It’s nominations time again for the MPI Toronto Chapter’s Board of Directors and for the Portfolio Chairs. If you would like the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while serving your chapter, consider submitting your name for one of the positions available or encourage a member who you feel would be a valuable asset to the leadership of the chapter.

Nominations are open until noon on January 10, 2013. For more information please visit the MPI Toronto website by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the nominations package or process, email leadership@mpitoronto.org for more information

 

Mark your calendars for National Meetings Industry Day 2013 – Thursday, April 18th! Together, Canada’s $32 billion dollar industry will celebrate the theme "Meetings Mean Me" at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Join Kevin Hinton, Chairman of MPI International, along with a vibrant panel of industry professionals in an interactive discussion about what meetings mean to "you."

 

Marcelo DeOliveira

When I set off for St. Louis, MO, for the World Education Congress, I had a couple of simple plans: meet as many new people as I could, and assess the "greeness" of the event itself.

There were numerous opportunities to meet people during the congress. Given the number of attendees, it was not hard to meet people during the networking events. I met people from as far away as Australia and Brazil and had a chance to re-connect with some of our local Chapter members as well.

There were a lot of green initiatives on display that helped reduce our carbon footprint. From paperless registration and digital seminar content to compostable serving items during meals.

The WEC12 app was a great tool to keep delegates up-to-date with agenda changes and offered enough information to prevent thousands of 8 ½ x 11s being used, as was the case in the not-so-distant past. The number of handouts was very limited and most presenters were good at advising that their presentations were going to be available at the MPI site shortly after the congress. When paper use was necessary, it was rather easy to find recycling bins throughout the convention centre and at off-site venues.

The Busch Stadium and Botanical Garden receptions had most of their menus offered in compostable/organic containers, including some compostable plastic that could be discarded with all the food leftovers.

There were, however ,some misses that we, as industry leaders, could definitely have done better.

I thought that plastic bottled water was a thing of the past for conferences but they were being handed out at the airport and at some delegate hospitality desks at certain hotels. My hotel also did not have any recycling bins available in the guestrooms or common areas, making it hard to recycle the plastic bottles or any paper, for that matter.

The biggest miss, in my opinion, was the shuttle service during the daytime. Most hotels were located within a short walk from the convention centre and there were hardly any delegates inside the 55-passenger motor coaches scheduled for the transfers. They were needed for the evening events but hardly used during the day. With today's technology it would have been easy to know how many delegates were staying at each hotel. This would have allowed for smaller motor coaches and a reduction in the number of runs completed during the day.

Overall, the congress gave attendees a lot of ideas on how to hold great events and still reduce our impact on the environment. If every delegate implements one or two of the initiatives put in place in St. Louis, or asks for them to be part of their next event, the ripple effect could be tremendous.

We have an opportunity to ask for changes in our industry. If every planner and supplier makes this a priority, we could change the way we meet - because when we meet, we change the world.

 

"It’s an honour just to be nominated!"

We hear actors and musicians say these exact words on red carpets before award shows such as the Academy Awards or the Grammy’s. Often you can hear the truth in their voices when they talk about their competition and how excited they are to be in the same category of such amazing STARS!

The same can be said for MPI and the upcoming Awards Gala. This year, the Awards Gala committee really wants to focus on not only celebrating the winners on the day of the event, but also recognizing the nominees who are also seen as big stars of MPI.

All nominees will receive the spotlight leading up to the gala! Keep your eyes open in the New Year for weekly stories featuring each nominee on Twitter and the MPI Awards Gala website page.

 

The MPI Toronto Education Conference is looking for speakers! Be one of our featured presenters at this year's Connection Lab – Where Innovation and Magic Meet.

We are looking for workshop presenters for our 2013 conference taking place June 16 –18 in a venue within 2 hours of Toronto, ON. We are looking for people who are interested in sharing their knowledge with innovative and interesting takes on the following topics, which will be presented as interactive workshops:

• New meeting design formats 
• Innovative meeting/event ideas and experiences
• Negotiation – how to play fair from both sides 
• Tradeshow savvy – what everyone should and shouldn’t be doing
• Selling – creating proposals and landing clients
• Tips on closing sales with planners
• Developing must have contract clauses
• Nutrition and Health tips and tricks while travelling or on-site
• Food and Beverage innovation for menu planning
• Event marketing – design and graphics
• Entertainment do's and dont's
• Selling yourself to clients and prospective employers
• Social media marketing - effectively using FaceBook, Twitter and blogging
• Sponsorship - How to get sponsors!
• Leadership - how to manage relationships with your team, suppliers, clients etc.
• Protecting yourself: crisis, risk, mitigation

Prospective speakers will have the opportunity to present to an audience of experienced corporate, association and independent meeting planners; industry suppliers; students; and future leaders of the meetings industry. Such exposure can lead to professional recognition, visibility, credibility, and influence among your peers and potential clients.

