Volunteering with FICP is an ideal way to hone your leadership skills, interact with industry peers and contribute to the success of FICP programs and events.
FICP accepts volunteers at any time. However, positions are added only when a spot becomes available, or during the period between the Annual Conference and the end of the year when the following year’s committees are being formed. Committee terms are one year unless otherwise specified.
Comprised of FICP Meeting Planner Members only.
What is the process of being elected?
The Nominating Commitee will interview and nominate as many candidates as set forth by the current Board of Directors. This slate of candidates will be presented to the membership for general election at the FICP Annual Business Meeting. FICP will ask for a proxy vote from those members not in attendance at the annual meeting.
What positions are currently available on the board?
All positions for 2012 have been filled. Positions available each year are dependent upon which positions are vacated by current directors who will be departing the following year.
How long will I be on the board?
You will be elected for a term of three years. Should you eventually become Chair, you would serve one additional year for a total of four years. All board members are eligible to be elected Chair (Chair-Elect), with top consideration going to board members who have served one year.
How much time will I spend on board activities?
The board meets in-person four times per year (which includes a Board Meeting at the Annual Conference). These Board meetings typcially last three days.
In addition to your time at the Board Meetings, you will be required to spend individual time performing the responsibilities of your assigned office. Bear in mind, the FICP Headquarters Office is at your disposal in providing the support and back-up staff/work for your board responsibility.
Requirements of FICP Board Candidates:
- You must be an FICP meeting planner member in good standing for a minimum continuous two-year period
- Board members must be able to maintain their corporate and/or meeting planning responsibilities as well as their FICP Board responsibilities
- Successful board members are those who are highly organized, able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and committed to quality
- A candidate must have the full support of their company's management, since an FICP Board position requires additional work, travel and expense
- A candidate should have a total of five years of work experience in the meeting planning industry
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
If you have any questions about joining the Board of Directors, or if you would like to speak with a past FICP Board member, please contact FICP Headquarters at 312.245.1023 or info@ficpnet.com.
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Comprised of FICP Hospitality Partners only.
Eligibility
- You are an active hospitality partner, having been accepted to be an FICP Hospitality Partner and having paid the annual dues
- You have attended at least three FICP Annual Conferences prior to applying
- At least 50% of your sales efforts include Financial and Insurance market segments
- You and your company commit to attending 4 FICP Board meetings and the Annual Conference at your own expense each year
- You have not served on the HPAC in the previous two years
Application Process
- Send an e-mail or letter to FICP confirming that you meet all of the above eligibility requirements (please indicate the three most recent FICP Annual Conferences that you have attended) and why you would like to serve on the HPAC
- FICP will communicate with the Chairperson of the HPAC who will follow up with you
- The HPAC and the FICP Board must approve your candidacy
Role of the HPAC
At the request of the Board, the HPAC provides advice and guidance on relevant topics and issues of the Association. The HPAC listens to the needs and concerns of the hospitality partners, communicates these to the Board and assists in finding resolution that is mutually beneficial to FICP, its members and hospitality partners. The HPAC is a strategic partner with FICP in creating and managing the vision and direction for future years. The HPAC participates in joint sessions with the FICP Board of Directors.
Composition & Term
Seven committee members each serve a three-year term. A staggered rotation ensures that two new candidates join the committee each year. The HPAC strives to include a wide range of hospitality partners on the committee, including international and US-based suppliers, Chain hotels, Independent properties, Tourism Bureaus, Destination Management Companies, Airlines, Cruise Lines and various official tourism marketing organizations (NTOs, CVBs, DMOs etc.).
HPAC Chairperson - one-year mandate, normally in the second year on the HPAC. Selected by the outgoing HPAC Chairperson in consultation with the FICP Board of Directors. Acts as the key liaison between the HPAC and the Board of Directors. Responsibilities also include communicating with the HP mail list through regular NewsNet e-mail bulletins, addressing issues as they arise and guiding the HP Committee for the year.
Past Chairperson - major responsibilities include serving as an advisor or "counselor" to the current HPAC Chairperson as well as working on special projects as assigned.
Design Team Member - the HPAC recommends to the President-Elect a member to participate on the Annual Conference Design Team to assist in creating a vibrant and exciting conference.
Marketplace Representative - the HPAC recommends to the President-Elect a member to work with FICP Headquarters to plan and implement the Marketplace at the Annual Conference; its main focus is to provide for one-on-one networking between planners and hospitality partners.
