Dear Friends,

Spring is here! The grass is turning green, buds are on the trees, tulips are blooming – new life surrounds us. It's a time for us to rejuvenate and celebrate the good things. I understand that this may be easier said than done. We are facing an economic crisis, which affects us all in some capacity.

In addition, our industry is facing a swarm of negativity due to irresponsible business decisions from a few, and a very biased media. What has failed to be reported is how much money our industry brings to the economy. It has not been said how many people are employed because of meetings, events, incentive programs, tradeshows, and conventions. Leaders in the industry such as MPI have not let this go without a fight. 

There is a movement working to change the perception that the news media and government have created, called "Keep America Meeting." You will find several references to this movement in this issue of KCMPI Times. I ask that you please keep yourself educated on this important situation and assist with getting the word out. More information can also be found on www.mpiweb.org. Let's work together with millions around the world to keep our industry alive and growing!

I will remain positive and I ask that you do the same. The future of our chapter is in excellent hands. KCMPI's 2009-2010 Board has been nominated and accepted by our members. Plans are already underway for our upcoming year. There are many opportunities for you to get involved; please be sure to check out the section titled KCMPI Volunteer Opportunities!

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please contact me or any member of our Board. We are here to help you. 

Wishing you a beautiful spring!

KCMPI thanks our generous sponsors for their continued support. Without their generosity, we would not be able to provide high-quality educational and networking opportunities for our chapter members. Please remember to BUY KCMPI when seeking suppliers and meeting planning consultants! You can find a list of KCMPI members in your 2008-2009 Membership Directory!

February Webinar: "Advanced Contracts"

Rudner Law Offices – Steven Rudner

ReadyTalk

March Program: "Disaster Planning and Management for the Meetings Industry"

Kansas City Marriott Downtown

SWANK Audio Visuals

Overland Limousine Service

KCMPI's Next Top Member – Membership Reception

           Wheat Photography

 Brancato's Catering

We look forward to your becoming involved in our chapter!

New Members:

By Michelle Lizak, CMP – Kansas City Chapter                          

On Feb. 16, 2009, the Kansas City and Heartland Chapters partnered to make history by hosting the first monthly program exclusively via a webinar. This effort began as a search to provide members with a cost-effective, convenient and educational program that would attract planners and suppliers alike. 

ReadyTalk was the sponsoring web conference partner for this event. Based out of Colorado, ReadyTalk delivers audio and web-meeting services that help planners and suppliers sell, market, educate and collaborate remotely. They provide services such as audio conferencing, web conferencing, event management tools and podcasting! For more information about ReadyTalk and the many services offered, visit their Web site.

This first-ever webinar had a total of 47 attendees from Kansas City and across the Heartland. Of the 47 participants, 23 were members of KCMPI and 15 were Heartland Chapter members. It was Planners, predominantly, that attended this event, from both chapters, making up 77 percent of webinar participants.

All webinar registrants received a post-event notice that contained links to the archived version of this conference. This complimentary archived version will be available for online viewing for 30 days after the event. 

The speaker selected for this event was Steven M. Rudner, principal of the Rudner Law Offices, which exclusively represents hotels and resorts throughout the world in regard to meetings and convention issues, from their offices in Dallas and San Francisco. Mr. Rudner has been recognized by Successful Meetings as one of the industry's "top legal minds." His work in the hospitality field has captured the attention of the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Rudner's resume speaks for itself. He is Vice-President of the Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Platinum Series speaker for MPI, Best in Class Speaker for PCMA; and is a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, MPI, PCMA, RCMA and HSMAI. He also is a member of the contracts panel for the APEX Initiative of the Convention Industry Council, as well as the State Bars of the States of Texas, New York, Arizona, Colorado and the District of Columbia.

If you were unable to attend the original broadcast of this event, it will be available for purchase online at: http://www.kcmpi.org/html/event_calendar/programs_events.html, starting on March 31. The fee to purchase this archived version of "What's New in Hotel Contracts" is $35.00.

(Michelle is a Marketing and Corporate Events Manager for US Central and is KCMPI's 2008-2009 President-Elect. She can be reached at michelle.a.lizak@gmail.com.)

By Michelle Hilsabeck, Heartland Chapter

Advanced contracting is an issue Meeting Professionals struggle with daily. Contract language and addenda flood desks and minds. What would be acceptable for both entities? How can these clauses possibly help to protect the company? And most importantly, what exactly does this clause mean? To help answer these questions, Mr. Rudner had four main points which helped to shed some light on these and other issues surrounding some of the most commonly questioned clauses.

