MPIKC Times
MPI - Kansas City Chapter
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Greetings KCMPI Members!
In recent conversations, I realized that there are potentially many things about the chapter that are not known by the members. What better way to give a quick recap of things you may not know than in our newsletter! Did you know...
If you are curious about any of the above items, want to find out about anything else that has been weighing on your mind, or if you want to do your part in changing any of the above numbers, please let us know!
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"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." -Virginia Woolf, A Room of One's Own We are blessed in our profession to have the opportunity to be served a plethora of mouth-watering and visually pleasing foods and beverages that tease our palate—ones that we would not usually prepare for ourselves at home on a routine basis. With every KCMPI event, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or a reception ... this is something I look forward to! It excites me to anticipate the food and beverage samplings that I will experience at a KCMPI function!! I am a Filipino and food plays a large part in my culture. Filipinos are known to eat five times a day (three main meals plus a.m. and p.m. "breaks" in between, as we call them). The main meals are always a celebration—an opportunity to gather, fellowship and catch up with family and friends.
KCMPI’s 5th Annual Field 2 Table event is a golden example of a celebration that is built around pleasing foods and beverages. Again this year, the event was a resounding success! The good company, music, laughter, the backdrop of endless rolling hills and cornfields, and even Mother Nature’s pouring rain were a perfect complement to the feastings that were indeed fit for a King!
To simply be present to enjoy meals that others outside our industry would envy is a blessing. So have you signed up yet for the next KCMPI event?
Bon Appetit! Maria 
"Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."- Erma Bombeck Maria R. Davis, CMP
KCMPI eNewsletter Chair
Sales Manager
Embassy Suites Kansas City International Airport Homewood Suites Kansas City International Airport |
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KCMPI Round of Applause is the leadership active member initiative to recognize outstanding volunteers within our Chapter. Congratulations to the following members who have received their first 2013-2014 Round of Applause for their outstanding time and support to our Chapter:
Jill Davis, Finance Committee, After Five Reception Lead Maria R. Davis, CMP, KCMPI Newsletter Co-Chair Logan Keasling, Membership Committee Lorie Salts, CMP, CMP, Co-Chair McKenzie Schick, Monthly Programs Committee July Lead
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Take your KCMPI membership to the next level, and connect with other KCMPI members and meeting professional organizations by becoming a KCMPI active member and volunteer as a committee member or chair.
Please contact Andrayana Getchell, Director of Leadership Development, at agetchell@drugfreesport.com or (816) 285-1402 for assistance with becoming a KCMPI active member today! |
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THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS!
5/21/2013—2012/2013 May Board Meeting In-Kind Friend
Bishop McCann Contact: Tricia Clement, CMP Ph: (816) 474-3535 Email: tclement@bishopmccann.com URL: www.bishopmccann.com 6/1/2013—2012/2013 Marketing In-Kind Friend Fern Expositions and Event Services Contact Shirley Soltis Ph: (816) 668-9812 Email: ssoltis@fernexpo.com URL: www.fernexpo.com 6/1/2013—2012/2013 Membership Directory Cash Friend 6/10/2013—2012/2013 Spring CMP Study Group
In-Kind Partner 6/13/2013—2012/2013 June Awards Banquet
Host Venue In-Kind Friend Aloft Leawood-Overland Park Hotel Ambassador Hotel American Heatland Theatre In-Kind Friend Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa Beauty Brands Beaver Run Resort In-Kind Friend Branson Lakes Area CVB In-Kind Friend Bushnell Outdoor Products Chateau on the Lake InterContinental Kansas City at The Plaza In-Kind Friend Classic Catering Crown Center In-Kind Friend Dave & Buster's Kansas City Distinctive Meetings Inc. Embassy Suites KCI In-Kind Friend Freebirds Grace Designs & Esthetics Greater Des Moines CVB In-Kind Friend Hampton Inn KC Speedway Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Hilton Netherland Plaza In-Kind Friend Horseshoe Casino-Jack Binions Hotel Sorella Country Club Plaza Howl at the Moon In-Kind Friend Hyatt Regency Cincinnati Hyatt Regency Columbus Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center In-Kind Friend Hyatt Regency New Orleans Hyatt Regency St. Louis InterContinental Kansas City In-Kind Friend Kansas City Marriott Downtown Kansas City Zoo In-Kind Friend KC P&L Louisville Package In-Kind Friend Michelle Lizak Missouri Mavericks Missouri Meetings & Events In-Kind Friend National Underground Railroad Freedom Center On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina In-Kind Friend Renaissance Grand St. Louis Roadan Fields In-Kind Friend Silver Legacy Resort Casino Sporting KC St. Louis Cardinals In-Kind Friend Starlight Tan-Tar-A Resort & Golf Club The Aladdin Hotel & Spa In-Kind Friend The Chase Park Plaza St. Louis The College Basketball Experience The Elms Resort and Spa In-Kind Friend The Henry Ford The Magic House The Midland by AMC In-Kind Friend The Roasterie Union Station Kansas City, Inc. Waldo's Pizza In-Kind Friend 6/30/2013—2012/13 Social Programs Registration In-Kind Friend Host Venue 7/9/2013—2013/2014 July Board Meeting Host Venue 8/20/2013—2013/2014 August Board Meeting In-Kind Friend 8/27/2013—2013/2014 After 5 August Host Venue Contact Kerri McNeil In-Kind Friend |
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KCMPI members had an opportunity to see the newly renovated Courtyard Marriott Country Club Plaza during the most recent After 5 event on August 27. This event had record-breaking attendance with more than 60 members and guests! Members had the opportunity to network, inquire about committee membership opportunities and learn about industry updates. The Courtyard Marriott Country Club Plaza spoiled our members with great appetizers, a fantastic venue and special desserts from Seasons 52. Tours were offered to members wanting to learn more about our host hotel. This After 5 event was a fantastic way to wrap up the summer!
