Did you Know?
Each year about 1.76 billion candy canes are made and 90% of candy canes are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Candy canes are the number one selling non-chocolate candy in the month of December. Read more candy cane facts here.
5 Things to Know in December
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It's that time of year again! Renew your FICP membership or partnership to ensure your benefits are uninterrupted as we head into the new year.
- FICP has a new website, and you’re currently reading it! If you haven't already, explore the sleek design, simplified navigation and new features like TheBlog.
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The December digital edition of MeetingsNet is now available.
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Professional Development: 9 Common Meetings Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Credibility. Read the full article here.
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From Social: American Airlines Cracks Down on Smart Luggage. Check it out here.
Plan for 2018 with FICP
Make sure you're all set to engage with FICP in 2018. See below for a list of events that you can plan to attend.
Winter Symposium - January 21-23, 2018
Education Forum - June 11-13, 2018
Annual Conference - November 4-7, 2018
Sponsorship sales information and dates for all upcoming events may be found here.
Check out the full list of upcoming events and a recap on previous events here.
FICP Gives Back
At the 2017 Annual Conference, FICP donated $27,705.49 to Junior Achievement® (JA) of San Diego and $41,558.24 to GlobalGiving. Contributions were raised through the FICP Annual Conference Silent Action. The total amount raised was $69,263.73, nearly $20,000 more than last year's total. For the past five years FICP has supported Junior Achievement as its long-term philanthropic partner. Due to recent natural disasters, the FICP Board of Directors unanimously agreed to redirect some of this year’s Silent Auction proceeds to support disaster relief efforts. GlobalGiving was selected as the recipient of 60% of the 2017 Annual Conference Silent Auction proceeds. Read more about it here.
Introducing FICP's 2018 Leadership
The slate of candidates for FICP’s 2018 Board of Directors was approved by members at the 2017 Annual Conference. Joining the board is Allison Cooper, Vice President, Conference Experiences, LPL Financial, Fort Mill, S.C. Her three-year term will become effective January 1, 2018. Marcia Merando, LLIF, FLMI, LUTCF, Director of Marketing, Frankenmuth Insurance, Frankenmuth, Mich., will become the 2018 Chair. The board of directors appointed Wayne Robinson, CMP, CMM, Assistant Vice President, FM Global, Johnston, R.I. as Chair-Elect. Robinson will assume the FICP Chair role in 2019. Read the release here for the full list of board and HPAC members.
Past Leaders Help Celebrate FICP's 60th Anniversary
We celebrated our 60th anniversary in many ways over the past year, but one of the most notable moments was when we honored past leaders in attendance at the Annual Conference in San Diego last month.
Our current leadership shared their thoughts in this video celebrating the industry over the past 60 years. A few former chairs of the organization joined us as well, and shared their thoughts on the experience:
John Zeltin, 1984 Chair
“I was honored to be invited to the 2017 conference and participate in the 60th anniversary celebration of the organization. It was a real pleasure to renew some old friendships and make new ones. The conference was spectacular, and I had a wonderful time. All I can say about FICP is, "You have come a long way, baby!" From my time as Chair in 1984 when we board members ran the organization out of the bottom drawers of our desks, FICP has become a well-run professional association. I commend the FICP leadership, past and present. Well done!”
John Touchette, 2005 Chair
“I am excited to see all of the progress that FICP has made over the last decade and proud to have played a small part in its history. FICP is a terrific organization that continues to be a great source of education and networking for its members. Congratulations on your 60th anniversary!”
Sharon Chapman, 2007 Chair
"FICP’s 60th anniversary celebration was fabulous. I am so proud to be a member of such an amazing association. Changing the name to Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals truly hit the mark!"
Do you have your own thoughts to share on this milestone? Add them to our Facebook page.
Reach FICP Members All Year
Hospitality partners can increase their brand awareness with and exposure to FICP members through a combination of face-to-face events, and year-round strategic partnership and advertising opportunities. Check out the full overview of all opportunities here.
