March/April 2012

A Publication Produced By Jerry Cowart Designers, Inc.
ROC It Out At EdCon!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center in Pomona
Volume 96 - March/April 2012
Understanding
Meetings Costs in the
New Reality
By Elaine Bartolome, Power Summits
MPISCC April’s Monthly Luncheon
By DeShawn Wynn, CMP, CMMM, Wynning Touch Event Design
O
his year’s educational sessions at the re-imagined
MPISCC Annual Educational Conference are as solid as a
ROC and we have left no ROC unturned! Join us for the 31st
Annual Education Conference, now known as "EdCon." In
response to changes in the way our members connect, collaborate and commit, we have replaced the standard tradeshow
with a cutting edge agenda powered by technology, creating
more value for you.
T
ur distinguished past president
and recently nominated ChairmanElect for the International Board of
Directors, Michael Dominguez, is going to
be our presenter at our April monthly
luncheon. He is going to give us an
in-depth look at how the economy has
Michael
changed the way hotels do business. It is
Dominguez
important as a meeting planner to understand the cost pressures affecting the hotel industry’s bottom
line. Mr. Dominguez will give us some insight into how
hotels develop their pricing.
Learner Outcomes:
Much more than just “Return on Investment,” you can
expect to ROC your ROI at EdCon!
• Understand the driving issues in the hotel industry and how
that impacts your meetings.
• Return on Connections - exclusive education sessions!
• Return on Collaboration - cultivate relationships!
• Return on Commitment - commit to yourself to get more
in return!
Connect with these great education sessions:
The opportunity for planners and suppliers to gain one of a
kind education will begin with keynote speaker, Ryan Estis.
Get to know Ryan by reading his article on page 2 in this
edition of the Intercom and then check out his website for
more information: http://www.ryanestis.com/who-is-ryanestis/approach.
At EdCon, you will invest in your success with a selection of
classes on volunteer management, mobile apps, contracts,
difficult conversations, time management, designations,
Continued on page 6
I N T E R C O M
• Know the economic conditions to expect for 2012 and
beyond from industry research.
• Understand a hotel’s profit/loss statement, cost pressures
and restrictions.
Michael Dominguez is the vice president of global sales for
Loews Hotels. He has been in the hospitality industry for over
25 years, beginning his career in the food & beverage arena.
From a sales & marketing perspective, Michael had the
opportunity to work with many hospitality management
companies at a variety of conference hotels and resorts and
most recently served as vice president of sales & marketing
for a convention and visitor's bureau before joining the
Loews family in 2005. In the meetings industry, Michael has
held board positions with various chapters of HSMAI, MPI,
CalSAE and SGMP.
Continued on page 11
March/April 2012
2
I N T E R C O M
Next Level Leadership
By Ryan Estis, Ryan Estis & Associates
D
id you talk to a customer today?
Simple yes or no answer. According to Frank Pacetta
(a hero of mine) and his Blueprint for Success, a “no” gets
the leader or manager (CEO especially) an immediate
failing grade.
Today’s leader is charged with navigating through chaotic
and disruptive times. Employees are anxious, overwhelmed,
exhausted, uncertain and have far less trust in senior leadership. Customers have an evolving set of expectations around
the business relationship and brand experience.
Progressive leaders are recognizing this shift in the balance
of power, removing barriers, improving access and leading
from the front to cultivate a more connected and compelling
brand experience for all stakeholders (employees, customers
and investors).
The People economy is here and to thrive amid this transformation, true leaders are embracing the transparency that is
required, leading from the front, connecting, communicating
and collaborating to elevate trust, earn emotional commitment, accelerate innovation and effectively navigate change.
There are examples of next generation leadership all
around us.
Consider Dallas Maverick’s outspoken owner Mark Cuban
who makes his e-mail address public (and has been known to
offer it up for fan access on the JumboTron during games).
Don’t like the variety in the food court? Send the owner
a note.
How about Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh? You can follow him on
Twitter, check out real time company updates on his blog and
employees can stop by his cubicle any time for a high five
(forget the corner office…he rolls without walls).
Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn responded to the recent Forbes
article Why Best Buy is Going Out of Business…Gradually via
his blog with His Thoughts on Best Buy’s Recent Media
Coverage where people are free to comment, invited to
connect with him or follow him on Twitter.
Ford CEO Alan Mullaly recently did better than just talking to
customers. He actually delivered a new customer’s Ford F-150.
CEO service.
These leaders may not always be right. Their companies may
not always win. But they are real, relevant and represent a
shift from the antiquated command and control style leadership to a more collaborative and connected approach that is
proving far more effective for the time.
How accessible and transparent is your CEO? Senior leadership? You? Worth considering.
This next generation approach to business (Generation Flux)
is opening up opportunity for those willing to embrace
change, challenge the status quo and connect people to each
other and a common purpose.
Change is hard. It is also the one constant we can count on.
Learn From The Comfort Of Your Own Office Chair!
Sessions from the Weekend Educational Summit (WES) are now available online, with more content to come throughout the year
including Meeting Planning Basics and Beyond. Visit the Online Learning Portal from the Education tab at the newly designed
www.mpiscc.org to access the online learning center today!
Save The Dates
MPISCC Monthly Meetings And Events
March 27, 2012 - EdCon
(See cover story for more information)
April 10, 2012 - Understanding Meetings Costs in the New Reality (See cover story for more information)
May 15, 2012 - "I am MPI."
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
3
Bringing Comfort And Care To The Homeless
By Christina N. LeRubio, CMP, Project Manager, Academic Affairs
Graziadio School of Business and Management • Pepperdine University
W
ant to do something amazing? We have a simple
solution that can help bring comfort and care to
homeless men, women and families in southern California.
MPISCC is once again partnering with PATH (People
Assisting the Homeless), but we need your help.
With the final months of winter upon us, it is important to
remember those who do not have a warm home. PATHS’s
Transitional Housing program has been providing homeless
men, women and families with a safe place to temporarily call
home, but is now in need of blankets to keep their residents
warm. Each year, MPISCC challenges us to find new ways to
reach out to our community and this year, at MPI Southern
California Chapter’s 31st Annual Educational Conference, there
will be three ways you can help.
1. Make a $5 donation to help purchase materials to make blankets for the residents in PATH’s Transitional Housing program.
Donations will be accepted at EdCon on Tuesday, March 27th.
2. Help assemble blankets during the Community Service
Project event on the evening before EdCon (Monday, March
26th from 7-9pm) at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference
Center. If you know how to tie a knot, you will be great at this!
The event is free to attend and open to anyone who wants
to help.
