| Meeting
IN-Sites Newsletter and archives are also available
on the MPI website at www.mpi-indiana.org
Future
Meeting Dates
January
15, 2004
Platinum: Security of Meeting & Events
Location: Holiday Inn Select Airport
Time:
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
February
19, 2004
Networking/Ice Breakers
Location: Omni North
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
March
1-2, 2004
MidAmerica Education Conference
Location: Hilton Netherland Plaza and Cincinnati Convention Center,
Cincinnati, Ohio
click here to visit the MidAmerica
Conference website
April
15, 2004
Crisis Management
Location: Indianapolis Artsgarden
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
2003-2004
Board Members
President
Kimberly C. Wilkeson, CMP, CMM
president@mpi-indiana.org
President-elect
Glenn Brooks
presidentelect@mpi-indiana.org
Immediate
Past President
Beth McGuire
pastpresident@mpi-indiana.org
V.P.,
Administration
Monica M. Woods, CMP
vpadministration@mpi-indiana.org
V.P.,
Communications
Dawna Money
vpcommunications@mpi-indiana.org
V.P.,
Education
Kerri Begley, CMP
vpeducation@mpi-indiana.org
V.P.,
Finance
Brenda Reed, CMP
vpfinance@mpi-indiana.org
V.P.,
Membership
Donna Jacobsen
vpmembership@mpi-indiana.org
Director
of Fundraising
Carolyne Wallace
fundraising@mpi-indiana.org
Director
of Member Care
Deann Patena
membercare@mpi-indiana.org
Director
of Monthly Programs
Carol McCormack
monthlyprograms@mpi-indiana.org
Director
of Special Education Projects
Michelle Smith, CMP, CHSP
educationprograms@mpi-indiana.org
Chapter
Administrator
Mark Records
administrator@mpi-indiana.org
2003-2004
Committee Chairs
Fundraising
Kim Nees &
Mirhan Kalaydjian
Communications
Laura Kenney
Education
CathyThuerbach, CMP
Volunteer!
We
need volunteers for 2003-2004.
Committees
include Membership, Communications, Education, Conference,
etc.
Click
Here to sign up for a committee
|
|
Find
out how to place your banner on our newsletter. Click
Here.
|
| From
the President |
|  Kim
Wilkeson, CMP, CMM
Account Manager
VMS, Inc.
IMPI State of the Chapter Report
MPI
Seven Supporting Goals for Achieving Success
- Professionalism
- Education Leadership
- Globalism
- Financial Viability
- Elevate Meetings as a Strategic Tool
- Advocacy
- Technology
MPI Strategic
Plan – “Pathways to Excellence”
- Create professional development pathways and resources
to evolve member careers toward positions of strategic
understanding and influence.
- Aggressively pursue opportunities to increase influence
key-decision makers and those who ultimately oversee meeting
expenditures by proving that meetings are a critical component
of any organization's success.
- Intensify business opportunities for MPI suppliers
seeking to increase their strategic value and foster business
relationships
via networking opportunities.
IMPI 2003-2006 Strategic Plan
President - Provide clear communication and understanding of chapter
vision
- To be continually cognizant of our customers (members) needs
- Serve as ambassador to both the local chapter membership
as well as the global meetings community
Immediate Past President - Strategically govern this leadership position
- Encourage strong support and involvement of past presidents
- Ensure ongoing progress of chapter through continuing nominations
process
- Continually elevate chapter recognition opportunities
President-Elect - Strategically govern this leadership position
- Grow and develop leaders within our chapter
- Support and direct the chapters achievement of its vision
- Ensure chapter compliance with MPI
Vice President - Finance
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Maintain the health of chapter finances
- Ensure compliance with all federal and state laws
- Manage effective budgeting processes
Director - Fundraising
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Raise funds that exceed the needs and aspirations of the
chapter
- Enhance the ROI value of fundraising activities
Vice President - Administration
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Maintain effective and current operational guidelines
- Maintain the integrity of the board
Vice
President – Communications - Strategically govern this leadership position
- Create and produce interesting, educational and informative
chapter publications
- Create ongoing awareness of IMPI
- Be aware and participate within state legislative matters
pertaining to the meetings industry
- Support ongoing community outreach efforts
Vice
President – Education
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Educate and increase professionalism of Indiana Chapter
members & prospective
members
- Increase member involvement
- Continually elevate awareness of the importance of professional
designations and continuing education
Director – Monthly
Programs
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Continually elevate the “WOW” experience for
members
- Oversee logistics of all monthly meetings
Director – Special
Education Projects
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Develop and maintain chapter annual education conference
- Provide ongoing awareness of industry initiatives and professional
designations
Vice President – Membership
- Strategically govern this leadership position
- Recruit and increase membership within the entire State
- Develop and maintain an effective recognition program
Director – Member Care - Strategically govern this leadership position
- Increase member satisfaction
- Increase membership retention
- Encourage member involvement
IMPI Vision Statement
MPI-Indiana shall be the leading voice committed to shaping
and defining the future of the meeting and event industry
in the State of Indiana.