If you are interested, we invite you to submit a brief proposal via email no longer than two pages in length containing:

• the suggested title of your presentation
• an outline and length of your workshop 
• a video clip or link from one of your previous presentations (if available)
• your availability for June 16, 17 and 18, 2013
• a short biography with head shot
  

Please send your proposal by email to Christine Gruber at ChristineG@orea.com and Tammy Carey at tammy@centerstageav.com by January 6, 2013. We will be reviewing all submissions on January 8 at which point we will follow up with all contributors.

This is your MPI! We look forward to partnering with you to provide exceptional professional development opportunities for all of our members.

 

Starting to think about a New Year’s resolution? Why not consider becoming a Mentor or a Mentee? We are currently seeking members interested in getting started in January 2013. Giving back to MPI is an exciting way to contribute to an industry that has done so much for us all. A four-month commitment will allow both parties to develop their leadership skills through regular meetings once per month. For more information about our program please call the office at 905-567-9591.

If taking part in the mentorship program is not for you, why not join a committee? Volunteer forms can be found on the link below and can be simply completed and emailed back to office@mpitoronto.org.
Click here for the volunteer forms.

Still not sure the above is right for you, but you are you interested in learning how to get the most from your MPI Toronto membership? Contact our Chair of the Member Care Committee, Darryl Nielsen, and he can help you connect to our community faster and get the most return for your investment. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with him by clicking on the following link, http://ow.ly/fvl4k.

For additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out and engage with anyone on our Member Care Team.

 

Revival of the MPI Blog

It’s time! We admit it! We really haven’t been taking full advantage of the BLOG. In fact it’s been dormant for several months now! Starting today, we are going to be reactivating our BLOG so that we can connect with you in a different way. Join the conversation - comments are very welcome!

 

What is your 2012-13 Board of Directors meeting about? Here are just a few items the MPI Toronto Chapter Board is working on for you the member.

New Marketplace Opportunity
Over the next couple of months stay tuned for the launch of a marketplace opportunity on our own Toronto Chapter Website. How better to source for the perfect vendor and buy from your local MPI member.

New Board Structure
The Strategic Task Force and the Board of Directors have been working together to ensure that we have the most efficient and productive board of directors. Even though the number people on the Board will not change, there will be a realignment of responsibilities and duties. Our Leadership team will be looking for future leaders over the next while for the 2013-14 Board of Directors. If anyone is interested in learning more about the board and how to be involved, please contact the MPI Toronto Chapter Office

Social Media Ambassador
Do you have a passion for facebooking, tweeting, discussions on Linkedin? How would you like to be involved in doing that for MPI Toronto Chapter? If you are interested, please contact the MPI Toronto Office.

 

JPdL Destination Management, A Global Events Partner, announces Elizabeth Stewart’s appointment as the Managing Director for the JPdL Niagara office
JPdL Toronto & Niagara DMC is excited to announce that Elizabeth Stewart has been promoted as the Managing Director for the JPdL Niagara office. Elizabeth has played an integral role with JPdL as the Niagara Operations Manager since her start in February, 2011 and looks forward to now managing both the sales and operations, as well as overseeing the expanding office team. Elizabeth is excited to transition into her new role during JPdL Niagara’s 4th year of operation. For further information contact: Bruce MacDonald, Vice President & General Manager, JPdL Toronto & Niagara, A Global Events Partner Dir: 905-356-7301 x230/ 416-221-5679 x 230 bmacdonald@jpdl.com

Serving Up Awareness One Soup Bowl At A Time: International Centre Supports Soupstock 2012
On October 21, 2012 lead by Executive Chef Tawfik Shehata and Sustainability Co-ordinator Sonya Poorter the International Centre’s volunteer team of culinary & event staff proudly stirred ladles and served over 2000 bowls of soup in support of Soupstock 2012. Hosted by Michael Stadtlander’s Canadian Chefs Congress and the David Suzuki Foundation, the sequel event to last year’s highly successful Foodstock brought together an estimated 40,000 chefs, farmers, musicians and supporters to raise funds and gain support against the proposed construction of a Mega-Quarry in the Melancthon Township, a rural community northeast of Toronto. "The International Centre is an ardent supporter of local food procurement and aims to purchase locally sourced ingredients as often as possible," said Trevor Lui, Director of Operations and Sustainability. "With this in mind, it is very important for us as an organization to show our support at events focused on bringing awareness to our most prized natural resources, the home of where many of our best ingredients are grown." For more information about Executive Chef Tawfik Shehata and the International Centre’s continuing support of local farms and produce visit  www.internationalcentre.com

Allstream Centre achieves LEED Silver Certification
Mr. Hugh Mansfield, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of Exhibition Place officially announced Allstream Centre at Exhibition Place has achieved LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Allstream Centre is now the first conference centre in Canada with LEED Silver certification. Renovated in 2009, Allstream Centre combined state-of-the art technology with environmental responsibility and sustainability and was built according to LEED Silver Standards. LEED is an internationally recognized system for evaluating the sustainability of building design, construction and operations. LEED certified buildings incorporate leading-edge features that protect the environment and promote healthy working and living conditions. For additional information go to www.allstreamcentre.com

