Conducting Business in Challenging Times

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By Shari Hockenbery, CMP

Happy New Year! It is officially the beginning of a new year for KCMPI educational programming. And have we got a dynamic, hit-'em-out-of-the-ballpark, firecracker of a program for you!

The global economic crisis is shaking the meetings industry. Conferences, incentive trips and travel are suddenly under scathing attack as examples of corporate excess. The federal government is legislating spending controls that discourage meetings, and the resulting confusion and fear is a sickness gripping the entire industry.

But KCMPI has the remedy for both planners and suppliers in these troubled times. Platinum Series speaker and hospitality industry attorney Joshua L. Grimes will deliver an interactive and focused discussion about the federal stimulus law and its affect on the meetings industry: The New Federal "Stimulus" Law and the Meetings Industry: Conducting Business in Challenging Times.

Attorney Grimes wowed KCMPI members before with Get Your SOX On! and he is back to recommend effective approaches to addressing stimulus legislation, discuss best strategies for groups to continue meeting, and help hotels and suppliers minimize cancellations and attract business by partnering with customers to comply with new spending guidelines.

Mark your calendars for Sept. 17, 2009, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the brilliantly innovative Conference Center at Town Pavilion. Town Pavilion is located at 1100 Walnut in the heart of downtown redevelopment on the corner of "new and exciting." A delicious hot breakfast buffet will be provided by KC J Catering at www.KCJCatering.com.

As always, KCMPI is grateful for the support of its generous sponsors. Many thanks to Town Pavilion, KC J Catering, Hotel Phillips and Overland Limousine for their service and friendship, which makes offering this outstanding program possible!

(Shari is a Meeting Planner for the Francis Family Foundation. She can be reached at 816-531-0077 or e-mail at Shari@francisfoundation.org.)