Clause 1 – Change of Management and/or Ownership of a Venue

When encountered with this clause, the No. 1 question a supplier would want to ask is: "What is the true concern of the planner?" Is it the brand's "Points" Program? Is it the service standards at the property? After that, key information is uncovered, which is what both parties would want to address. 

Clause 2 – Renovation Concerns

When faced with a client asking for a clause that guarantees renovations will not occur during the time of their event, one's best bet is to enlist the assistance of the general contractor performing the project. A venue cannot control the speed of a project, nor can a planner know exactly what elements of the project could be disruptive. The general contractor has the most accurate information regarding all projects and can make such a determination.

Clause 3 – Non-Compete Clause

Non-compete clauses are generally paired with clauses containing verbiage regarding confidentiality and keeping the information discussed in the meeting room, contained to the meeting room. Issues with non-compete clauses are numerous, particularly in dealing with a hotel. A properly constructed non-compete clause should be explicit in identifying the competitors of the contracting company.

Clause 4 – Liquidated Damages

Liquidated Damages are legally defined as a reasonable and prospective estimate of the hotel's loss. Based on the prospective (and not retrospective) estimate of loss, there is no legal requirement for a hotel to offer a Rooms Resold Clause, as that would be retrospective. Frequently, the hotel will be accused of double-dipping when it chooses to offer a Rooms Resold Clause. Mr. Rudner likened Rooms Resold to foreclosure. Should a default on a home loan occur, and a home be repossessed by a bank, that lender will not offer back the money paid prior to the default. Additionally, if a contract contains a cancellation clause with a sliding scale of damages due, the concept of Rooms Resold has already been considered as the hotel has offered the prospective estimate of loss.

Mr. Rudner closed, after touching on three other "Hot Spots":

1. Reciprocal Cancellation Clauses are unenforceable in the eyes of the law. Losses cannot be the same for each entity because the nuances of each entity's loss are not known.

2. Attrition Charges are based on the actualization of an event. Therefore, it is wise to have an estimation of the charges owed prior to the conclusion of an event, so that there can be early discussions around ways to help mitigate the cost. One idea to offset cost is to have the organization's CEO send an e-mail requiring attendees to register in order to help increase room nights. In addition, the organization can choose to spend more on catering revenue to offset the loss in attendees. By looking at attrition through a Dollar Sign set of glasses, as opposed to a Number of People set of glasses, more creative solutions can be obtained.

3. Finally, if asking to have cancellation/attrition charges applied to a future event, preparation should be made to do the following:

a. pay the entire amount due

b. have a completely new event that has not previously been held with the venue

c. contract that event to occur within a year

d. hold the event during a need-time for the venue

e. ensure the event is of equal or greater size to the original event

(Michelle is a Market Account Executive for Marriott Hotels and Resorts and is currently the VP of Education for the MPI Heartland Chapter. She can be reached at michelle.hilsabeck@marriott.com.)

By Gretchen L. Miles, CMP

Taking time away from work can seem like a negative choice during these busy times. However, that is a dangerous plan. All of the people who attended the March Educational Program on Disaster Planning and Management for the Meetings Industry gained invaluable knowledge that will remain pertinent throughout their career and could save lives.

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown prepared a fantastic breakfast buffet for all to enjoy while networking with peers before the panel began their presentations. Dawn McKenney-Maxwell, moderator from EffectUs, Inc., introduced our experts and kept the program running smoothly. Bill Spano, Kansas City Marriott Downtown Executive Chef, shared his personal experience with a foodborne illness outbreak (that turned out to be the Norwalk virus instead) that affected meeting attendees at his hotel. Gwen Knight, Independent Meeting Planner, shared numerous emergency scenarios she has experienced while on-site at conventions, as well as her involvement in local organizations where she helps to train others in disaster management. 

The second half of the program was a highly engaging presentation given by Katja Morgenstern about the importance of having an emergency plan in your organization and what elements are needed to construct an efficient one. Katja also provided every attendee a CD with her PowerPoint presentation and emergency plan templates. This was not only a great benefit for everyone to be able to take back the CD and start their own plan immediately, but it was also in support of the KCMPI Green initiative.

The March Educational Program could not have happened without the support of our gracious sponsors:  Kansas City Marriott Downtown, SWANK Audio Visuals, FIVE STAR Speakers & Trainers, Meeting Consultants, Inc., EffectUs, Inc., and Overland Limousine Service. Please consider them when holding your own events. Thank you to everyone who attended this powerful program and I look forward to seeing you again at future KCMPI events.

