MPI New England 2011 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
By: Susan Cancro Brown
Upon arriving at The Estate in Boston, this year’s sponsored venue for MPI New England’s Annual Meeting, it was evident that we were in store for many surprises. The room was elegantly decorated, thanks to the generosity of Art of the Event, Inc., with inviting white couches and high top tables. The billowing white curtains and subtle sparkling lights were offset with splashes of red decorations. The ambiance was comfortable and sleek; the perfect combination to welcome the MC for the evening, comedian, Tony V, sponsored by Brattle Entertainment. Guests enjoyed the comedy routine as their palates were tantalized with the hors d’oeuvres and open bar sponsored by The Estate.
Michael Lynch, MPI New England Past President and General Manager at the Sebasco Harbor Resort, introduced and inducted the MPI NE Board Members for 2011-2012:
- Director of Publications: Richard Carroll, CMP, Director of Sales and Marketing, Inn By The Sea
- Director of Marketing: Carlos Rojas, Associate Director of Sales, Hyatt Regency Boston
- Director of Operations: Bob McGlincy, General Manager, Willwork Exhibit and Event Services
- Director of Education: Colleen Kenney, Senior Manager, Corporate Meetings and Conventions Millennium Pharmaceuticals
- Director of Institutes: Betsy Gonzalez, CMP, Supervisor, Conference and Meeting Management, Liberty Mutual
- Director of Special Events: Maggie Mohrfeld, Senior Sales Manager, Hyatt Regency Newport
- Director of Sponsorship: Susie DiDonato, Hospitality Account Executive, VDA Productions
- Vice President of Membership: Julie Nack Locke, CMP, Associate Regional Vice President, Helms Briscoe
- Vice President of Marketing and Communications: Bryan Lavin, National Sales Manager, Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Vice President of Education: Rena Briggs, Group Sales Manager, Omni Parker House
- Vice President of Finance and Administration: Mark Bice, Regional Vice President, HPN Global
- President Elect: Michelle Johnson, Chief Gathering Officer, C3
- President: Karen King, CMP, CMM, Founder/Owner, Meetings Strategist, LLC
The outgoing board members were greatly thanked for their invaluable time and effort spent supporting our chapter.
Past President, Michael Lynch, General Manager, Sebasco Harbor Resort; Jill Forchielli, Senior Sales Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Boston; Anne Roberts, National Sales Maqnager, Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitiors Bureau; Kathleen Tormey, Contract Meeting Professional, Bank of America; Prescott White, CMP, Project Manager, C3; Bea Flammia, CMP, Fairmont Battery Wharf; Liisa Colby, CMP, Independent Planner.
Prior to announcing the award recipients, the guests enjoyed an elaborate spread of sushi from Red Lantern. The laser show of sponsor names kept the crowd on their toes while everyone waited in anticipation to hear the announcement for this year’s winners.
2010-2011 award winners received a beautiful glass pineapple courtesy of Simon Pearce.
Kathy Keegan Cummings Professional Development Scholarship:
Molly Hudson, Director of Conference Planning, Joseph B. Martin Conference Center at Harvard Medical
Sam Dame Memorial Professional Scholarship:
Carol Scalesse, Director of Sales, Babson Executive Conference Center
Tomorrow’s Leader:
Richard Carroll, CMP, Director of Sales, Inn By the Sea
Chapter Leader of the Year:
Denise Banach, Director of Group Sales, Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center
Planner of the Year:
Donna Wikstrand, CMP, Vice President, Conference Hotels Unlimited
Supplier of the Year:
Bob McGlincy, New England General Manager, Willwork Exhibits and Events Services
President’s Award:
Vanessa Thompson, New England Chapter Administrator, MPI
The evening culminated with more networking, music and dessert from Finale. It was a night to remember with every detail coordinated by the Special Events Committee, headed by co-chairs Dana Keeler, CMP & Chris Spano, CMP. With the help of many volunteers, including our generous sponsors, a unique and fun event was enjoyed by all.
