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|  Greetings MPI North Florida!
As my year as President is coming to an end, I am reflecting on some of our great accomplishments over the past year. Our membership is strong and our retention of members is one of the best with MPI. We had excellent results on the recent MPI Member Satisfaction Survey, where you ranked our chapter and the #2 chapter in the world for quality leadership. In Febuary, we look a giant step forward in our efforts to grow in Tallahassee with our partnership with XSITE. We had our most lucrative fundraising auction EVER in December. And we have set the stage for a hugely successful SEC: Tomorrow's Wave at Omni Amelia Island.
I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your support over the past year. We have many very talented people in this organization who are dedicated to the success of our chapter. I am writing this message from the annual board retreat, which was made possible by the generous support of Renaissance World Golf Village. I am excited about the energy in this room and the direction in which your President-elect, T. J. Worrell is leading our group. This is a great time for you to become more involved in MPI North Florida. At our May 14 meeitng, we will share more information on how you can get a better "Return on your Involvement" in MPI. I look forward to seeing you then!
Melissa Milione, CMP, CPCE
President, MPI North Florida |
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Anthony Fabrizio
Creative Staging Services, Inc.
Jaya Larkin
St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau |
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| Rajeev Brown is in our Supplier Spotlight this month. Rajeev is a Sales Manger at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville responsible for managing  corporate groups in the southeast.
Prior to this, he worked at Hyatt Regency Indianapolis as their marketing manager and also worked at Hyatt Regency Columbus.
Rajeev is native of Dayton, Ohio. He moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2011 to explore new opportunities within Hyatt. He enjoys bacon, beach life, sports, traveling and going to concerts.
He has been a proud member of MPI since 2011 and looks forward to her next venture as VP of Membership for MPI North Florida beginning in July! |
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Francine Esposito was promoted to Director of Group Sales at the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort.
HelmsBriscoe recognizes Florida associates during Annual Business Conference
April 17 – 20, 2013
During the HelmsBriscoe Annual Business Conference held in Orlando, FL, April 17 – 20, 2013, several members of the HelmsBriscoe Florida Team were recognized for their accomplishments.
Bill Briscoe, the firms Chief Industry Relations Officer, and Roger Helms, founder and CEO of HelmsBriscoe, were on hand to personally present the Awards at the 21st Anniversary of the founding of HelmsBriscoe.
Florida Team members Amy Martell CMP, Andrea Milrad , Cheryl Schreiner, Christopher Giblin CMP, Heather Allen, Jill Garcia, Lori Morgan, Susan Paul and Vickie Corder CMP, all were recognized for being among the highest producing HelmsBriscoe associates.
Included is this group are former MPI Chapter Presidents, MPI Chapter Board Members, MPI Chapter Planners of the Year, MPI Chapter Meeting Professionals of the Year and other MPI volunteers and award winners.
HelmsBriscoe is the preeminent meetings resource company in the world. With over 1,200 associates in over 50 countries, HelmsBriscoe booked over 35,000 events last year. HelmsBriscoe is committed to providing its clients with the highest level of integrity, professionalism and value during all facets of the meeting planning process. HelmsBriscoe is a proud sponsor of the MPI Foundation’s “25 Years of Giving Campaign” to provide educational opportunities in the meeting profession.
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| What? MPI Southeast Educational Conference
The 2013 Southeast Educational Conference is hosted by the MPI North Florida Chapter. The regional conference will take place August 21-23, 2013, in Amelia Island, Florida at the Omni  Amelia Island Plantation.
The SEC is designed to support Meeting Professionals International’s commitment of providing programs that enhance the growth and development of its members.
This regional conference provides the best value and attendee experience in the region for meeting professionals and business partners. The conference has been produced annually for the past 20 years. It attracts between 450-650 meeting planners and suppliers to share knowledge, build relationships and provide business opportunities.
When? Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - Friday, August 23, 2013
Where? Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Celebrating the completion of an extensive $85 million re-imagination, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation is one of Florida’s award-winning island destination.
Recognized for offering a luxury resort experience in perfect harmony with nature, the oceanfront retreat, located just north of Jacksonville, Fla., is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway.
Situated on the 1,350-acres of the Amelia Island Plantation, the property's improvements include 404 luxury oceanfront guest rooms and suites; the largest pool deck in Northeast Florida including tiered lounge seating, an adults-only infinity edge pool, a family friendly pool, kids' splash area, two hot tubs, and fire features, all boasting spectacular Atlantic views; 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting space; and a variety of new culinary options.
Why Attend?
- Opportunities to network and build life-long friendships
- Create a personalized agenda that includes professional development and meeting specific topics
- Learn about trends and changes in our industry that are specific to your job
- An industry tradeshow to assist you in capturing real opportunities to do business and build memorable events
Learn more about Sponsorship Opportunities here.
