"Halloween was confusing. All my life my parents said, 'Never take candy from strangers.' Then they dressed me up and said, 'Go beg for it.'" — Rita Rudner

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

Last Edition

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Fall CMP Exam Prep Class - 1 Week Away!

The class is a total of 16 hours, held over 4 virtual sessions:

• Saturday, November 1
• Sunday, November 2
• Saturday, November 15
• Sunday, November 16

Each session runs from 1:00–5:30 PM Eastern Time.

This is the final CMP class of the year, and prices will increase to $980 in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to join at the current price of $780 USD!

Reminder: Students can retake future classes at no additional cost. So even if now isn’t the perfect time to take the class, registering now locks in the lower price and gives you continued access to future classes when you’re ready.



If you’ve been waiting for the right time to take the class, now is the time!

Learn more and register today! Click Here

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

Halloween Fun…

Halloween Cocktails for Spooky-Season Soirées BizBash

My night as a vampire, at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights USA Today

How About a Cat Show? 

What it takes to be America’s top house cat National Geographic

And out of respect…

Many of you know I had the opportunity and pleasure to teach CMP classes in Thailand. I went to the Mother’s Day races at Queen Sirikit Convention Center one year. My prayers and sympathy for my friends in Thailand.

Thailand's Queen Mother Sirikit, influential style icon, dies at 93​ Reuters

CMP Recertification

Only two months left! Don't forget, you'll need 25 Continuing Education (CE) hours, and this has to be done by December 31, 2025.

In need of CEs? Here are a few options:

Attend my Fall CMP Class and you’ll receive 16 CE hours. Learn more: HERE

Other options that offer free webinars (live and on-demand) for CE credit:

• NorthStar Meetings Group
• Smart Meetings
• Meetings Today  



Visit the EIC website to learn more about recertification requirements and how to apply.

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

Meetings and Events



Authenticity In Event Production

A word used a lot. Do we do that in our meetings and events?

Authenticity in Event Production: Precision Meets Presence AVFX

5 Ways to Work with Recent Meeting Trends

Nothing stays the same.

Maritz COO on 5 Ways to Play Recent Meeting Trends Meetings Today

Gunman Storms Stage at Wikipedia Conference

Are you prepared? I am in a state of mind that anything, and I mean anything, can happen.

Gunman Wearing 'Non-Offending Pedophile Sign' Arrested At NYC Wikipedia Event HuffPost Latest News

Experiences

As I am putting this together, I was talking with Heather Eick, CMP and we were taking about expereincial activations for marketing and how they are and can be used at events. We also talked about how we are both watching “On Brand” and their experincial activations for Marshall’s and Pillsbury. When I started working on the articles for this I suddenly realized I had a lot on the topic. I told her I know some people do not understand why I put things in like that “because they are not a meeting or event”. Or are they? Or more importantly how can you adapt the ideas and concepts for your meetings and events?

Event Activations LinkedIn

MoonLab Productions' Work at Groceryshop Las Vegas BizBash

Canva Hits the Road for a Global Creativity Tour BizBash

Experiential Marketing Trend of the Week: Curious Columns Event Marketer

First Time Attendees

How do You make them feel welcome?

How to make first-time attendees feel welcome Association Meetings International

MPI New Jersey 9th Annual CMP/CMM Recognition Event

Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm

Location: The Albion Summit in Summit, New Jersey

Are you going? I will be attending and would love to see you if you’re there! Please let me know if you will be attending. You can contact me at Joanne@JoanneDennison.com

Register Here

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

Hotels and Venues

Are Your Meeting Rooms Being Stolen?

This topic never seems to die because people continue to find new ways to do it. If you have not heard the term Pirate or Poacher in regards to the industry, make sure you read this article.

Pirates and Poachers Persist pcma

Sit in the Attendees Chair Podcast

Are you traveling this holiday season? Listen to the Sit In The Attendees Chair Podcast on your journey!

You can find all episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean!

Episode spotlight: Ask Outrageously with Linda Swindling, JD, CSP (Episode 18)

Listen to Joanne talk with Jaime Smith, CMP, Laura Payne, CMP, and special guest Linda Swindling, JD, CSP, as they discuss the importance of knowing what questions to ask, how we should ask them, and when we should ask them to get the desired end result.

Listen here https://youtu.be/xfckCVgXzF4?si=8j652Q8MmD-m1S7v 

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

Travel

Who Determines What Bag You Can Carry On Your Flight?

You may be surprised.

Why most airlines have the same carry-on bag limits USA Today

US Government Warns Against Travel to Two European Countries

It’s hard to keep track with things changing all the time.

US government warns about travel to two European countries TheStreet

Why Do We Tolerate Paying More and Getting Less?

This is true for many things other than air and hotel….like groceries. But we will stick to travel.

How travelers got tricked into thinking bad service is their fault USA Today

I loved receiving this photo of two of my former CMP students, Candice Batts, CMP (left), and Sheritta Session, CMP (right), enjoying a jazz concert together in New Jersey! I’m so glad to have been part of their CMP journeys and that my class helped bring them together.

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

Career and Life

Almost anyone in this industry has probably been referred to as having OCD, and maybe ADHD too. A lot of of it goes with out personalities of being very detail oriented and being able to jump from one topic another. However for those who truly have been diagnosed---how do we handle it correctly?

The Worst, and Best, Things to Say to Someone With OCD TIME

The Worst Thing to Say to Someone With ADHD TIME