3. Do both! Make a donation and help assemble blankets!
With your help, we hope to provide these people with the
necessities they need to empower their lives. All unused and
excess funds will be donated to PATH.
Please reach out and touch someone by donating or lending
a hand.
Check Out the Fresh Look!
Thanks to a generous grant from the MPI Foundation, our chapter has been able to redesign the
website! Visit www.mpiscc.org to explore the new look, connect with us via social media and visit
the online learning portal (under the Education page).
Get Visible on the New MPISCC.ORG!
With new visitors, increased traffic and a plan for dynamic content throughout the year, this is a
perfect place to advertise! Whether you are a CVB, hotel, audio-visual provider, event venue or just
have something you want to say, this is the place to connect with the Southern California meetings
industry for a reasonable investment.
Visit our Advertising page mpiscc.org/marketplace/advertising-kit/ for more information, or
call the MPISCC office at 805-449-9111.
I N T E R C O M
March/April 2012
4
I N T E R C O M
Getting the Most Out of MPI Membership
By Randy Crabtree, Membership Master Storyteller, Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
celebrates its 40th anniversary this year knowing
MPI that
it is the sum total of the members’ ideas,
goals, knowledge and talents. As the premier association
for meeting and event professionals, MPI is committed to
constantly delivering professional development and business
relationships to make members successful.
That’s where four decades of building an association come
into play. No matter the business landscape or the economic
situation, MPI has remained committed to growing this industry, proving the business value of meetings and events, and
evolving to deliver what its members need to sometimes
survive, and always to thrive.
• MPI Foundation’s Thought Leadership program delivers
cutting-edge industry knowledge that keeps members ahead
of their game in a fast-paced industry whirling with change.
• Sustainable Event Measurement and CultureActive© tools
on www.mpiweb.org provide assistance to members so they
can meet the challenges of going Green and doing business
internationally.
• MPI’s award-winning One+ magazine gives members
industry news and opinions they need to be on top of their
profession.
Here are some valuable resources available with MPI
membership:
• MPI’s annual World Education Congress connects members to
relationships, knowledge and ideas that elevate their performance. From the hosted-buyer program to Market Square, MPI
is bringing new ways for planners and suppliers to connect.
• “My MPI” has just been added to the www.mpiweb.org
website. This is an online resource to connect, share and
discuss. This is where the exchange of ideas, documents and
easy access to professional peers all come together in a private
setting created just for MPI members.
• MPI’s Chapters now have access to an educational database
that lets them deliver locally proprietary education created to
meet the specific needs of MPI members.
• MPI has also recently made visual enhancements to
www.mpiweb.org, making it easier to connect to content,
people and resources.
• Career Connections by MPI gives members an exclusive
15-day advance peek at new industry jobs. Plus, members
always save by being able to post their open positions for free,
a $225 savings in fact.
• Online education is available 24/7/365 on your desktop or
your mobile devices through MPI’s Professional Development
On Demand, with over 200 CIC-IS approved contact hours that
are CMP qualified and available free for MPI members.
These are just a few of the ways to maximize the value of
MPI membership. But truly, you get out of an MPI membership
what you personally put into it. While the resources above all
come with the membership the moment you write the check,
the real value awaits until you jump in and get involved. Go
to meetings. Make personal connections that develop into
long-term relationships. Join a committee. Vow that at each
MPI event you meet someone you do not know.
The value of MPI is expressed in the personal stories of MPI
members across its 40-year history. There is now a special place
where they are kept. Visit www.mpiweb.org/stories to learn
more. If you are a member, share your story too. If you are not
a member of MPI, join and start your story today.
MPISCC welcomes new members to the February monthly meeting
Elizabeth Brazil, CMP, (far left) and Paulette Fontanez,
CMP, and Joe Marcy (far right) welcome new MPISCC
members Stephanie Luros-Gilbert, Vin Dame Tours &
Events; Lonnie Thompson, Images by Lighting;
Curt Stahl, Images by Lighting; Emi Suruki, The Okura
Group; Raymond Thompson, Images by Lighting and
Reiley McClendon, Go West Creative
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
5
Meet the 2011-2012 Shining Stars
MPISCC
2nd Quarter (April-June 2011)
Kay Boles, CMP, CMM, CHE
Conference Sales Manager
UCLA Conference Services
Deborah Shepard, CMP, CHSP
Director of Sales and Marketing
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach
and Marina Hotel
Shelley Grey, CMP
Vice President, Meetings &
Events, Trust Company
of the West
August 2011
July 2011
Diana Diller
Assistant Vice President
Program & Event Planner
Trust Company of the West
Trish McAulay
Director, West Coast
Group Sales
California Satellite Office
The Peninsula Chicago
Laura Bergersen, CMP
Laura B Events
October 2011
Kristin Pagdilao
Senior Sales Manager
DoubleTree by Hilton
Monrovia
Pasadena Area
Amy Zelinksy, CMP
Meeting Manager
A to Z Special Events
Karen Yi
Student and President, Hospitality
Management Council
The Collins College of Hospitality
Management
California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona
September 2011
Susan Jamerson
Chair, Community
Outreach, 2011-2012
Meeting Professionals
International, Southern
California Chapter
November 2011
Morgen Hoffman
President/Executive
Producer
Morgen Hoffman
Events
Katie Rogers
Director of Sales
EventWorks, Inc.
Patrice Bradshaw, CMP
Customer Relations
Specialist
The Boeing Company
I N T E R C O M
Haley Powers, CMP
Principal
InSiteful Meetings
Michelle Windhausen
Director of Business
Development
SEACruises
Marisa DiDomenico
Director of Group Sales
Kyoto Grand Hotel and
Gardens
December 2011
November 2011
Christina N. LeRubio, CMP
Event Manager, Academic
AffairsGraziadio School of
Business and Management
Pepperdine University
Jason Soporito
Regional Manager –
Los Angeles
Plan-It Interactive
Libby Zarrahy, CMP
Director of Sales
Marriott Los Angeles
Downtown
Linda Stone
Student
March/April 2012
6
I N T E R C O M
Continued from front page
sustainability, hotel revenue management, and procurement,
all taught by the industry's most distinguished educators and
associates. We have scheduled twelve concurrent education
sessions featuring the trends affecting you now.
us to share all our event information instantly with attendees.
It is a web-based app so attendees can view conference information on their laptop or on any smartphone.
