"Remember to always sit in the attendee's chair, no matter what it looks like!"

-Joanne Dennison

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 part of your journey.

What Does Joanne Really Do?

Many of you know me from my CMP classes, but teaching is only a part of my business.

I facilitate. It can be for panels, boards, departments, committees, or any group that needs an outsider to help bring order.

This is a picture from a recent strategic planning session I facilitated with an executive board.

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

View Boston

I haven’t been yet but am looking forward to it! One of the very newest venues in Boston.

https://viewboston.com/groups/

Are you paying attention to the pending hotel workers strikes in the US?

Thanks to Katherine Millette, CMP for this article. She is in Chicago which appears to be next.

Hotel Workers Strikes LA Times

Satisfaction Survey

Don’t we all wonder what’s going on with other planners? Salary, Job responsibilities, how they are treated….if they are looking?

Salaries, Structure, and Satisfacton Meetings Net

Respecting the People and the Land of Indigenous People with Meetings, Events, Tourism

I attended a virtual presentation a few weeks ago on this subject. It sounded like it was something I had no knowledge or exposure to, and I was right. My head is still processing what I learned, and how to move forward with the information. In the meantime, we came across a theater near us that had this statement on the website. I was glad to run across something that was an example.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

"Studio Theatre Worcester operates in Worcester, MA on land originally inhabited by the Indigenous people of the Nipmuc tribal nation. We acknowledge the painful history of genocide, selling into slavery, land theft, forced removal from this territory, and forced relocation onto reservations. We are grateful for the long history of stewardship of this land by the Nipmuc people, which predates written record, and we honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather."

https://www.studiotheatreworcester.org/press

Were You Planning on Getting Your CMP in 2023?

You Only Have Half the Year Left!

Don't delay any longer!

Register for the Summer Virtual CMP Class before it fills up!

Learn More on The MeetGuide website

Register Today!

Now a special announcement from our

dear friends at AVFX:

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

Meetings and Events

Child-Friendly Conferences

This used to be “a thing” and I see it coming back, especially with the emphasis on “Bleisure Travel” and making events more accessible to parents.

I will say one thing I have been saying for years. Having a kid’s program puts you at high risk. I am not saying do not have one, but hire experts. Don’t say to me “How hard can it be? I have kids.” That makes you sound like all the people that say “How hard can it be…” about meeting and event planning. Hiring experts also mitigates the probability and the consequences for your Risk Plan! You have transferred part of the risks---those of you who have taken my class know exactly what I am talking about.

Is Your Conference Child-Friendly AMI

C2 Montreal

I heard about C2 a few years ago and have been interested in it since. The plan is to go next year. This is NOT an industry conference, but certainly anyone in meetings and events could benefit from!

C2 Montreal 2023 BizBash

Biz Bash Favorite Events So Far in 2023

They are all interesting but the last one really got me thinking….

Favorite Events in 2023 BizBash

New "Joanneisms" Sticker Sheets!

Your favorite “Joanneisms” now on a sticker sheet!

These stickers are made of thick, durable vinyl with a weatherproof laminate coating that protects them from scratches, water, and sunlight. They are perfect for sticking on your water bottle, laptop, clipboard, binder, and more!

Now available for purchase! Special $10 introductory price for a single sticker sheet.

Single Sticker Sheet

Order here

3-pack Sticker Sheets

Order here

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

Hotels and Venues

6 Ways Hotel Sourcing Has Changed

Eye Opening. You need to know this…big changes are happening and if you are not careful you may end up in a tough place explaining to your supervisor…

How Hotel Sourcing Has Changed MeetingsNet

In-House AV and Outside

Do you ever want to bring in your own AV? And you don’t because it’s union, or you are told you “can’t” , or that you will be charged for NOT using the hotel AV (don’t even get me started on this one…)---here is some really good information to know!

Thanks to Jaime Smith, CMP for providing the first two and the third is one I was reading at the same time.

What You Should Know Before Signing SmartLink

Retain Your Rights to Use an Outside AV Partner Choice Live

AV, Unions, and Right-To-Work States Prevue Meetings

Six Historic Buildings That Are Now Hotels

You probably know this about me if you have been reading this for a while….I love historic buildings.

Classic Buildings Turned Into Hotels USA Today

French Lick- West Baden Springs Hotel

So I guess I started a hotel bucket list somewhere along the way. This was one of the hotels on it, because I saw it in an industry magazine (back when they were in print). To see what it was and what it became was so exciting. Got to stay there in 2012 and it was as good as I hoped. This makes me sad.

French Lick Hotel Closed from Storm Damage Wave

French Lick Hotel (Website)

New Podcast Episode!

In the third and final part of “Risk Unplugged”, Joanne, Linda Robson, PhD, Meg Caldwell, CMP, and Tracy Baer, CMP, CFMP, wrap up their discussion on risk management by focusing on risk strategies and evaluation.

Listen Now!

You can find all Sit In The Attendees Chair episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and the Podbean App!

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

Travel

Dress Codes for Flying

Oh I wish…

Why We Need A Dress Code for Flying USA Today

Airline Customer Service Dashboard from the US Department of Transportation

Need to understand what the airlines have to do about family Seating? Controllable Cancellations? COntrolable Delays?

US Department of Transportation

United App – Hotel and Meal Vouchers Right on the App – USA Today

No standing in line!

New Self-Service Options in United App USA Today



Stuff You Don't Know You Need For Your Next Trip

Odd, unusual, but useful stuff possibly.

37 Summer Travel Products BuzzFeed