IMPI
Committees |
Their
Chairs |
Awards/Recognition
Programs |
Shannon
Frank |
Communications |
Laura
Kenny |
Chapter
of the Year/Awards |
Dave
Lovell |
Education
Monthly Programs |
Cathy
Thuerbach, CMP |
Finance & Administration |
Chris
Ratay |
Fundraising |
Kim
Ness
Mirhan Kalaydjian |
MidAmerica
Education Conference |
Dave
Lovell (sponsorship)
Dawna Money (PR)
Donna Sheets (Education)
Mark Records (Admin)
Caroline
King/Barbara A’Hearn (facilities)
Brad Hopper
(tradeshow) |
Special thanks
to Jessica Lollino our Women’s Leadership
Initiative (WLI) representative, Pete Tinsley our APEX representative
and Kerri Begley, CMP our CMP Study Group Chair.
Special thanks
to Kim Giles who is heading up Community Outreach Programs
for IMPI. She recently coordinated our
chapter’s Food Drive for the Julian Center at the November
meeting.
Member
Breakdown
Planners: 107
Suppliers: 101
Students: 5
Subscribers: 13
Total: 226 (including subscribers)
Retention% : 70.91 (17th best out of 64 chapters) Average Monthly Meeting Attendance: 86.6 (not counting banquet
or
August)
Financial
Report
Assets:
Checking: 11,533
Investment Fund A: 14,856
Investment Fund B: 13,178
Investment Fund C: 7,537
Reserve Fund: 6,219
Income: Budget 2003-2004: 60,642
Year to Date: 46,180
Cost
of Goods Sold:
Budget 2003-2004: 32,593
Year of Date: 18,005
Expenses:
Budget 2003-2004: 27,010
Year to Date: 19,933
Did You Know? - MPI recently passed a new Member Transfer Policy. Membership
in MPI shall belong to the individual, not the employing
organization. It is the right of the individual member to
take their membership with them when they move from one position
to another or change employment. For full details on the
new policy, visit www.mpiweb.org.
- The MPI International Board of Directions approved several
new items at its winter board meeting at the 2004 Professional
Education Conference-North America.
Chapter
Rebate Enhancement - MPI is increasing the rebate
it issues to each chapter for its members' annual dues, to
provide chapters with greater financial resources for high-quality
education. Chapter rebates also have been changed to a percentage
based amount, rather than a flat dollar amount. The new rebate
will be 18% of annual dues for North American chapters, and
23% of annual dues for European chapters effective July 1,
2004.
The chapter rebate increase coincides with a membership
dues increase which was approved at the Spring 2003 Board
meeting. Annual dues will increase $25 USD for all planner
and supplier members effective July 1, 2004, to help support
funding for expanded educational, professional development
and business development programming for members.
Funding also will be used to further MPI's global presence
and to realize the strategies of Pathways to Excellence,
MPI's strategic plan designed to elevate the role of meetings
- and meeting professionals - in the business world.
The plan was developed with member data and will enhance
ROI for membership in MPI. With membership dues increasing, the higher rebate investment
back into chapters and their members will help deliver high-quality
education locally, where the majority of members experience
MPI. In addition, the Board and MPI staff will begin a broader,
strategic initiative to assess and restructure the pricing
for all MPI programs in order to deliver enhanced member
value and become a more member-centric association.