Attendees and sponsors will be able to connect easily and
Exclusively for EdCon, Holly Duckworth and John Chen will plan meetings in advance of the event. Once registered, you
offer educational sessions that will only be seen at MPI. Don’t will be sent an email from JOT (Jot EventConnect™ - Event
miss out on “Digital Team Building” to learn new technologies Social Networking Systems) asking you to fill out your profile.
that can increase team performance for little or no money, Attendees can utilize JOT's search capabilities to find other
learn at least three new team
attendees based on the search
building initiatives you can use
fields approved by MPISCC. An
to increase communication and
attendee will be able to select
trust, and take at least one new
other attendees from the search
action back to your teams at
results, view their available
work to increase results or comschedule times and request an
plete a team task using less time
appointment. Each attendee
and resources. The session titled
will have the ability to accept or
“Generation Now” will help you
decline any appointment
identify success traits in yourself
request, or can suggest a differas a meeting professional or
ent appointment time/date.
leader, identify resources to
Confirmed appointments will
Sheraton Fairplex Hotel & Conference Center
grow, and connect to stories of
be populated in each attendee’s
MPI’s leaders at the local, state,
respective schedule. If you need
national and international level.
to cancel an appointment, the
system will notify the other attendee of the cancellation.
Collaborate with your peers for success in 2012
Attendees can:
With a new vision for the 2012 MPISCC Educational
• Browse a complete, searchable listing of events and sessions
Conference, attendees will experience a unique combination
• View event and session descriptions and speaker information
of face time opportunities with peers which can’t be found
• Customize schedules by using the favorites button - sessions
at any other event this year. Here’s how we are staying on
will be added to 'My Schedule'
the cutting edge, so you can make your events better by
• E-mail and print schedules if needed
attending ours!
• View event floor plans - general session & breakouts, table
hosts floor plan, and table top booths
• Meetsmart mobile app (conference navigation guide)
• Find products, services and sponsor information.
• JOT - private social network for attendee profiles and
appointments
Let's ROC and roll! Don’t miss out on this great MPISCC
• Shorter sessions
tradition, re-imagined for March 27, 2012 and be sure to
ROC your ROI!
• Longer breaks
• Technology lounge
• Supplier showcase sessions
• Reception that feels like hospitality suites
To Register go to
EdCon Registration
You won’t see this innovative format anywhere else this
year! Instead of implementing new technology without trying
it first, experience it as an attendee at the MPISCC EdCon.
Commit to preparing for EdCon to get more from the event
Meetsmart mobile is an innovative conference navigation
app for your mobile phone. The meetsmart mobile app allows
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
7
MPISCC February 2012
“State Of The Industry” Luncheon
By Jillian Corbets, The Beverly Hilton
W
domestic product growth in the U.S. has
slowed to 1.4% while Macau (15%),
Mongolia (14.8%), and Libya (13.6%) are
leading the growth internationally. Their
economies are being stimulated by the west,
while ours is not experiencing the same
influx. The U.S. has shifted from being the
largest world creditor to owing more than
any other country in history. While the U.S. is
in a recession, China is growing rapidly and
getting wealthier as the world’s biggest
exporter of goods. The middle class in China
Carl Winston, San Diego
is on the increase, providing more disposable
State University’s School of
income for travel. President Obama has
Hospitality and Tourism
The conversations continued as lunch was
increased the visa-processing capacity in
served in the ballroom at the beautiful
China by 40% to encourage Chinese travel to the U.S. The
oceanfront Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. A delicious surf United States Travel & Tourism Administration has also
and turf meal of beef tenderloin and white sea bass was received funding to promote travel to the U.S. to all countries
enjoyed along with top notch service from the Loews abroad. These initiatives should increase travel from abroad
staff. MPISCC members to the east gathered at the fabulous and help stimulate the U.S. economy and the meeting industry.
Morongo Casino Resort & S pa for a liv e-stream of
The economy is not the only thing changing today. Winston
the discussion.
shared that the main component of our world today is the rapPaul Leclerc, managing director at the Four Diamond hotel idly accelerating pace of change. What’s “in” on Monday is
welcomed MPISCC members and guests. MPISCC leadership “out” on Tuesday. Change is becoming a way of life and can
shared updates on upcoming events and happenings within not be feared. In order to be successful, we must embrace
the chapter, including the upcoming EdCon. Finally, the fea- change and do things differently. There is good news here! If
tured speaker, Carl Winston from San Diego State University’s we embrace change and integrate new developments into our
School of Hospitality and Tourism took the stage and led an professional habits, we will flourish. Meetings won’t become
engaging discussion about the state of the industry.
obsolete as people will always crave face-to-face meetings.
We all know that things have changed since 2008: we find Meetings are practical and social ways to conduct and build
ourselves working harder for the same amount of money and businesses. Winston finished his discussion with a famous
we see some of our industry colleagues thriving, while others quote by Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of the species
are just holding on or going under. With such a variety of that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the
experiences, everyone is wondering what is going on. Winston one that is most adaptable to change.”
hat’s going on in our industry? This
is a question that many of us are
asking frequently and MPISCC endeavored to
answer during the February 2012 luncheon.
With the current economic climate and outsider views on the travel industry, the last
four years have brought many changes to the
meetings industry. The discussion drew
attendees not only from MPI members
around the southern California area, but
from SITE SoCal as well. As attendees arrived,
the foyer was abuzz with discussions about
industry happenings.
explains that the world is in political turmoil and there
has been an economic shift of epic proportion. The gross
I N T E R C O M
The slides for Mr. Winston’s presentation can be found on
the Education Archives page at www.mpiscc.org.
March/April 2012
8
I N T E R C O M
Strategic Sponsorship
Opportunities Available
By Joe Marcy
T
here’s no better time to become a Strategic Sponsor
with MPISCC! Our chapter boasts a membership of
700+ meeting professionals who represent over $600 million
in industry purchasing power.
Ruby Level
$5,000 cash or $10,000 In-Kind
Chapter events attract members and non-members of the
meeting industry from all areas of Southern California.
Attendees travel from Palm Springs, the Inland Empire,
Orange County, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura; as
well as Las Vegas, Nevada.
Depending on your sponsorship, you may be eligible
to receive:
Being a sponsor allows you to showcase your products
and/or services to a diverse group. It allows you to advertise
your partnership and have your logo prominently displayed
at chapter events. The exposure you receive doesn’t end
there. Your logo will be prominently displayed in our awardwinning publication, Intercom, and on MPISCC.org.
If you didn’t already know…
Intercom reaches the entire member base and can serve
as a marketing tool for your business. Intercom reflects
the chapter's outlook and editorial stance, presented in a
contemporary - easy-to read-format.
MPISCC.org provides the most up-to-date information on
chapter and industry events. It also features online registration for upcoming programs. The home page provides
exposure for Strategic Sponsors, in addition to a dedicated
“Sponsors/Strategic Partners” page where logos are prominently displayed.
