Did you Know?
Anyone else wishing the groundhog didn’t see its shadow right about now? Depending on where you are geographically located, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing February’s winter fury. And if you are one of those people, we hope you are staying safe and warm!
Groundhog Day took place earlier this month on February 2. On that day, Punxsutawney Phil (yes, that’s the short version of his name), emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, declaring there would be six more weeks of winter.
So why is it that one day each year we look to…a groundhog…to predict the weather? Well, in addition to its historical concept that stems from Germany’s holiday, Candlemas, “Groundhog Day” the movie put Punxsutawney Phil on the map! After the release of the 1993 film “Groundhog Day,” attendance to see Punxsutawney Phil drew crowds of up to 30,000 people! For more surprising things you didn’t know about Groundhog Day, check out this article here.
And remember, regardless of Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction this year, there are warmer and brighter days ahead!
5 Things to Know in February
- Check out our updated 2021 events line-up and mark your calendars now. Learn more here.
- Your colleagues are sharing resources for how to navigate the new virtual platform arena over on TheNetwork. Join them!
- Learn why communicating with influence requires an accountability partner over on TheBlog. Read it here.
- February 28 is the deadline to renew your FICP membership or partnership for 2021. If you haven't already, renew here.
- In December, the 2020 Incentive Travel Industry Index (ITII) survey results were released. For the latest views on the future of incentive travel, view the survey results here.
Don't Miss Tomorrow's Webinar: How to Have Difficult Conversations
Have you ever had a difficult conversation with a team member or client? Tough conversations are a necessary ingredient in workplace performance, client and colleague relationships and growth. But those conversations are, well…difficult. As such, we tend to avoid them. In this session presented by Brandy Ferrer, CEO, Pathfinder Strategies, we’ll explore what makes these discussions so challenging. In this interactive session, breakout rooms will be used to explore this topic even further with your peers.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss what constitutes a difficult conversation
- Explore the business case for difficult conversations
- Identify the biggest challenges in these conversations and how to overcome them
Join the conversation and walk away with actions you can immediately implement to ease the discomfort of difficult conversations for more transparent communication, improved performance and stronger relationships. Log in to TheNetwork to register here.
Join Our Next FICP Chats: The Future of Meetings - 2021
Join Jen Squeglia, CMP, FICP Board Member, on Thursday, March 4 at 1:00 p.m. CST, as she brings together our meetings professional members and hospitality partners to moderate a discussion about the future of meetings and what the rest of 2021 will look like. Discussion topics will include:
- What factors are impacting the decision to host in-person events in 2021?
- Our hotel partners have done a great job with COVID-19 protocols – what do meetings professionals need to help communicate a safe meeting to their attendees?
- What are company stakeholders saying? Who has the final say about when a corporation holds meetings again? CEO, CDC, state governments?
- Each state’s reopening plans are different – how does that impact bringing people together especially for a national conference?
- How far out are you making decisions whether or not events will take place?
- When we meet again, it will be important for hotels and meetings professionals to revisit contracts and space to accommodate potential room block decreases and more meeting space needed to accommodate for social distancing.
Log in to TheNetwork and register here.
FICP SIG Virtual Idea Exchange: How to Plan in the World of the Unknown
Tune in to a Virtual Idea Exchange hosted by the Event Disruptions Shared Interest Group (SIG), Wednesday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m. CST to connect with fellow meetings professionals about planning for the future. Moderated by FICP's 2021 SIG Co-Chairs, Karin Ponte and Carlin Putnam, this open discussion is an opportunity to ask your pressing questions and get tips and best practices used by others.
This session is open to FICP meetings professional members only. Log in to TheNetwork and register here.
Meet FICP's January and February Members of the Month
January Member of the Month: Meg D’Angelo
In case you missed it, Meg D’Angelo was our featured member in January. Meg is the Assistant Vice President of Events and Hospitality for Lincoln Financial Group and an FICP board member this year. Learn more about Meg and say hi over in TheNetwork.
February Member of the Month: Crystal Neubauer, CPLP
This month’s Member of the Month is another one of FICP’s newest board members, Crystal Neubauer, CPLP. Crystal is the AVP of Education and Events at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., an independent broker dealer and financial solutions forum. Before assuming her role on FICP's Board of Directors, she served on the Education Committee and event planning teams. Learn more and congratulate Crystal today in TheNetwork.
Who's Topping the Referral Program Scorecard?
Did you know there are four meetings professionals and two hospitality partners currently tied for first place for their success in recruiting new members to FICP through the Referral Program? See below for who's earned a top spot.
Meetings Professionals tied for 1st place:
Julie D'Anastasio
Pagie Williams
Andrea H. Ryan
Sabrina Colquitt
Hospitality Partners tied for 1st place:
Kristin Hoffman
Cathy Diem
Hospitality Partners tied for 2nd place:
Robyn Sprenger
Bruce Leet
Jessica Cannon
Lisa Ray
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.
FICP Welcomes New Members and Partners
Meetings Professionals:
Felita Barber, Ameriprise Financial
Kaylin Burt, Colonial Life
Kristina Coyle, Equitable
Carol Crossland, CMP, Liberty Mutual
Michell Derwin, CMP, DES, Wells Fargo
Terry Dolpp, Wells Fargo
Jennifer Dorholt, MS, CMP, Ameriprise Financial
Kerry Florea, Ameriprise Financial
Tina Fullard, Truist
Caron Gavrish, Federated Hermes, Inc.
Paula Hampton, Wells Fargo
Brie Harding, S&P Global
Melissa Indiveri, Warburg Pincus
Hope Jacoway, Nationwide Insurance
Jennifer Jevning Paumen, Ameriprise Financial
Amy King, Ameriprise Financial
Georgia Knobbe, Ameriprise Financial
Sandra Lindo, Sun Life
Valerie Litzsinger, Ameriprise Financial
Michelle McElman, Liberty Mutual
Donna Meyreles, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Caitlyn Mieske, Manulife
Yordanka Milasincic, Allstate Insurance Company
Iris Ng, Manulife
Elena Overton, CMP, Wells Fargo
Taylor Schweitzer, William Blair & Company, LLC
Kathy Seaberg, Ameriprise Financial
Bonie Sedio, Ameriprise Financial
Shannon Spicer, Liberty Mutual
Keiko Tsutsumi, MetLife
Kasey Tysdal, CMP, Pacific Life Insurance Company - RSD (Annuities) Division
Hospitality Partners:
Janfred Agarao, Pendry West Hollywood
Karuna Amarnath, Four Seasons Resorts Thailand
Jaclyn Dorsch, RMC DMC
Al Gauthier, Snake River Lodge & Spa
Teresa Karcher, CMP, Pasea Hotel & Spa
Megan McHale, CITP, Rocco Forte Hotels
Bob Mitchell, Montage Los Cabos
Charysse O'Donnell, Marriott International Luxury Brands
Lili Ory, A2 Events
Giovana Postorino, The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley
Tyler Runyon, ATL Airport District CVB
Tina Truesdale, Visit Mobile
Tanya Wallace, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch
2021 FICP Strategic Partners
Double Diamond
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Diamond
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All Other Partners
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| ACCESS Destination Services |
AZA Events, Inc. |
The Broadmoor |
DMC Network |
| Fiesta Americana Hotels |
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority |
Global DMC Partners |
Island Partners Hawai'i |
| JPDL Destination Management Canada |
Visit Newport Beach |
Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings |
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