strategic Meeting Management on January 23, 2013, at the Kansas City Plaza Library!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

"Annual Education Conference & Trade Show"

Save the date for the first Annual KCMIC Education Conference & Trade Show on February 27, 2013, from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm at  the Kansas City Convention Center, South Hall Ballroom

Join members from PCMA, KCMPI, SGMP, KCSAE, and the Heartland Chapter of the National Speakers Association for a full day of education, networking and a salute to meeting professionals during lunch.

Stay tuned for more details!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

"Understanding the Hotel Business Model TODAY"

Mark your calendars and join speaker Michael Dominguez on March 14 rom 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Livestrong Sporting Park.  

With over 28 years of industry experience, Michael Dominguez, Senior Vice President for MGM Resorts International provides oversight of sales strategies in the convention, leisure and transient segments, including industry relations, diversity sales and MGM Resorts events. 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

"Connect at the Catering and Restaurant Showcase"

There are many ways you could choose to spend your mid-week lunch hour in April.

You could hunker down at your desk with a frozen meal and get caught up on your to do list. You could skip lunch all together and catch up on those pesky phone calls and emails. You could spend the time running errands, with some fast food on the side.

Or you could say to heck with it all and head over to KCMPI's Catering and Restaurant Showcase.

The word for this first ever tasting extravaganza, sponsored by the Olathe Convention and Visitor's Bureau and K-State Olathe, is "connect." Connect with caterers (an estimated 50-100), connect with other event planners (meet and network with 200+ local meeting professionals) and connect with K-State Olathe and Olathe's Convention and Visitor's Bureau to learn more about one of Olathe's newest event venue's and other exciting Olathe businesses and organizations.

And there will also be more opportunities to "connect" with delicious fun. Caterers and vendors will be sampling menu items, fabulous door prizes will be awarded and free building tours will be available.

Guests will also have the opportunity to attend an educational program aimed at providing tips and technics for catering events. Attendees will learn ways to handle catering relationships, identify best practices for events involving food and recognize food sanitation concerns.

The Catering and Restaurant showcase will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at K-State Olathe, 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS. The showcase will be from 11:00 am-1:00 pm followed by the educational program on Food Safety for Planners and Caterers from 1:00-2:00 pm.

Tickets are $5 for KCMPI members and $10 for Non-members. Specific event information will be available on www.kcmpi.org in December. Registration for vendors will open at this time and guest registration will be available after the first of the year.

Mark your calendars to make sure you "connect" at the 2013 Catering and Restaurant Showcase!

 

As the sunset on November 15, KCMPI members and friends enjoyed a stunning view of the city from the View at the Courtyard by Marriott Briarcliff. This great, green space with expansive views from the city's north side provided the perfect backdrop for KCMPI's Member Appreciation Reception. Attendees were treated to a delicious buffet dinner provided by Plaza Catering. All KCMPI members received a member appreciation packet with Aloft Hotel drink coupons for their hip W XYZ Bar, one free answer to be used during Trivia and raffle ticket for the member appreciation package. Hotel tours and networking time ensued. Master Sargent Bruce Thompson, from the U.S. Marine Corps, mingled with guests as he collected the group's donations to Toys for Tots. In all, about 75 board games and toys were collected. KCMPI will be collecting more toys at the December After Five.

Our favorite emcee, Brad Plumb with the Overland Park Convention and Visitors Bureau, introduced KCMPI President, Kara Brady to make a few announcements and conducted a member appreciation prize drawing. Melanie Pilgram, CMP, with the Four Points by Sheraton Kansas City Airport won the member appreciation package (over-night stay at the courtyard and $75 at Trezo Mare). Representatives from the View, the Courtyard and Plaza Catering made a few comments. Then the games began...

The rules were presented, the judges/scorers introduced and team captains selected. Then the teams got down to some serious work. It became apparent that everyone would have to think hard or purchase more "free answers"; no resources or electronic devices were allowed - only sheer brain power. The evening consisted of 8 rounds with 10 questions per round. Topics were based on events of the year and covered: All About KC, the Presidency and Presidents, the Olympics, Thanksgiving, TV Sitcoms, Sports, Currency and Hodge Podge. The competition was fierce and players serious; one team even sported yellow team t-shirts. As it turned out, the t-shirts gave them the mojo to become our inaugural champs, but only by two points.