Check out these pictures from the event!

(Gretchen is a Meeting Planner for the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. She can be reached at gmiles@accp.com).

By Jenny Forsythe

"Who are you wearing??" "How was rehab??" "How does it feel to be dating Brad Pitt??" Questions yelled out, flashes going off, red carpet runway, paparazzi mobbing the supermodels as they arrived at the "KCMPI's Next Top Member" reception on Thursday, March 26. The event was hosted by Jenny Wheat Photography at her loft studio. White lights twinkled, wine flowed and guests could choose from several settings in which to pose for pictures. Brancato's provided a wonderful buffet of chicken quesadillas, spinach artichoke dip, fruit, veggies and more. Sweet Perfection offered chocolate covered cherries and peanut butter balls that were both delicious and addictive. Cheesecakes by Anthony presented a selection of mouthwatering cheesecakes ranging from London Crunch to Chocolate Cherry Amaretto. Laughter and music echoed throughout the brick and wood studio. The DJ – Mario Estevez – kept the place hoppin' with a great range of '80s and '90s music.
 
Famous faces were everywhere! Tyra Banks (aka Aesha Beattle of the OP Convention Center) emceed the event and brought all of her friends – from Marilyn Monroe (aka Sally Bennett of Sweet Perfection, LLC) to Cindy Crawford (Valerie Robertson – Holtze Executive Village), and Niki Taylor (Andrea Brack – Epic Entertainment) to Twiggy (Dana Jackson – Hotel Phillips). Even Heidi Klum (Andrea Cowsar – KCCVA) made an appearance complete with her "Angel" wings!
 
The event was a fundraiser for KCMPI and raised nearly $1,000 for the chapter! There was a 50/50 raffle won by Mark Garner of VAE and Kristi Jones – Independent Consultant. Silent auction items included a custom piggy bank (won by Karen Hoch of People to People International) and several hotel packages from local hotels. Danielle Jodts won the Great Wolf Lodge gift certificate, which seemed to be the item of the evening.
 
Overall, the event was a big success and everyone had a wonderful time. There were several new faces and quite a few returning faces that have not been around for awhile. Many guests commented that it was great to see everyone and have the chance to mingle with the "beautiful people." A special thanks goes out to the rest of the committee members who helped pull off the "Star-studded" event: Amber Valetta (Andrea Foulkes – Toad Cove Resort & Yacht Club), Mister Jay (Chris Aquino – Hyatt Regency Crown Center), Miss J (Kara Brady – Great Wolf Lodge), Janice Dickinson (Susie Mogren – Vista Productions, Inc), Linda Evangelista (Jenny Forsythe – Prestige Resorts & Destinations), and Paulina Porizkova (Rebecca Hensel – KCCVA).
  

Check out pictures from the event!

By Tracy Orpin, CMP

Spring is in the air! And with spring comes the annual KCMPI Dine Around! The beautiful Country Club Plaza will host this wildly popular event from 5-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, showcasing some of its most incredible restaurants: McCormick & Schmick's The Melting Pot, Brio Tuscan Grille, M&S Grill and Buca di Beppo. Agenda Kansas City, Overland Limo and Heartland Trailways are providing shuttle service for the evening.

McCormick and Schmick's is destination number one for registration beginning at 5 p.m.  Representatives from CooranBong Premium Vodka will welcome attendees at McCormick and Schmick's to sponsor a surprise specialty drink and to kick-off the evening's festivities. Once everyone is warmed-up, attendees will be divided into four groups and shuttled to the other fabulous destinations. After sampling some of the best cuisine in Kansas City, it is back to McCormick & Schmick's for dessert.

We hope you plan to join us. This delicious taste of Kansas City and fun KCMPI networking social is always a crowd pleaser.

(Tracy is an Independent Planner. She can be reached at tracyorpin@earthlink.net).

By Danielle Jodts and Lorie Scott, CMP

You could win one FREE night's stay at the InterContinental Kansas City on the Country Club Plaza including dinner for two at the on-property restaurant, The Oak Room* !

The Good News: PEC 2009 promised to be a great value with lots of opportunities to network, five keynotes, multiple break-outs, and much more. It's so good, we know you'll want your friends and colleagues to join you!

 Register now at www.regonline.com/2009PEC

The Better News: For every friend you recruit to attend PEC, your name will be registered for this prize again! (During registration, your friend will be asked to enter the name of the KCMPI member who invited him or her. It's that easy.) The more friends you recruit the better the chance to win the grand prize.

