“There is so much fear and hate. We must negate it with active, courageous love.” — Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez

Just in case you missed the last edition, here is a link to it for you

Last Edition



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Congratulations New CMPs



I have crossed paths during their preparation through a mixture of my 16-hour virtual classes, my two-day in-person classes, the MPI Global Master Class, my videos, and some random conversations. I am very proud and happy for you, and it means a lot to have been pat of your journey.

Things That Interest Me...and Maybe You (Part 1)

For those of you who might actually remember the 90’s.. Or not.

My favorites are the Slinky’s ( a total OMG) and the VHS tapes…

This Corporate Event Has All the '90s Decor Inspo You Need BizBash

Wedding Planners Emergency Kit

Not sure you will be that surprised and I am betting many things overlap with your event kit. Totally on board with Floral Wire. One of my big go-tos is also dental floss, but not to be used as dental floss---it can cover so many needs!

I'm a professional wedding planner. Here are 4 surprising items I always pack in my wedding emergency kit to avoid disaster. Insider

Burning Man Preparation

At first I was rolling my eyes when this started happening , and then I read that there are very specific and complete instructions for how to prepare for this event---it’s just a lot of people don’t take it seriously. It is quite the Know Before You Go. I wonder how much that has changed over the years as celebrities started attending.

From wood blocks to ‘poop buckets,’ how Burning Man organizers told festivalgoers to prepare for heavy rain CNN

How autism-certified travel options can be life-changing for families

As we look to be more inclusive.

'She felt safe': How autism-certified travel options can be life-changing for families USA Today

November CMP Class

Early registration for my November Virtual CMP class is now open! New students who register during this time will receive a free CMP Prep To Go (v2)!

What is the CMP Prep To Go? 

It's an extremely user-friendly thumb drive that contains more than 80 study materials - videos, documents, and visual graphics, which can be helpful not only in preparing for the CMP exam but also in furthering your career. 

Please note that early registration is for new students only and ends on October 2 at 8:00PM ET. All other registrations will open on October 3 at noon ET. This includes Payment Plans and Take-Again registrations.

Register Today! - https://www.eventsquid.com/event/21627

Things That Interest Me...and Maybe You (Part 2)

Meetings and Events

What “ not obvious” Brand Would you Tie to Fashion Week?

This is a great example of thinking differently. What have you done that crossed lines ? A kitchen Mixer and Couture Fashion is definitely “thinking outside the box”., or “out of the kitchen” or “off the runway”…I’ll stop now.

Why These Unexpected Brands Took to the Fashion Week Runway BizBash

93% of Americans Have Issues with Online Meetings

Only 93%?

93% of Americans have complaints about meetings. Here are their top 8 do’s and don’ts Fast Company

FLEX Summer Camp

I had a wonderful time at FLEX Summer Camp last weekend, where I presented on “Your ROI”, and was on a panel about “Life After Badges and Specs: What’s Next?” Met three wonderful women, Rebecca Takemoto, Corinne Routhier and Kawania Wooten, and reconnected with Melissa Benowitz, who was a MPI Chapter President when I was!

Kathryne Gardette and I met at a CMP information session over ten years ago. We haven’t been in contact since, so it was an amazing surprise when see recognized me at the event! It was so nice to reconnect after all this time and to hear that I was the one who kickstarted her CMP journey!

Joanne and Kathryne Gardette, MSPOD, CMP, CTA

Malinda Armstrong is one of my students who has taken my virtual CMP class. It was so nice to finally meet her in person!

Joanne and Malinda Armstrong

Steve the Great, Joanne, Claire Marble, Phil Rappaport

Things That Interest Me...and Maybe You (Part 3)

Hotels and Venues

First US Raffles Hotel Opens in Boston

I cannot wait to see it…

We Got a Sneak Peek Inside Raffles' First U.S. Hotel — Opening This Month With a Sky-high Bar and Next-level Views Travel + Leisure

A hotel of Train Cars?

You probably know by now I want to go. In Fact I want to have an event there. Or be at an event there.

Chattanooga Hotel Will Be a Themed-Meeting’s Dream MeetingsNet

What would you do if you walked in and no one was working at your hotel?

No not a strike.

Group of friends take over Nashville hotel for hours after no employees were found USA Today

Meet and Retreat 

Who is eligible to attend?

The Meet & Retreat is open to anyone who has taken a CMP class directly through me and my company whether it was the three-day or two-day in person, or the virtual classes of the past three year and the future. It is also open to anyone who took a class with me through another organization, such as:

MP Global WEC, PEC, MeetDifferent, IMEX Smart Mondays and CMP at Sea, Beijing, Thailand, Los Cabos and, also at least two Chapters.

Other industry organizations that had me teach half or full day CMP prep sessions, at their events.

To be eligible, you must have attended an actual all-day class that I taught.

Attending an information session with me does not count.

Dates:

Friday, November 17 – Sunday, November 19

On Saturday, November 18, we will be spending the day at AVFX, an event services production company in the Boston area. Many of you may be familiar with them if you have seen my Lighting video on YouTube, or “A Look Behind the Curtain” video on shown my classes or on the CMP Prep To Go.

More details coming soon!

Things That Interest Me...and Maybe You (Part 4)

Travel

United’s Biggest Ever Lounge now open in Denver

Wow. Over 600 comfortable chairs…

United Airlines debuts largest-ever lounge at Denver International Airport The Points Guy

Really Good Insights as to Being a Flight Attendant

And how we can be better, nicer and more respectful people and passengers. Is saying hello or good morning really that hard?

What flight attendants wish all travelers knew Vox

How to get your MAX VAT when traveling abroad

Although this is written from the individual viewpoint, it has great information and things you may want to share with your attendees in you Know Before You Go

How to get your maximum VAT refund when traveling abroad The Points Guy

MPI New Jersey

Are you going to the MPI New Jersey CMP/CMM Recognition Event, ‘The Awakening: Where Soul Meets Success’?

I will be attending and would love to see you if you are there! Please let me know if you plan on attending. You can contact me at Joanne@JoanneDennison.com

Event Date/Time: Thursday, October 5 at 8:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Location: The Chateau Grande Hotel

https://web.cvent.com/event/abb17559-9b1b-486b-9b2d-2fcf4d284dae/summary

Things That Interest Me...and Maybe You (Part 5)

Career

Salary Transparency Laws Growing

I think this is a good thing. It will also save a lot of time of people applying for jobs that will not fit financially, and save a lot of HR and Hiring Managers time for the same reason.

Salary transparency laws continue to sweep the country worklife

This is one of the biggest salary surveys done every year in our industry

The way you get the best information is by the most people filling it out. You will need it or want it some day so take the time to fill it out.

Welcome to the Annual Salary Survey for International Event Planners. PCMA

What is going on with Return to Office ?

Organizations are so split on this, reversing what they said just months ago, and some being very creative to find a middle ground that works for their organization.

Bosses mean it this time: Return to the office or get a new job! The Washington Post

One of the ones that is getting a lot of press….Smuckers

Smucker's has found a return-to-office solution that workers seem to like — in-person work for only 22 weeks a year Insider

In Office Productivity is the Worst in over 75 Years

And then of course there is this…

In-office productivity is the worst it’s been in 75+ years. This is how to fix it Fast Company