The champs were Denise DeJulio, Becky Addleman, Stacy Bartlett and Chris Thompson with the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau and Mike Garner with Visual Aids Electronics. Each member of the first-place team received a spectator package (binoculars, stadium seat, blanket) donated by Bushnell Optics.

The second-place team received an overnight stay at the Ambassador hotel, two tickets to the new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema downtown and gift cards to either the Power & Light District or the recently renovated Providence/Drum Room Lounge at the Hilton President Hotel. Members of this team were Ken Hamm of Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa; Shari Hockenbery, CMP with the Francis Family Foundation; Bob Compton owner of Bob Compton Photography; Caprice Caster of Automotive Parts Associates and her husband, Craig Caster of Olathe Ford.

Rounding out the top three was Team Waldo in third place with 51 points. Team Waldo was made up of our cities tenured planners: Belinda Waldo, Associated Luxury Hotels; Kathy Thompson, CMM of Bushnell; Mitch Collins; Laurie Warren; Debbie Jennings with AMP; Rosemary Hall of ADS and Teresa Kullman Ruiz with Third Verve. Third place winners each received a gift card to Best Regards Bakery and Cafe in Overland Park and shared a cookie platter.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support of KCMPI and to our other sponsors, Francis Family Foundation, Meeting Management & Consulting, Wheat and Paper Crane Photography.

 

By Shana Hoy

The October Past Presidents educational program was well attended at Grand Street Café and Speaker Michele Wierzgac, MSEd, CMM shared some great Post Event Report tips.

First, a huge thank you the to KCMPI Past Presidents council  who have for the past three years volunteered their time and expertise to host one of the chapter's educational programs.

Our morning started with a beautiful and delicious breakfast provided by our host venue Grand Street Café . If you have not seen their brand new space I suggest you check it out. It can seat up to 300 people with built in projector, screen and microphones. The space has gorgeous dark hardwood floors and is decorated in classic black and white.

Our guest speaker, Michele Wierzgac, shared some great tips for writing a post event report (PER) that will benefit you, your customer and your stakeholders. In the session we talked about why to write a post event report, who to send them to, what the stakeholders care about and how we can best show the value we bring to our company. If you are interested in more information regarding the topic, be sure to check out this article on Michele's website  and the handout from the program .

Our morning ended with an interview of each of the attending Past Presidents asking why they appreciate KCMPI and what lead them to service. Each shared from the heart and the consensus was a shared love of serving our friends and colleagues in the KC community of meetings and events.

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend the program and a special thank you to our sponsors.

Cathy Ewing Event Consulting

Grand Street Café

Michele & Company

Sheraton Crown Center

 

KCMPI Round of Applause is the new Leadership active member initiative to recognize outstanding volunteers within our Chapter. Active members may be recognized by fellow KCMPI members, committee chairs or Board of Directors. Each nominee receives a certificate and token of appreciation. Once a member receives three nominations, he or she will receive a larger token of appreciation of his or her choice from a selection of items.

Congratulations to the following members that have received their first Round of Applause for their outstanding time and support to our Chapter:

Jill Davis, After Five Chair
Maria R. Davis, CMP, Newsletter Chair
Cathy Ewing, CMP, Past Presidents Committee Member
Doug Fager, Governance Committee Member
Renee Hultgren, Strategic Alliance Committee Member
Liz Huston, Strategic Alliance Committee Member
Abby Ledbetter, CMP, Membership Committee Member
Jill Quinn, Past Presidents Committee Member
Rob Wilson, Social Media Chair

A standing ovation to the following member that has received her second Round of Applause:

Renee Hultgren, Monthly Programs April Lead

Please contact Andrayana Getchell, Director of Leadership, at agetchell@drugfreesport.com or 816-285-1402 to nominate an active member for the Round of Applause recognition.

 

By Lorie L. Salts, CMP

The application deadline for the second quarter 2013 examination period is February 12, 2013. The KCMPI Study Group will host the CMP Informational meeting on Thursday, January 10^th (Location TBD) in order to provide valuable data and application completion assistance.

The CMP Study Group Leaders are excited to announce the next informational meeting will be held (at a location still to be determined) on Thursday, January 10th, 2013, at 4:30pm.