The InterContinental's $15 million renovation is now complete including restoration of all 366 guest rooms, the Oak Room Restaurant, Oak Bar, and the Lobby. The InterContinental Kansas City was chosen by Travel and Leisure Magazine readers as one of the "World's Best Business Hotels 2007."  See www.kansascityic.com for more details.

KCMPI will announce the winner of the grand prize on April 24 ... so don't delay! Invite your friends and colleagues to PEC May 5 and 6 at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel!

KCMPI's Professional Education Conference features a new agenda for 2009. Highlights include Five highly-rated keynote speakers with topics of great interest, two breakouts with a structured rotation ensuring everyone attends both workshops, and two discussion-based "café conversation" sessions to encourage cross-industry learning. Did we mention the high-energy Cinco de Mayo bash??!!

(Danielle is an Event Manager for Sprint and KCMPI's 2009-2010 Board Director for Leadership. She can be reached at djodts@hotmail.com.  Lorie is a Regional Manager for Helms Briscoe and KCMPI's 2009-2010 VP of Finance. She can be reached at lscott@HelmsBriscoe.com).  

BRAVO!  A Celebration of Winners!

Come join us at the Argosy Casino Hotel and Spa in the Grand Ballroom on June 5, 2009!  Experience Italy from 5-9 p.m. – KCMPI style. Enjoy wonderful people and exquisite food.  Save the date for this unforgettable evening!

By Michelle Lizak, CMP

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) is partnering up with local meeting, convention and exhibition industry officials in 17 cities globally to host City Discussion Groups (CDG). This effort is part of the ongoing green meetings and events efforts of the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX).

The CDG's are similar to town hall meetings and are an important part of the creation for the meeting, convention and exhibition industry best practices. The groups will meet to review and discuss the recommendations of the Green Meetings and Events Practice Panel. This panel will create the standards for the meetings and events industry in nine topic areas: accommodations, audio/visual and production, communication, destinations, exhibits, food and beverage, meeting venues, on-site offices and transportation.

The first round of CDG's will be held March/April in Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Gainesville, Louisville, Portland, San Diego, Seattle and Vancouver. Later this spring additional CDG's will be held in Denver, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, South Florida, Toronto and Frankfurt.

The first three standards under review in this round of discussions will be transportation, meeting venues and destinations. CMP's are invited to join this panel discussion. All CMP participants will be awarded 2 points towards re-certification.

If you are unable to attend any of the CDG's in person, a virtual discussion board will be coming soon to the APEX Solution Web site.

For more information or to register for a CDG, go to www.APEXsolution.org.

Click here to learn more about the Green Meetings and Events Practice Panel.

(Michelle is a Marketing and Corporate Events Manager for US Central and is KCMPI's 2009-2010 President. She can be reached at michelle.a.lizak@gmail.com).

By Michelle Lizak, CMP

Andrea Cowsar

For the past few issues, we have brought you examples of companies that have been forward-thinking and compassionate about CSR movement. In this industry, companies are not the only ones that are focused on corporate social responsibility. Members of our own industry are actively involved in projects that are working to improve the lives of others.

One such member is Andrea Cowsar, a KCMPI member for 2½ years, current Director of Membership for our chapter and Convention Sales Manager for the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association where she promotes Kansas City to meeting planners to encourage them to hold their conventions in the area. Despite her extremely busy schedule in the hospitality industry, Andrea finds time to give back to her local community.

Through her church, Andrea is involved in Blessings in a Backpack. Blessings in a Backpack is a not-for-profit organization that provides backpacks with food for children grades K-5 in Title 1 public schools who qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Meal Program and may not have any or enough food on the weekends. These children are provided with the backpacks to take home from school on Friday afternoons to provide the family with food to last through the weekend.

By Marlys Arnold

You'll find my letter on the MPI site at:

http://www.mpiweb.org/cms/mpiweb/blog/blog.aspx?blogid=2668&customerid=241151

Don't take away our freedom to meet!

Posted by Marlys Arnold on 2/27/2009 12:11:33 AM                                          

(I don't typically write to members of Congress, but I've just had enough with the meeting-bashing that Washington and the media keep perpetuating. So here's a copy of the letter I sent to Sen. Kerry, as well as the White House and the two senators from my home state.) 

Dear Senator Kerry,

I am writing in response to your plan to introduce legislation regarding meetings and events. While there's no doubt that some companies made unwise decisions about meetings, there seems to be a conspiracy brewing that unfairly targets the 2.4 million members of the meetings and travel industry. The consequences of this line of thinking can be catastrophic:

1. Even healthy companies are now canceling meetings, simply because they are afraid of the stigma and wrath that Congress and the media have created around the meetings industry.

