Special Features In This Issue
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- President's Corner by Molly Hudson, Immediate Past President
- CMP Corner by Joanne Dennison
- Event Contract Trends: What's Old May Be New Again by MaryAnne Bobrow
- Sponsor Spotlight: The Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina
- Member Corner, Welcome to our New Members
- 2019 Awards Program - Nominate a Chapter Leader Today
- Missed the Meeting? March Member Meet-Up and April GMID Celebration
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By Molly Hudson, CMM, CMP
Immediate Past President
Entering the twilight of your final year of board service is a lesson is duality. On the one hand I look forward to bringing some much needed focus back to my work and my family and friends but on the other hand I find myself feeling quite bereft of this major element of my world for the past 8 years. I’ve been on the board for 8 years!!! ... what does one do when that comes to an end? How do I find the balance I need without losing the community I’ve built and come to rely on?
I’ve struggled with these questions and found the answers are simple. One stays engaged and active in the community they’ve built and grown to rely on, one feels immense joy from of the labor of love that has been the past 8 years and one is proud of and excited for the leadership team this community will now benefit from. This was never about me and my journey, its always been about this amazing community to which we all belong and I am so proud to have had a small part in it. I am engaged on a global advisory committee, I will remain engaged on the chapter level and I will see you all at monthly meetings to come as we watch Bryan extend his legacy, Kristy come to the forefront and lead and Ainsley grow into future office.
You’ve all given me so much for which I am grateful and I have to ask one more thing of you. Our annual chapter awards program is live on the website and I’m incredibly passionate about recognizing the amazing volunteership within this chapter. Please take a moment and nominate yourself, a peer, a colleague before May 17
th
. All our volunteers give of themselves day in and day out to foster and grow this community and we should rise up and recognize them in June.
Thank you for all your support, guidance, time and talents - please extend all of this and more to my dear friend Kristy as she starts her presidential journey on June 26th at the Harvard Club.
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By Joanne Dennison, MSEd, CMP
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Are you scheduled to take the CMP Exam in May? The Events Industry Council widened their testing period and the next set of test dates is May 1-31, 2019.
In addition to reading the book, watch this video and hear all of Joanne's tried and true tips on how to prepare for and actually take the test.
Good luck in May! We'll look forward to celebrating your success in June.
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Event Contract Trends:
What's Old May be New Again
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By MaryAnne Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM
President
Bobrow Associates, Inc.
Today’s hotel meeting contracts are getting longer and longer and that would certainly indicate more specificity, if not more complexity. Whether contract trends are new or old, it is the meeting professional’s responsibility to read every single word of the contract carefully and seek advice from their legal counsel as warranted
.
What does your contract say about safety and security protocols? What about boilerplate clauses?
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Hotel Partner Living the Life of the Event Planner
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The MPI New England Board had the true pleasure of being hosted by the Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina last November for our semi-annual retreat. We were treated to some of the very best food, accommodations and hospitality Newport has to offer. Turns out Director of Sales and Marketing, Debbie Neves, and her team, are not only expert hoteliers, but talented event planners as well!
This past March, Debbie and team not only hosted, but planned the 3 day Shaner Hotel Group Annual Leadership Conference which included 126 attendees, as well as the CEO and President of the company. I asked Debbie about the challenges she faced as the Event Planner and what creative solutions she implemented to make this a memorable l experience for all of the participants.
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Q - In playing the Role of Hotel Partner AND Meeting Planner, what were the biggest challenges that you faced in the planning process? What were your solutions?
A
- 10 days prior to the start of the conference the facilitator increased the breakouts from 4 to 9 rooms ranging in size from 5 – 52 attendees.
With a total of 6,000 square feet of space available on-site, we decided to bring yachts into our marina to accommodate two of the breakouts! As you can imagine, it was very well received.
Recreating Newport in the ballroom was also a unique challenge.
Knowing that the participants would have limited free time to explore Newport, we brought Newport to all of them during the Opening Reception. Featured was local merchant Helly Hansen, Artist Larissa Martino who was painting and selling her artwork and Thames Glass, a local glass blower.
We also called on our neighbors on Bowen’s and Bannisters Wharf who agreed to offer in store discounts to our attendees. The guests were very appreciative of the shopping opportunities and took advantage of the savings!
