NewsNet
 
 
 
  Volume # 7
  Issue # 2
  February 2010
In This Issue

Exceed Expectations by Leveraging Local Resources

Association News
Event News
New Members
HPC News
Calendar of Events
Click here to access the FICP Calendar of Events.
Strategic Partners

FICP thanks our 2010 Strategic Partners.

Double Diamond

Emerald

American Airlines

Interested in becoming a Strategic Partner? Contact us.

 
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Exceed Expectations by Leveraging Local Resources


When two of my team members returned from their first-ever FICP regional meeting last month, I was struck by two things. First, their energy level was way up, and second, they were sharing some great ideas with the rest of their colleagues. Watching my entire group interact reminded me how isolated a meeting planner’s job can be, and how easy it is not to notice.

The phones ring, the meetings pile up along with the frequent flyer miles, and there’s always next year’s planning to stay on top of. The combined effect makes us feel like we’re in the thick of the business. In reality, what we do is removed from the day-to-day business of our companies. We don’t have the luxury of walking across the hall to bounce an idea off a colleague, or talk through a problem or even get a fresh view of a situation.

How, then, do we guard against complacency? How do we stay at the top of our game, serving as resources to our internal clients who expect us to know the latest trends, industry best practices and the most cost-effective way to produce an event?

Education and networking are two powerful tools we can leverage to help us exceed the expectations of our clients. FICP regional meetings provide a unique opportunity to meet both these needs. Who better to discuss issues and ideas with than planners in the same business, and suppliers who understand our markets and are eager to help us succeed?

Regional meetings, because of their size, provide an intimate and welcoming environment conducive to both learning and growing a network of peer professionals that can be counted on to help you succeed. The high-quality programming you will have access to at bargain pricing is hard to beat. And the network of local resources you build will prove invaluable.

Like it or not, within our companies we are the proverbial poster children for our industry. Let’s embrace this as our opportunity to demonstrate to management the value we bring to the table. Alone, it’s a daunting task. So make it a point to attend your local FICP regional meeting - or any regional meeting. Regional meetings are open to all FICP members. By participating you not only help yourself, you help others like my two colleagues who can’t wait for the next meeting.

Regards,




Florine Edwards, CMP, CMM
FICP VP Regions


Association News

2010 Planner and HP Renewal Process Ends March 1

Planner member and hospitality partner renewals end in just two weeks! You must renew by March 1, 2010 to be included in the 2010 FICP Membership Directory. Planner members and hospitality partners may log in to their profiles on the FICP Web site, to update personal information and renew online.

FICP Supports CIC Advocacy Efforts

Planner members and hospitality partners received a message last week from FICP Executive Director Steve Bova, outlining our continuing advocacy efforts. FICP is pleased to support an industry-wide meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events Economic Significance Study to be conducted this year. Planner members will be contacted by PricewaterhouseCoopers within the next month and asked to participate in this study. Learn more at http://www.facetimematters.org.

Become a Resource for Your Fellow Planners

The FICP Online Exchange continues to grow. Planner members, please remember to take time to enter details from some of your meetings to ensure our database is robust and up-to-date. Access the Online Exchange here or from the Quick Links on the FICP Web site.

Volunteers Needed: Chicago-area Planners & Hospitality Partners

FICP is looking for Chicago-based planners and hospitality partners to participate in a usability study regarding our Web site and the Online Exchange. The time commitment would be just a couple of hours at our Michigan Avenue office. The feedback we gather will help us enhance our online tools. If you are interested in participating, please contact Nicole Nelles.

Connect with FICP Online

Some great discussions are starting to happen on our Facebook and LinkedIn groups. They are growing quickly, so join today and contribute articles, photos or resources for your colleagues. FICP will be on Twitter soon too. Find links to our social media groups on the left-hand column of our FICP homepage.

Planning your future events? Don't forget to support those who support you!


Event News

Social Media Webinar in March

FICP will host the first Webinar of the year on March 10. Learn from social media expert Patrick Schwerdtfeger on how leveraging online tools can increase revenue and brand awareness. Visit the FICP Web site for more information and to register today for this complimentary educational offering.

Meet Me in St. Louis for the 2010 Education Forum

Join your professional partners for unparalleled educational and networking experiences at the 2010 Education Forum, Meet Me In St. Louis: The Archway to New Discoveries. The event will be held at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri, June 16-18. Details will be released as they become available, so continue to visit the FICP Web site for updates.

Regional Meetings

Southeast Regional Meeting
Thursday, March 18 - Friday, March 19
Intercontinental Buckhead, Atlanta, GA
Registration is open through February 26.

Upcoming Events

Please click here to view our Calendar of Events, which includes industry events, CMP Exams and additional programs.


FICP Welcomes New Members

The following people joined FICP in late January and early March:

Cindy Carlson, Grant Thornton LLP, Oak Brook Terrace, IL
Elizabeth Brawders, Cole Real Estate Investments, Phoenix, AZ
Rick Burns, Bankers Fidelity Life, Atlanta, GA
Ann Hittle, LOMA, Atlanta, GA
Caralen Law, Manulife Financial, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Katie Weber, Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA


HPC News

Remember, the HPC is your voice to the association, and your comments or suggestions are always welcome!

2010 Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

2010 sponsorship opportunities are available for viewing and purchase on the FICP Web site. Sponsorships for the Annual Conference went on sale on Wednesday, February 10 and Education Forum sponsorships opened yesterday. Visit the FICP Web site today to find out what is still available and secure your spot at these industry events!

New RFPs Posted

RFPs for the 2013 Annual Conference and 2011 Education Forum are now available for download. Please visit the FICP Web site for details. You must be logged in to the Web site to view RFPs.

Recent Additions to the HP Community:

Tina Chambers, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Danvers, IL
Lis Chmiel, Starwood Hotels and Resort, New York, NY
Jerry Cito, NYC & Company, New York, NY
Hugo P. Corrales, Ocean Reef Club, Key Largo, FL
Margaret Coyle, Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Vail, CO
Elizabeth Dexter, The Radisson St. Martin Resort, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Annie Farrell, Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, Okemos, MI
Joe Fijol, Destination Services Corporation (DSC), Denver, CO
Marc Forgette, Brookstreet Hotel, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Laura Hughes, Hughes & Associates, Fallbrook, CA
Sean Kirkland, DMC Network, Chula Vista, CA
Bettina McCrady, The Woodstock Inn & Resort, Woodstock, VT
Kathy Morrison, Niagara Parks Commission, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Pamela Rudd, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Fish Camp, CA
Steve Schmidt, MeetingTrader Inc., Chicago, IL
Chris Sessions, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach, SC
Michelle Treistman, Montage Hotels & Resorts, New York, NY
Michael Williamson, Hyatt Hotels Corp., New York, NY


FICP Brand Positioning Statement

FICP provides high-quality information, education and networking to financial and insurance meeting professionals, increasing their success and strategic value. We maintain a balanced planner to hospitality partner ratio at all times, resulting in a unique business environment.


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