Strategic Partner Profiles
FICP Strategic Partners support the organization year-round. This month, learn more about Global DMC Partners and Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Erin Rougeux, Director of Marketing & Database Management, Global DMC Partners
What are you most excited for in the next 12 months?
We’re most excited about our continued, worldwide growth in combination with our Global Standardization Program. As the industry leader and the most widespread network of DMCs around the world, we remain focused on forming partnerships with only the most distinguished and creative DMCs. While they are part of GDP, we ensure each DMC maintains the highest quality in service levels with the help of our Global Standardization Program, which includes our standardized contract, proposal guidelines, and an event safety plan. Our goal with the Global Standardization Program is to simplify the process of contracting and working with our DMCs in any destination.
What do you find to be the most valuable aspect of your FICP Strategic Partnership?
The most valuable part are the networking opportunities that allow us a chance to connect with planners and learn about what’s most important to them. Everything moves so rapidly in today’s world, so needs are constantly evolving and changing. Therefore, getting a chance to understand what financial and insurance planners are looking for is key so we can introduce this to the DMCs to ensure they are adapting as well.
Tell us something about Global DMC Partners that most people don’t know.
We are the largest global network of DMCs with over 65 DMCs that serve 500+ locations worldwide! That means wherever you have a program, we have an on-the-ground local expert available to assist with whatever your program needs are, big or small.
We also have a partnership-elected DMC Advisory Board made up of members from both the U.S. and International markets to share best practices across our DMCs, provide our corporate team with guidance, and help our team understand the nuances of working in International locations.
Last, we are excited to announce that we are hosting multiple FAM trips in 2018 in the U.S. and in Europe, with one in NYC that is dedicated to the financial and insurance market.
Katy Gettinger, Vice President of Group Sales and Insurance & Financial Services, Preferred Hotels & Resorts
What are you most excited for in the next 12 months?
I am so excited to continue to learn about my new portfolio of 650 hotels and resorts around the globe and familiarize the FICP community with these exciting properties. As well, returning to Florida for the FICP Annual Conference will be extremely exciting as Florida is near and dear to my heart and always a great meeting destination!
What do you find to be the most valuable aspect of your FICP Strategic Partnership?
As an FICP Hospitality Partner for over 16 years, it is a privilege to have such a long tenure in our community. The exchange of ideas, unique partnerships created, and experiences shared have been highlights of my career. I utilize the tools on the website almost daily and have enjoyed seeing the information on the message boards. FICP is very informative for everyone even if the subject matter does not directly pertain to your space.
Tell us something about Preferred Hotels & Resorts that most people don’t know.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is what is known as a ‘Soft Brand’ for our hotel partners. We are a true Sales & Marketing partner to our independent hotels around the globe and assist with so much more than sending group leads. For example, we manage our hotels frequent guest stay program, IPrefer. As well, most of our hotels rely on us to assist with leisure reservations and sales.
FICP Welcomes New & Returning Members and Hospitality Partners
Meetings Professionals:
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Valerie Howell, Ernst & Young
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Lisa Ziernicki, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
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Ellen Javier, Allstate Insurance Company
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Chelsea Groenewegen, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
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Joseph Iding, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
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Shannon Nobles Mohorc, LPL Financial
Hospitality Partners:
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Denise Shultz, The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago
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Mark Lindsey, Arizona Biltmore
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Gabe Romero, JW Marriott Desert Springs
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Trish McAuley, The Peninsula Chicago
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Lauren Manuel, DeSilva Meeting Consultants
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Yvette Jones, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
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Kristy Olk, Resort at Squaw Creek
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Teipo Brown, San Mateo County CVB
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Emily Esposito, W Atlanta Midtown
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Perry Goodbar, Saddlebrook Tampa
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Heather Munnell, VDA Productions
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Elizabeth Minnella, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
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Naomi Rolfe, DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Victor Hugo, events by tlc | Spain | Florida
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Elinor Pullman, St. Regis Washington, DC
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Shyla Gardner, Hyatt Regency Mexico City / Andaz Myakoba Riviera Maya Resort
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Ann Marie Griffiths, Wynn Boston Harbor
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Shelley Bartle-Reed, Associated Luxury Hotels International