MPIKC Times
MPI - Kansas City Chapter
Dear Members and Friends,
Last June, I embarked on my term as President with one simple statement: "I want to recruit you." That statement is just a true today as it was then.
Our organization prides itself on the level of volunteers that support it.
I am honored to have served this past year as President with the outgoing 2009-2010 Board of Directors. These volunteers have all exemplified true leadership and resolve this past year. I would like to thank each and every one of our board members, committee chairs, committee members and volunteers for all their hard work and support that they've give the chapter this past year.
Please join in celebrating our successes of 2009-2010 and thank our outgoing board and committee chairs for their hard work.
- Karen Hoch, President Elect
- Vickie Brawley, Immediate Past President
- Lorie Scott, CMP, VP Finance
- Lori Turec, VP Communications
- Andrea Cowsar, VP Membership
- Dan Veglahn, CMP, VP Education and CMM/CMP Chair
- Danielle Jodts, Director Leadership Development
- Janice McClain, Director Special Events
- Kara Brady, Director Strategic Alliance
- Phil Allemang, CAS, Director Marketing/PR
- Andrea Bauer, Director Member Care
- Andrea Foulkes, Director Student/Satellite Membership
- Tricia Clement, CMP, Director Monthly Programs
- Shana Hoy, Director Special Education
- Cheryle Grinter, Chapter Administrator
- Shari Hockenbery, CMP, and Lynne Fleenor, Fundraising Chairs
- Bill Hartnett, Strategic Alliance Chair
- Diane Wolfe, CMP, Audit and Finance Chair
- Melissa Lee, CMP, MPI Liaison Chair
- Maria Davis, CMP, and Debra Sweeten, Newsletter Chairs
- Mandy Petzold, Social Media Chair
- Deb Arbo, CMP, Website Chair
- Sue Heley, CMP, Scholarship Chair
- Rebecca Hensel, Member Retention Chair
- Carolyn Sterbenz and Jenny Forsythe, Golf Committee Chairs
- Lacey Spallitta, CMP, and Angela Jenness, PEC Chairs
- Andrayana Getchell, Leadership Committee Chair
- Tracy Orpin, CMP, Awards and Recognition Chair
I am also pleased to introduce you to your 2010-2011 Board of Directors. Some are new faces to the board, others are returning Past Presidents and still others, experienced board members.
You'll notice when reviewing the list for 2010-2011, we've made some changes to the size of our board. In an effort to make your chapter leadership more effective and efficient, we have eliminated a few of board positions to streamline communications and management.
- Shana Hoy, President Elect
- Inge Hafkemeyer, CMM, Immediate Past President
- Diane Wolfe, CMP, VP Finance
- Phil Allemang, CAS, VP Communications
- Andrea Cowsar, VP Education
- Andrea Bauer, VP Membership
- Jill Quinn, Director Leadership Development
- Aesha Beattle, Director Special Events
- Tricia Clement, CMP, Director Monthly Programs
- Kara Brady, Director Strategic Alliance
- Lacey Spallitta, CMP, Director Member Care
- Cheryle Grinter, Chapter Administrator
Over the course of the next year, we welcome the many opportunities for the board to meet each of our members. If you ever have any questions regarding the chapter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Finally in closing, I want to recruit you! Find your passion and get involved today!
Warmest Regards,
Michelle McSpadden, CMP, CMM, Executive Vice President for Bishop-McCann, was recently awarded the Certified Meeting Manager designation through MPI. The CMM is an intensive learning opportunity designed for experienced and highly accomplished members of our global meeting industry community seeking career advancement and professional recognition. The five-day program enhances the strategic decision-making ability of these leaders, enabling delivery of exceptional meetings and events that drive organizational success. The CMM designation is the most prestigious in the meetings and events industry. There are over 14,000 CMPs in the industry, only about 600 CMMs. Congratulations, Michelle!
Sherie L. Howell, CMP, CMM, CGMP, Conference Manager, A-S-K Associates, Inc., and Lori Haskell of Hilton Airport both received the Certified Government Meeting Professional designation. Both are also members of Society of Government Meeting Professionals.
Sherie Howell with certificate.
The class.
Congratulations to Andrea Bauer on her promotion at EPIC Entertainment, Inc., to Director of Client Relations/Event Producer.
EPIC Entertainment has been managing live events, experiential marketing and entertainment production in Kansas City and across the country for over a decade. EPIC Entertainment, Inc.® is a subsidiary of Kansas City's historical Starlight Theatre, an 8,000-seat non-profit outdoor concert and theatrical venue in the heart of beautiful Swope Park.
Andrea can be reached at (816) 997-1107 or andrea.bauer@epic-kc.com.
KCMPI member Jayne Hopkins is pleased to announce her new position at the Holiday Inn & Suites Convention Center at I-435 & Nall Avenue. She recently started as the Director of Sales. Jayne looks forward to working with fellow KCMPI members for all of their guestroom and meeting needs.