We have a broad range of sponsorship opportunities. The
Strategic Sponsorship Program benefits are based on a 12
month “rolling window” from initial donation and must be
redeemed within those 12 months in order to be valid. Five
sponsorship levels are offered. In-kind contributions to the
chapter are based on half of their retail value.
Strategic Sponsorship Levels:
Diamond
$20,000 cash or $40,000 In-Kind
Sapphire
$15,000 cash or $30,000 In-Kind
Emerald
$10,000 cash or $20,000 In-Kind
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
Pearl Level
$1,500 cash or $3,000 In-Kind
• Registration(s) to the Annual EdCon, Monthly Programs,
Fundraiser, Weekend Educational Summit and or Installation
• Tabletop displays
• Company logo prominently displayed on the Sponsors/
Strategic Partners page of MPISCC.org with a hyperlink to
your company’s website
• Company logo scrolling with other sponsors on the
MPISCC.org homepage
• Company logo projected on screen at the Monthly
Programs
• Full-page ad in Intercom (Note: Ad timing/placement at
the discretion of the editor)
• A banner ad in STATS (Note: Ad timing/placement at the
discretion of the editor)
• MPISCC mailing labels
• Lectern time to speak about your company
• Exposure in MPISCC’s Calendar of Events
Benefits are outlined in the Strategic Sponsorship packet.
Please visit http://mpiscc.org/marketplace/strategic-partners/
to learn more..
Once you have reviewed the brochure and decided you are
interested in participating, complete the application at the
end of the brochure and e-mail the application to Joe Marcy.
Upon receipt of your application form, we will assist you with
launching your sponsorship. Your Strategic Careperson will
work with you throughout the program to ensure you are
utilizing all of your sponsorship benefits. In the coming
weeks we will be making advertising opportunities easy and
condensed for you to redeem.
Q u e s t i o n s ? C o n t a c t J o e M a r c y, D i r e c t o r o f
Fundraising & Strategic Sponsorship at 310-748-3075 or
josephfmarcy@aol.com.
WWW.MPISCC.org
9
On January 12-13, 2012, members of the MPISCC Board of Directors gathered for the annual mid-year board
retreat to assess the chapter business plan, analyze the chapter budget and strategize about the upcoming
EdCon. A special thanks to our generous hosts at the beautiful Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara!
Coffee With MPI
At a Coffee House Near You
Come join your MPISCC friends for an informal open conversation right in your neighborhood.
Evening Coffee with MPI
Wednesday, March 21, 5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Pricing for events and conferences:
Suppliers - How do you set your rates? What items are worth
more and which are more negotiable?
Planners - What are you willing to pay more for? Where are
costs more flexible?
Morning Coffee with MPI
Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Topic: Food and Beverage - What banquet food trends do you
love or hate? What would you bring back that you haven't
seen in awhile? Cocktail trends for 2012 – what are some
creative drinks you have seen? Presentations of them?
Locations
Please see the email invitation for exact
locations. We are looking for individuals to
lead these coffee programs in all regions of
Los Angeles, Long Beach, the Valley, Inland
Empire and Las Vegas. If you are interested
in leading a coffee program in your neighborhood please
contact Trish Hopkins-McAulay, TrishMcAulay@peninsula.com
for more information.
Watch for a detailed email with more information on locations
and how to RSVP.
Cost: Your coffee!!!
I N T E R C O M
March/April 2012
10
I N T E R C O M
New Member Spotlight
By Elizabeth Brazil, CMP, Gerbera Daisy Events
Linda Kelley, MBA
Administrative Event Planner
WHW Ministries, Inc.
Richard Allen
Regional Sales Manager
Image Technologies
What prompted you to become a member
of MPI?
What prompted you to become a member
of MPI?
I acknowledged early on that I wanted to connect to planners and suppliers
to be able to network. I understand that I need
continous learning and will plan to attend as many
trainings and meetings as possible. Recently, I met a
fellow planner and she invited me to join and I did the
following month.
After joining Image Technologies
Corporation I became active in the Saint
Louis Chapter of MPI. I was very impress with the level of networking that MPI provided. After being assigned the west
region I knew that joining MPISCC would be the easiest and
quickest way to network through the community in this area
What do you hope to gain from becoming a member of MPI?
What do you hope to gain from becoming a member of MPI?
As a member of MPISCC, I expect to network with
local professionals and to develop and cultivate
relationships with the industry’s greatest. I am an
advent learner and always willing to learn new things.
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry
and what lead you to your chosen profession?
I have been a planner for the past eight years for
WHW Ministries, Inc. including site selection, contracts
and coordinating of daily operations during the event.
After volunteering for the conference 10 years ago, I
started accepting additional responsibilities and now
"I LOVE IT" and I am looking for future challenges and
opportunities.
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or favorite ways to
spend your free time?
I love to read fiction and spend time with family and
friends. I love learning new skills and watching home
Improvement/decorating shows (Nate Berkus, Home
Made Simple and Extreme Couponing) to name a few.
Also I was a Boy Scout Leader for six years in a leadership role and I volunteer often in the community. I am
currently study ing at California S tate Univ ersity
Dominguez Hills to receive the Meeting and Event
Planning Certificate of Completion.
"Join the Conversation!"
Are you a part of our vibrant online
community? Join your colleagues on the
MPISCC Facebook page (search: MPISCC).
Through MPI, I look to grow my industry knowledge
through the great educational and networking events hosted
by the organization and its growing network of members.
I also hope to have the opportunity to meet and educate
meeting planners as to why meetings, events and exhibits
deserve the same attention to detail, the same high production value and the same state-of-the-art equipment as theatrical productions. The lights, sound, projection and staging for
any event or meeting need to be part of the strategy – not an
unaffordable expenditure.
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry
and what lead you to your chosen profession?
I was recruited into the meeting industry two years ago after
15 years in the tech industry.
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or favorite ways to
spend your free time?
I like to travel. Last summer I took my first trip to Italy.
We rented a house in the small town of Cortona and had an
amazing time. I also enjoy staying active and physically fit.
Michael Pasternak“The World’s Funniest Meeting
Crasher”
Ta l k a b o u t a u n i q u e
career… for more than 20
years Michael Pasternak has
been ‘crashing” association and
corporate meetings and banquets, wandering in completely unannounced! Posing as
either the hotel “maintenance worker”, (turns out he’s
got the wrong room on his work order), OR as the iconic
“COLUMBO” looking for jumper cables, what follows (at a
pre-arranged moment) is a hilarious, personalized program
featuring fun comedic bits about key people and the organization he’s “crashing.”
