Brought to you by Joanne Dennison, CMP, MS Ed.
Joanne's Meeting and Event EGuide
June 30, 2019
This is not a carefully curated collection. 
(Some of you have heard my feelings about the use of the word curated.)


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



Got a question? Want me to find something for you? Did you get this forwarded to you? If you would like to be on the list, text MEETGUIDE to 22828. Or just sign up here online!
Newsletter Contents:

Things that interest me... and maybe you!
How Much Is a Gallon of Coffee?
Clothing, Packing, Travel
Where Will I Be?
All Things CMP
Career and Jobs #EventCareerStrategy


Things that interest me….
and maybe you!



People are sick of drinking. Investors are betting on the “sober curious.” CNN

This is the second article I have seen recently on alcohol sales changing.

One I read said that millennial's are causing a large drop in both beer and alcohol sales. Many good reasons from health, to protecting your job. How will this effect our meetings and events? If we are working to be more inclusive, meaning anyone feels comfortable (including those who choose not to at the event) what are we going to offer other than water and pop/soda? If we are being charged a beverage package what is the bar going to serve, non-alcoholic? 

 

Papers, please! Don't let travel document problems ground your next vacation USA Today

It is getting more and more confusing so make sure you check. Also know that in some countries if you are working at a conference (including speakers and entertainers), you will need more paperwork than if you are attending the conference.





I love this article from many reasons. It was in Roadtrippers for Gay Pride Month. If you have not checked out Roadtrippers—do. Neat app. The history in this article is fascinating and the fact that they figured out a way to turn this cemetery into more than---a cemetery, is a great example of (multiple) problem solving when you think differently.





Laws Governing Service Animals at Meetings: What Event Planners and Facilities Need to Know – Meetings Today

At the beginning I trusted everyone who looked like they had a service animal. Then I began learning that there were some people who were just buying vests for their pets, so they could take them. What we really need to know is there is a lot of area in between. Just as with parking spots for the disabled, someone does not always “Look disabled”. Here’s a great article by a planner who deals with it all the time.




Check This Before Choosing an Unconventional Wedding Venue domino
Ok so it’s Wedding season, but that is not why I included it, so even those of you who swear never in your life will you plan a wedding (other than your own---maybe), it’s a good article on things to think about with non-traditional venues




HOW MUCH IS A GALLON OF COFFEE?

How many times have you heard this question in our industry? For planners it is a litmus test as to whether they can continue being interested in a property. Why? Because if you are trying to get a quick idea of whether you can even consider looking at a venue, on the Food and Beverage side, it is the one constant. Breakfast/Continental Breakfast/Breaks/Lunch etc all have too many variables. A gallon (or liter) of coffee is a just that. Can’t change it. Can’t vary it. So many planner use it to get a gauge of the pricing at a property, or even a geographical location (so they may ask a CVB/DMO the same to get a range).
Some venue sales people know it and use it. One of the best examples I ever saw, was watching a friend of mine who is DOS of a very nice casino resort property, who identifies themselves with the greater Chicago area. She was talking with a potential client and they said they did business in Chicago but would never consider going to the surrounding area. My friend asked: “What do you pay for a gallon of coffee?” The planner answered $100. My friend said: “Ours is $40”. The planner’s eyes got very large and replied “Let’s talk”.
My question to you is how much have you paid recently for a gallon of coffee, or if you are a venue, how much is yours? I want to post this for a few months, because I find when I discuss budgets with people, they cannot believe how much food and beverage varies location to location.
So to keep this as simple as possible please answer with just the flat charge for the coffee. No tax, no service charge, no gratuity. I would love to get some pricing from outside of the US so please share that information and how it is measured—Liter? 
I am also aware that some places, especially out of the US, you cannot even buy it except per person. For now, let’s stick to this and maybe that is a question for another day.

Please give me the venue and geographical location (please do not assume I know). I will assume you will allow your name to be in the EGuide, so if not let me know. Email me the info at joanne@joannedennison.com


A Gallon of Coffee Around The World - How Much?
Does not include any taxes, gratuities or service charges
Reported by my readers (listed in parentheses)

Sandusky, Ohio - Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions -- $35
( Chandler Cowley, Sales Manager)



Clothing, Packing, Travel
8 Things to do Before International Travel – The Points Guy



Hungry? Here's What Has Replaced Your Hotel Room Service Forbes

Hotel room service is being replaced by on-demand meal delivery services where ordering is as easy as a few swipes on your smartphone.
Last week we were in a hotel and we suddenly realized that we were watching many people go out to pick up their food….and there was a restaurant in the hotel, and many wit hin a five minute walk.



20 Best Packable Travel Jackets Travel Channel
Lightweight, weather-proof and warm, these jackets are designed to pack down tight to take up minimal space in your backpack or carry-on. From breezy summer nights to frigid winter excursions, these are the jackets you'll want.



The reason 'vacation brain' makes you want to up and move to paradise, Well+Good
We laughed in our household when we read this….if you only knew how many realtor listings we have read in at least 5 different countries….but you never know…



It’s Ridiculous That More Restaurants Don’t Have Purse Hooks Thrillist

Which is worse: balancing your handbag in your lap during a nice meal, constantly readjusting your purse as it slides off the back of your chair, allowing your bag to rest on a germy floor, or brandishing a tacky purse hook that will keep your purse safe, but looks undeniably dorky? 






New! Gift Cards !