For those that enroll in the study group we will provide a lesson plan for the 2^nd and 3^rd Quarter 2013 testing dates. Please RSVP to Lorie Salts, CMP, 913-735-5073 or lsalts@helmsbriscoe.com or Diane Miller, CMP, 913-577-0613 or dmiller@nazarene.org to let us know of your intent to attend the informational meeting.

Participation in the KCMPI CMP Study Group is $50.00 for MPI members and $100.00 for non-MPI members.

The Convention Industry Council will provide four (4) nine day examination periods each year for those interested in obtaining their CMP designation. The local MPI chapter hosts two study groups annually and everyone is welcome to participate. Not only does the group provide focused study guidelines and lesson plans, but also application completion assistance.

 

KCMPI is an outstanding Chapter because of our active members, thank you! If you would like to become involved in a KCMPI committee, please contact Andrayana Getchell, Director of Leadership at agetchell@drugfreesport.com or at 816-285-1402.

Ready to take your KCMPI membership the next level and connect with other KCMPI members and meeting professional organizations? Become a KCMPI Active Member by volunteering as a committee member or chair. To become an active member, only a minimum of one hour is needed of your time.  This hour may be given in increments or at one time.

If interested in volunteering, the following are areas that will very much enjoy having you as an active member:

Communications - public relations, KCMPI Times Newsletter, Website management
Leadership - connect members to committees, awards and recognition programs
Membership - new member recruitment, member retention, member scholarship and Job Bank
Monthly Programs - education programs and social networking events

Please contact Andrayana Getchell, Director of Leadership, at agetchell@drugfreesport.com or 816-285-1402 for assistance with becoming a KCMPI active member today!

 

The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program is expected to attract a much larger community of meeting professionals in more countries, due in large part to a multi-year initiative to globalize the certification. This initiative recently culminated in the introduction of the CMP International Standards and computer-based testing. With this expected uptick in international interest, the Convention Industry Council introduces the first CMP Regional Representatives initiative.

"Globalizing the CMP program will continue to be a major focus for CIC," said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Chief Executive Officer of CIC. "With professionals in 46 countries around the globe we are well on our way. To build on this we are opening new avenues for sharing information and building networks for CMP candidates through an initiative called the CMP Regional Representatives program."

The Regional Representatives are selected by the CMP Board of Directors based on their knowledge of both the CMP program and the professional environment of the region they represent. Regional Representatives will be available to offer information sessions and informal counseling on the CMP.

General inquiries for candidate information and resources, such as questions regarding CMP policies and procedures, application and examination processes and deadlines, should still be directed to the staff at CIC headquarters. "The Regional Representatives are not a replacement for the expertise and knowledge of the staff at CIC headquarters," noted Kotowski. "They’re regional volunteers -- information sources and advocates for the CMP when professional groups or candidates need information closer to home."

Representatives have been announced for South Africa, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. Candidates are encouraged to contact the representatives should they have in depth questions about the value of the CMP designation, locating continuing education and exam preparation, or connecting with others pursuing the certification.

The CMP Regional Representatives are:
Asia Pacific
Richard Rheindorf, CMP - MCI
cmpasiapacific@conventionindustry.org

South Africa
Chris Prieto, CMP - Emperors Palace
cmpsouthafrica@conventionindustry.org

North America
Joanne Joham, CMM, CMP - ICCA
cmpnorthamerica@conventionindustry.org

South America
Maria Jose Alvez, CMP - ICCA
cmpsouthamerica@conventionindustry.org

 

Name: Cathy Ewing CMP
Title: President
Company: Cathy Ewing Event Consulting LLC
Membership Years: Since 1994

Being a meeting professional is a wonderful career. You know what I mean... All your friends are envious of your exotic travel destination, lavish cuisine and road warrior experiences. No matter how many times I’ve explained the complexity of my programs, it falls on deaf ears and their eyes glaze over seeing palm trees and sandy beaches.

We all know that as meeting managers we do so much more than the title indicates. We are constantly increasing our meeting knowledge and striving for "event perfection". That is where I applaud Kansas City Meeting Professionals International! Thank you for providing educational programs that allowed me to elevate and develop my career as a corporate planner. I can honestly say MPI changed my life in so many ways. MPI is an invaluable tool if used correctly. Don’t just join - be an active member on a committee – the more you invest of yourself the more you reap the benefits of this organization.