To discuss opportunities or for additional options, please contact the SEC Sponsorship Chair:
Vickie Corder, CMP | 904-268-0045 | vcorder@helmsbriscoe.com
For the most up to date information, please refer to www.mpisec.org. |
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NEW MPI CEO ANNOUNCED
By Jason Hensel April 16, 2013
After a comprehensive search, that began in June 2012, the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Board of Directors announced Monday, the appointment of Paul Van Deventer as MPI president and CEO, filling the top leadership role for the largest global meetings and events industry association.
Van Deventer will begin his new role leading the association’s global staff, including its offices in Europe and Canada, on April 29, 2013.
“The search committee looked at a broad array of candidates within and outside the industry,” said Michael Dominguez, MPI CEO Search Committee chair and senior vice president of sales at MGM Resorts International. “Our primary focus was to find a high-caliber, globally-minded leader with exceptional communications skills, brand building experience and the ability to drive incremental growth and engagement. Paul was that person. We believe he will prove to be a collaborative leader whose conviction, focus and intensity aligns well with the job at hand at MPI.”
Most recently, Van Deventer served as a vice president in the health and wellness division at Walgreens, the largest drugstore chain in the United States. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing revenue generation and client retention for Walgreens’ $500 million suite of employer-focused healthcare solutions. During his tenure at Walgreens, Van Deventer also led the national sales and account management team for the company’s $1 billion Prescription Benefit Management (PBN) subsidiary, Walgreens Health Initiative.
“Having led business groups for blue chip Fortune 100 companies, Paul is a seasoned senior executive with both international and travel industry experience and a proven track record for driving growth, creating brand value and developing high-performing, engaged teams from the inside out,” said Kevin Hinton, current MPI chairman and executive vice president of Associated Luxury Hotels International.
Earlier in his career, Van Deventer spent 22 years with American Express. While there, he had direct experience with the business travel sector and meetings and events when, as senior director of multinational sales and operations, he led a $350 million global business unit with responsibility for more than 50 business travel customer service centers, 500 employees and a meetings/events group focused on the automotive industry. He also spent two years directing American Express’ $3 billion travel and corporate card businesses in Australia and New Zealand. In his last position at American Express, Mr. Van Deventer built and led a team managing $8 billion in global corporate card relationships with the company’s largest multinational customers. His team achieved annual double digit top-line revenue growth, while delivering 32 percent year-on-year international growth, $1.9 billion in new sales and achieving “world-class” status in 14 of 14 employee satisfaction dimensions.
“Paul is client-focused, smart and engaging, possessing the skills and experience to build strong relationships and transform businesses,” Hinton said. “We believe he’s the right leader to leverage our existing strengths and strategy to broaden MPI’s impact – be it through new partnerships, products or market opportunities. He will be a compelling evangelist for MPI, as we look to expand our engagement with members, chapters, the business community and the broader meetings and events industry.”
Van Deventer feels fortunate to be stepping into a strong organization primed for continued success.
“MPI has a rich history of industry leadership, education and best practice facilitation, led by a group of passionate and engaged volunteers and professional staff,” he said. “I am excited to be returning to my meetings and travel roots to help leverage MPI’s strong brand and vibrant chapter network to invigorate and engage MPI members and expand MPI’s global reach and role as an industry advocate.” |
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| Media Contact:
sthorpe@mpiweb.org
+1.972.702.3098
Meeting Professionals International Announces 2013 RISE Award Recipients
Exceptional Leaders Recognized for Influence in Building Community
DALLAS, April 25, 2013 — Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is proud to announce the winners of the 2013 Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence (RISE) Awards. Four recipients have been selected this year for exceptional achievements in leadership and community initiatives. The award winners will be honored at the annual RISE Awards presentation and luncheon on July 22, 2013, during MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in Las Vegas.
The RISE Awards include annual awards in three categories: individual achievement, community
achievement and organizational achievement. Recipients are recognized for innovation, global
transferability, impact and influence within the meeting and event industry.
“The RISE Awards are confirmation that by working together, sharing our time and talent, we can
achieve success as individuals and grow as a community. These recipients have influenced others by following their passions and are an inspiration to us all,” said Barbara J. Cummins, CMP, CMM, chair of the RISE Awards Judging Panel.
The RISE Award for Young Professional Achievement will be presented to Maria Meschi of
Indianapolis for her contributions to the MPI Indiana Chapter. Meschi’s leadership as director of
marketing/public relations and director of Emerging Leaders has led to improved communications and networking for local members. She recently created the Emerging Leaders program to engage
students, young professionals and transitioning professionals in career and leadership development.
The RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership will be presented to speaker and author, Scott
Friedman, CSP. Based in Golden, Colo., Friedman has led several initiatives to bring the global speaking and meetings community closer together including founding the Global Speakers Summit and Meetings Industry Council of Colorado, and co?founding the International Association of Speakers Bureaus and National Speakers Association Council. His mission is to bring about positive change through collaboration with community connectors. Friedman is also the founder of “Together We Can Change The World,” an organization which brings speakers together with communities in Southeast Asia to fundraise, promote education and build sustainability in a children's home.
The RISE Award for Member of the Year will be presented to Miguel Neves of the United Kingdom for his volunteer leadership and influential work on communications, marketing and social media
initiatives for the MPI United Kingdom and Ireland Chapter. Currently serving as the vice president of finance, Neves also assists with the development of student?focused initiatives such as the chapter’s Young Achievers Award and Vanessa Cotton Memorial Scholarship. Neves has volunteered with MPI since 2008. He has worked on technology and social media educational events and has been a speaker at numerous industry events throughout Europe and North America. In addition, he serves on MPI’s International Knowledge Advisory Council.
The RISE Award for Community Achievement in Knowledge and Ideas will be presented to the eight MPI Canada chapters for the annual planning and hosting of National Meetings Industry Day
(NMID).Celebrated for 16 years, NMID draws in more than 1,000 attendees across the participating
cities of Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax. The primary goal of this annual day is to raise awareness of the meeting industry within the country and
communicate the value of the industry to the broader business community. The program’s success has been recognized by Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The RISE Award presentation will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Convention
Center on July 22, 2013, during MPI’s WEC event. WEC is the largest educational gathering of meeting and event professionals in the world. For more information, please visit www.mpiweb.org/wec
About MPI
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event
industry association. The organization helps its members thrive by building human connections
through knowledge and ideas, relationships, and marketplaces. MPI membership is comprised of more than 21,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. For additional information, visit www.mpiweb.org. |
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013: May Educational Luncheon
So You Think You are Covered? Event and Meeting Risk Management: Are You Really Covered?, Speaker: Brian Avery,
President & Owner, Event Safety & Security Services, LLC
TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse
11:00am - 1:00pm
MPI NF Board Meeting: 9:00am (Open to all members)
Register Here!
Thursday, May 16, 2013: May Educational Luncheon
Goal-Setting Doesn't Work - A Different Way to Finish Strong in 2013
Speaker: Jan Spence
Jan Spence & Associates
Andrew's 228 Restaurant
11:30am - 1:30pm
Register Here!
Thursday, May 30, 2013: MPI After 5
Black Sheep Restaurant
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Register Here!
Thursday, June 6, 2013: MPI North Florida Awards Gala & Board Installation
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
5:30pm - 9:00pm
Register Here!
August 21 - 24, 2013: MPI SEC
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
Register Here! |
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by Donna Kastner April 22, 2013
We're all becoming more mindful of portion control these days and that's a good thing. After decades of super-sizing, we're wising up and right-sizing food and beverage portions, both in our personal lives and at our conferences and events.
Still, there's one area where portion control hasn't quite taken hold.
Portion Control As It Applies to the Conference Experience
- Are you still trying to serve too many people?
Might you do better to identify a shorter list of highly valued segments and serve them best? People your exhibitors and sponsors most want to see?
- Are you still printing a 75+ page program guide?
Might you do better to thin out the print guide and move more content to digital streams, like the "always up to date" mobile app? Do you really believe your attendees are reading all those pages and ads?
- Are you still jamming more sessions into your conference agenda -- more than your audience can reasonably consume in a single sitting (conference)?
Might you do better to thin out your agenda so attendees aren't overwhelmed by too many choices and can more quickly decide which session they'll attend?
- Are you still delivering content in lengthy one-way presentation streams, oversaturating attendee brains with more information than they can process at a single clip?
Might you do better to have speakers chunk down content into shorter segments (no longer than 10 minutes each)?
- Are you cramming sessions too tightly, not allowing enough whitespace (unprogrammed content time) for attendees to think and reflect?
Might you do better to have 20-30 minutes between sessions, so attendees can gather informally in pre-convene spaces to talk through how they might apply what they just learned?
- Are you still signing on a multitude of uncompensated speakers, each delivering a single session at your conference?
Might you do better to work with fewer speakers, pay them, and have them each deliver multiple sessions - or even sequential content?
- Does your conference span more days than is needed?
Might you do better to trim down the length by a day, but make sure what you deliver is premium content?
Just a little food for thought.
Photo Credit: mag3737 via Compfight cc
http://blog.cvent.com/blog/meeting-planning-innovation/conference-portion-control-vs-all-you-can-eat
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