Ever wish you could have some help paying for your CMP class? Or have the money to have The Guidance Counselor for Grown Ups (that’s the other part of me) work with you?
Now –your friends and family have the opportunity to help you move forward. Yep—I now have gift cards. They can be applied to anything I provide. It may not be as glamorous as a piece of jewelry, or as delicious as a drink at your favorite coffee place---but it will help you get to where you want to go.

Here’s the link, and let me know if you have questions!


Where Will I Be? Will I see you there?



CMP Master Class at Sea – January 16-18, 2020

Yep--I'll be teaching this. This MPI Global class will be held on Celebrity Cruise Line leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale. One of the things I am very excited about is in addition to the class itself, which will be broken up through the cruise, we will get to do some behind the scenes tours and talk about how they pertain to doing meetings on cruises. Remember you can already have your CMP and attend. Anyone who has ever taken my classes knows they are not just on taking the exam. You will earn CE’s for you application or re-certification.





Plus all the classes listed below!

ALL THINGS CMP

Did you know that according to the PCMA Salary Survey that meeting professionals with the CMP earn an average of $8600 more a year? (see below in Careers for link)
 
Is the CMP exam on your list to do?


My Two-Day Intensive Class


Did you know you can earn 16 Continuing Education hours to apply or re-certify for your CMP by attending? Yes, it is framed around the CMP Domains, but it will also show you how to be better at what you do---or want to do.
I make a decision 2-3 weeks before the class is held as to whether there is enough registration to hold the class. If you know you are taking it please register before those dates! If I am holding the class and there is still room, I will continue to take registrations. What I hate is when I cancel a class do to registration numbers and then people contact me going “I was going to take it!”.
All Classes are Saturday and Sunday and registration is open for all.



July 13-14

The Heldrich Hotel & Conference Center, New Brunswick, NJ
Marketing Partner - MPI New Jersey
Venue Partner - The Heldrich Hotel & Conference Center
This is easily accessible on the NJ Transit NE Corridor Line. Great hotel rates for the weekend.

This will be my only class before the August exam. There are still a few spots available. Email me for more information.
.


Oct 5-6
Q Center, St. Charles IL (West of Chicago)
Marketing and Venue Partner - Q Center
Want to travel in but worried about travel costs? We have a great package for overnights and meals. Registration open, email me for more information.


Oct 12-13
Babson Executive Conference Center, Wellesley, MA
(This is a change of location)
Marketing Partner - MPI New England
Venue Partner - Babson Executive Conference Center
Great Hotel Rates and some meals included. Registration now open. Email me for more information.


All classes above are eligible for the "Take Twice" option. You do not have to take both classes in the same location. Please email Joanne@JoanneDennison.com for your comp form and let her know when and where your first class was.
Even if you've already taken the class twice, you're more than welcome to attend another as long as there is room.




Upcoming 2019 CMP Exam Dates
Now with month-long testing windows:


August and November


NEW: Trying to figure out how those questions end up on the exam? Here you go: Exam Questions


Did you take the CMP in 2014? 2009? 2004? 1999?
It is your year to recertify—DO NOT miss it!

L ink to free study and test tip videos:
Here are more than 20 short videos to help you study for and take the CMP exam and some test taking tips. These videos have over 25,000 views.

Some of these tips include:
The Ordinary Success Project LLC is a CMP Preferred Provider. The program(s) identified with the CMP Preferred Provider logo meet the requirements to receive continuing education (CE) credit for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential. The use of the CMP Preferred Provider Pre-Check logo is not an endorsement by the Events Industry Council of the quality of the session. For more information about the CMP credential or CMP Preferred Provider Program, please visit  www.EventsCouncil.org .
Career and Jobs - They are not the same!


Are you looking to get a Promotion? Raise? New Job?

Stuck as to what to do next?

T hrough the other part of my company, The Guidance Counselor for Grown Ups, I work with people and organizations to not only figure out what to do next, but also how to do it.

I offer Teacup Meetings. Buy me tea and you get me (One time only) for 60-90 minutes. Yes, we can do it virtually—gift cards are always accepted! I will not push you to hire me—promise. Unless you ask about working with me afterwards, we don’t talk about it.

It’s a great way to get that promotion, raise, new job—or deal with a challenging situation. It can be used to talk about CMP, but not actual CMP prep. If you are a business owner we can talk about your role in the company, but not the strategy in your business (that’s another part of my company and always glad to talk about that too).

In the meantime here are some interesting articles about your career.


PCMA Convene Salary Survey
72% of those who responded got a raise in the past 12 months. Did you?




17 psychological tricks to make people like you immediately Business Insider


Although I don’t like the title---tricks sounds with ill intent—these techniques could be helpful to know and implement.




Time
 
Yep--- it hurts. Don’t just blame everyone else. Once you lick your wounds for a while, find out what you can do differently.




Does it matter if a degree is from online or brick-and-mortar schools? Ask HR USA TODAY

Thinking of going back and getting or finishing that degree?





Places to Search for Jobs:


 
 
 
 
 
 

If you are on this list you probably heard me present on the meetings and events industry (good chance on the CMP exam) but no, you did not ask to be on this list because the list did not exist till now. If you choose to unsubscribe I totally get it. On the other hand if you stick around there might be something interesting, amusing or maybe even both .
Joanne Dennison, CMP, 732.672.1134    
Twitter @joannedennison #themeetguide

Instagram #themeetguide
Member MPI & NSA