Three HPAC members - will collaborate with the Board and/or FICP Headquarters on specific assignments. They may include enhancing the Web site's effectiveness; increasing membership; increasing planners' awareness and attendance at the Education Forum and Annual Conference; enhancing the Sponsorship Program for the Education Forum and Annual Conference.
In addition, all members should become familiar with the other HPAC members' roles to allow an easy transition of responsibility when the HPAC members' terms expire.
Vacancies & Removals
A committee member can be asked to resign should the following situations occur and the departing member will be replaced for the remainder of their term.
- A change in job description that no longer focuses on Insurance and Financial Markets
- A change in job to an organization that does not meet the requirements to attend FICP Annual Conferences
- Absent from three consecutive Board meetings
- Unethical professional conduct
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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This committee is made up of regional chairpersons, who represent all regions and ensure educational programming and administrative consistency among the different groups. This committee also recommends regional policies and guidelines to the Board of Directors.
Florine Edwards, FM Global (Chair)
Jana Stern, ING (Board Liaison)
Michael Tarr, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (HPAC Liaison)
Laura Baukol, TIAA-CREF (West)
January Cantrell, VALIC & Western National Life (Southeast)
Shelia Cleary, National Life Group (Northeast)
Laura Lepel, Symetra Financial (West)
Kathy Lind, Sun Life Financial (Canada)
Melissa McCarroll, Aviva North America (Midwest)
Karin Pontelandolfo, Liberty Mutual (Northeast)
Natalie Wilson, RBC Global Asset Management (Canada)
James Zankel, NCCI Holdings (Southeast)
Laura Greer, FICP (Staff Liaison)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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This committee is comprised of meeting planners, hospitality partners who are presently involved with the host hotel, the host location or the Hospitality Partner Committee, and FICP Staff who are committed to designing an Annual Conference program that meets the needs of the current membership as well as showcases to its full advantage, the host hotel and location.
This team meets at the host hotel for a two-day intense brainstorming session from which comes the Annual Conference's theme, tentative program design and ideas for content and speakers, and new networking ideas. This committee may meet more than once, depending on the Program Chairperson of that year and whether it is felt that a second or follow-up meeting is required. This committee works with the President and the Staff Liaison, to oversee implementation of conference planners and policies. In any event, the design team members are kept abreast of the Annual Conference's program development and may be used for reference throughout the year.
2012 Annual Conference Design Team
Todd Zint, NFP (Chair)
Bill Biegler, Bartha Audio Visual
Sharon Chapman, The Guardian Life Insurance Company
Karen Eminian, Marriott International
Jennifer Foreman, LA Inc.
Marian Gardiner, Live Aqua, Fiesta Americana Hotels and Resorts
Diane Goodman, Goodman Speakers Bureau
Alison Hall, Corporate Meetings & Incentives Magazine
Stephen Nold, Tarsus Advon
Lindsay Maloni, MetLife
Jennifer Sisk, Cole Real Estate Investments
Jerry Spencer, Bartha Audio Visual
Cindy Wheaton, Grange Insurance
Ellie Hurley, FICP (Staff Lead)
Kendra Afeld, FICP (Sponsorship Staff Lead)
Lydia Goessel, FICP (Education Staff Lead)
Katie Walsh, FICP (Logistics Staff Lead)
Kim Walsh, FICP (Marketing Staff Lead)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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This committee is comprised of meeting planners, hospitality partners who are presently involved with the host hotel, the host location or the Hospitality Partner Committee, and FICP Staff who are committed to designing a Forum program that meets the needs of the current membership as well as showcases the host hotel and location.
This team meets for a two-day intense brainstorming session and works with the Vice President, Education and staff to determine the direction of the Forum, create the meeting theme, develop tentative program design and ideas for content and speakers, and work on new networking ideas. This committee only meets once but the design team members oversee implementation of Forum plans and policies.
2012 Education Forum Design Team
Jana Stern, ING (Chair)
Margeaux Boyer, Charleston Place
Katy Gettinger, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Chris Gilbert, Charleston Place
Alison Hall, Corporate Meetings & Incentives
Marla Hannigan, Mutual of Omaha
Jeff Leggett, Co-operators Insurance
Cheryl Rivers, Hanover Insurance Group
Lynne Schueler, Principal Financial Group
Katie Walsh, FICP (Staff Lead)
Sara Gadberry, FICP (Education Staff Lead)
Crystal Ligda, FICP (Marketing Staff Lead)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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This committee is comprised of meeting planners and hospitality partners who provide input and guidance regarding FICP communications and website strategic direction.
