MPIKC Times
MPI - Kansas City Chapter
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Dear KCMPI Members and Friends,
It is with great honor that I step into my role as the 2013-2014 KCMPI President. Over my time as a member of KCMPI, I have found that there are a variety of reasons that people join the organization. Some members want to meet new people or stay connected to the ever-changing industry trends. Sometimes it is at the urging of their employer; other times it is just for the connection to the MPI brand name. In 2007, I joined MPI to make connections to people in the community and continue to expand my knowledge of the industry in which I was establishing my career. With the focus on education at the local and international level, MPI seemed like the perfect fit. I knew that my personal growth would not come without involvement. I joined the Programs Committee, was appointed chair and subsequently was nominated to join the Board. I was able to fulfill the requirements needed to sit for the CMP exam, gain experience while working on the board of a small company, connect with clients and vendors, and grow as a person. I have found mentors and friends through the connections that I have made. These relationships have helped to mold me into the person that I am today. Thank you! In 2012-2013, the focus of our Board was on the members. The Board created new events to get members involved, implemented new ways to acknowledge the people who work so hard throughout the year, streamlined Chapter-level correspondence by sending out monthly KCMPI Connections, and offered new opportunities for Chapter fundraising. We need to build on the foundation that has been set. We need to remain focused on our members while utilizing the feedback we receive in order to give our members what they want out of their membership. The incoming Board has a strong desire to take the Chapter to the next level. It only takes an ember to get the fire going. Help us ignite the fire. We need your involvement, your time, your ideas, your passion. We want more of the members to have the passion and involvement that many of you already exhibit. Help us to make OUR KCMPI Chapter THE MPI Chapter.
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Greetings fellow KCMPI Members!
"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." Congratulations and thank you to all KCMPI members who have dedicated a portion of your time this past year for the betterment of our Chapter. You are all WINNERS! ‘Til next time! Maria
 Maria R. Davis, CMPKCMPI e-Newsletter Chair
Sales Manager
Embassy Suites Kansas City Int'l Airport
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The 2013 KCMPI Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, June 13 at the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. Photography for this evening was provided by Bob Compton Photography. A link to the photos from that evening can be found here: http://bobcomptonphotography.smugmug.com/Commercial/KCMPI-2013-Meeting
The theme for the evening was focused on the membership and all the accomplishments from 2012-2013 year. Kara Brady of Konover Corporation and outgoing Chapter President and Tricia Clement, CMP, of Bishop McCann and President-Elect served as emcees for the evening. Past Presidents Inge Hafkmeyer, CMM, of ADI Meetings, Belinda Waldo of Associated Luxury Hotels and Michelle Lizak, CMP, of SprintNextel helped present awards throughout the evening. The 2012-2013 award winners for each of the various categories are listed below: Committee Chair of the Year Maria Davis, CMP (Newsletter Chair)  Tricia Clement, CMP, presents Maria Davis, CMP, of Embassy Suites Kansas City Int'l Airport with the Committee Chair of the Year Award for her work as the Newsletter Chair. Committee of the Year: Fundraising Jill C. Davis Brent Raymond Shari B. Hockenbery, CMP Patti Jo Gaughan, CMP Event of the Year: Catering and Restaurant Showcase Renee Hultgren (Lead) Brandi Brumback, CTA Kara Brady Cheryle Grinter Tony Ballard Sarah Snyder Education Program of the Year: Professional Education Conference Molly Lieberknecht (Chair) Lisa Perez Melanie D. Pilgrim, CMP April Graham Shana K. Hoy, CMP Shelby Thario Andrayana Getchell, CMP Christina Benjamin Rising Star Renee Hultgren  Tricia Clement, CMP, presented Renee Hultgren, K-State Olathe, with the 2013 Rising Star award. Caterer of the Year Circle S Ranch & Country Inn (Field 2 Table 2013)  Cheryle Grinter accepted the Caterer of the Year award on behalf of Circle S Ranch for its work on 2012 Field 2 Table. Supplier of the Year Megan O'Keefe, CMP Hyatt Regency Cincinnati  Megan O'Keefe, CMP, of Hyatt Regency Cincinnati accepts the Supplier of the Year award for 2013. Planner of the Year Patti Jo Gaughan, CMP Meeting Management Consultants, LLC Employer Appreciation Konover Hotel Corporation Special Recognition Bushnell Outdoor Products (Kathy L. Thompson, CMP CMM) Cheryle Grinter Terry Erisman Bill Lawrence  Belinda Waldo presents the Special Employer Recognition award to Bushnell and Kathy Thompson, CMP, CMM. Membership Milestones 20-Year Members: Miya Macken, CMP Cathy Ewing, CMP Kathy L. Thompson, CMP, CMM 25-Year Members: Francine Liem Cobb Susan K. Muchow Julie Green Hensler CMP Designation Beth Follmer, CMP Rebecca A. Elliott, CMP Andrea Bauer, CMP June Dobson, CMP Megan Mill, CMP Rebecca Lippe, CMP Congratulations to all the award winners, members celebrating milestones and to our newest CMP members! |