Since 1994, my membership needs really changed over the years – from planner to having my own firm. MPI has grown with me and continues to supply recommendations in the industry that I can consult and connect with around the world. Whether it’s a hotel contract, insurance, or a supplier in another city or country, people in our industry are so friendly and outgoing – it’s one of the genes we all have in common. MPI is a great organization and the Kansas City is the best chapter – I’m so proud to be a longtime member and past president.

Name: Belinda Waldo
Title: Midwest Director of Sales
Company: Associated Luxury Hotels International
Membership Years: Since 1991 (21-year member)
 
I will never forget my first KCMPI meeting. At the time I was living in Dallas and was in Kansas City for sales calls, the meeting was at the NCAA offices (which has since moved to Indiana). I met Gwen Knight and Alton Hagen and they were my welcoming committee to Kansas City and KCMPI. I cherish their friendships to this day along with many of the friends I have made along the way due to KCMPI.

We are all blessed to be in this industry, I absolutely love what I do and the company I work for. KCMPI has opened so many doors for me both personally and professionally.  However I must say you have to get involved to get these doors to open.  The Kansas City Chapter has many long term dedicated and loyal members, for the newer members take advantage of the experience and knowledge of these individuals and reach out to them.

Thank you KCMPI for the education and networking you have provided all these years!

 

Allison Laughlin - Student

Missouri State University

913/980-9619 / allison129@live.missouristate.edu

Allison is currently a junior at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. She is majoring in Entertainment Management with a Minor in Marketing. She is involved in the Entertainment Management Association as well as Sigma Kappa Sorority where she serves as the Social Chair, planning all of their events and social gatherings to gain experience in event planning. She currently works part-time at the Executive Conference Center in Springfield where she is an event host for a variety of events including weddings and corporate parties.

Allison loves to hang out with friends and family, going to the movies, shopping, and dancing. Her favorite sports team is the KU Jayhawks (basketball).

Allison is looking forward to getting involved with MPI and is excited about all of the possible opportunities that will come in the future!

 

21 Years!
Patti Gaughan, CMP – Meeting Management & Consulting, LLC – 12/30/1991
Belinda "B" Waldo – Associated Luxury Hotels – 12/30/1991

20 Years!
Cathy Ewing, CMP – Cathy Ewing Event Consulting – 12/30/1992
Kathy Thompson, CMP, CMM – Bushnell Outdoor Products – 12/30/1992

12 Years!
Ward Wheeler, CMP – MRIGlobal – 12/11/2000

11 Years!
Lynne Fleenor – Aloft Leawood-Overland Park – 12/13/2001

10 Years!
Kelley Malone-Kirby, CMP – Sheraton Overland Park Hotel – 12/4/2002

7 Years!
Phil Allemang, CAS – National Premium-Kansas City – 11/30/2005
Michelle Lizak, CMP – Sprint – 12-13/2005

6 Years!
Cynthia Tompkins – UMB Financial Corp. – 12/28/2006

5 Years!
Curtis Pickering – Production Source – 12/10/2007
Chris Aquino – InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza – 12/14/2007
Lacey Spallitta, CMP – Teva Neuroscience – 12/17/2007

3 Years!
Maureen Hofrenning – Go Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau – 11/12/2009
Megan O’Keefe, CMP – Hyatt Regency Cincinnati - 12/17/2009
Polly Berkley – Aviva USA – 12/22/2009

2 Years!
Sarah Synder – bizperc/Think Big Partners – 11/30/2010
Carmen Johnson – 12/9/2010

1 Year!
Morgan Adrian – University of Missouri Columbia – 11/2/2011
Wendy Worley – Plan Ahead Events-Kansas City – 11/29/2011
Patty Steck – Sprint – 12/7/2011
Pame Nickelsen – Perceptive Software – 12/23/2011
Corey Ringh – Westin & Sheraton Kansas City Hotels at Crown Center – 12/28/2011

 

"I was really impressed with the extra effort put into providing bios with photos of the new members. That is fantastic! I find great value in being able to connect an actual person with the name. It makes the KCMPI network more alive." Keep up the great work! Thank you. - Tricia Clement, CMP / Bishop-McCann