Continued on page 11
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
11
I Am MPI…
Continued from page 10
What prompted you to become a member of MPI?
By Nicole Newman, SearchWide
Having been invited over the years to “crash” many MPI
functions around the country, it certainly made sense to become
one of its vendors.
What do you hope to gain from becoming a member of MPI?
Although I have never had a problem picking up the phone
and introducing my company to a speaker bureau or meeting
planner, there’s something wonderful about meeting people
face-to-face at an MPI event. Since all of my programs are
“personalized,” this becomes a more “personalized” way of
saying hello. I’ve already discovered that planners who belong
to MPI are very open to hearing from service companies which
are also MPI members.
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry and
what lead you to your chosen profession?
Having a background as a writer and comedian, Scott Paper
Towels hired me to get across their “technical” points to their
sales force, but in a fun and memorable way. This became the
template for my appearances at trade shows. I then adapted
the program, this time personalizing it more around the key
people that were actually attending the banquet. The “inside”
humor proved to be a wonderful vehicle to bring everyone
together as a team, and create a buzz long after the event
was over.
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or favorite ways to
spend your free time?
A
re you MPI? Do you love what we do? Do you have
a story to tell about how MPI has impacted your life,
personally and/or professionally? If so, MPI wants to hear
from you! In August during WEC, MPI launched its newest
branding campaign, “I am MPI. I Love What We Do.” This
campaign is designed for members, like you, to tell your MPI
story. In your own words, MPI wants you to highlight the
personal experiences that have made a difference in your
life. Give MPI “all of the heartfelt details, interesting anecdotes and crazy tales of your experience as a member of the
MPI Community.”
The stories collected through the “I am MPI. I Love What
We Do” campaign can be found on the newly created
“I am MPI. I Love What We Do” website at
http://www.mpiweb.org/Membership/Stories/Home. These
stories are the background to help you, our MPISCC chapter
members, explain the value of MPI and encourage others
to join.
When our chapter achieves three successfully submitted
stories, we will qualify to have a customized “I Am MPI.
I Love What We Do” print ad and poster created that
features one of our own MPISCC Chapter members and their
MPI story.
Log onto the MPI website and share your story today!
My wife and I have two young sons. Whether it’s baseball,
basketball, soccer or flag football, what a thrill it is to
see them playing organized sports, and to also have the
opportunity to either manage or help out as a coach!
Continued from front cover
Our April meeting is being held at the
Beverly Garland Hotel. Effortlessly
blending a variety of meeting facilities
and thoughtful amenities with comfortably modern guest rooms, this stylish
hotel has all the graciousness, warmth
and style of old Hollywood. Featuring
12,000+ square feet of event space
accommodating up to 650 guests, with
an additional 2,500 square feet of
beautifully landscaped outdoor event
space, their professional event team
I N T E R C O M
will use their expertise to deliver a
flawless meeting of any size or scope.
The Beverly Garland sits on seven lush
acres purchased from entertainment
icon Gene Autry. The hotel was built in
1972 and is still privately owned by the
Beverly Garland family today. This place
is the perfect blend of cool vibe and
family friendly.
Beverly Garland Hotel
So mark April 10, 2012, on your calendars and learn where your leverage
lies in these uncertain times.
March/April 2012
12
I N T E R C O M
January Luncheon Meeting
By Valerie Moses, MA, USC, Marshall School of Business
MPISCC
is always coming up
with unique ideas to keep attendees motivated and involved. For the January
monthly meeting, MPISCC implemented a
unique idea to get everyone in the right
frame of mind for the topic of the meeting. Upon arrival, guests were provided
with a quote about leadership and were
instructed to discuss their quote with other
attendees. The buzz in the foyer was infectious and it was evident that this meeting
was off to a great start.
national average of people who think they
are great leaders is 82%. Learning about
that interesting dynamic was a great
statistic to start off Mr. Motwane’s talk.
Mr. Motwane introduced us to his life
and experiences by taking us on a journey
through his upbringing as a child in
Mumbai, India. Specifically, he shared how
his family shaped his leadership style early
in his life. He continued to articulate a
series of scenarios about leadership from
both his personal and professional career,
each one providing an invaluable lesson
about leadership.
Keynote speaker
The meeting took place at the beautiful
Aman Motwane
and iconic Hyatt Regency Century Plaza,
which is currently celebrating its 45th
At the conclusion of Mr. Motwane's presanniversary. Renowned leadership expert
entation, he connected the dots of all the
and author, Aman Motwane, was the keynote for the
stories and provided everyone with fundamentals and traits of
afternoon. Prior to the meeting, he led a leadership workshop
a good leader, including:
and would continue to discuss the important quality of
• What appears to be weakness is often a source of your greatleadership during lunch.
est strength
As attendees gathered in the ballroom, MPISCC leadership
gave a warm welcome and shared valuable information about • Be able to see things in other people and raise them to see
upcoming events, while Hyatt Regency staff shared new devel- those things in themselves
opments at the venue. Guests dined on a delicious lunch of • The best way to handle a bad apple is to brush up on your
salad, artichoke fritters and braised short ribs with seared leadership skills
jumbo sea scallops. Everyone was commenting on how great • Leadership is a gift your followers give you, when you give
the lunch tasted and how accommodating and welcoming the them the gift of seeing them completely
Hyatt staff was. Next up was Mr. Motwane to educate all of us
• Learn to really see beyond what we first see
on how to sharpen our leadership skills.
The above guidelines can be implemented across all situaIn some capacity we are all leaders, whether it is at work tions and emphasize both patience and perception. We left
managing others, or in our personal lives with family and the luncheon with these new tools to weave into our lives and
friends. Everyone can benefit from learning about the qualities careers to propel us to the next level as leaders.
of good leadership and how to improve leadership skills. Mr.
I will leave you with the leadership quote I received when I
Motwane was able to interact with attendees during his presfirst
arrived at the meeting: “In any moment of decision, the
entation through surveys with the help of the Quick Tally sysbest
thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you
tem. Through one of those surveys, we discovered that 71% of
can
do
is nothing.” - Theodore Roosevelt.
the people in the room thought they were great leaders, and
only 20% thought that other people were great leaders. The
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
13
Carpool For A Chance To Refuel Your Body
By Nicole Newman, SearchWide
W
hen’s the last time you’ve enjoyed the ride to an MPISCC event with a colleague or friend? MPISCC’s new
carpool program gives you the opportunity to be rewarded for doing just that. Not to mention, helping the
environment by reducing your carbon footprint, saving money, time and gas. Thanks to our gracious sponsor, Ice Hat
Creative, one lucky carpooler will be chosen each month to receive a $20 Starbucks Gift Card. To qualify for the
monthly drawing, all you have to do is rideshare with one or more colleagues and/or friends to the monthly MPISCC
meeting. Look for more details on the next Cvent event registration. If you’d like to be a part of the newly designed
carpool program, or if you have ideas or suggestions for the program, please contact me at 951-640-3745 or via email
at newman@searchwide.com. Happy carpooling and good luck!
