|
NewsNet |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Happy New Year! Yes, I know it is already the end of February, but it was not that long ago that we all rang in the new year. In an effort to continue our growth and evolution as a strong and vital association, the FICP Board and Hospitality Partner Committee joined forces to not only ring in the new year, but to develop our strategy for the year. From January 2-4, we participated in a 2-1/2 day meeting to review the association's strategic plan as well as define our specific goals for 2008. Last year, you may recall, the association reviewed, further defined and developed the strategic goals that have served the association exceedingly well over the past several years. Your board and HPC leadership took a fresh look at the plan to ensure it remained valid, applicable to the needs of the industry today and further, will continue to help us improve our membership offerings and lead us to our goal of being a leader and trendsetter in the meetings industry. During our session, we concluded that FICP's three strategic objectives continue to remain top priorities in 2008: We know that our association needs to continue to increase the value of FICP in order to grow and retain members. Various educational opportunities need to be available 24/7. We are exploring the options available to us in order to accomplish this goal. Our number one priority in 2008 will be to improve our Web site and the value and offerings it brings the membership daily. We also committed to continue the Webinars which have been received exceptionally well by the membership. Additionally, we will introduce two new offerings this year: a teleconference learning session and a financial planner focused symposium. We are also focused on delivering higher standards of education at our Annual Conference, Education Forum and chapter events. FICP's regional events grow stronger each year. Progress was made last year in defining regional policies. In 2008, we are committed to implementing these policies across all regional chapters to ensure the high standards of education, sponsorship and networking FICP members are accustomed to are maintained. Further, a regional chapter marketing plan is being developed and will be launched to the chapters shortly. Membership is always at the forefront of a niche association such as ours. Already this year we have developed a membership strategy which will take us through the rest of 2008 and into 2009. As part of this membership marketing plan we will focus energy on recruiting new financial members, new members from insurance companies who are not currently members and retaining current members. Expanding our membership base will lead to increased networking opportunities and best practice sharing. A good marketing plan is the key to the success of any association. How are we going to market ourselves to our current membership and to future members? We know that there are hundreds of insurance and financial planners in our industry who are not members of our association. Determining - and implementing - the right strategies to attract everyone is not easy, but we have an achievable plan. Part of this strategy is to define alliances FICP can make with industry associations. Why reinvent the wheel when we can learn and adopt the successes of others. I turn to you, our membership, to help us to achieve these goals and objectives. If you have an idea, recommendation or suggestion on how to improve in these areas or any others, please send me an e-mail. We want to hear from you, because you are the association. Without your input and thoughts we can't grow FICP into what you need or want from your membership. We can only offer value to you if we know what you value! 2008 holds an enormous amount of promise for FICP and as in past years, I know we will all be proud of what our association stands for and offers. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to your association. We can't do it without you! Cheers,
Patricia Kerr, CMP, BA |
||||||||||||
|
Volunteer to Serve on an FICP Committee FICP is seeking volunteers to serve on various committees in 2008. If you are interested and would like to get involved, or if you would just like to find out more about our committees, please visit www.ficpnet.com. E-mail info@ficpnet.com with any questions. We look forward to working with you! ONE DAY LEFT for 2008 Membership and Hospitality Partner Renewal The deadline to renew your 2008 membership and hospitality partner status is quickly approaching. Planner members and hospitality partners may now log in to their profiles on the Web site, www.ficpnet.com, to update personal information and to renew online. Renew by February 29, 2008 to be included in the 2008 FICP Membership Directory! If you are paying your dues by credit card, click on the "Pay My Dues" link after you log in to your profile. If you are paying your dues by check, update your profile but skip the payment section. Please include your name and company on the check when you send payment. If you have forgotten your username and/or password, or if you have any questions about renewal, send an e-mail to membership@ficpnet.com or use the "Reset My Password" link located in the left-hand column of the Web site. You will receive an e-mail with a temporary password. When you log in, you may change your username and password at that time. Planners who have renewed their membership will be receiving a member package in a few weeks. Planners and Hospitality Partners will also be receiving the 2008 Membership Directory later this spring. Thank you for your renewal and your continued support of FICP! We look forward to another great year in 2008. New Corporate Membership Option for 2008 FICP is now offering a special membership package for companies whose meetings/conference departments have five (5) or more planners renewing or joining the association. The corporate membership incentive is designed to encourage more planners to take part in the events, education and resources that FICP has to offer. The first four planners from a company pay the regular membership dues amount of $250 (USD), but each additional planner from the same company pays only $150 (USD) for dues. Planners who join or renew together will be listed under the same company name in the membership directory. If you are interested in finding out more, or if you would like to renew or join planners under a corporate membership, please click here. Download and complete one form to make a single dues payment for all planners who are joining or renewing together from the same company. |