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July 11, 2013
PCMA – KCMPI "Best in Class" Joint Meeting Doubletree by Hilton, Overland Park July 20-23, 2013 World Education Congress (WEC) Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas September 19, 2013
Field 2 Table 2013 – mark you calendar! Visit www.kcmpi.org for more details on this signature event! October 15-17, 2013
IMEX America Sands in Las Vegas |
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KCMPI recently partnered with the Kansas City Meetings Industry Council (KCMIC) to plan the first-ever KCMIC Educational Conference and Tradeshow on Thursday, May 2 at the Kansas City Convention Center. For more information, please visit www.kcmic.org.
Event Summary and Editorial by Lacey Spalitta, CMP Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the KCMIC Educational Conference at the Kansas City Convention Center. The conference was very beneficial to me as a meeting planner, as well as someone renewing her CMP. The day started with some great speakers who talked about the G Generation, networking and right-brain brainstorming, as well as Chris Meyer who spoke on hybrid meetings. I know most planners have been getting more questions about hybrid meetings as our industry is introducing new technology. As the day went on, we were able to visit with vendors in the exhibit hall and attend breakouts ranging from "How to Green Your Conference" to learning more about iPads and other technology tools for planners. As an attendee, we were also invited to the KC Convention & Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting and Luncheon, where we heard Nan Beauvois speak from the U.S. Travel Association. The day wrapped up with a very strong Closing Keynote by Lethia Owens, who spoke on building an influential leadership brand. The Meeting Industry Council did a fantastic job pulling together this conference and choosing speakers who provided information on what planners and vendors need to know now.  KCMPI's past presidents take a break from the conference to pose for a group photo! |
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Did you know that the Convention Industry Council is now providing the CMP Exam at testing centers around the globe – ELECTRONICALLY? Cost Estimate: Study group: KCMPI has seasoned veteran planners that will help you fill out the application. Individual meetings will be set as everyone’s application will be different. |
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Recently, at the KCMIC Education Conference and Tradeshow, Rob Wilson of Meeting Evolution, hosted a session of "Best Practices for Effective eRFPs." 1. Use the industry standards as defined by the Convention Industry Council. |
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KCMPI is pleased to post local job offerings available to our members. To review these current opportunities, please visit our KCMPI.org Job Bank. |
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By Jason Hensel A co-worker passed along an article the other day titled "10 ‘Sit Up Straight’ Exercises to De-slump Your Career." It included tips such as "make learning a priority," "adopt an attitude of gratitude" and "pay attention when people make suggestions." One suggestion, though, really stood out to us: "Join an industry association." The article says that the "payoff in terms of networking opportunities, early insights on industry developments and heads-up on emerging opportunities will be invaluable." Of course, we agree with that statement, and it’s not just individuals who benefit from joining industry associations. "Membership in trade associations not only benefits employees of your company, but it also projects a positive image of your firm to your customers," said Betsy Demitropoulos, senior editor of American Business Magazine. "Membership in associations shows a business’ initiative, its engagement in a particular trade and its commitment to staying abreast of current developments in the market." Staying abreast of current trends is one of the many valuable benefits of joining (or retaining) MPI membership. "The value of joining an association, especially MPI, allows you access to 24/7/365 learning from more than 190 education sessions that can count toward clock hours for your CMP," said Brad C. Shanklin, IOM, MPI senior director of chapters and member services. "MPI also provides you with access to a 20,000-member global community comprised of powerful decision makers representing 67 percent of Fortune 100 companies. Through your membership, you can make crucial connections to people, ideas and marketplaces that can take your career and your business to the next level." So, help take your career and business to the next level and please join or renew your MPI membership. And while you’re at it, consider volunteering with your chapter. |
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New this year, KCMPI members can add a logo to their 2013 KCMPI Membership Directory listing to make it stand out!