During the meeting, the Board also approved:
MPI Finland
Chapter in Formation - The new chapter-in-formation brings
PI's total membership to 65 chapters and affiliates.
The Helsinki, Finland-based group currently has 31 members.
At least 50 members and other criteria are required to earn
chapter status.
MPI Europe business plan - Developed by MPI's European Council,
the plan will serve as a roadmap for implementing MPI's strategic
plan in Europe. Ultimately, it will enhance the integration
and relevance of MPI on a global basis.
<return to top>
|
| February
Meeting Information |
Strategic
Partnerships: Seven Sure-fire Strategies to
Build Better Business Buddies™
 Why
are positive, growing business relationships so hard
to attain? How do some meeting professionals develop
a cohesive, thriving network of contacts to help
them rise to the top of the industry? How are they
able to immediately access the right resources with
minimal energy and expense?
Don’t
miss this session if you have been business-challenged
to build relationships, alliances, or partnerships.
Join us on February 19 to learn the Seven Sure-fire
Strategies to Build Better Business Buddies.™
After
this session, you will be able to:
- Answer, “What’s
in it for me and my organization?”
- Define
strategies to strengthen business relationships.
- Assimilate “best
practices” of industry leaders.
- Create
an action plan.
- Implement Seven
Sure-fire Strategies to Build Better Business
Buddies.™
For
more details, click here |
| Where: |
8181
N. Shadeland Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 849-6668
Fax: (317) 849-4936
Click
here for directions
|
| Cost: |
$25
each for Members or
$35 for Non-Members |
| Time: |
11:30 a.m. – 1:30
p.m. |
| Speaker: |
 Pam
Burks
Since
1992, Pam has spoken to numerous association, corporate,
and not-for-profit audiences. Her presentations include
motivational and educational topics, ranging from professional
and personal communication to cultural change and transition
to interpersonal relationships and self-awareness.
Pam
actively participates in the National Speakers Association
(NSA). She was President of the New York Tri-State
chapter, 1999-2000, and was named its Member of the
Year for 1998-99. She also was President of the Indiana
chapter in 1995-96 and was honored as its 1995 Member
of the Year.
Currently,
Pam serves the NSA as Chapter Liaison for three states.
She is co-editor of the "Ideas that Work" column
in Professional Speaker magazine. She also represents
the Meetings Industry Council both at the national
and local levels.
Pam
has spoken for the American Society of Association
Executives Management & Technology Conference and
served as both instructor and dean for the ASAE School
of Association Management.
Building
on her past experience in planning meetings and events,
Pam has served as the program chair for both the New
York and Indiana chapters of the NSA. Her meeting planning
skills earned her selection as the logistics coordinator
at the 1997 NSA National Convention. In 2002, she chaired
the Indiana Society of Association Executives Annual
Convention.
Register |
| Click
here to register online. |
<return to top>
|
| Silent Auction |
|
February 19, 2004
We will
have a silent auction at this meeting. Click
here to start the bidding!
BIDDERS
Items will be listed on the IMPI website in December and updated as new items
are donated. Minimum and CLOSE OUT bids will be published.
Plan ahead and check often for updates!
February Silent Auction
Thursday, February 19, 2004
WANTED
ITEMS
FOR BID
We will take anything! Be creative! We need fun stuff and lots of it!
Contact Dawn Lane @ 317-277-9156 if you have items to donate or questions.
Items are being solicited for February and July Silent Auctions.
Insure
the future of your IMPI association. These funds support
scholarships and continuing education opportunities.
<return to top> |
| January
Meeting Recap |
By Mihran Kalaydjian
The monthly
meeting was held at Holiday Inn Select Airport on January
15, 2004
with the honorable guest speaker Richard
Werth, President of Event & Meeting Security Services.
Mr. Richard
(Rick) Werth, CCP is President of Event & Meeting
Security Services (EMSS) an international security consulting
firm that has been specializing in security, health, staff
communications and emergency planning for events and meeting
since 1993. EMSS has developed numerous programs both domestically
and internationally for employee incentive trips, conferences,
meetings and customer hospitality programs including the
Atlanta Olympic Games, Ryder Cup and The Masters Golf Tournaments,
World Cup Soccer Tournament and many others.