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
WALK FOR KIDS
By Susan Jamerson, Community Outreach Committee Chair
J
oin our team and help us support The Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. The Walk for Kids is the largest fundraiser of
the LA House. By joining our team and fundraising you will help make the lives of thousands of families much better while
they are going through one of the most difficult times in their lives, the serious illness of their child. The Ronald McDonald
House provides a "home away from home" for thousands of familes with seriously ill children who are going through treatment
of cancer, heart disease, and many other illnesses. Help us help them, by joining our team.
We will once again have a team participating in the Walk For Kids on April 1 at Exposition Park. The walk starts at 8:00 AM and
is 5K. We have a goal of 25 walkers and $10,000 so we need every member’s help. Please join us in supporting this great cause.
Bring your friends and family; everyone is welcome, even if they are not an MPISCC member. Please go to this link to sign up to
join our team or to donate to one of our team members http://walkforkids.kintera.org/lahouse/mpiscc
It is always great fun and a chance to spend time with friends and new acquaintances in a relaxed environment while helping
people less fortunate.
Please contact Marc Berkowitz 213-739-8222 or marcb@car.org with any questions.
Calling All
Writers!
I N T E R C O M
Are you interested in reporting and writing on the
chapter’s events? If so, the MPISCC Communications Team would
greatly appreciate your contributions to our monthly Intercom
newsletter, monthly STATS eblast, and MPISCC.org website.
Please contact Christine Hartman, VP of Communications at
christine@icehatcreative.com for more information.
March/April 2012
14
I N T E R C O M
MPISCC Meeting Planning Basics and Beyond Series:
Valuable for Both Planners and Suppliers
By Jillian Corbets, The Beverly Hilton
MPISCC
and Hyatt partnered
the budget; forgetting just one category can
to create the Meeting Planning Basics and
throw off a budget entirely. It’s often hard
Beyond program, which included three
to decide what you want to eat for dinner—
educational sessions at various Hyatt prophow do we make that decision for an entire
erties in the Los Angeles area. Each session
group? Marjorie Reisinger, CMP (MYR
provided great information for all planners
Consultants) detailed the process of food
and suppliers and as such, the Convention
and beverage selection, making note of
Industry Council (CIC) verified continuing
changes that will cut costs dramatically, such
education (CEs) clock hours for each Attendees at the MPISCC Hyatt Meeting Planning Basics as ordering foods that are currently
and Beyond II, at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach.
session that may be applied to the
in season and avoiding those that are
CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) The instructors were Haley Powers, CMP; Carroll Reuben, not. Gary J. Rosenberg, CMP (GJR &
application and recertification appli- CMP, CMM; Marjorie Risinger, CMP; Gary Rosenberg, CMP; Associates) wrapped up the session
Master of Ceremonies was Nick Arnette.
cation. A Certificate of Completion
with a discussion on contracts and
was offered at the end of each section noting the earned credit negotiating. It’s important to remember that the end result of a
hours for attending. The CMP designation is a valuable negotiation should have both parties satisfied, creating a win-win
designation, which instantly provides its designee credibility as an situation and a true partnership.
accomplished and respected professional in the meeting industry.
A trend in the meetings industry over the last year has been the
It is a great step towards achieving the next level of success in your development of Strategic Meeting Management (SMM). At
career. The Basics and Beyond programs provided great value and Session III, Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CTE (Bondurant Consulting) disassistance in teaching many of the topics of the CMP exam.
cussed the value of having a centralized meetings department
Session I was a great success with over 40 attendees and
wonderful speakers. Larissa Schultz, CMP (LJS Meetings Strategies)
offered a lively interactive discussion on setting goals and creating
objectives—a necessary first step in any planning process! She also
spoke about understanding and mitigating risk; it’s imperative
that planners anticipate risks and prepare efficiently for them.
The latest trends on effective adult learning, which include unique
room sets to enhance learning, were shared by Bryan Quinan, CMP
(Milken Institute). He also discussed working with stakeholders to
create great partnerships. After a creative and delicious Asian
themed lunch, Duane Mah, CMP (Hyatt Regency Century Plaza)
discussed the logistics of meetings at the hotel. Finally, Marjorie
Reisinger, CMP (MYR Consultants), wrapped up the day with a
lesson on ethics—as planners and suppliers, it is our responsibility
to make sure that we are always upholding the strongest ethics.
At the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Session II was
just as popular and well composed. An essential part of meeting
planning is site selection; Haley Powers, CMP (InSiteful Meetings)
provided a detailed approach to completing a comprehensive site
selection to ensure the right venue is chosen for the meeting.
Another key factor in the planning process, which is often not
given the focus it requires, is budgeting for an event. Carroll
Reuben, CMP, CMM (Meeting Excellence) educated everyone on
the importance of making sure every single item of cost is listed in
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
within an organization. Not only does an SMM program save time
and money, it shows value of meeting planners. CSR/Green
Initiatives have also become more of a focus in the last several
years, which Andrea Robinson (ARC Sustainability) discussed.
From “tweeting” to “poking” to “linking in”, social media is very
much a part of the business arena in today’s culture. Kathi Evans
(SocialTyze) emphasized that as meeting professionals, using social
media efficiently and effectively is imperative. Judi Froehlich,
CMM (BCD M&I) and Kay Boles, CMP, CMM, CHE (UCLA Conference
Services) finished the day sharing information about certification
and scholarships, as well as higher education and meeting
standards. In order to continue to develop professionally, it’s
important to always be considering the next step and always
working for continuous improvement.
After attending Basics I, Eric Chung, from Hilton Pasadena, said
that, as a supplier the session helped him immensely in understanding how planners think and what they need. This in turn
helps him to ensure the meeting planner has an exemplary
meeting or event. This just goes to emphasize that the “P” in CMP
includes both suppliers and planners alike. It truly “takes a village”
to produce successful meetings and events; everyone benefits
from these educational sessions. As your mother likely said “you
learn something new every day”, so keep your eyes open for the
next MPISCC educational seminar.
WWW.MPISCC.org
15
Wi-Fi: The Lifeblood of Events –
Should It Be Free to Attendees?