After 5 events was a new addition to the KCMPI events calendar this past year. These events are for networking and are scheduled after 5 p.m. so that you can stop by after work. Each event has received rave reviews! Keep an eye on the KCMPI website to learn more about future events. Thank you to: Amy Ridgeway of Courtyard Marriott Country Club Plaza
Kerri McNeil of Interstate Hotels
Lisa Knolla of Seasons 52
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Our guests arriving in style aboard Heartland Trailways coaches to The Kelly Gallery and English Garden where they were greeted with a bonfire, Wine Barn Winery & Vineyard wine and a specialty drink created just for the evening by Dark Horse Distillery. The weather cooperated long enough for the reception, a walk through the gardens and soup served from the gazebo. Our guests found themselves safe and secure under the tent when the rain came. Chef Roxanne Strub with Above & Beyond Catering presented a beautiful buffet of fall harvest meats, vegetables and breads. Fry bread with vanilla bean mousse with bourbon-salted caramel apples and coffee finished off the meal.
Every year we find ourselves challenged to add a new "feature" to the event. This year, Mother Nature took care of it for us. 
Mark your calendar now for Thursday, September 18, 2014. Let’s see what happens next! 5th Annual Field 2 Table Menu 
Passed Appetizers Grilled Eggplant Roulades Filled with Ricotta Pesto Caramelized Onions & Gorgonzola Cheese Tartlets Topped with an Apricot Crème Fraiche
Dinner Service—Served Tableside Beer, Cheese & Corn Chowder Cherry & Orange Orzo Salad Dinner Buffet Mixed Grill with Cherry Bourbon Glaze Fire Glazed Sweet Potatoes Flame Kissed Grilled Vegetables Grilled Rustic Breads Fried Indian Bread with Vanilla Bean Mousse |
The spirit of the 5
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By Sue Heley CMP, CMM
Lunchtime on October 8 at the Hilton President-Kansas City was the place to be!
Upon arrival, 40 industry professionals were greeted by members of VISIT Phoenix. We enjoyed learning, or refreshing our memories, about venues and services available in that beautiful city. Thank you to VISIT Phoenix for sponsorship of our program.
Participants also filled a table with toiletry donations for Rose Brooks Center, the KCMPI chosen philanthropy for the year. During lunch, Joan Dougherty, Rose Brooks Center, shared a powerful story about the women, children and pets whose lives are affected so positively by the services the center offers. Perhaps for the next program, we should collect pet-related items? Rose Brooks has one of the few, or perhaps the only, location in Kansas City where women and children escaping abusive situations are allowed to take their beloved non-human family members with them.
Thank you to the Hilton President-Kansas City for hosting the luncheon program! While attendees dined on a delicious meal and enjoyed the beauty of locally purchased, sustainable autumn table centerpieces (which would become a savory soup later), Ms. Sher Wolfe, Director of Sales, spoke for a few minutes about the history of the hotel, renovations and future plans. We are lucky to have such an iconic hotel in our vibrant downtown area. Now on to the meat of the program (although the balsamic chicken entrée was superb, as was the service provided by the catering and banquet staff) ...