Proudly display your organization in this reference that stays on the desks of members year-round and helps them plan more than 18,000 meetings. Logos may be submitted in black and white or full color and are available to anyone with a listing in the directory! Email cherrholtz@naylor.com for prices and specs and to submit your logo. The deadline to submit directory materials is Tuesday, June 18, so don't wait to take advantage of this new feature! Check out all of our directory advertising opportunities here. 
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Rusty Macy is the new general manager of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. He assumes overall responsibility for the 983-room convention hotel operations and leadership of the hotel’s 600 employees. Macy brings more than 25 years of general management experience with Hyatt Hotels, including his most recent post as general manager of the 800-room Hyatt Regency DWF at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Macy is a familiar name to Kansas City travelers and meeting planners, having served two stints with Hyatt Regency Crown Center. His most recent stint was from 2002-2011 as general manager, and he is eager to return to the city he and his family called home for more than 10 years. "Of all the great cities we have lived in throughout my career, Kansas City was at the top of our list," he noted upon accepting the position. "What makes it so special is the people." He counts adult children living in Kansas City and many friendships made here through the years as benefits that come with a promising position. "Family is a great draw for me at this stage of my career, but so is the opportunity to work in a hotel family with such a strong service culture," he said. "I very much look forward to working with The Raphael Group team and our ownership group that I have known and respected for many years." Macy credits the hotel’s ownership for its commitment to Kansas City and for its sustained investment in the hotel. "The lobby looks great," he said. "With its new BARCENTRAL and MetropolitanKC restaurant, the reimagined lobby area has become a warm, friendly environment for meeting, conducting business and gathering." Macy has two immediate goals: "No. 1 is to get to know the staff and let them get to know me," he said. His second priority is to elevate the service and expectation level of guests. "We want every guest to come away with a great experience."Macy is a central Illinois native. He holds a B.A. in hospitality and restaurant administration from Washington State University. Until his recent appointment, he served on the board of North Texas Commission and as secretary on the board of the Hotel Association of Tarrant County. In Kansas City, he served as chairman and president of the Kansas City Hotel & Lodging Association, city co-chair for the Greater K.C. Day and president of the Rotary Youth Camp. He served on the board of directors for the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association (KCCVA), Rotary Club 13 and numerous KCCVA subcommittees. He served as guest lecturer for the Johnson County College hospitality leadership class and the University of Missouri Kansas City hospitality law class. He received the 2006 Hotelier of the Year award, presented by the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City. Macy replaced Carol Pecoraro who retired after serving as general manager of the hotel since 1990. Pecoraro began her hospitality career as a front desk cashier at the Alameda Plaza (now Intercontinental) in 1974. The Marriott Kansas City Downtown is owned by the Kansas City Downtown Hotel Group, L.L.C. and is managed by The Raphael Hotel Group. |
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – May 26, 2013 – One of America’s most esteemed hotel developers, John Q. Hammons, died peacefully at age 94 at Elfindale Manor in Springfield, Mo., where he had resided since 2010. The Missouri native and long-time Springfield businessman, whose greatest passions were hotel development and sports, remained active in business until the age of 91. Over the course of his impressive 52-year career in the lodging industry, Hammons developed 210 hotel properties in 40 states and was honored with numerous lifetime achievement awards. He introduced the hospitality industry to signature-style, full-service hotels featuring atrium lobbies, expansive meeting and convention space, large guest rooms, podium check-in stations, and complete business traveler amenities that have become staples in a guest’s exceptional experience. Early Years Passion for Building Hammons formed John Q. Hammons Hotels in 1969 and built it into the largest private, independent owner and manager of upscale