Q - If you had to go back and do it again what would you change?
A
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Honestly, I would not change anything. It was absolutely perfect! Upon departure the lead facilitator stated he does not know who will want to host next year as it will be nearly impossible to top The Newport experience!
Are you a Meeting Planner and interested in experiencing the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina first hand? They are hosting an open house for meeting planners and vendors on Friday, May3rd from 10am – 8pm. This includes an industry rate, based upon availability, for Friday night. For the official invitation, please email Debbie at
DNeves@newporthotel.com
.
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When You Buy MPI , So Do Our Members!
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To connect with
Jenn Allard, our Advertising Sales Representative
, on marketing opportunities through MPI New England, click
HERE
.
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Welcome to these Members who joined in March!
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Rosemarie Atwood
, Aquifer, Inc., Office Manager and National Meetings Coordinator
Melissa Avedisian
, SMG/ RI Convention Center, Senior Sales Manager
Angela Garger
, Brandeis University, Director of Conference and Event Services
Melissa Kelly
, Taj Boston, Group Sales Manager
Erin Kutzm
, Beechwood Hotel, Director of Corporate Sales
Shannon Lorentsson
Rebecca Ponder
, SMG/ RI Convention Center, Sales Manager
Purvasha Saini
, Courtyard Marriott Cambridge, Sales Manager
Jennifer Santaniello
, Scout, Senior Event Planner
Jessica Stifel
, The CM Group, VP, Strategic Meetings and Congress Management
Amanda Wilmouth
, SMG/ RI Convention Center, Assistant General Manager
Eve Wrigley
, Communications Specialist
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Our Best Membership Incentive Yet! Join Now...
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2019 Awards Program
Nominate a Chapter Leader Today
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The Office of the President is pleased to announce th
e following categories are eligible for nominations:
- Kathy Keegan-Cummings Professional Development Scholarship Award
- Meeting Professional of the Year Planner/Supplier
- Sam Dame Chapter Leader of the Year Award
- Dayna Brunelli Tomorrow’s Leader Award
Nominations will be accepted through May 17th, 2019 11:59 PM EDT. Qualified nominees will be notified by May 20th and the awards will be presented during the June Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at The Harvard Club Boston.
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Add these events to your calendar and stay tuned for updates on all of our
Upcoming Events.
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April 10-May 1, 2019
Tell us What You Think!
Annual MPI Member and Chapter Satisfaction Survey
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Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Event:
MPINE Connects at Boston Red Sox
Location:
Fenway Park,
Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA
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Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Event
: Annual Meeting, Awards & Board Induction
Location
: The Harvard Club, 374 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston
More Details and Registration Coming Soon!
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In March, our Membership Committee lead the way and orchestrated a fun and memorable “meet-up” in appreciation of our current volunteers and to spread the word about other opportunities to join a committee and get more for your membership.
Shuffleboard, billiards, craft beer and delicious food filled the venue and were enjoyed by all.
Still interested in learning more about the MPINE committees and ways to get involved? Check out these descriptions
HERE.
A HUGE thank you to all of our talented volunteers, without whom we would not have a chapter!
Cheeky Monkey was the event sponsor, we are grateful for their support and partnership.
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Global Meetings Industry Day 2019
MPI New England partnered with PCMA New England to celebrate GMID at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center on April 4th. This 2
nd
annual GMID collaboration of the two organizations brought together over 250 planners & suppliers for a partner showcase and an educational program delivered by Andy Lansing, the CEO of Levy, who discussed the “10 Things I’ve Been Thinking About Lately, Inside and Outside the Meetings Industry”.
Bryan J. Lavin, MBA, CHE, Assistant Professor in the College of Hospitality Management at Johnson & Wales University and current MPI New England President, highlights "the meetings industry is critically important to the business landscape of New England and GMID is a perfect opportunity for us to spread that message. Partnering with PCMA New England allows us to truly have a unified voice in the market and celebrate all the contributions both of our organizations bring to this community."
A huge THANK YOU to all of our Sponsors:
Title Sponsor:
Event Sponsors:
- Massachusetts Convention Authority
- Projection
- Levy
Annual Sponsors:
- Party Rental Ltd
- David Fox Photographer
- VDA Productions
- Tristar
- Mountainview Grand Resort & Spa
- Your Love In Lights
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