Metro Toronto Convention Centre brings home the prestigious Sustainable Tourism Award
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is pleased to share their recent announcement as the proud winners of the Ontario Sustainable Tourism Award at the 2012 Ontario Tourism Summit, held in London, Ontario. The summit and ceremony were hosted in partnership by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance, and included awards for excellence in advertising, marketing, culinary tourism, and sustainability. This prestigious honour proved to be a culmination of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's commitment to keeping Ontario a thriving, healthy and economically sustainable province, and was secured by a combination of the Centre's Sustainability initiatives, and the recently launched Local Food Program. The Convention Centre's success in both of these areas has resulted in a record breaking diversion rate of 88% for the past fiscal year, three times the number of green meetings, and a purchasing rate of 50% locally sourced food for 2011, or $1.8 million dollars directed back into local farms and the economy. For further information, please visit www.mtccc.com.

Meetings & Conventions Calgary Announces New Business Development Manager
Meetings & Conventions Calgary (MCC) is pleased to announce that Sandra Moniz has accepted the role of Business Development Manager, Eastern Canada. Her position commences November 1. Sandra has CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) designation and will be based in Toronto. Previously she worked with Skyline Hotels & Resorts as Regional Sales Manager responsible for securing hotel business from the Association, Government, Union, Aboriginal and Third Party markets. With MCC, Ms. Moniz will be responsible for new and existing business in Eastern Canada with a prime focus on the areas of Toronto and Ottawa. She is active with industry organizations such as the CSAE Trillium Chapter, MPI Toronto Chapter and is a member of the advisory committee of the Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners. Sandra can be reached at: T: 905.605.0555 C: 416.473.6280 E:smoniz@meetingscalgary.com  

Exhibition Place receives Award of Merit for Preservation of a Heritage Building 2012 Annual CAHP Awards
The Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) has honoured the Coliseum Complex at Exhibition Place with the 2012 Award of Merit for Preservation of a Heritage Building or Complex. The CAHP awards program recognizes and celebrates excellence in the work of CAHP members and promotes understanding and appreciation of our cultural heritage. Coliseum Complex is a 410,000 sq ft group of five buildings constructed in 1922 and is an example of restrained Beaux Arts style design, featuring classical brick detailing, masonry facades, unusual sculptural ornamentation and hundreds of finely framed windows. Heritage consultant ERA Architects Inc. assessed and replaced 200 windows for energy efficiency and preservation of heritage fabric; restored the exterior facades; and renovated a vestibule that, after the addition of the Direct Energy Centre was blocking sight lines and obstructing the movement of people. For more information contact: Dianne Young, Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place, 416-263-3611 dyoung@explace.on.ca

iLearn2 Welcomes A New Solutions Leader, Suzanne Forster
With 15 years of experience in the business events industry, iLearn2 invites you to join us in welcoming our new solutions leader Suzanne Forster. Suzanne brings her strategic event experience to iLearn2 to help clients find learning and engagement solutions that produce results. From guiding clients through the planning and implementation of large strategic events Suzanne focused on corporate accounts and honed her skills in strategic selling and long term partnerships. She is well-known for her professionalism, integrity, enthusiasm and mentoring. Suzanne invested 13 years as a member and volunteer with the Toronto Chapter of Meeting Professionals International in roles such as Chapter President, Vice President of Communications, Sponsorship, and currently as Chair of the Strategic Task Force as well as Vice President Education, two of her strongest passions. In 2004, she received the MPI Toronto Chapter Supplier of the Year. As an active member in corporate industry she believes in fostering relationships and that training and development is a key to business success. "Suzanne's strategic approach fits well with iLearn2's approach of understanding the desired results of the conference/meeting and making sure the learning programs engage the participants to achieve those results." - Doug Bolger, iLearn2 Founder and CEO www.ilearn2.com 

Communiqué Incentives Inc. celebrates 30 years of success
Communiqué Incentives, a leading event and communications company in Canada, marks their 30 year anniversary in 2012. Throughout the year, there were a number of activities created to commemorate this significant milestone.  As it just so happens, there are only 4 months in the year with 30 days, so the months of April, June, September and November were chosen as the appropriate dates to reach out to past and present clients, employees and industry partners. On April 30, the first communication announced the celebration of Communique’s Anniversary marking a "30-year obsession with creating extraordinary events and communication programs." On June 30, a limited edition Communiqué luggage tag became a great reference for our "30-year obsession with moving people" and exploring amazing destinations. The September 30 drop to key clients and partners featured a bushel of Ontario apples as a salute to our "30 years of fresh thinking." On November 30, the entire Communiqué team gathered together supplies to present 25 "On the Move" kits along with winter coats and bedding to Youth Without Shelter, an emergency residence and agency serving homeless youth. Our "30-year obsession of bringing people together" led us to give back to the community completing our 30th anniversary celebrations in a very special way. "I am proud of our success over the last 30 years and our team. We have had chance to work with many wonderful clients and projects over the years and we look forward to many more years as part of Canada’s vibrant event industry," said Ardith Freethy, President of Communiqué. More information can be found at www.communique.to.