Mr. Werth is a member of Meeting Professionals International
and serves on the faculty of the IMPI Institute and Platinum
Education Programs. He holds the Certified Protection Professional
(CPP) designation from the American Society for Industrial
Security (ASIS) and he is member of ASIS.
Mr. Werth spoke about the importance and values that security,
health, contingency planning, and staff communications play
in the complex art of implementing a successful event or
meeting. The Attendees were able to recognize the value of
effective security, health, staff communications and emergency
action plan to every event.
We would like to thank for Holiday Inn Select for hosting
just a wonderful meeting. We truly enjoyed every moment of
it.
<return to top> |
| MPI
PEC San Antonio January 18-20, 2004 |
The Indiana
Chapter of MPI was represented well at this year’s
conference.  In attendance were the following:
Linda Addaman/Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome
Linda Adams/Holiday Inn Select North
Brenda Reed/Indiana State Teacher’s Association
Marcus Ellison/Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
Laura Kenny/Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome
Glenn Brooks/General Hotels Corporation
Carmen Marshall/Conseco
Michelle Smith/Fourwinds Resort & Marina
Cathy Thuerbach/Odyssey Quest
Sabrina Valentine/Markey’s Audio-Visual
This
year, Toronto sponsored a chapter-sign contest to see who
could best
represent their chapter. The Indiana Chapter’s
theme was “the sports capitol of the world”,
and proudly took home the award for Best Theme. Way to go!
<return to top> |
| Welcome
New Members |
| Be
sure to welcome IMPI's newest members!
Cortez Dodd
Account Executive
Prodrive Karting
3649 Lafayette Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46222
317-297-5278
cortez@prodrivekarting.com
|
Bruce Highberg
Regional Manager
Helms Briscoe
13819 Magic Stallion Dr.
Carmel, IN 46032
317-818-4576
bhighberg@helmsbriscoe.com
|
Amy Hildebrand
Director of Sales and Marketing
Thrifty Car Rental
619 N. Shadeland Ave. Ste D
Indianapolis, IN 46219
317-557-4191
aehildebrand@hotmail.com
|
Vickie McWatters
Marketing Specialist
Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly Corporate Center
Indianapolis, IN 46285
317-276-3233
vmcwatters@lilly.com |
Melanie DeWys
Planner
VMS
8450 Westfield Blvd. #210
Indianapolis, IN 46240
317-805-6600 Ext. 258
melanie.dewys@vmsconnect.com |
DeeDee Stewart
Guest Relations and event Coordinator
Rolls Royce
2001 S. Tibbs Ave. MC S30A
Indianapolis, IN 46241
317-230-6877
deedee.stewart@rolls-royce.com |
Kimberly Timmons
Sales Manager
Westin Hotel Indianapolis
50 S. Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-231-3910
Kimberly.Timmons@westin.com |
|
|
| Planner Spotlight |
Scott
Kerr, Program Coordination
Indianapolis Bar Association
Scott
Kerr, Program Coordinator for the Indianapolis Bar Association
is our spotlight planner
of the month. Scott coordinates and executes a wide variety
of programming including the Indianapolis Bar Association’s
Indiana Multi-state Bar Review Course and the Bar Leader
Series. He also serves as the staff liaison for the Young
Lawyers and
Law Student Divisions. Scott has a Bachelors of Science
in Tourism Conventions and Event Management from Indiana
University
Purdue University.
The Indianapolis Bar Association connects
its members to continuing legal education opportunities,
a variety of
professional and social networking experiences and a mix
of products, publications and services offered to
enhance their practice. Their membership totals are in the
4,000+ range which includes judicial, attorney,
paralegal and law students from Indianapolis/Marion Country
area, as well as across the state of Indiana. The
associations program and meeting facilities include a state
of the art education center that can accommodate up to
100, a boardroom and two multifunction rooms.
While this is his first full-time position in the meeting
industry, Scott has been involved in many projects and events
throughout his college career which include:
| 2001 |
World
Police and Fire Games |
Housing
Manager |
| 2001 |
Girl
Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council |
Program
Intern |
| 2001-
02 |
Indy
JazzFest |
Volunteer |
| 2002 |
World
Basketball Championships |
Delegation
Services Manager |
| 2002 |
Men’s
and Women’s Big Ten Tournament |
Volunteer |
| 2002 |
Colts
Guest Relations |
|
| 2002-03 |
Indiana
Multicultural & Collegiate Job Fairs |
Assistant
Coordinator |
That is quite an impressive list, Scott!
