|
NewsNet |
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
|||||
2009 – A Change in Plans, An Opportunity Gained For more than 50 years, FICP has been an association of insurance (and more recently also financial services) industry meeting planners. Our mission has always been to exchange proven meeting management techniques, and explore trends and new ideas that enhance the value of conferences. This has been our focus, the reason why FICP exists. 2009 has been a year unlike any other. Expectations changed when our industry was cast under the spotlight of the media and U.S. government. Over night, our members’ companies became front page news as they were portrayed as holding “Boondoggles.” Suddenly, we lived in a toxic environment that posed a serious threat to our industry, our employees and the communities where we do business. The collective meetings, events and incentive (MEI) industry was generally unprepared with no organized advocacy plan and outdated economic impact data. Several industry organizations gathered during the PCMA Convention last January and formed the Meetings Mean Business campaign under the U.S. Travel Association (USTA). Our association was not positioned as an industry advocate (refer back to our mission); and those most involved with the response effort were incentive houses, which are not eligible to be FICP members. It was not feasible or practical for all meetings industry organizations to be involved. Fortunately, my office within SmithBucklin resides next to Brenda Anderson’s office. Brenda is CEO of Site. Her association was directly involved in the advocacy effort because a Site member, Maritz, managed the AIG event that triggered the media frenzy. Brenda also served as Chair of the Convention Industry Council (CIC) in 2009. There are 34 associations representing the meetings, events and incentive industry through CIC, including FICP. Immediately, I made several phone calls stating FICP’s case to be included in the advocacy effort. Christine Duffy, CEO of Maritz, agreed to address the FICP Board in April. Subsequently, FICP was included as part of the Meetings Mean Business campaign. Information was quickly disseminated to FICP members and HPers and/or posted to the Web site in an industry watch section. I attended a special meeting in Washington, D.C. led by U.S. Travel, and participated in several industry teleconferences, before relaying the information onto you through various FICP channels. The PR and advocacy efforts worked. Media rhetoric was neutralized, negative legislation was prevented and our industry has begun to define its value proposition. As the year draws to a close, it is clear that FICP seized the opportunity to develop closer relationships with industry organizations and became more visible within the meetings industry. A few weeks ago, I was elected to serve a two-year term on the CIC Board of Directors. This position will enable FICP to further increase its visibility and stature in the industry, and will provide additional opportunities to keep you abreast of all that is happening within the industry. Best, |
|
FICP Online Exchange Activity on the FICP Online Exchange has been growing rapidly! Continue to help grow the database of meeting information by taking some time to include details from your own events. Joining us in Toronto for the 2009 FICP Annual Conference? Find us at one of the Internet Kiosks to contribute your information there. Silent Auction Now Open! FICP is pleased to announce that this year's Silent Auction is now open. The 2009 charity that will benefit from the Silent Auction is "Coats for Kids," a program that donates coats to children, adults and families in need in the Toronto area. For more information, a list of items up for auction and to place a bid, please visit our Silent Auction Web site. |
|
Annual Conference - Everything You Need to Know November 15-18, 2009 If you are planning to join fellow meeting planners and hospitality partners at the 2009 Annual Conference, FICP has put together a communication you should read before traveling. Please review the Pack Your Bags e-mail for detailed information about your trip. Upcoming Events Please click here to view our Calendar of Events, which includes upcoming events, a list of chapter meetings, CMP Exams and additional programs. |
|
The following people joined FICP in late October and early November: Katherine Bodoh, CMP, Jewelers Mutual Insurance, Neenah, WI |
|
Remember, the HPC is your voice to the association, and your comments or suggestions are always welcome! Patron Sponsorship Replaces Lottery One of the distinct advantages of attending an FICP event for our HP community is the low ratio of hospitality partners to meeting planners. In an effort to maintain this ratio and demonstrate increased value to our sponsors, FICP has chosen to eliminate the lottery and replace it with the Patron Sponsorship. This low-cost opportunity will allow a representative from your company to attend the Annual Conference on a first-come, first-served basis by simply paying the associated sponsorship and registration fees. Further information about this program and all of FICP's sponsorship opportunities will be available in February 2010. Recent Additions to the HP Community: Dawn Barbeau, Global Events Partners, Chicago, IL |
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.
|
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 2009 Financial & Insurance Conference Planners. All rights reserved. |