2. It's important to keep meetings going to get our economy rolling again. Virtual meetings can never fully replace face-to-face events. There's a special magic that happens when human beings with similar interests and mindsets gather together. Wasn't this country built on the free exchange of ideas?

3. Meetings and travel played a vital role in the recovery of New York after 9/11 as well as in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In both of those times, travel was considered an act of patriotism.  Now it seems that the one industry which could be a catalyst to restart this economy is in danger of being decimated. Isn't the point to save and create jobs, rather than wipe out an entire industry?

4. In the President's speech this week, he said, "this country needs and values the talents of every American," and that should include the many talented people within the meetings industry. Do you understand who makes their living as a result of these meetings? Housekeepers, food and beverage workers, cab drivers, bellmen, airline employees – not to mention trainers such as myself. And many of these are low-paying positions with people who work very hard for every dime they make.

5. Meetings and conventions also contribute nearly $16 billion in tax revenue, which in turn provides vital services to cities of all sizes.

And don't members of Congress travel the country to attend meetings and gather with constituents?  Will all of these meetings be cancelled?

If the intent is, as the President says, "We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before," it will not happen without the meetings and travel industry. Meetings build business.

Does Congress truly believe "the only way to fully restore America's economic strength is to make the long-term investments that will lead to new jobs, new industries, and a renewed ability to compete with the rest of the world"? If so, those investments should include:

- Continuing to send employees to educational conferences to expand their knowledge and expertise (which can fulfill the President's call for continuing education and career development)

- Holding user groups and sales meetings that strengthen business relationships

- Participating in trade shows and other large gatherings of buyers that bring in new business

We can all agree that honesty & accountability are definitely needed. That's why the meetings industry has developed a list of criteria for companies to use to distinguish between legitimate business meetings and lavish extravaganzas. To learn more about these criteria, please visit http://www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org/tarp.htm.

I may be only one person, but I refuse to give up my career, or watch the industry I love be destroyed without a fight. Copies of this letter will be sent to other Senators, as well as members of the media. I also plan to continue speaking out in online forums. Hopefully you will see that we are valuable members of American society who will play a major role in the success of this country's recovery.

Please do not support this unfair blanket restriction on companies' abilities to use meetings as an essential and cost-effective business tool.

Don't take away our freedom to meet!
Marlys Arnold 

(Marlys is a Speaker, Consultant and Author who runs her own company called Image Specialist. She can be reached at marnold@imagespecialist.com).

Dear Friends:

At the Meeting Professionals International Meet Different conference in Atlanta, Ga., I was witness to several excellent sessions on the current state of the industry, the recent call for sanctions by the U.S. government on TARP recipients' ability to host meetings and the effect of the recent surge of event cancellations. I urge each of you to go to www.MPIweb.org and view the archived re-cast of the One+ real time General Session and the various press releases put out by MPI CEO Bruce MacMillan and the travel industry joint advocacy group. These are extremely important times, please educate yourself on the impacts that these changes will have on our industry. Talk to your peers, supervisors and others in the industry to spread the word and educate.

Soon your local chapters of MPI will be working to send out letters to our legislators, please make sure you participate in this, the more we speak with one loud voice, the greater the impact!

Below is a link to an article in the Event Solutions magazine about a grass roots effort to also get the word out to others in the industry.

ES Endorses Keep America Meeting

Take care and best of luck in these uncertain times!

Michelle Lizak, CMP

(Michelle is a Marketing and Corporate Events Manager for US Central and is KCMPI's 2009-2010 President. She can be reached at michelle.a.lizak@gmail.com).

Our industry is currently under attack from the media and lawmakers. The message needs to be clear: Meetings are not the problem, but part of the solution. We are providing our chapter leaders with resources to activate their members to engage in the conversation and get this message out.

Key initiatives:

·      MPI has launched a new Web resource for meeting professionals to connect during this crisis — meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org. There is a brief PowerPoint Presentation in this toolkit that covers the site and its resources.

·      MPI has teamed with other associations in furtherance of public education through marketing and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. The MPI Foundation together with foundation arms throughout the industry has determined to raise $1 million to fund the first-ever study of the impact of meetings on the U.S. economy.

·      We acted collaboratively as an industry and agreed on a model set of principles for companies that have received government fund rather than wait for the government to impose guidelines.

·      We have also formed a Meeting, Event and Incentive Travel Coalition. Led by Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association, the coalition has already placed retainers on marketing and lobbying firms in Washington, D.C.