hotels in the United States. Today the company operates 78 hotels/nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites and 5.4 million gross square feet of meeting and convention space in 24 states, and employs more than 8,500 exceptional associates. Hammons put his signature touch on enhancing hotel brands, such as Embassy Suites Hotels, Marriott and Renaissance. He also developed independent hotel gems, including Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Mo. His legacy for excellence secured the ranking of the #1 Embassy Suites Hotel in the world for six consecutive years. "Hammons was a giant in the hospitality industry and was unwavering in his commitment to exceptional quality and service and to giving back to the community," said Jacqueline Dowdy, CEO of John Q Hammons Hotels & Resorts. "He was a great mentor and friend and will be missed by all who came to know him, but his legacy will live on forever." Legacy for Giving Known As "John Q." John Q. Hammons was preceded in death by his parents, James O. and Hortense Bass Hammons, and his sister, Wrenna Quentilla Hammons. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Juanita K. Hammons, of Springfield. |
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By Sarah Morrissey Of course, there are the endless passport/visa issues, language barriers, countless days stuck in airports and obscene hours you work as you try to get in touch with people across the world. But when it is all said and done, the experiences gained far outweigh the challenges. My most favorite memories include a group lunch on the Great Wall of China, ziplining through the Rain Forest in Costa Rica, sampling the original Singapore Sling cocktail, shopping the night markets in Hong Kong, taking a tram to the top of Penang Hill, and my favorite ... unknowingly escorting a lizard home from Jamaica. A few things I have learned along the way:
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The KCMPI Times Editor asked members, what do you prefer: virtual home office or actual office setting? What are some of your best practices? These are a few of their responses. Cheri Jones, CMP, Meeting Manager **************************** I love my office at home. I thrive in a quiet space. After 19 years working from home, I doubt I could return to an office setting. Even when I’m on-site working a program, I’d rather escape to the quiet of my guestroom where a 6-foot banquet table holds my equipment and notebooks. Although we gather in a Staff Office to pow-wow and make conference updates, I can be seen heading to the elevator, praying that the housekeeper isn't in my room. Set in my ways? You bet! When you’ve paid your dues and you commit to producing 110 percent for your clients, an efficient home office is the only way to go! Gwen Knight, CMP, Independent Meeting Planner ************************* • Always have an estimated start and finish to your day, don’t stay in your pajamas, take a shower, eat lunch and then turn off your computer at some point. ************************ "Stick to a regimented schedule, i.e. get up at a certain time, follow a routine as if I were leaving for the day and start work the same time every day as if I were walking into an office. I treat lunch the same as if I were in an office, and I end my work like I am in an office. It is all about structure and a routine for me." Molly Lieberknecht, Area Sales Manager *************************** • Schedule a start and stop time daily – keeping work and home separate are essential. "Planner" ************************** • BLOCK YOUR TIME. This is my main suggestion. Don’t get distracted or pulled off of a project. Block your email times, your project times, solicitation times, etc. Even an incoming call can go to voicemail if you are in the middle of a project. Valuable time is lost jumping from one focus to the next. • Be clear with family and friends that just because you work from home, you maintain the same hours and they need to respect that. So often people misunderstand and ask for help or call to chat, thinking that you are available as you are home. • Set daily goals and stick to them. • Shut off the computer when you aren’t working. It is tempting to do "one more thing" but you need to be fair to yourself and enjoy a good quality of life. Working until 11 p.m. will not make this happen! Shirley Hutchins, Director, Global Accounts *********************** ************************ • Be present in what you are working on – it is easy to be distracted by "home chores" so be sure to set up a time to do these like around lunch time hour. Inge Hafkemeyer, CMM, Account Executive ************************ Going Mobile Hilton Style Get These Finding Balance – Home Office & Personal Life