You may contact Jayne at: (913) 312-5991 x1 or at jayne.hopkins@aemhotels.com.
KCMPI would like to congratulate Renee Price on her new position as Western Region Sales Manager at Camden on the Lake, the new luxury resort on The Lake of the Ozarks. Renee will still be located in Lake area, but with a focus in the Kansas City area on offsite events.
Camden on the Lake offers 116 luxury hotel rooms and suites, 16,000 square feet of meeting space (to include the current addition of its new lake view ballroom), additional outdoor space for team building and entertaining with breathtaking panoramic lake views. With state-of-the-art meetings space, a full-service spa, sand volleyball, a pool with swim-up beverage service, a multi-media theater, and lots of onsite dining and live entertainment, you will not find another property like it in the Midwest and is a great addition to The Lake area. Renee is excited to be a part of the new and growing team and here to assist with any needs.
Renee's new contact information is below, and it also can be found in the MPI Member Directory. Or, you can check the Hotel out at www.toadcove.com.
Renee Price
Western Region Sales Manager
CAMDEN on the Lake (formerly The Resort & Yacht Club)
Toadcove Entertainment Complex
2359 Bittersweet Road
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 964-2065 direct
(888) 365-5620 hotel
(573) 964-6753 fax
www.toadcove.com
June 18, 2010 – KCMPI Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet – Faulkner's Ranch
As KCMPI prepares for a Round UP of Winners at KCMPI's Annual Awards Banquet, this year we will converge on the serene lakeside setting of Faulkner's Ranch for a unique "couture cowboy" experience.
Please plan to join us for this special evening honoring our exceptional volunteers of 2009-2010! Register today!
15400 East 34th Street
Independence, MO 64055
On April 29, the KCMPI Membership and Leadership Committees hosted a reception to celebrate KCMPI members, leaders, volunteers and friends!
Olive Events and Catering provided a beautiful provided a beautiful and delicious assortment of tasty hors d'oeuvre and scrumptious desserts.
The red 
carpet event was held at Club 1000 in their newest space, Klub Kilo.
Jeff Holmes and The Good Foot generously provided their talents and allowed the crowd to boogie the night away, and toast our outstanding volunteers in true VIP fashion!
Not only do we celebratethe over 60 volunteers whose dedication and work makes KCMPI possible, but we also encourage you to take your membership to the next level by getting involved on a committee. There are positions to fit nearly every interest and schedule. For more information, please contact our Director of Leadership, Andrayana Getchell.
Director of Client Relations/Event Producer
EPIC Entertainment, Inc.®
(816) 997-1107
andrea.bauer@epic-kc.com
www.vistaprod.com/flash/html/KCMPI.wmv
The above link to photos taken during the 2010 Twittering/Dine Around with music as you watch it was provided by Sarah Morrissey, CMP, Vista Production, (816) 27706577, smorrissey@vistaprod.com.
Archana Combs
Corporate Sales Consultant
Dave & Busters, Inc.
Rebecca Gleason
Sales Manager
Harrah's Casino & Hotel
Jennifer McDaniel
Sales Events and Logistics Coordinator
Perceptive Software
Karen Sutton
Sales Manager
Titanic Museum Attraction
Sarah Whitten
Director of Marketing
Five Star Speakers
Tracy Orpin, CMP, reached her 10-year anniversary in March but was accidentally not recognized in the March/April newsletter. Our apologies for the error.
You may reach Tracy at tracyorpin@earthlink.net, (913) 642-9768 (office), or (913) 706-6946 (cell).
31 YEARS
Vanessa Kane, CMP, CMM, Manager, Meetings & Events, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
Join Date: 6/11/79
24 YEARS
Rod Sanchez, National Sales Manager, Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association
Join Date: 6/2/86
22 YEARS
Julie Green, Director, Worldwide Accounts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
Join Date: 6/6/88
13 YEARS
Doug Fager, CMP, Meeting Planner, Onyx Meetings & Events
Join Date: 6/1/97
Vicky Fleming, Registration Manager, NAPSLO
Join Date: 6/4/97
11 YEARS
Mitchell Collins, CMP, President & CEO, Vista Productions, Inc.