·      The USTA-led coalition launched a national campaign called "Meetings Mean Business" (www.meetingsmeanbusiness.org) which will give a further voice to the businesses and people who are suffering as a result of the demonization of meetings and events. It includes a powerful public relations initiative, paid advertising, additional web resources and will require support from local organizations like convention and visitors bureaus and also MPI chapters to tell the story that the faces of this crisis that matter the most are the ones found in local communities like yours.

Much of the focus of this crisis is currently on developments in the United States. But if history is any indicator, the challenge will spread. And indeed, we are already seeing the start of fall-offs in Canada and Europe.

But remember, now isn't the time for panic. It's the time for action. Think about the way the industry recovered after 9/11. We reached out. We connected to new ideas that made us better professionals. We connected to marketplaces that built our businesses. And we connected to relationships that protected and grew our industry.

Key talking points regarding anti-meeting, events, conferences and incentive gatherings legislation and regulation:

What this means for the economy?

In the United States alone, the meeting and event industry is responsible for 15 percent of all travel, creates over an estimated $200 billion in spending annually, generates nearly 2.4 million jobs and provides around $40 billion in tax revenue, and this doesn't begin to quantify the global impact. Meetings are not the problem with the economy. In fact, face-to-face meetings are part of the solution.

What this means for the industry?

As an economic force, this industry has to make its voice heard over the media attack that has received so much attention in Washington and is spreading to other capitals of the world. It is time to activate our voices in this conversation from every aspect of industry participants.

What this means for our members?

Our members are now requested to become a part of the energy of many as the groundswell grows. It will take the voices of all our community to turn the conversation to meetings being part of the solution; not part of the problem.

Why you should care as a Planner or a Supplier?

In this situation there is no difference between planners and supplier. We are all at risk of losing our jobs and seeing an industry shrink. The success of each of us is vested in this conversation. 

Posted 3/16/2009 1:02:31 PM

I want to give you an update on the industry advocacy activities that we continue to support through our participation with US Travel (including with other meeting industry organizations) as well as directly through the leadership of our chapters.

We have come a long way in three weeks. Last week the meeting industry flag was carried by lodging and travel industry CEOs directly to the White House, including a meeting with President Obama. Much of the focus of the 20-minute meeting with the president was the need for federal leadership to "stand down" from toxic comments and the threat of legislation/regulation on meetings and events. The president understood and recognized that the unintended consequences were greater than initially anticipated. The White House meeting prompted a press conference-generated headline (see below) reflecting the president's understanding of the need for a thriving industry. It was clear that the grass-roots industry messaging was getting through and was resonating.

A meeting with Sen. Kerry was equally productive. The senator expressed that he clearly had heard from constituents (I know letters from our New England Chapter were delivered as well as a letter that was followed up directly by the senator's chief of staff). He was very conciliatory and wants to be supportive of the industry starting with toning down his proposed legislation (the meetings and events reference is now gone – http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.463) and he will not press it.

The collaborative grass-roots message is getting received loud and clear that the political rhetoric needs to stop because damage is being done to the "main street" economy. Our chapters are highly active, creating community events, issuing press releases, making presentations and mobilizing members to send letters.

The plan is working and it is essential that the energy of many be sustained. We need to keep the letters and communications flowing as legislators/policy-makers to be constantly reminded about the damage that reckless rhetoric can create. Go to our www.meetingindustrycrisiscenter.org site or to www.meetingsmeanbusiness.org for updates and resources.

We cannot stop now.

As part of the message, it is also imperative that the strategic business value of meetings and events be communicated. The MPI Foundation/George P. Johnson/Event Marketing Institute EventView 2009 Study is a vital piece of research to support this message. To that end, last Friday the three sponsoring organizations hosted a global webcast on the study's findings to not only provide compelling professional development, but also to provide crucial data points to support business decisions to hold meetings and events in the midst of a challenging economy.

Our chapters outside the US are also taking action. On April 14, our Canadian chapters will collaboratively host National Meeting Industry Day to raise the profile of meetings and events in Canada. Our European chapters are also collaborating around policy monitoring and common message development around the meeting and events industry in the European Union.