||||||||||||
|
Save the Date FICP will host the annual Education Forum June 18-20, 2008 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The event, taking place at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort, will offer a variety of educational sessions focused on "Awakening Your Best". Identify the specific leadership values and behaviors that will contribute to your success as a leader. Registration will open in early April. For more information, please visit www.ficpnet.com. The 2008 Annual Conference will take place at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancun, QR, Mexico, November 9-13, 2008. Registration is expected to launch in July. FICP 2008 Southeast Chapter Meeting FICP 2008 Northeast Chapter Summer Meeting FICP 2008 Canadian Chapter Meeting 2008 Northeast Chapter Meetings RFP The FICP Northeast Chapter is now accepting proposals for the 2009 Northeast Chapter meetings. If you are interested in being the host sponsor for one of these meetings, held in January or July, please click here to view an RFP and submit a proposal to Jennifer Squeglia at jsqueglia@rlcevents.com no later than Friday, April 4, 2008. Finance & Insurance Meeting Planning 2008 Conference The Conference with Content 100% Dedicated to the Experienced Meeting Planner Joining Financial & Insurance Conference Planners (FICP), World Research Group's Finance & Insurance Meeting Planning 2008 creates a content-driven program dedicated to the experienced meeting planner. This two-day event brings together senior meeting planners and directors to address challenges, share strategies and understand the key issues facing the financial meetings industry including:
For more information on Finance & Insurance Meeting Planning 2008 or to register for this event, please call (800) 647-7600 or visit www.worldrg.com. WRG is offering discounted registration rates to FICP members - Just mention promo code FW08038-14348 when registering! |
||||||||||||
|
Remember, the HPC is your voice to the association, and your comments or suggestions are always welcome! Thanks to Our Sponsors 2008 is off to a great start for FICP with the opening of sponsorship opportunities on February 4. Remaining opportunities are available by checking the Web site. (Please note: You must be logged in to view opportunities.) Available opportunities include sponsorships at the Annual Conference and Board meetings. More information is available by contacting sponsorship@ficpnet.com. Our association's model is grounded by ongoing support from the HP community - for which FICP is very grateful. FICP is able to keep dues and event fees significantly lower than other professional associations with similar sized budgets and memberships with strong (and increasing) support from our Hospitality Partners. Now, FICP wants you to be able to display the value of involvement in our organization through sponsorship with the following plan:
All of these goals are projected for completion by late summer in time for budget development for 2009. Looking ahead to 2009, FICP has a new Sponsorship Committee that is already meeting via conference calls throughout the year. A few items that will be covered include:
As always, FICP invites your feedback continually through any member of the Sponsorship Committee, FICP Headquarters and through the new and improved FICP Web site which hosts several options to provide individual comments on the sponsorship program. FICP strongly encourages planner members to consider doing business with those Hospitality Partners that support FICP. The relationships and the value they have brought over the years have truly made a difference. HPC 2009 Committee Beginning in 2007, a seventh member was added to the HPC. There will be two open positions for the 2009-2011 term - a representative from an independent hotel and a DMC. If you are interested in serving on the HPC, and you meet the criteria listed, please follow the process outlined on the FICP Web site. |
||||||||||||
|
The following people joined FICP in late January and early February: Monica Heanue, Citi Smith Barney, New York, NY | ||||||||||||
Questions regarding this e-mail? Contact us at info@ficpnet.com. To update your e–mail preferences, please contact us at info@ficpnet.com. If you have any questions or concerns, contact FICP Headquarters at (312) 245-1023 or via e–mail info@ficpnet.com. You are currently subscribed to %%email.list%% as: %%emailaddr%%. To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to %%email.unsub%%. To ensure future delivery of FICP e–mails to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) please add our “From" address info@ficpnet.com to your address book or e–mail whitelist. Some links in this message may not work over time as the content owners of the material may change URLs and/or remove copy from their site. Some users may find the articles outside of the www.ficpnet.com Web site objectionable, and are advised that FICP cannot control the content posted on others’ Web sites; click the links at your own risk. © Copyright 2008 Financial & Insurance Conference Planners. All rights reserved. |
||||||||||||