It seems to be a common trend that when asked
how people get into this industry, they say it is by accident.
Scott
feels he fell into it by accident as well. His college career
started in Elementary Education. While he was content, he
felt there might be a better career to fit his needs and
interests. During his sophomore year, a program caught Scott’s
eye in the campus bulletin about the Department of Tourism
Conventions and Event Management. He scheduled an appointment
with a professor and after some research found that this
was where he truly fit-in. He never looked back after his
first semester in the department. Scott believes the faculty
at IUPUI is extremely supportive and genuinely cares about
their student’s success.
When asked what Scott likes best about his
current position, his answer is “In my current position I am able to
take ownership of a program and make it my own. If I want
to try something new, I am encouraged to bring the new ideas
to the committees, not having to stick to the way it was
done in the past.” Secondly, the fact that meetings
and events can have lasting effects for our clients and employers,
the perfect meeting that you help coordinate and execute
might bring a solution that could save a company, or even
the world.”
I questioned Scott on the best event he ever
helped plan and he answered, “The World Basketball
Championships from the logistical aspect would have to
be one of my best
events. I worked as a Delegation Services Manager along with
a great team of volunteers and staff from the Indiana Sports
Corporation. My offices responsibility was to manage and
support the activities of the international teams visiting
Indianapolis. This could range from delegation transportation,
meals, housing, scheduling, and meeting space needs. As a
team we identified our problem areas and then took ownership
of the problem and solved it quickly.”
Scott’s favorite venue is Magic Moments Restaurant.
The Indianapolis Bar Association hosts a fair amount of small
luncheons and social gatherings. The staff, quality of the
service, and outstanding food and beverage product is the
reason why this is his favorite venue. Scott goes on to say “In
the planning stages the coordinator will sit down and work
out a menu that fits your budget, which is of great assistance
in the not-for-profit world. When it is time to execute the
event there is always a warm greeting, a Sprite for me and
Diet Coke for our director sitting on the registration table;
you are really taken care of. It is all the little things
that make this venue top rate.”
Scott shared a humorous moment in his professional
career. “The
IBA staff, aside from me, is entirely female, and while my
first internship was with the Girl Scouts, it has presented
some interesting situations. One memorable moment is when
I found out in my first staff meeting the office has a “princess
award” which is a roving staff award given weekly to
a deserving staff member for a good deed or job well done.
Since I am the first male staffer they have had in a few
years there has not been a problem. However, it was decided
the hiring of a male was not going to change the award. Time
passed and I had been given the award, which includes a lovely
tiara and hot pink sash. Having the gift of being able to
laugh at myself and being a good sport I donned the tiara
and sash to have a picture taken. At year end the Board of
Managers and staff members have a year-end black tie dinner,
and in the evenings presentation given by The Hon. Gary Miller
our 2003 president... oh yes…There I was tiara,
sash, and stupid grin…A good laugh was shared by all
that evening. “
Scott enjoys food and starting to learn more
about wine. His interests range from NASCAR and other forms
of racing,
to an evening at the symphony, and the finer arts. While
his new position at the IBA fills in most of his time, he
has served as a volunteer for the United Way, IndyJazz Fest
and the Indiana Sports Corporation. His father is a great
inspiration in his life; his father has worked his whole
life for Scott’s family. Scott’s college education
was paid entirely by his father, a blessing few students
today receive. He is the one reason Scott is who he is today.
Scott said that while the seas have been rough and stormy
at times, his father has always been his guiding light. Few
things in his relatively short life matched the feeling he
gets when his father tells him how proud he is of him. Thankfully,
he spent a few years working along side of his father in
his career, and still gets to play a round of golf weekly
in season with him.
His favorite quote is” worry, but know that worrying
is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by
chewing bubble-gum” by Baz Lurhmann.
Submitted
by Vicki Lee, Indianapolis Marriott East
|
| Supplier
Spotlight |
Doug
Bennett, Vice President of Sales
Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association
Have
you ever wondered how organizations select our wonderful
city as
host for their conventions? Have you stopped to think
how these groups impact our industry? Doug Bennett, Vice
President of Sales for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors
Association is this month’s supplier spotlight.