Join Date: 6/4/99
Janice McClain, CMP, Meeting Planner, J.M. McClain & Associates, LLC
Join Date: 6/14/99
10 YEARS
Maria Davis, CMP, Sales Manager, Lodge of Four Seasons
Join Date: 6/1/00
9 YEARS
Diane Wolfe, CMP, President, KDW
Join Date: 6/27/01
8 YEARS
Sheila Alonzo, CMP, Meeting Management Specialist, Teva Neuroscience
Join Date: 6/4/02
Kay Samuelson, CMP, Associate Director of Sales, The Lodge of Four Seasons Golf Resort & Spa Shiki
Join Date: 6/5/02
6 YEARS
Bernice Pluth, San Diego State University
Join Date: 6/16/04
4 YEARS
Ginger Walters, Sales Manager, Buca di Beppo
Join Date: 6/2/06
3 YEARS
Doug Dresslaer, Event Manager, Sprint
Join Date: 6/25/07
Kara Brady
Join Date: 6/26/07
2 YEARS
Kerry Green, CTA, Meeting Group and Event Manager, Kansas City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Join Date: 6/20/08
Patty Wolfe, CMP, Officer, Sales, Assurant Employee Benefits
Join Date: 6/20/08
Abby Ledbetter, Convention Services Manager, Hyatt Regency Crown Center
Join Date: 6/23/08
12 YEARS
Tyler Adkins, Manager, Sales and Marketing, Agenda: Kansas City
Join Date: 5/13/98
9 YEARS
Gerard Murphy, Owner, Murphy & Associates
Join Date: 5/2/01
7 YEARS
Wendy Phillips, CMP, Program Manager, Bishop-McCann
Join Date: 5/2/03
3 YEARS
Tricia Clement, CMP, Event Manager, Agenda: Kansas City
Join Date: 5/10/07
C. Diane Miller, CMP, Meeting Arrangements Coordinator, Church of the Nazarene
Join Date: 5/21/07
Katie Schillare, Event Sales Manager, Kansas City Power & Light District
Join Date: 5/29/07
Celia Fritz-Watson, Director of Alumnae Affairs, Notre Dame de Sion School
Join Date: 5/30/07
2 YEARS
Amanda McLeish, Corporate Events Coordinator, Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Join Date: 5/6/08
1 YEAR
Heather Bird, Board Events & Meeting Planning Specialist, Golf Course Superintendants Association of America
Join Date: 5/6/09
Amy Bornhorst, Conference Coordinator, A-S-K Associates
Join Date: 5/13/09
Whitney Craig, University of Kansas
Join Date: 5/20/09
Brenda Ridgnal, Meeting Planner, Brenda Ridgnal, Inc.
Join Date: 5/22/09
Lauren Christopherson, University of Missouri
Join Date: 5/27/09
My term as VP of Communications is drawing to a close. It's hard to believe how quickly it has flown by. Instead of looking back at the highs and lows from the past year (and there has been plenty of both!) I am choosing to be cautiously optimistic and look forward.
Recently I attended a leadership session lead by Rachel Lynn Hatch from the Institute for the Future (iftf.org) The big takeaway for me from that day was the VUCA world that we are all living in now. VUCA stand for:
Volitile | Uncertain | Complex | Ambigious
Volitile
A year ago there was little reason to be optimistic. Thankfully, for many of us that is no longer the case. The number of events being cancelled a year ago was at a depressingly high level; today that has stabilized. The number of companies deciding not to have any events was growing last year. Now the data indicate face-to-face meetings have been recognized for the long- and short-term benefits they bring.
Uncertain
Green is one trend that is proving to have legs but there is a chance that it may stall out due to budget pressure. Planners and suppliers have made efforts to provide sustainable solutions that still keep a close eye on the bottom line. Attendees may come to value meetings that meet these criteria more than those that do not. It is uncertain how the market will react, but it will be important to watch the trends.
Complex
The expansion of technology within the event industry can be excited or it can be terrifying depending on your level of comfort with change. A year ago, several KCMPI members did not "Twitter" but today most of us are much more familiar with the tools and power of social media. Other technology advances including mobile marketing will be on the horizon. Virtual meetings, custom web applications, online communication, and more will add to the complexity of our industry.
Ambiguous
How effective are meetings really? Why are we meeting in the first place? Will my role change at my organization? Will more work be outsourced? Will my top client continue to buy from me? Do incentive trips continue to reward top performers enough to justify the ROI? What are we doing to measure the results generated by meetings? The list goes on and on . . . planners and suppliers who can anticipate trends in the ambiguous VUCA world will come out ahead.
It is hoped that we all have learned lessons from the bubble and the bust. Going forward, we all can help our organization's measurably grow and gain competitive advantage.
While times are better, it is only right to recognize that some of the KCMPI members are still experiencing significant career challenges right now. The Chapter is working to make sure that membership has real career value and offering flexible payment options. All member can also do their part by helping fellow members however possible as they search for new adventures. The real power of our membership is the impact we all bring to our organizations and to our fellow KCMPI members—the VUCA world only makes the relationships more important.
Thank you all for the opportunity to work with you this past year. If I can ever help any of you grow your own businesses, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
All the best!
Lori
Lori Torec, VP, Communications, LTurec@fivestarspeakers.com
Debra Sweeten, Newsletter Chair, debra.sweeten@yahoo.com
Phil Allemang, Director of PR and Marketing, phila@cam-inc.com