Some additional media coverage follows:

• Fortune – "Not Every Corporate Trip is a Boondoggle" March 11, 2009
• Associated Press – "White House says it encourages business travel" March 12, 2009
• Reuters – "Hotel, travel executives press Obama on downturn" March 11, 2009 
• Politico – "Obama reassures travel execs" March 11, 2009
• Washington Post op-ed by J.W. Marriott Jr. – "Memo to Business: Let's Meet"

Still lots to do but clearly progress is being made because of an unprecedented collaboration of leadership and organizations at all levels. We will continue to work with the US Travel-lead coalition to collaboratively deploy research and messaging to get compelling data into the minds of the public as well as legislators. We are also exploring innovative ideas to get business moving again. Stay-tuned for that.

Thank-you for your continued support and action. Every letter, every phone call, every interview and presentation is making a difference.

By Sallie Brady / Conde Nast Traveler / MSNBC.com

The Mumbai attacks exposed vulnerabilities in hotel security. Experts reveal what these are — and what must be done to fix them.

The November 2008 Mumbai attacks could bring changes to international hotel security just as sweeping as those Sept. 11 brought to aviation. By the time the 60-hour rampage that targeted three of the city's top hotels had ended, security experts, law enforcement and hoteliers worldwide knew that they were facing a new reality.

The threat of terrorism at luxury hotels has long been recognized: In 2001, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified hotels as soft targets, and since then fatal attacks have occurred at a dozen properties around the globe. To be sure, the two other incidents in 2008 — at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad and the Serena in Kabul — were in high-threat countries not frequented by tourists.

But several earlier attacks took place in destinations popular with both business and leisure travelers: Netanya, Israel (2002); Jakarta (2003); and Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, and Amman, Jordan (2005). Yet the Mumbai violence, in which 171 perished, sounded the loudest alarm, say hotel security professionals.

Chin, who is also the executive director of risk management for the New York Palace Hotel, says the Mumbai violence struck close to home. "Mumbai is a financial capital; New York is a financial capital. Mumbai has a high population; New York has a high population. Mumbai has luxury hotels; New York has luxury hotels."

Although no U.S. hotels have been attacked to date, industry insiders are increasingly concerned about their vulnerability. "Major European capitals and American cities are a couple of places we're worried about," says Robert Grenier, a 27-year veteran of the CIA who is chairman of global security consulting at the corporate security firm Kroll. "Mumbai is going to force five-star hotels in high-threat capitals to focus on security — at least in the short term."

In fact, hotel safety and security efforts can vary wildly, even within one brand. And hotels are not subject to international — or in this country, federal — safety standards beyond basic fire and municipal codes. Matters of hiring security guards and training staff are mostly left up to hotel management. Experts say it's impossible to institute a national standard. "What applies in Manhattan may not apply at a hotel in Dublin, Ohio," says Davis.

A 2002 study of American hotels by Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration found that "over one-third of general managers surveyed had done nothing to alter their security procedures," and that the safest properties are those at airports, followed by luxury hotels, especially new and urban ones.

A follow-up study in 2008 concluded that little progress had been made. Many hotel security auditors say that name-brand luxury properties in major cities tend to be the most focused on guest safety. But according to Grenier, "You might be better off staying in a boutique hotel" — an unlikely target for a terrorist attack.

In the 1990s, the U.S. hotel industry did effectively address the problem of crime and theft by making electronic key cards standard and installing back-of-house surveillance cameras and in-room safes. Hotel auditors expect a similar industrywide effort to focus on protection against terrorism.

But that doesn't solve the problem of porous security abroad, particularly in places where counter-intelligence is weak and local law enforcement cannot be counted on in the case of a heightened threat. The Indian press reported that two months before the Mumbai attacks, local police gave the Taj hotel a list of 22 needed security improvements, including placing a grill gate over the back entrance where the attackers gained access.

The hotel reportedly relaxed security just before the bombings. A spokesperson for the Taj wouldn't comment on the company's security procedures, but in a televised interview Ratan Tata, the chairman of the Taj hotel group, blamed poor intelligence and ill-equipped law enforcement for the fatalities.

Many large chains hire security consultants such as Hospitality Risk Controls, Kroll, and the Annapolis-based global security firm iJet Intelligent Risk Systems to audit their hotels to detect security lapses. iJet also provides clients, typically Fortune 500 companies and high-net-worth individuals, with detailed country profiles and daily travel alerts reported by staff around the world, many of whom are retired intelligence and military officers. The company audits about 500 hotels annually, and those that pass its rigorous safety checks and covert inspections land in a database available to subscribers (subscriptions start at $5,000 a year).

"There's such a range of players out there," says iJet president Bruce McIndoe. "Some recognizable brands don't know how to spell the word security. They don't even have anyone in charge of it. Other have sophisticated global operations," he says. "Hotels need to do better. The industry doesn't have standards, and the brands don't have control."