Amidst a high-energy room, filled with networking conversations, our own KCMPI Vice President of Education Rob Wilson, president of Meeting Evolution, was introduced to lead the educational content for the day. Rob presented information on the following industry standards, as well as provided the Convention Industry Council website as a reference for additional information:
1. Single Facility RFP
2. Housing and Registration
3. Event Specification Guide
4. Post Event Report
Lively conversation ensued as both the planner and supplier perspectives were highlighted and possible solutions were discussed.
Did you know?
Rob closed the session with a slide of some well-known eRFP industry tools and noted which systems were APEX compliant and which were not.
The one-hour time frame flew by, and left us wishing we had a lengthier opportunity for this hot topic.
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Due to the Chiefs’ winning streak, tickets sold fast and the Chiefs have closed ticket sales for all games. If you have purchased tickets for any game, please check the Chiefs' website for game times as TV scheduling may cause the Chiefs to move some noon games to later times. For more information, contact Brent Raymond at brent@uniqueavinc.com. |
 Do you have a mind for useless information? Is Trivial Pursuit your favorite game? If so, it’s not too soon to start studying and building your team for the 2nd Annual 2013 KCMPI Trivia Night. Last year’s champs have enjoyed a full year of bragging rights for being the 1st Annual KCMPI Trivia Master Winners! Will they return for a try at the second win? Will you and your team be able to conquer their mad trivia talents?
Here’s a fun fact ... it’s not just for KCMPI members! Invite your clients, colleagues and co-workers to join you for a night of fun, food and friendly competition! Let everyone you know share the benefit of your knowledge about certain holiday traditions, the Olympics, KCMPI and much more. Start putting your team together now and maybe you might win the grand prize. Prizes will be awarded for 1st through 3rd Places, Best Dressed Team, Best Team Name and more!
Both individuals and teams of six are welcome. If you want to hedge your bets, "free answers" will be available for a price: The price for knowledge (and winning!) ain’t cheap.
Trivia Night is a fundraising event for KCMPI. Registration will be open soon for everyone, not just members. Find a few ringers and bring your ace team to compete in the 2013 KCMPI’s Trivia Night. Sponsorships are also still available. Please contact KCMPI if your organization would be interested in participating.
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The showcase will again be held at K-State Olathe on April 2, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and we know you won't want to miss out on the early bird discount or being a part of this great event.
Our EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT PROMOTION will end November 1st. Don’t miss out on the $25 discount and your chance to be one of the first to "Ignite the Fire." You’ll want to sign up now to find out more about the hot trends in catering and the hospitality industry.
Opportunities include: $150: The Vendor Showcase Booth Cost is $125 if you register by November 1, 2013!
$175: Food Truck Space is also available in the K-State Olathe parking lot. COST is $150 if you register by November 1, 2013. $250-$350: Premium Demonstration and Interactive Kitchen Space is for you to exhibit in K-State Olathe’s State of the Art kitchen areas.
Tickets are also available now and are $10 for KCMPI and Olathe CVB members and $10 for non-members. Hope to see you in April! We’d also love for you to share this information with anyone else you might now who would be interested in attending. |
Amidst the busy start of the year for planners and vendor alike, Meeting Planners International Kansas City Chapter has decided to extend the early-bird registration deadline until November 1, 2013. So now there’s more to time to get the early-bird registration price and save on the cost of the 2014 Catering and Restaurant Showcase. Come help us Ignite the Fire and learn about hot trends in catering!
Vendors also receive a|
Hotel Sorella is currently accepting applications for:
Front Office:
Housekeeping:
Engineering
A&G
Link for applicants: http://www.hotelsorella-countryclubplaza.com/careers.htm
De La Salle Education Center Posted: Sept. 22, 2013
Account Coordinator The Wellington Group Posted: Sept. 22, 2013
Fall Internship Brancato's Catering Posted: Sept. 22, 2013 Client Relations/Reservations & Dispatchers Overland Chauffeured Services Posted: June 4, 2013 |
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The University of Missouri’s Department of Hospitality Management is seeking internship opportunities for its 144 students. Four areas of concentration are Conference & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging and Sport Venue Management. If you have opportunities within your companies, please contact Amanda Alexander, Ph.D. at alexanderac@missouri.edu or (573) 882-3528
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While trends tend to come and go, our list of "Top 3 Hot Topics on Campus" are here to stay and growing in popularity! As more universities are offering degrees within Hospitality Management, the realization that having a competitive advantage is now a necessity rather than just an additional line on the resume. Within the applied discipline of Hospitality Management, specifically Conference and Events, having the opportunity to transfer knowledge from the classroom to the "real world" is vital to success after college life. The first hot topic includes job shadowing various conference and events professionals, to include production, day of event execution, design, florist and client relations. Whether the student is able to job shadow for a few hours or for multiple days, any dose of reality is valuable and allows students to be able to narrow down their career focus. Not all, but some students enter the program thinking that the event planning job is always glamorous; we give thanks to "The Wedding Planner" and "Say Yes To The Dress." Through the job shadowing opportunity students experience a wake-up call and realize that the day can begin before 7 a.m. and end after midnight for a single event. Students begin to realize that event planning is full of countless opportunities beyond weddings. Students that benefit the most from job shadowing are those who have made an attempt to diversify their experiences. Job shadowing also has the benefit for professionals in that they are able to develop relationships with students that fit within their organization and potentially gain an intern (also an added benefit for the student). Networking events is the second hot topic on