By Corbin Ball, Corbin Ball & Associates
A
s the use of mobile event apps continues to explode,
there is an increasing demand by attendees to have
easy-access, barrier-free and, hopefully, cost-free Wi-Fi in the
meeting space and in sleeping rooms. Consider these statistics:
• Wi-Fi internet access is the most important hotel amenity
for U.S. travelers - TripAdvisor survery, 1,248 responses,
January 2012
• 88% of travelrs expect Wi-Fi internet access to be free of
charge in all lodging types --TripAdvisor survery, 1,248 responses, January 2012
• 65% said they have used free Wi-Fi Internet in an accommodation's lobby to avoid paying for in-room charges -TripAdvisor survery, 1,248 responses, January 2012
• Free in-room Internet access ranked as the most desired
guest-room amenity. -- Synovate survey, 2011, 6,300 people,
10 countries
• 47 percent of respondents said a hotel must cater to their
technology needs before they book it, with wireless access a
top priority. -- Synovate survey, 2011, 6,300 people, 10
countries
• Internet access is at the top of things most guests care about
hotels (including luxury, upscale, mid-scale full-service, economy/budget, and extended stay properties) -- J.D. Powers
Survey, 201
• Free Wi-Fi affects the choice of venue (64% yes; 31%
maybe/depends on other factors as well; 5% no) – InStat
survey, September 2010
Increasingly, meeting attendees are carrying around one or
more wireless internet-enabled devices. They are business travelers and expect to check email, use social networks (40% of
all tweets are mobile), and wish to take advantage of a wide
range of mobile meeting and travel apps. For international
attendees, the cost of roaming fees is often prohibitively
expensive. Wi-Fi is their lifeline to stay connected.
With this growing need and demand by attendees, planners
are pressing venues for free event Wi-Fi and are making this a
key criterion for venue selection. Associations such as ABPCO
(Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)
have a country-wide initiative to promote free basic conference Wi-Fi for attendees (see www.theconferencecloud.co.uk
for details).
The Challenges:
There are many issues involved:
• 60% of travelers in the US, Europe and Australia indicate
they already have had a poor hotel downloading experience
because the system was slow. -- Ttnooz, Nov. 2011
• Many facilities are unable to keep up with the demand. The
2011 Consumer Electronics Show (the world’s largest technology show) asked attendees to turn off their phones and Wi-Fi
to enable access for the keynote presenters.
• The demand for broadband is exploding for many events.
For example, 5,000 attendees consumed one terabyte (one
thousand billion bytes) of data via Wi-Fi in four days at the
London Frieze Art Fair, Oct. 2011. This is one example of many.
• 90% of meeting professionals have smartphones and/or
iPads/tablet computers and 62% use their apps constantly
throughout the day (M&C Research Survey, December 2011).
• A November 2011 white paper by iBahn, a major hotel
Internet provider, notes that 25% of devices on their network
are iPads. These video streaming and media consumption
devices use 400% more data that the average iPhone.
• 25 million iPads have been sold as of June 2011
(UnwiredView) and an amazing 5 million Wi-Fi only Amazon
Kindle Fire tablets are estimated to have been sold in the last
three months of 2011(J.P. Morgan, December 2011).
• This explosion of iPad and other tablet computers is driving
bandwidth requirements to what is felt by some hotels to be
unsustainable levels. To quote David Garrison, iBahn CEO
in the November 2011: “The iPad is the final nail in the ‘all
internet is free’ coffin.”
• There is a big discrepancy between event organizers and
venue managers on whether attendees should receive free
Wi-Fi: 90% off organizers say yes while only 48% of facility
managers replied favorably (IAEE Survey, July 2011).
• 64% of venue managers and CVB stakeholders feel that
show managers have unrealistic expectations when it comes to
what they want and are willing to pay for regarding event
Wi-Fi (Red 7 Media, Summer 2011).
Some solutions:
The facts are that the Wi-Fi at many venues is not satisfactory (it sucks!) and with increasing bandwidth requirements
things are getting worse. What can or should be done?
Continued on page 16
I N T E R C O M
March/April 2012
16
I N T E R C O M
Continued from page 5
Here are some recommendations:
• Meeting venues need to plan on high double-digit annual
growth in Wi-Fi bandwidth requirements at least for the next
five years. The good news is technically this is completely
feasible. According to Ian Bull, head of sales business
development for the Wireless Technology Group for Cisco,
there is “significant growth potential for Wi-Fi using micro
cells and Wi-Fi Hotspot 2.0 technology. Even very large venues
with thousands of simultaneous users can be managed
in a way that good quality wireless internet signal can
be provided.”
• Venues must step up to the plate and build the infrastructure
for this growth. This will increasingly be the deciding factor in
venue selection.
• Meeting venues should provide detailed assistance to meeting planners to help them determine the Wi-Fi and Internet
requirements. It is not enough to reply “yes we can provide
Wi-Fi.” Many questions need to be asked, such as: Wireless
Internet for how many people simultaneously? On what
devices? For what apps? In what locations? How much bandwidth is needed? Venues must know their capabilities and
limitations well and communicate them to clients.
• Meeting planners also must educate themselves as well to the
specific needs of their attendees, their expectations, their
Internet requirements, and must be very clear to venues about
what they expect in detailed requests for proposal.
Dealing with Costs:
A major challenge is cost. Meeting venues are for-profit
entities and the demand for Internet services is growing
exponentially. How can these costs be offset or limited?
Here is my view:
• Venues should provide basic, mobile-friendly Wi-Fi Internet
access (512kb/s) throughout the entire facility (sleeping
rooms/lobby/meeting rooms/exhibit hall) for free without the
need for extensive log-in procedures. 512kb/s is fast enough to
check email, tweet, and do some basic web browsing but not
fast enough to stream HD video, download audio files, etc.
• Provide a reasonable rate “premium service” for attendees
who desire more speed.
• Charge reasonable rates for specialized services: dedicated
bandwidth, dedicated IP address, VPNs, specialized exhibit
services, etc. As an example, the Las Vegas Convention Center
(one of the largest in the world) in November 2011, launched
their Internet service plan: free for basic service, $13/day for
premium service, and $100 for exhibitors.
• Another option to offset costs is for meeting planners to
solicit Internet sponsorship. Internet access and mobile apps
have many opportunities for splash page or banner ad
sponsors. These page views are completely trackable and
can provide great visibility to attendees using a much
desired service.
• With the increase in smart phones and tablets, cyber-cafes
are going the way of the banks of pay phones. Divert the
sponsorship funds and other monies spent on these services to
help offset the cost of attendee Internet access.