He oversees the conventions and meeting sales efforts as
well
as the
ICVA convention services team. They work diligently to book
the conventions, provide a high level of service and retain
the business for future years.
The ICVA is a sales and marketing organization with the
mission of generating economic impact by promoting Indianapolis
and the surrounding metropolitan area to groups and individuals.
Their efforts, when done successfully, help create jobs,
support tourism infrastructure and add to the quality of
life we enjoy in Indianapolis.
Doug
has a B.S.Degree (that is Bachelor, not a BS degree) from
Purdue University,
School of Consumer and Family Sciences
with an emphasis in restaurant, hotel, and institutional
management. With the intent to save money for college, Doug’s
first job was in a hotel as a bus boy in the Planetarium
Restaurant at the former Ramada Hotel at the airport. He
enjoyed working in several different areas of the hotel and
felt like it was fun and always changing. When he found out
Purdue University had a strong RHI program, the rest was
history. He has worked in the Hospitality Industry for 25
years holding various positions from Hotel; to Hotel Sales & Marketing;
to working in various selling capacities at the ICVA since
June of 1992.
Doug’s family values are obviously very important
to him and his “wonderful wife”, Diane. They
have five children and together they take time with each
of them as they pursue sports, music, hobbies, etc. They
are proud of all of their children and would like to think
they are doing a pretty good job raising them to have the
right values in life. Doug gets involved with their youth
sports activities by coaching basketball and baseball. He
personally enjoys golfing, playing basketball and attending
Colts, Pacers and Purdue games. (How about those Colts? Maybe
next year.)
Doug
also enjoys selling his hometown and seeing people’s
eyes open up to what a terrific destination Indianapolis
represents. He finds it extremely satisfying to work with
groups and know their commitment to our city will make a
positive impact. Doug shares that it is amazing how much
business they need to move or shuffle on a daily basis in
order to accommodate the next group. They have been successful,
but it is getting harder with the limited space and dates
to work with on the calendar.
Doug’s advise to someone considering getting into
the same area of this industry is “to have patience
in terms of advancement. Seek out mentors that can help guide
you and provide a solid foundation”. Finally, “have
fun helping people. If you are not naturally a good host
and want to be around people, then you probably will not
have fun in this industry.” (Is this industry fun?
Am I missing something?) His favorite quote from Henry David
Thoreau goes right along with his advice. “Anything
worth accomplishing is worth accomplishing with enthusiasm”.
For that,
I give a big “thanks for sharing Doug”!
Submitted
by Vicki Lee, Indianapolis Marriott East
|
| Board
Member Profile |
| Michelle
Smith
Vice President, Sales & Marketing for General Hotels Corporation
 I’m
composing this introspective “board profile” as
I am enjoying one of MPI’s best benefits-PEC-NA-
in San Antonio. The educational programming is top notch,
the networking is invaluable and the host city always intriguing.
This conference comes annually during a very good time
of the year for me.
- The resort- Fourwinds Resort & Marina
in Bloomington- is a little more forgiving with out-of-the-office
time and
- Its at the midpoint of my year on the board.
If you know me well, you know that this actually means
I’m moving at mach
- Speed instead of mach 5!
I’ve always enjoyed this conference as it rounds
out the networking at the chapter level, the education
from the MidAmerica conference and the friendships developed
from committee involvement. If you haven’t attended
an international conference for MPI (PEC or WEC) I highly
recommend it! Find it a spot on your to-do list.
I would encourage you, in this month of February to reflect
on resolutions made only 30 days ago with the ringing in
of the New Year. Better yet, don’t reflect on them,
rescind them! You’ve got enough stress without making
it harder on yourself. Instead, fine tune those things
that are already working - for me, that is
- More quality time with family
- A healthier diet
- Continued professional development
- Valued “me time” to reflect
- More quality, less quantity
As director of Special Education on the Indiana MPI board,
I invite you to continue your professional development
at the MidAmerica Conference in Cincinnati March 1st & 2nd
in conjunction with the Kentucky, Ohio & Tennessee
Chapters. This opportunity is to make contacts to enable
member to member buying and to give you the education you
need to elevate the level of you, the meeting professional,
in your organization. Register today at mpimidamerica.com.
