Registration was recently announced for the CMP Conclave, two and a half days of professional development, cutting-edge education, networking and fun! CIC is pleased to announce three key industry leaders who will be featured as keynote speakers at this year's CMP Conclave. 

If you've previously attended Conclave, you know to expect high-caliber educational sessions. If you've never been, we invite you to take your professional development to the next level this year. Join fellow CMPs as key industry leaders provide one-of-a-kind transformational education that you need to stay on top! The 2015 CMP Conclave will be a game-changer.    

Learn from the best subject matter experts as they provide exclusive strategies, best practices, practical tools and insightful experiences to help CMPs harness results

Key thought leader presentations include:

• The Assumpt! The Dangers and Opportunities of Your Assumptions
• How Hotels Evaluate Your Business 2.0 
• Event Technology Trends for 2015 – the most popular presentation about trends in the event industry!
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Please visit our website for more information on these speakers and their keynote sessions, as well as the schedule-at-a-glance. 

So, register now to receive the best rates! Early Bird rates end July 6, 2015. Book your hotel accommodations at the incredible Grand Sierra Resort and Casino by August 24, 2015 to receive the special group rate. Reserve your room TODAY!

 

This event is part of our year-long anniversary celebration, culminating in a special 30th anniversary program, honoring the founders and very first class of CMPs, at the 2015 CMP Conclave, September 26-28, 2015 in Reno, Nevada. Whether you've had your CMP for 30 years, three years or a month, this is a celebration you won't want to miss!

So, come mix and mingle with local CMPs as we celebrate 30 years of excellence! Enjoy top songs from the '80s and enter to win a trip to the 2015 CMP Conclave or an iPad Mini. Attendees must be present at the time of the drawing to win. Registration for this event is required. Click here to register. Deadline to RSVP is Thursday, June 11.

Directions
Blue or Orange line – McPherson Square or Farragut West
Red Line – Farragut North 
Valet is $10 

If you have any questions, please email events@conventionindustry.org. 
   

 

As a born and raised Baltimore girl, I was distressed along with the rest of the country to see the violence that broke out there earlier this month. This is not the city I know nor what most in our industry think of when we think of Baltimore. Of course, the larger issues that precipitated the events in Baltimore are the purview of city officials and law enforcement, and I am confident those will be solved, and Baltimore will be the better for it. 

Baltimore is a great city and, like many American cities, has significant challenges. It is so much more than what people have seen on the news, and it is a reminder to those of us in the meetings industry that our ability to follow through with our meeting plans are not just subject to hurricanes and natural disasters. In recent years, we have seen that unwise spending (GSA), legislation (Indiana) and criminal acts are events that can affect a group’s ability to hold a meeting. The effects to that organization, as well as the community it serves and the community hosting the meeting, can never be made whole.

We know from our Economic Significance Study that one canceled meeting means one lost job. But the losses are more than that. What business didn’t take place between attendees, what training didn’t happen, what new technology or knowledge transfer didn’t take place. Of course, every organization must decide what is in its own best interest and the best interest and safety of its delegates. Some groups changed their plans and others chose to move forward.

One of our own CMPs, Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP-HC, director of education and meetings with the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, chose to move forward with ACOEM’s American Occupational Health Conference in Baltimore May 3-6. 

CIC is also committed to hold its 2016 CMP Conclave in Baltimore, a commitment made long ago, and we are still committed to the city. We held our most highly attended and successful Conclave in Baltimore in 2010, and that was the reason we chose to go back.  

As the meetings industry, we can be the agents of change. We know that when we meet, we can change the world. Surely, meetings are taking place now in Baltimore to learn from the events of the past and to build on change for the future. That’s what can happen when we bring people together.

If you haven’t seen it, Tom Noonan’s video on how Visit Baltimore approached this challenging time is an excellent piece, and the fact that ACOEM’s meeting went off "without a hitch" is a testament to the Baltimore hospitality community’s ability to host a meeting in perfect conditions, let alone in challenging ones. 

Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, is the CEO of the Convention Industry Council. 

 

 

Michael Owen, Chair of the APEX Standards Committee 

Recently presenting an education session during IMEX Frankfurt, the issue of hotel room block poaching in regards to consumer fraud is happening everywhere. Whenever we have a conversation about piracy/poaching, we hear of new instances and increasingly dubious methods. We find that the topic is not front of mind – until it is. We don’t think about the issue until it affects us directly, and that is often after the damage is done. With the APEX Best Practices for Piracy and Poaching Prevention and Responses and Piracy and Poaching White Paper, we aim to raise awareness of the issue and equip those impacted with tools to protect their organizations.

Solving the connectivity and pricing equation also continues to confound both consumers and providers around the world. As meetings technology evolves and innovates, the conversation in our industry has not kept pace. Understanding required bandwidth loads to efficiently deliver the technology is critical to both planners and suppliers.    