campus with additional programs being offered with industry professionals establishing relationships with students. Networking events include employer panels (with professionals representing all areas of the industry beyond conference and events), mock interviews, resume reviews, mocktails and mixers, etiquette dinners, and internship and career fairs. Students have multiple opportunities to interact with professionals in various settings while also learning professional skills to outclass the competition. Our third, but not least, hot topic is participating in various volunteer opportunities within our community and region. Students are able to gain hands-on experience and responsibilities through volunteering for a wide array of events. The ability to volunteer on a flexible schedule is a necessity for many students that are juggling the responsibilities of coursework and jobs. Volunteering also allows for students to network with various vendors and professionals within the industry. While students are volunteering they are making themselves visible to potential employers and providing a glimpse of their work ethic and drive to succeed. The combination of job shadowing, networking and volunteering allows students to prepare for their future career and be adequately prepared for the workforce. The relationships built with our industry counterparts are greatly appreciated at the university level, while also providing industry leaders with capable and experienced graduates that have a realistic perspective of expectations from employer. Authors Description Amanda Alexander, Ph.D. alexanderac@missouri.edu / (573) 882-3528 Amanda is a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Department of Hospitality Management. She currently teaches courses within the Conference & Events emphasis area and an Introductory Hospitality Management course. Melissa Daniels danielsmr@missouri.edu / (573) 882-4114 Melissa is the academic and career adviser for Hospitality Management. She serves as a liaison between industry professionals and our students/faculty for developing opportunities to bridge the connection between the University of Missouri and our industry. |
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University of Missouri—Columbia, MO The University of Missouri’s Department of Hospitality Management is seeking internship opportunities for its 144 students. Four areas of concentration are Conference & Events, Food & Beverage, Lodging and Sport Venue Management. If you have opportunities within your companies, please contact: Amanda Alexander, Ph.D. at alexanderac@missouri.edu or (573) 882-3528. Amanda is a faculty member at the University of Missouri, Department of Hospitality Management. She currently teaches courses within the Conference & Events emphasis area and an Introductory Hospitality Management course.
College of the Ozarks—Point Lookout, MO The Hotel & Restaurant Management/Culinary Arts programs at College of the Ozarks are looking for Summer 2014 student internship opportunities. The four-year bachelor’s degree programs offer three areas of concentration: Meeting & Special Event Management, Hotel & Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts.
For more information please contact Jerry J. Shackette at Shackette@cofo.edu or (417) 690-2119. |
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There are many theories about why some salespeople are more successful than others. Some say it's sales technique; some say it's inborn talent. However, in my opinion, the most important source of sales success is personal integrity. Integrity isn't the same thing as honesty. Integrity means that all the elements of your personality are integrated into a consistent whole. According to Ron Willingham, author of "Integrity Selling in the 21st Century," this integrity has five interrelated aspects: 1. Your basic values about people and life. If you have a positive view of people and see life in optimistic terms, the people to whom you sell will be drawn to you and be more likely to trust you. On the other hand, if you're cynical and suspicious, those values will be echoed back and your customer will resist trusting you. 2. Your general feelings about the act of selling. If you think that selling means helping people and making them happier, healthier and more successful, you'll approach each opportunity with energy and enthusiasm. If you think selling means manipulating people into buying things they don't really need, you'll feel, in your heart of hearts, that you're a louse and will eventually self-sabotage. 3. Your assessment of your own sales ability. If you're confident in your ability to address customer concerns, understand their business issues and create a solution that works for their unique situation, that confidence will make you more effective. If you're not sure that you're all that good at selling, your lack of confidence will make customers doubt your competence. 4. Your level of commitment to taking action. If you are absolutely committed to doing whatever it takes (within legal and ethical bounds) to help the customer, you will take timely action to make certain that the sale moves forward. If you're not really committed, your actions will be half-hearted and ineffective and customers will respond by buying elsewhere. 5. Your belief in the product or service you're selling. If you are certain that what you're selling is the best available, that pride will reverberate through every action you take. If you secretly suspect that what you're selling is substandard, your desire to help the customer will conflict with the knowledge that you're selling them rubbish, thereby, making you less effective. To summarize, if you intend to be really, really good at selling:
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For a majority of my KCMPI involvement, I have served on the CMP Committee. I love being able to mentor these professionals and add them to my network as well. I am grateful for each and every one of the people who I’ve had the privilege of getting to know and look forward to growing with others. |
 Meet Gayla WelshGayla has served in the lodging industry for more than 20 years. As the Director of Group Sales for Old Kinderhook, she has worked on the hotel development team for the past three years. The groundbreaking of the Old Kinderhook Lodge and Conference Center will take place within 30 days. The target project completion is late 2014/early 2015. This expansion will feature 84 new guest rooms and conference facilities to accommodate up to 250 guests and will include new indoor and outdoor pools, expanded spa, marina and recreational facilities. Gayla has lived in the Lake of the Ozarks area for more than 15 years with her husband, Jeff, and son, Jack. Gayla enjoys cycling, golfing, fishing, boating and wakeboarding with her family.
