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Weekly on Tuesdays
October 5* - November 23
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Via Zoom
*Thanks to the wonders of technology and our dedicated facilitators, it is not too late to register for the CMP Fall 2021 Virtual Prep Course. Lectures and live sessions are all recorded and provided to watch on your timeline, so it is easy to catch up.
The eight-week, part-live, part-recorded, virtual course facilitated by local, experienced CMPs includes lectures and handouts for each section, complete information about the exam and test-taking tips.
MPI Potomac Unplugged
Courageous Conversations and Sensible Solutions
Thursday, November 18
4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Westin Alexandria Old Town & Virtual
Our new world of meeting and event planning has new rules and needs. Transparency and honest conversations are more important than ever. How do we move forward with each other so the win-win continues? By having courageous conversations that bring sensible solutions!
Thought leaders from hotels, destinations, expo companies, production, in-house and independent planners will sit down to share their real-life experiences and challenges in order to have real conversations about what is needed when executing an event and the best ways to communicate as well as work together.
Learner Outcomes:
- Recognizing how COVID-19 has impacted booking parameters, meetings specifications and partnerships
- Best practices on what to ask for in your contracts from the perspective of all parties involved
- Unique questions to ask as vendors are confirmed for programs
- Understanding of financial needs from both parties to execute meetings/events
MPI Potomac Call for Presenters
MPI Potomac invites you to submit your ideas and speakers for our regional conference (ReConEx 2022).
ReConEx 2022 will be an event unlike any other that MPI Potomac has produced in the past 15 years of hosting its regional conference. This immersive, hybrid experience will take place April 26, 2022, at The Hotel at the University of Maryland. We are looking for bold and creative presentations to facilitate meaningful conversations during our premier educational event.
The deadline to submit your ideas and speakers is Nov. 15, 2021, so don’t delay!
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Delivering Meeting Services in a Foreign Country
By Alyssa M. Kolat, CMP, DES, senior meeting consultant, Site Solutions Worldwide
I spent this summer working in Japan, in the middle of a pandemic, for the U.S. Department of State during the 2020 (actually 2021) Olympic and Paralympic Games. There are many safety and security concerns just delivering housing and transportation services to a client. When working in a culturally different environment with changing rules as a result of a global pandemic, the challenges can be overwhelming.
Safety concerns:
- Transportation to quarantine from the airport – inability to meet and greet due to airport restrictions
- Following COVID regulations in a hotel with and without a global brand (language barriers, lack of continuity at all properties)
- Maintaining security while in quarantine (can’t leave your rooms, can’t manage your attendees/guests)
- Implementation of daily COVID tests
- Daily changing rules related to the pandemic
- Maintaining comfort of the guests under difficult circumstances (during quarantine and after)
Challenges:
- Language barrier
- In-country customs
- Using translators rather than being able to speak in person
- Understanding contracting conversations
- Missing/not seeing body language cues (restricted from site visits, having to use Zoom)
- Inability to establish relationships with hotels and various service providers due to the inability to conduct site visits
- Inability to establish relationships due to differing customs and language
- Inability to get a true sense of property amenities (or lack of)
- Inability to understand nuances in transportation that differ from the U.S.
- Hotel billing completely different/contract language not as extensive
From the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee:
If you have a story to share, DE&I resources or action items for our industry, or if you're just curious, please do not hesitate to reach out to us:
MPI Potomac is an inclusive community of meeting professionals who embrace learning, collaboration and your development.
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Committee Spotlight
MPI Potomac's Member Engagement & Community Outreach Committee
As the summer humidity wanes and the autumn crisp starts to fill the air, Member Engagement and Community Outreach (MECO) wants chapter members to fall into engagement — both within the chapter and out in the community. Read on to rake in what that means in practice and how you can get involved with their efforts.
About the committee
The MECO team strongly "be-leaves" in its dual purpose: one, to encourage members to get involved with the chapter and two, to enhance the chapter’s presence in the DMV and the local hospitality community. Member Engagement helps members feel connected to the chapter, through actions like matching prospective volunteers with committees and hosting MPI Potomac Insider events. Community Outreach ensures the chapter makes a positive impact on the community by branching out to nonprofit partners and organizing hands-on service projects.
Current projects
MPI Potomac Insider: This hourlong, virtual program is perfect for new members or those looking to re-engage with the chapter. Be on the lookout for the next Insider event!
Community Outreach is finalizing two yearlong, nonprofit partners to serve as the cornerstone of our volunteer plan. Keep an eye out for additional "tree-tails," including how you can get involved, in the coming weeks.
Representatives from Member Engagement will be at upcoming in-person events, eager to help create new connections. If your networking skills are a bit rusty, come (pumpkin) spice them up with us. Look for the blue “Ambassador” ribbons.
Get involved with MECO
If you have a passion for doing "gourd" in the community or a desire to "boo-st" chapter engagement, season the moment and contact Evan Nielson, director of MECO, at enielson@aarp.org. Or, if you’re looking to get more involved but don’t know which committee is right for you, reach out to Evan today. We know you’ll have an "a-maize-ing" time, regardless of which committee you join!
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MPI Potomac Leadership: Call for Mentors and Mentees
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push in the right direction.” — John Crosby
Mentorship is a mutually beneficial partnership that can pay dividends over the course of both your careers. Where do you start?
1) Understanding of expectations
2) Goals
3) Commitment
4) Follow up
Common benefits mentees have shared about their experience:
*Benefit from an external viewpoint
*Support, sounding board and encouragement
*Insight and caution from those that have "walked the walk"
*Develop learning path
*Achieve professional goals
*A trusted friend for life
Mentors interested in connecting with mentees in our industry: #raiseyourhand to share your working experience and inspire a mentee to move forward.
Mentees: #raiseyourhand and be open to conversation in a safe space with the goal to strengthen your professional journey and clear the way forward to success in the global meeting, events and hospitality industry.
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MPI Potomac Podcast is Online Now!
Tune in on the first and third Wednesday of each month to hear from industry leaders and influencers as we cover topics from opening up post-pandemic, leadership, mentorship, career advancement and more.
So far we’ve published eight programs with more to come!
Recent topics include International Women in Hospitality and
Leadership through the Pandemic.
Click below to listen now on Spotify.
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