While there are operational and cultural differences in the way we work in various regions, the underlying message is that we have an opportunity to meaningfully engage the global community in the APEX effort. We have strong interest from within the European industry and beyond to join us in adapting current work and identifying issues which are unique to the meetings industry in their respective regions. Visit for more information: www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/APEX.aspx 

 

Sustainable Planning – Don’ts and Dos – 
Look to the Standards on: KPI Data Collection

Don’t assume you have to collect KPI (Key Performance Indicator) data from venues and suppliers. This chore is not required of planners by any of the standards. 

Do make sure that your contracts include the appropriate requirements for venues and suppliers to track their own performance data according to the standards, which can be accessed at www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/APEXASTM/GettingAPEXASTM.aspx. If you read the standards, you’ll know what is expected, so you can create contract performance clauses to meet industry standards.  

CIC Making It Easier: If you don’t have the time or expertise to create your own performance clauses, just use the ones in the SMPP® found at www.SustainableMeetingPlanner.com. Use the CIC50 discount code to register.

If you have a question on the don’ts and dos according to the standards, send it through the Contact Us form at www.SustainableMeetingPlanner.com. 
 

 

Media Contacts:
Kristian Sonnier
504-566-5019
ksonnier@neworleanscvb.com

Vicki Bristol
504-566-5019
vbristol@neworleanscvb.com

"In Louisiana this legislative session, a new freshman legislator, Rep. Mike Johnson (R) of Shreveport, proposed a new twist on religious freedom laws that have been in the news recently around the nation. Unlike expansive laws proposed and passed, then revisited, in Indiana and Arkansas due to the public and business outcry, the Louisiana law proposed was very narrow. The law would have prohibited the state from taking four specifically delineated actions, such as revocation of business licenses or revocation of tax standing against individuals or businesses who take certain actions considered in compliance with their religious beliefs solely as related to same sex marriage, whether for or against such marriages. Rep. Johnson also proposed amendments that would have specifically prohibited discrimination in the marketplace in the legislation.

The Louisiana Tea Party, and various social conservative and religious groups supported Rep. Johnson, who for 17 years has litigated religious freedom issues for social conservative organizations and causes. Other religious organizations, pastors and ministers, members of the LGBT community and civil and human rights organizations opposed the bill. Many major business, economic development and tourism marketing organizations also opposed the bill on multiple grounds, including potential negative impacts to the Louisiana brand, industrial recruitment, and the multi-billion dollar meeting and convention business in New Orleans. The impact of the bill was potentially relatively minor, but opposing organizations believed it created a slippery slope toward potential discrimination.

After careful deliberation today, the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee voted overwhelmingly in bipartisan fashion across party lines 10-2 to return HB 707 – The Marriage and Conscience Act, to the calendar, meaning the bill would not advance past the first step in the legislative process, the committee hearing, to the House Floor for debate. The bill that was discussed and voted down in committee today sought to address an issue that does not exist in our state – persecution of business owners by the state when practicing religious freedom. In fact, there is not one case pending in Louisiana of discrimination on the basis of views held on same-sex marriage ... a strong statement on the openness, hospitality and commitment to equality of all Louisiana businesses.

Many conversations were overheard in the hallways of the Capitol today that the measure was filed to generate additional fundraising capacity for social conservative organizations and their political base, as well as a preventative reaction to the potential establishment by the U.S. Supreme Court in June of same-sex marriage validity as the law of the United States on equal rights grounds. Social conservatives around the nation are exploring various ways to temper that anticipated ruling, although it was unclear from the hearing today how a proposed state statutory action could mitigate or in any manner override a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in any matter.

Since the resounding legislative defeat shortly after noon today, Gov. Bobby Jindal, who formed a presidential exploratory committee this week and has positioned himself as a national leader on religious freedom matters, has announced plans to issue an Executive Order that would mirror some of the narrow intent of HB 707 as related to state actions. We perceive this as largely a political statement by our conservative governor in support of his national position on the issue. That is certainly his right. The issuance of this Executive Order will have very little practical impact, however, since under the Louisiana Constitution and statutes, and according to on-point court decisions as recently as December of 2014, no Executive Order of a governor may create substantive law, even in an emergency situation. Thus, any belief that the Executive Order could enact law similar to that proposed by Rep. Johnson is simply unfounded and would not survive a court test. Furthermore, there are no current cases of such discrimination pending in Louisiana, something of which the Louisiana business community may be proud.

We respect the political and personal religious views of Rep. Johnson and Gov. Jindal. But, we have heard extensively from corporate and association customers valued at hundreds of millions of dollars to Louisiana and its citizens, that they want to see issues similar to those that exploded in Indiana and Arkansas handled in sensitive, tolerant ways, even though this legislation and the governor's Executive Order are far narrower and less impactful. Our industry remains committed to total tolerance and inclusiveness in the free marketplace and such is demanded by our customers nationally and internationally. We are opposed to all legislation that could negatively impact our state's economy and our reputation as an international and national leader in economic development, digital media, tourism, meetings, conventions and special events.