• Venues should also look for sponsors. Meeting attendees
spend money at nearby establishments. Many of these
businesses would likely be willing to pay for advertising space
on conference Wi-Fi services to gain visibility.
• Planners, exhibitors and attendees should expect to pay for
premium Internet services. Venues are for-profit entities and
have every right to charge to cover costs at the minimum.
However, planners and attendees should not be gouged with
exorbitant fees. Hotels, convention centers and other venues
should not consider Internet services a major profit center any
more that they consider providing lights and water for
attendees and guests – Wi-Fi has become an expected utility.
• The price gouging employed by a number of upper mid-scale
and luxury hotel properties (i.e. US$9.95/day/each device) must
stop! Planners and hotel guests commonly will be making
venue decisions based on fair policies for Internet access.
Wi-Fi challenges will likely get worse before they get better.
The increasing demand will exceed the supply as venues
struggle to upgrade their Internet infrastructure. It will be
incumbent on all venues to gear up for these increased bandwidth demands. It will also be important for planners,
exhibitors, attendees and venues to educate themselves on the
issues and help each other find the optimum way for providing
Wi-Fi for events. As Wi-Fi increasingly becomes the communication life-blood of events, we will all need to work toward
optimal solutions.
Corbin Ball, CMP, CSP is a consultant, writer and speaker focusing on events and meetings technology. With 20 years of
experience running international citywide technology meetings, he now helps clients worldwide use technology to save
time and improve productivity. He has been named by
MeetingNews Magazine for four years as one of the “25 Most
Influential People in the Meetings Industry.” He has also
chaired the judging committee for EIBTM Technology Watch
for meetings technology innovation for the past eight
years. He can be contacted at his extensive web site:
www.corbinball.com and followed onwww.twitter.com/corbinball.
© 2012 Corbin Ball Associates
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
WWW.MPISCC.org
17
Find Your Perfect Match:
Advertise On The New MPISCC.org!
By Laura Perry
Finding the perfect supplier/planner relationship in the meeting industry is a lot like dating: it’s all about
first impressions. Advertising on MPISCC.org is an excellent way to memorably get your company’s name
in front of key decision makers in the meeting planning industry.
By showing off what you have to offer in 2012, your company can take full advantage of the increased
member traffic and greater visibility that coincides with MPISCC’s new-and-improved website.
Additional advertising opportunities are available through our Intercom publication and STATS
(Short Timely Announcements To Share, a monthly email blast). Interested parties can contact MPISCC at
info@mpiscc.org or peruse the advertising kit on www.mpiscc.org.
I N T E R C O M
March/April 2012
18
I N T E R C O M
MPISCC Welcomes New Members
Sara Mason
Realter.com
805-557-3291
Diana Stern
Oakmont Country Club
818-542-4275
Linda Kelley
WHW Ministries
888-949-2378
Reiley McClendon
805-557-0333 x127
Sandra Torenburg
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
619-764-6442
Marie Leighton
Hard Rock Cafe
303-606-7150
Wendy Meade, CMP
Amgen Inc
805-447-2116
Allyson Levine
310-202-5200 x216
Amita Patel
310-315-3182
Tamera Love
323-692-6495
Tiffany Robinson
Loma Linda University Medical
Center
909-651-1986
Kristy Jacobs
310-551-3384
Stephanie Luros-Gilbert
818-282-2207
Ani Mardakhanian
310-423-4635
Sheri Stachowski
Schneider Publishing
Company, Inc.
310-577-3700
THANK
YOU TO THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER
Jena Wagner
Terranea Resort
310-265-2837
Cindy Weissman
310-489-9664
Margo Wiechen
Embassy Suites Convention
Center Las Vegas
702-947-7173
Natalie Wong
213-955-8574
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F
Editor-in-Chief
Jerry Cowart
Jerry Cowart Designers, Inc.
818-718-5981
Graphic Design & Production
Jerry Cowart, Hilary Cowart
Jerry Cowart Designers, Inc.
818-718-5981
Contributing Editors
Christine Hartman
Elizabeth McDonald
MPISCC S T R AT E G I C P A R T N E R S
WWW.MPISCC.org
19
MPISCC
March 2012
Wednesday, March 21
Evening Coffee - 5:15 pm - 7:00 pm
Topic: Pricing for events and conferences:
Suppliers - How do you set your rates?
What items are worth more and which are
more negotiable?
Planners - What are you willing to pay
more for? Where are costs more flexible?
Various Locations
Tuesday, March 27
EdCon 2012
ROC - Return on Connections, Return on
Collaboration, Return on Commitment
Location: Sheraton Fairplex Hotel &
Conference Center
April 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Lunch Meeting
Topic: Understanding Meetings Cost in the
New Reality
Location: Beverly Garland Hotel,
North Hollywood
CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
Wednesday, April 18
Morning Coffee - 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Topic: Food and Beverage- What banquet
food trends do you love or hate? What
would you bring back that you haven't
seen in awhile? Cocktail trends for 2012 –
what are some creative drinks you have
seen? Presentations of them?
Wednesday, June 20
Morning Coffee - 7:30 am - 9:00 am
Topic: Rentals - What are the trends?
Where are the dollars going? Suppliers what are the 'must haves' or most called
for? Planners - how important is the look
of your meeting to the budget?
Various Locations
Various Locations
May 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Lunch Meeting
Location: The Lounge on level 3
Santa Monica Mall
Speaker: Incoming MPI Chairman
Kevin Hinton
Topic: “I am MPI”
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Evening Coffee - 5:15 pm - 6:30 pm
Topic: Entertainment - Planners - is it back
in the budget for your company? Suppliers
- are we getting more requests? What kind
is trending?
Various Locations
June 2012
July 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Breakfast Meeting
Topic: Social Media
Location: Milken Institute
Register online at: www.mpiscc.org
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: We care about our MPISCC members! MPISCC members with a
demonstrated financial hardship (unemployment, family trauma, etc.) may request a complimentary registration for up to three
monthly programs per year. Please email the MPISCC office at info@mpiscc.org to explain your situation. You will need to apply
for this registration prior to the Early Bird deadline.
INTERCOM is published by Meeting Professionals International, Southern California Chapter, a nonprofit, professional association of
meeting planners and suppliers. Suggestions and contributions of articles and services are welcome. All copy should be sent to
Jerry Cowart, Editor, INTERCOM, c/o Jerry Cowart Designers, Inc., 22301 Acorn St., Chatsworth, CA 91311 • E-Mail: JCDeziner@aol.com
MPISCC Mission Statement
MPISCC will be recognized as the leading
local membership community that is committed
to shaping and defining the meetings and event
industry in Southern California.
I N T E R C O M
March/April 2012