Eldon Gale, Nationwide Insurance (Board Liaison)
Kathy Fort Carty, Destination Services Corp. (HPAC Liaison)
Scot Baraw, Stoweflake Resort & Conference Center
Michael Burke, The Hanover Insurance Group
Shelia Cleary, National Life Group
Crystal Cherry, Chartis Insurance
Lindsay Conway, Kunoi Destination Management
Bridget Davis, Viceroy Snowmass
Sarah Ferreira, Silicon Valley Bank
Marcia Merando, Frankenmuth Insurance
Laura Pugh, Montage Beverly Hills
Laurel Rhoads McCarthy, Krisam Group
Katie Weber, Principal Financial Group
Nicole Nelles, FICP (Staff Liaison)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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Led by both a Board member and an HPAC Liaison, this committee is comprised of 6-8 members representing insurance and financial services planners as well as hospitality partners. The goal of this committee is to increase the value of FICP through education to both meeting planners and hospitality partners. It is responsible for the educational programs put forth by the association, including oversight of the Education Forum and Annual Conference Design Teams.
This committee provides guidance and direction for the association's educational activities by overseeing the development of new potential learning initiatives and exploring new ways to support the professional growth of members. The committee also reviews current educational offerings and identifies potential new programming and delivery mechanisms.
Jana Stern, ING (Board Liaison)
Diane Goodman, Goodman Speakers Bureau (HPAC Liaison)
Brian Brown, Guardian
Linda B. Burley, CMP, Red Rock Resort
Joann Chmura, CMP, CMM, General Reinsurance
Jackie Foulks, Bank of America
Amy Ingalls, Transamerica
Sara Justice, Starwood Atlanta Metro Market
Sherri Lindenberg, Crump
Marie Schlump, Prudential Annuities
Ava Sones, Canadian Tourism Commission
Lydia Goessel, FICP (Staff Liaison)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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Led by both a Board member and an HPAC Liaison, this committee is comprised of members representing insurance and financial services planners as well as hospitality partners. The goals of this committee is to welcome new members, assist with membership drives, advise on membership recruitment programs, and explore ideas to ensure that FICP membership is a valued experience.
The committee works to identify prospects in the insurance and financial services planner markets, as well as hospitality partner prospects. It makes recommendations regarding dues rates, membership requirements/criteria, and the membership marketing plan. It also provides input on the mentoring program and on the first-timers' orientation at the Annual Conference.
Kelli Livers, Forethought Financial (Board Liaison)
Clarence Day, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua (HPAC Liaison)
Brett Barrowman, American Fidelity Assurance
Jeniffer Bissett, Tourism Toronto
Dene Bon, AIG
Stephen Clark, Deloitte Services LP
Shirley Crane, Cirque Productions
Judith Dill, KSL Resorts
Anne Erickson, Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Joe Fijol, Pebble Beach Resort
Marian Gardiner, Fiesta Americana/Caesar Park Hotels & Resorts
Jean James, Capers DMC
Lori Keenan, Dreyfus
Amy Mueller, QBE the Americas
Julie Stovroff, Preferred Hotel Group
Julie Zimmerman, Aviva USA
Mark Swets, FICP (Staff Liaison)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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Led by both a Board member and an HPAC Liaison, this committee is comprised of 6-10 hospitality partners. The goal of the committee is to review the sponsorship program to provide a fair and objective process for identifying, retaining and recognizing sponsors in a way that is in the best interests of the association and that demonstrates value to sponsors for their participation.
This task force is responsible for balancing the association's financial initiatives and the hospitality partner community's initiatives. It will evaluate the sponsorship needs of the association and the effectiveness of sponsor recognition. This committee maintains a productive relationship with hospitality partners. Its current priority is to develop a revised and improved sponsorship program that is objective in nature and meets the ROI needs of hospitality partners.
Wayne Robinson, Guardian Life Insurance Company (Board Liaison)
Michael Tarr, Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (HPAC Liaison)
Jim Getscher, Mutual of Omaha
Katy Gettinger, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Padraic Gilligan, Ovation Group
Martin Johnston, Disney Destinations
Vilma Kolinsky, AXA Equitable
Cindy Wheaton, Grange Life Insurance Company
Kendra Afeld, FICP (Staff Liaison)
Please click here to be added to the FICP volunteer database.
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