<return to top> |
| WLI
Article |
| Even
in the meetings industry where women dominate in numbers,
the “traditional” view
of men vs. women in the business world still exists. This presents
a challenge for women who are striving for leadership roles – whether
it is a next step up in her career or the privilege of taking
the lead on the next important project. Excellent
at multi-tasking and details, women are often viewed as “perfect for the job.” Men
are seen more likely as leaders. These great attributes
that women
have masterminded are a great asset to have on any resume;
but, do we as women fail to promote our other strengths
that could propel us into leadership roles?
Women often have the belief that working hard, doing a
good job and being seen as a team player will win them
equal opportunity for consideration for the next promotion
or leadership role. While this too is important, there
are other ways in which women can improve their chances
for consideration.
Create a strategic life plan – you
can not drive where you are going until you know where
you want to
go. Determine what you want personally and professionally
out
of life. Determine what you want in the here and now,
and where you want to go in the future.
Communicate effectively with co-workers, superiors and
peers. Think about who you are communicating with. Remember
men and women have different communication styles and you
may want to tweak how you communicate to the opposite sex.
Also, consider how you communicate with personality styles
different from yours.
Create self-visibility – promote yourself,
your accomplishments, your contribution to the good of
the
whole, your goals and aspirations not only to peers but to
upper
management.
Volunteer – Don’t wait on the sidelines, jump
in and get involved. Others will quickly see you as confident,
capable and knowledgeable. You will create relationships
you didn’t know were out there. You will create more
visibility for yourself and your company. You will be poised
for consideration of leadership roles.
Utilize Mentors – Don’t hesitate
to rely on those with more experience or wisdom for advice,
direction
and guidance, even if they are men. They just might see
value in you as a leader and spread the word. Not to mention,
all that you will learn from those who are more experienced
and/or more knowledgeable. Remember, a lot can be learned
from the now great leaders.
Become a Leader – Demonstrate your
leadership ability by volunteering for leadership roles,
aligning yourself
with other leaders, act like a leader, be confident in
your decisions, gain the trust of upper managemet. Observe
other leaders, what they say and how they say it. Begin
considering how your roles and tasks contribute to the
overall success and vision of the organization. Eventually,
you will be seen as someone who understands the goals
and objectives of your company.
In
conclusion, you have to create your own opportunities, decide
what
you want and go after it. Don’t wait.
Just go for it!
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| File!
Don't Pile! |
|
If you are like
most professionals now a days, you probably can’t
seem to find enough time in a day to get everything done
you want to. Now, add that on top of being less than
perfectly organized in your personal office space and you
are probably feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Filing, while it may be a mundane chore, presents a challenge
to so many of us. By learning to file and not make piles,
we feel better because we have control and we know where
to find things.
Provided
by MPI’s
Community E-News, January 20,2004:
According to a new national Harris Interactive survey by
Cambridge Home/Office Accessories, more than 84 percent of
respondents are pilers-that is, they regularly pile their
paperwork rather than file it.
On average, people lose 20 minutes per day looking for items
in the office. Letting paperwork pile up is not only a time-waster,
but according to the poll, spending time searching through
piles of paperwork is annoying (35 percent) and frustrating
(31 percent).
To reform your piling ways, Jeff Zbar, Small Office/Home
Office consultant recommends:
- Bring
order to the piles; create simple categories and sort accordingly.
- Keep a brightly colored hot file on your desk for items that
need your attention within 48 hours.
- Deal with the mail daily. File it or trash it.
- Make sure your filing system is convenient and works for
you.
- Don't be afraid to use the "circular file."
- Keep personal/home files separate from work-related items
in a home office setting.
- Set aside an hour a week to clean off your desk and inbox.
Make a commitment to yourself to file and not pile. Every
time you are tempted to put something off and throw paper
or mail into a pile, remember how much easier it is just
to file it right then and there!
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| CMP
Question of the Month |
|
You
are hosting a meeting at a resort that automatically adds
an 18% gratuity to all charges. As a professional planner
you ask the ____________ to clarify to whom gratuity is paid.
A. concierge
B. general manager
C. sales manager
D. convention services manager
Answer:
D
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|
