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April 2020 NewsNet
Thursday, April 9, 2020

Did you know?

April Fools' Day has been celebrated on April 1 for centuries, but the origin of this prank-filled holiday remains a mystery. Some historians think the tradition came about back in 1582 when France switched over to the Gregorian calendar. This calendar had the year starting on January 1 instead of April 1, and those who were slow to adapt or recognize this change were soon made in to jokes and called 'April fools.' Others have speculated that April Fools' Day could be linked to festivals such as Hilaria, which was celebrated in Ancient Rome. Either way, the holiday stuck and now is celebrated with harmless tomfoolery year after year. Learn more about the history surrounding April Fools' Day.

5 Things to Know in April!

1. Your peers are discussing how they're dealing with COVID-19 in TheNetwork.

2. The April digital edition of MeetingsNet is now available.

3. ICYMI: Make event feedback matter with this recorded FICP Anytime webinar.

4. Congratulate Abigail Sampson of Sun Life for earning the CMP designation in January! Learn more about becoming a Certified Meeting Professional.

5. Global Meetings Industry Day is April 14. Help break the Guinness World Record for Largest Audience for a Virtual Conference. Register now.

2020 FICP Virtual Town Hall is Next Week

Join Michael Burke, CMP, Director, Conference & Travel Services for The Hanover Insurance Group and 2020 FICP Chair, and Steve Bova, CAE, FICP Executive Director, as they host an FICP Town Hall to celebrate Global Meeting Industry Day (GMID): Virtual. Learn more and register here to join us April 14.

Spring Pulse Survey: COVID-19 Focus

How have your 2020 meetings and events (or those of your clients) changed in light of the global spread of COVID-19? Help your peers understand the impacts at your organization by completing this special FICP Spring Pulse Survey. Please complete the survey by Friday, April 24 and encourage your colleagues to do the same.

April Webinar: Are You Digitally Secure? 

Join James Spellos (President, Meeting U), Friday, April 24 at 1:00 p.m. CT as he explains how you could be putting your personal and business information at risk on a regular basis. In this webinar, you’ll learn how to best keep your personal digital presence from being compromised and online tools you can use to keep educated about ongoing changes in digital security. Register now in TheNetwork.

April Member of the Month: John Cruz, CMM

Get to know our featured member this month! John Cruz, CMM is a Senior Corporate Meeting Planner for BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. He was recently recognized with the honor of being selected as part of the inaugural class of Connect Meetings 15 Over 50. Learn more about John on TheNetwork.

Refer Members and Win Big

The first quarter results of the Member Referral Program are posted in TheNetwork! Find out where you stand. Want to up your referral game and snag a top spot in the contest? FICP has compiled a number of resources you can use when referring new meetings professional members. Learn more. 

Strategic Partners

Learn more about all of the 2020 Strategic Partners, here.

FICP Welcomes New Members and Hospitality Partners

Meetings Professionals

Hospitality Partners

2020 FICP Strategic Partners

Double Diamond	Diamond		Emerald
All Other Partners
ACCESS Destination Services	AZA Events, Inc.	The Broadmoor	Buy the Sea
Disney Meetings and Events	DMC Network	Fiesta Americana Hotels	Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Global DMC Partners	Island Partners Hawai'i	JPDL Destination Management Canada	Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings	Preferred Hotels & Resorts		Visit Newport Beach