The multi-billion dollar New Orleans tourism industry made its case in committee today and 10 out of 12 legislators agreed with our position that this bill is bad business for Louisiana. We are grateful for the wisdom of the members for the House of Civil Law and Procedure Committee, and we are proud that the true spirit of hospitality prevailed in today's overwhelming decision against this proposed bill.

The New Orleans tourism industry, along with other business sectors and leaders, intend to review the governor's Executive Order extensively this evening, but we are certain that, based on our Louisiana Constitution and recent court rulings, the enactment of any substantive law changes unilaterally by the governor will not stand the tests of time or law.

We will continue to promote and market New Orleans and Louisiana as destinations for the world's greatest vacations, conventions and meetings, and special events and as sites for economic growth and expansion that offer the ultimate in inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance.

Source. 

 

History
Established in 2011, the Exhibitions Mean Business (EMB) campaign was created to unify and give a voice to the exhibitions and events industry and promote the benefits of this industry to business growth and economic development. Last year, the EMB campaign launched Exhibitions Day, an extension of the campaign’s efforts that were focused squarely on bringing members of the industry from around North America together to engage, as a single and cohesive voice, with U.S. Congressional leaders.

Objectives

1. Raise awareness about the industry as a whole among government and other influential audiences
2. Educate our nation’s leaders about the value and impact of exhibitions and events on cities and communities across the United States 
3. Help government officials to be more cognizant of our industry and its relationship to "their work"
4. Generate content and stories to share with media and other influencers
   
   

Exhibitions Day 2015

On June 9, 2015, we will once again make our industry’s presence known on Capitol Hill and meet with members of the United States Congress to discuss the topics that matter most to you. As a valued member of this industry, we welcome your feedback on the legislative and regulatory issues that are impacting your ability to do business. We would also be honored to have you by our side, representing the exhibitions and events industry in Washington, D.C., this June. 

Topics of focus for this year include: 

• JOLT Act
• Trade Promotion Authority
• Open Skies
• Government employee attendance at shows
  
  

Schedule of Events 

Monday, June 8: Capital Hilton

2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.       Orientation: Senate Room, 2nd Floor

                                             Welcome from the EMB Team
                                             Overview and background of legislative issues: 
                                                      Roger Rickard, Voices in Advocacy
                                                      US Travel Update 
                                              Logistical Overview of Appointments and what to expect on 9 June
                                                      Soapbox Consulting
                                              Q&A

 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.            Reception: North Gate Grill, Lobby Level

Attendees will meet with their state delegation to review and strategize appointments for June 9.


Tuesday, June 9: Exhibitions Day 2015

7 a.m. – 9 a.m.                      Continental Breakfast: Capital Hilton, Statler Room, 2nd Floor

7:45 a.m.                                Shuttles begin: Capital Hilton

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.           Legislative appointments on Capitol Hill

4 p.m. – 6 p.m.                      Post appointment Meet Up at Bullfeathers


Register now at www.exhibitionsday.org or contact Nicole Bowman at 972-687-9207 for more information on how to sign-up. 

Together we can include your concerns in our conversations and show legislators how they are hurting your ability to drive economic value and job creation in markets across the United States. 

 

There is a new association for women in events, founded by five women in the meetings industry, two of whom are CMPs. The Washington, D.C., based Association of Women in Events was founded by five women – Carrie Abernathy, ?CMP?, Tamela Blalock, CMP, Mas Tadesse Harris, Mary Higham, and Kiki Janssens. Why? "There are a lot of resources out there, but it's difficult to find anything specifically geared towards women. AWE empowers a thirsty community; a community that should feel like home," said Carrie. The new association welcomes both women and men and is open to both planners and suppliers. For more information on AWE, and to find out how you can get involved, please visit their website: www.womeninevents.org.

 

Exhibitions Day 
June 8-9, 2015
Washington, D.C. 
More Information 

 

Christina DeHaven, CMP, is now Team Manager on the Venue Procurement team at Grass Roots. She was previously a Senior Consultant at the company.

Molly Johnson, CMP, is now Senior Sales Manager for Wilmington and Beaches CVB in Wilmington, NC.  

Ann M. Luketic, CMP, is now the Marketing Event Specialist at Progressive Insurance Corporation.

Debi Maines, CMP-HC, is now Senior Manager, Sponsorship Development & Events for A. Fassano & Company in Turnersville, NJ. 

Zena Phillips, CMP, is now Director of Catering and Events at Conrad New York  in NY, NY.

Brian Snyder, CMP, is now Meeting Manager for Complete Conference Management (CCM) in Miami, Fl. 

Make an awesome career move? Let us help you celebrate! Send the details of your latest career triumph to cmptoday@conventionindustry.org. And while you're at it, be sure to log into www.conventionindustry.org and update your official CMP record.