Visit www.oldkinderhook.com for more information.
Gayla can be reached at (573) 317-3559 or gwelsh@oldkinderhook.com. |
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26 Years! Francine Cobb, Hilton Worldwide
16 Years! Terra Cook, CMP, Bishop-McCann
15 Years! Lorie Salts, CMP, HelmsBriscoe
11 Years! Karen Freeman, CMP, VSR Financial Services
10 Years! Karen Hoch, People to People International
7 Years! Cathy Easton, CGMP, Missouri Division of Professional Registration
6 Years! Andrea Foulkes, Hilton KC Airport Ken Hamm, Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa
5 Years! Donna Breedlove, State Farm Insurance
4 Years! Andrea Heldt Coates, Burns & McDonnell Molly Lieberknecht, Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa Michelle McSpadden, CMM, Bishop-McCann
3 Years! Megan Mill, Sprint
2 Years! Deborah Walsh, CMM, AMC Theatres
1 Year! Lindsay Huntington, Great Wolf Lodge Brian Peak, Cathy Ewing Event Consulting, LLC |
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The Wichita Hotel & Event Planning world has a new face representing two boutique hotels in Wichita, KS, but she is a familiar face around KCMPI. Renee Price has started her career selling for resorts at The Lake of the Ozarks; she moved to Wichita and has embraced her city and a great new team!
The Hotel at Old Town is a gem in the heart of Wichita’s entertainment district with over 50 shops, restaurants, theatres and nightspots. This old warehouse district will charm you with its beautiful brick buildings, great history, and first class service. The hotel hosts 115 hotel rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. The Hotel at WaterWalk specializes in extended stays, but with the personalized service of a boutique hotel. Both were built and currently owned by the founder of the extended stay hotel model, Jack Deboer, who put his personal touch on each room with kitchenettes and the extra comforts of home.
Renee can set up a corporate rate for your company or organize your national conference; she can be reached at (316) 462-5479, rprice@hotelatoldtown.com
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Caprice has the classic story of falling into meeting planning accidentally and then realizing it was definitely meant to be. She took the job of Assistant to the President of National Cable Television Cooperative in 1994 and part of her responsibilities included planning the annual meeting and the board meetings. When the meeting needs grew, she became a full-time meeting planner. After 12 years at NCTC, Caprice decided to expand her horizons and she searched out a job where she would be doing more than traditional meetings. She found that position just down the street from NCTC at Automotive Parts Associates. As Director of Events and Promotions, she now gets the additional pleasure of planning incentive trips, designing and running promotions and doing marketing and advertising. She is celebrating 7 years with APA this month.
A member of KCMPI since 1997, this travel-loving lady enjoys fishing, birding, reading and working on home projects.
Caprice can be reached at ccaster@professionalschoice.com. |
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Howlin’ Holiday Promo for KCMPI Members! Looking
for the perfect holiday party venue?! Howl at the Moon would like to offer you
and three guests a complimentary table reservation so you can see firsthand
what our concept is all about! Included is free Promo
offer availability: Our dueling piano show is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit with your co-workers. Sing, dance, and drink to your favorite holiday tunes while our service staff provides the highest quality of service and entertainment for your event. Book your party soon and get a $10 gift card for each party guest! Contact:Brandi Brumback, CTA Howl at the Moon - KC Power & Light District 1334 Grand Blvd Kansas City MO 64106 816-471-4695 www.howlatthemoon.com |
admission, a round of drinks, a
$25 gift card and a reserved table for any Thursday or Friday night of your
choice for four people.