Warning Signs when we are Losing Our Battle Proud Out Loud! Ability to Deliver Virtually Francine Liem Cobb, Director of Sales ************************ I started home officing in 1995 when I moved to KC from Dallas. At the time I was working for ITT Sheraton National Sales and then Starwood bought us in 1998. Currently, I home office for Associated Luxury Hotels International. My title is DOS for the Midwest Region. I have worked for ALHI for 9 years. Best practices, make sure your "home" office is strategically located in your house. Mine is upstairs where it is quiet. Even if family members are home while I am working you cannot hear them upstairs. I am isolated and away from people dropping in and interrupting. Do not let your dogs in your office. There is nothing worse than being on a call with a client or on a conference call and hearing a dog barking in the background. Same for children – if you have children, you should continue to take them to a day care center or hire a nanny. Stay focused and disciplined. It is so easy to maybe shop online or do housework during working hours. Keep your goals in mind so you can stay focused. Make a list of what you want to accomplish each day so you know what needs to be done. This also helps you stay focused. Take a break or two during the day. This is important. Go outside for a 10-minute walk, go sit outside and get fresh air. It rejuvenates you and you come back with a second wave of energy. It is also good for your eyes and your posture to take breaks. |
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Let's celebrate our members who celebrate anniversaries in May and June: 25 Years! 16 Years! 14 Years! 13 Years! 11 Years! 10 Years! 7 Years! 6 Years! 5 Years! 4 Years! 3 Years! 2 Years! 1 Year!
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KCMPI is a great place to learn from and connect with the best in the business. When I started in the industry, the KC Chapter members were so welcoming. I found myself surrounded by those who take such pride in their work, are expert resources in their field, and are honest and supportive. Everyone in KCMPI truly wants the best for each other professionally and personally. I am so thankful for the friendships I've formed and the amazing women who set a great example in my "formative" years in this industry. There is such a wealth of knowledge and opportunity through KCMPI. I appreciate the hard work of those who have made the KC Chapter what it is today.
Starting out on the supplier side, I utilized my KCMPI membership mainly as a networking tool. When I decided to cross over to the planner side, my membership morphed into more of a resource for education and knowledge. Wanting to obtain my CMP, I joined the program committee and worked on putting together events for other KCMPI members to enjoy. Meeting and working with members like Inge Hafkemeyer and Shari Hockenberry were truly a pleasure. What’s most important to you and how has your membership affected you?
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We would like to welcome the following people to the KCMPI family:
John A. Short, CMP, has made a career writing menus since 1980 when he started in management with Victoria Station Restaurants. His background in the hospitality industry includes restaurant ownership, projects in hotels/resorts and off-premise catering, as well as developing menus for event planners. He has been fortunate to travel extensively, working from Puerto Rico to Mexico; Africa to the Caribbean, and most recently he took a culinary class in Italy. A Certified Meeting Professional since 1995, John prefers the moniker "food guy" to "foodie." He has been published in various trade journals and presented and spoken in numerous programs for various organizations. His true passion is connecting people who might otherwise have never met one another. John's offbeat sense of humor is a refreshing change of pace from the usual "you are what you eat" persona to a "sure, M&Ms are good for you!" attitude. In 2013, John founded Menus Beyond Organic, offering affordable, ethical menu design to event planners, restaurants, conferences and just about anybody who eats. Ms. Hayley Neverve |
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February 12, 2013 Board Meeting April 10, 2013 Catering & Restaurant Showcase In-Kind Friend |
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The Distinguished Member of the Year Award honors an individual or organization that has demonstrated a long-lasting commitment and has made consistent and significant contributions to the PCMA Heartland Chapter. This honoree exemplifies outstanding professionalism and service. • Contributions to PCMA for national/chapter board and committee work |