What hotels are doing now
The week after the Mumbai bombings, police departments in  several U.S. cities — including New York, Chicago, and Miami — met with hoteliers to urge them to step up employee training and monitoring, background checks, and lobby security. (Some Manhattan hotels have had 24/7 plainclothes security in their lobbies since 9/11.) Any increase in such safeguards will be a deterrent to would-be attackers, says Grenier. "If they see an obvious upgrade in security, they'll find other targets."

Cement blockades at the checkpoint of the Islamabad Marriott reportedly saved hundreds of lives when the hotel was attacked last year, and the Sheraton Karachi, where 13 people were killed in a 2002 suicide bombing, recently touted its "security enhancements." The days of keeping mum on security so as not to frighten guests may be over as safety measures actually become a marketing tool — particularly in a competitive economy.

The Starwood chain, for one, works with two security firms. "Several years ago, we overhauled our existing emergency and crisis procedures to address terrorism-related events as well as traditional crises," says Starwood spokesperson K. C. Kavanaugh. Access to its Mumbai properties is now restricted to guests.

Direct link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29434591/

 

Name, Title and Company:

Gretchen L. Miles, CMP

Meeting Planner

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)

Job description:

The ACCP Meeting Planner focuses on managing meeting logistics for all of ACCP's conventions. In addition to meeting logistics, this position includes site selection, contract negotiation, vendor selection and management, marketing, facility space planning, food and beverage specifications, budgeting, managing the exhibits program, and managing satellite symposia programs. This position requires an ability to prioritize, manage several projects simultaneously, work both independently and as a team member, and exercise judgment based on a thorough knowledge of the College and its members. The ACCP Meeting Planner is entrusted with information and responsibilities that necessitate discretion and confidentiality. Routine interaction with members, vendors, senior ACCP staff, Board members, association and industry leaders, and the public requires exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Years involved in KCMPI: 

I have been a member of KCMPI for approximately 4½ years since I was hired as the Meeting Planner for ACCP. 

KCMPI committees I have served on:

I have been an active member of the Monthly Programs Committee for the past three years and have led two educational programs and one holiday party during this time. I was also a participant of the CMP Study Group. Then, after I achieved my CMP certification, I helped facilitate it for one session.

What I enjoy best about the hospitality industry:

The pace and the excitement. There is never a dull moment, and it is never the same from day to day. I think anyone in this industry could write a book about the people we have met and the situations we have seen and conquered. When I share stories with nonindustry people, they are flabbergasted and think I'm making them up ... until they meet my industry friends and hear their stories! 

Activities I enjoy outside of work:

I love my friends and family and spend as much time as possible with them. In the spring, I like to dig in the dirt, planting flowers. Then, I spend the summer trying to keep the bunnies and other creatures from eating them. 

Anything else you'd like to add:

I've been working in the hospitality industry, both as a supplier and now as a planner, for almost 13 years. In these trying and uncertain times, the one thing I believe in is the importance and power of the hospitality industry, and I wouldn't want to be on any other roller coaster. The thrill comes from the ups and downs; we all just have to remember to hold on and enjoy the ride. 

Name, Title and Company:

Marlys Arnold

Speaker, Author & Consultant

ImageSpecialist

Job description:

As an image and marketing consultant, I teach companies and individuals how to improve their professional image. This often includes traveling the country to help exhibitors and show managers maximize their trade show results. In addition, I'm the author of two books  (Build a Better Trade Show Image, and Pack Your Bags! - Tips & Tools for Savvy Travelers), host of the Trade Show Insights podcast, and co-founder of Kansas City's "Y.E.S. - Your Exhibit Success" network. My latest project is the Image@Work Club, a Web site that teaches college students how to look and act more professional in the workplace.

Years involved in KCMPI:  8

KCMPI committees I have served on:

Education Conference (7 years)

Marketing (created the new KCMPI brochure and information kit in 2007)

Speaker at Conferences (KCMPI – 8 times, MPI's PEC – 2 times)

What I enjoy best about the hospitality industry:

There's an energy in the meetings and trade show business that you can't find anywhere else. Because this industry attracts fun and creative people, there's a positive snowball effect whenever we team up to put on an event. It's always exciting to watch the ideas unfold!

Activities I enjoy outside of work:

Surfing the Web

Watching Dancing with the Stars, CSI & LOST

Creating videos for my church

Anything else you'd like to add:

MPI has been wonderful for me, both personally and professionally. I've not only gained business opportunities, but also some very good friends.