Connections - MPI Potomac Chapter
December 2015A Note From The President
Are you a juggler? It's this time of year, where I feel like there are one too many balls in the air and one is probably going to fall. My mind is a constant to-do list on steroids. Did I remember to buy that gift? When am I going to find time to do my work expenses? When is that holiday party? Oops, now I'm double-booked.
It's suppose to be the season of light, joy and peace, but my life is anything but peaceful between Thanksgiving and New Year. That's why I'm incredibly grateful for the amazing leaders in the Potomac Chapter. PMPI is the one area of my life that I don't spend hours worrying.
Members probably assume that being president is a full-time job. Yes, there is a bit of a time commitment, but the quality of leaders and volunteers that are providing value to our members everyday, make it easy and fun.
At our recent Board Retreat, we spent time re-strategizing our goals for the year and how to execute them. We brainstormed solutions to challenges, focusing on member value, and enjoyed time together at the beautiful Salamander Resort & Spa.
In the midst of the busy holiday season, consider becoming a co-chair or board member next year. Any of our leaders would be delighted to share their story and help you consider what your next chapter could be with the Potomac Chapter.
Kindly,
Amy
Features
By Dan Coughlin
Communication is obviously essential to being an effective leader. So what makes for really effective communication?
Here are three definitions from Merriam-Webster Dictionary to consider:
Charisma: A special magnetic charm or appeal.
Clarity: The quality of being expressed, remembered, and easily understood in a very exact way.
Conviction: The feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true.
Two of these three are essential to being a great communicator, and the one that I leave out might surprise you. Many companies still list charisma as an essential leadership competency. I really disagree with that.
Charisma is a personality trait. It is largely inherent in the individual and can be nurtured further over time. Charisma is about how you look and how you carry yourself and how you dress and the tone of your voice and the ability to change the speed and volume of your words. It is not an essential variable of great leadership. Some great leaders had charisma. Some great leaders did not. Some terrible leaders did have charisma. Some terrible leaders did not have charisma.
Communication is obviously essential to being an effective leader. So what makes for really effective communication?
Here are three definitions from Merriam-Webster Dictionary to consider:
Charisma: A special magnetic charm or appeal.
Clarity: The quality of being expressed, remembered, and easily understood in a very exact way.
Conviction: The feeling of being sure that what you believe or say is true.
Two of these three are essential to being a great communicator, and the one that I leave out might surprise you. Many companies still list charisma as an essential leadership competency. I really disagree with that.
Charisma is a personality trait. It is largely inherent in the individual and can be nurtured further over time. Charisma is about how you look and how you carry yourself and how you dress and the tone of your voice and the ability to change the speed and volume of your words. It is not an essential variable of great leadership. Some great leaders had charisma. Some great leaders did not. Some terrible leaders did have charisma. Some terrible leaders did not have charisma.
Visit http://www.thecoughlincompany.com/cc_vol14_8a/ to view the full article online.
By Faye Pastor, CEM, CMP, PMPI Membership, E&R CommitteeIn keeping with this year’s theme, "Writing Your Next Chapter," who knows better than a PMPI past president of the benefits of being active in our PMPI chapter can bring.
Will Trokey was PMPI president from July 2012 to June 2013. Will has been a vibrant and a major contributor to the PMPI Potomac Chapter since 2005. With his amiable and welcoming presence, it’s easy to see how Will has become a true leader in our chapter and our industry.
Will’s initial involvement with MPI was for professional development. However, Will shares, "About my time with MPI: The professional development has spilled over to my personal development. Chapter projects and committees gave me a chance to try things I had not tried."
Being involved with the chapter and serving on a committee can help you grow your skills. It may even give you the insight for uncovering skills and interests that could ultimately move you into a different direction in your career. For example, becoming active on the Leadership Committee might give you the incentive and confidence to pursue becoming a CEO or director.
Will also praised MPI for providing the education and resources, as well as networking opportunities that can lead to building personal along with professional relationships.
"MPI was way ahead of the curve on social media!" Will shared. While Will was on the PMPI Board of Directors, the chapter leadership was encouraging chapter leaders to utilize various social media outlets to promote events, recruit more members and keep the chapter connected.
"So many of the social media platforms I got from PMPI." One place this is truly evident is hospitality sales. Will is the national sales manager for Visit Charlotte. Will explained, "You don’t sell like you used to sell. You don’t always have an opportunity to connect. The way you market and sell is very different than it used to be. PMPI has given me skills that will carry me into the future."
Will believes that MPI also provides a great foundation of relationships. MPI provides wonderful opportunities to create and cultivate contacts with vendors and mentors. "In our business, things can go wrong – and we want them to succeed, of course! But how we respond is a testament to the relationships we have developed and nurtured (with our fellow MPI members). That’s why industry relationships are so important."
Be on the lookout for future stories about our illustrious past PMPI presidents! Could your next chapter include a spot on a committee or the PMPI Board? The sky’s the limit!
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Waterview Conference Center
Arlington, VA
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Waterview Conference Center
Arlington, VA
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Visit http://www.cvent.com/d/1fq9fd?RefID=Jan16e2FYI to view the full article online.
Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10, 2016
Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria
9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day
The Boot Camp is facilitated by local, experienced CMPs. It includes handouts for each domain, complete information about the exam and test-taking tips. Some of the many benefits of being a part of the study course include:
PMPI's fall class had a 100 percent pass rate on the November CMP exam!
Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria
9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day
The Boot Camp is facilitated by local, experienced CMPs. It includes handouts for each domain, complete information about the exam and test-taking tips. Some of the many benefits of being a part of the study course include:
- Clarification of complex material and concepts
- Great time management assistance
- Learning CMP test-taking tips
- Support and encouragement
PMPI's fall class had a 100 percent pass rate on the November CMP exam!
Visit http://www.cvent.com/events/pmpi-cmp-winter-boot-camp/event-summary-567fbe753da54b3f8554d738650f2590.aspx to view the full article online.
News and Announcements
MACE! 2016 Choose Your Own Adventure has changed dates to FEBRUARY 24-25, 2016 at The Omni Shoreham Hotel.Sometimes choosing your own adventure means delaying your trip, and for MACE! 2016 that's exactly what we have done. As a good partner with the Omni Shoreham Hotel, we certainly understand when flexibility on both sides is needed to achieve our shared and individual business goals. As a result, we have moved our MACE! date to February 24-25, 2016, which will help the Omni meet their business goals and also has positive impact on our ability to create a truly successful MACE! conference.
Choose Your Own Adventure by joining fellow meeting professionals at the Mid-Atlantic Conference & Exposition, MACE! 2016, presented by Meeting Professionals International Potomac Chapter (PMPI). MACE! 2016 is the top level of learning. The programming at MACE! 2016 will provide you with the tools and resources to Choose Your Own Adventure. From the hottest technology tools to industry trends, our stellar education tracks include opportunities for both event planners and suppliers.
Your adventure awaits!
Visit http://www.cvent.com/d/nfq8t4?RefID=MACE16FYI to view the full article online.
PMPI's bimonthly magazine, Engage, is always available online. Don't miss our current issue, with features about event safety and security, gamification trends, and wellness challenges at conferences and trade shows.
With each issue, we're always looking for contributors and ideas that will educate and inspire PMPI. If you're interested in writing an article for the magazine, which could earn your CMP credit, email Michelle Coombs at mcoombs@sandiego.org.
Start reading now!
Start reading now!