“This was incredible. I got valuable information I can put to use immediately”
“For the first time in my life, I wanted the session to last another hour.”
“I had no idea how great Newport is. The service and experience were amazing.”
PRESENTATIONS
• Current Trends in Group Sales Contracts – Steve Rudner
• Innovation Master Class – Joe Giordano
• Introduction to Meeting Architecture – Terri Breining
• Leadership in a Changing World – Terri Breining
• Outsourcing – The Who, What & Why – Panel Discussion
• Social Media for Meeting Professionals – Patrick O’Malley
140 Meeting Planners and Suppliers came together at the Hotel Viking for an incredible and intensive MPI New England Educational Institute. Attendees were wowed by the venue and the value of the educational program. Many of us had visited Newport before, but still were amazed by the setting and offerings. We felt as if we had rediscovered a secret gem of New England.
Newport has a number of great properties, with the Hotel Viking sitting atop the landscape as its historic jewel (circa 1920). Some attendees enjoyed a Wednesday evening excursion to a tour of the Doris Duke Mansion, followed by a lovely reception at the Hyatt Regency on Goat Island, and ending with a fantastic dinner at The Moorings Restaurant on the waterfront. Thank you Newport & Bristol County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for hosting a wonderful pre-Institute event!
Our host hotel, the Hotel Viking pulled out all the stops. They provided complimentary hotel rooms to Meeting Planners, and Newport CVB and Willwork (need proper name) sponsored meeting planner registration fees. Everyone in attendance felt the V.I.P. experience. Thank you to all our great Sponsors!
14 Amazing Educational – and Inspirational - Sessions!
Attendees raved about the outstanding educational program at “Spring Forward”. Top industry experts engaged the participants with timely information that was personally relevant to each individual. Survey feedback indicated a high amount of audience participation, with Speakers engaging the audience and using the right amount of humor to keep things lively.
In Friday’s Keynote “Leadership in the Changing World of Meeting Planner, Speaker Terri Breining encouraged attendees to associate themselves with animals to identify their Leadership style. As one attendee remarked “Terri asked us to identify role models in our lives. That was a big takeaway for me. I am now thinking about how I can learn from – and give back - to those who made me who I am today”. Another attendee said “By identifying animals for leadership style – it showed the difference between where I am and where I want to be.”
Diane Darling broke the ice on Thursday morning with a few quick Networking tips. Her session “Networking Survival Guide” was very well attended and received great kudos. During the Reverse Trade Show, some attendees could not contain themselves from sharing Diane’s top tips. Margaret Batting ‘s “Succeed with Style” was another homerun. Her professional style makeovers and “Before and After” photos were a big hit. Patrick O’Malley’s “Social Media for Meeting Planners” was the runaway hit of the event, with many participants claiming it to be the best session of event and asking for Patrick to be the featured Keynote at a later date.
Files from the Spring Forward 2011 Educational Sessions and photos from the event, courtesy of David Fox Photography will be posted on the MPINE web site soon.
Need to earn CEUs?
For those of you looking to achieve or renew your CMP or other certification, keep track of the sessions you attended! Full attendance at the 2011 Spring Forward event earns you over 10 hours of credit!
Reverse Trade Show
Thursday afternoon, Spring Forward attendees blew the roof off the Hotel Viking with a 60 minute intense networking experience. Planners and Suppliers partnered up for a series of twelve 10 minute appointments.
Ocean Cliff Reception
Following the Reverse Trade Show, Spring Forward attendees were treated to an excursion to Ocean Cliff Inn for a spectacular sunset cocktail reception, wonderful musical entertainment and a private tour of their lovely rooms and meeting space. Everyone was certainly felt the “WOW” factor while at the Inn. Kudos to all who helped make this so special!
Remembering the Annual NEM!CE Event
Let’s not forget our roots! With feedback from MPI New England members, the annual NEM!CE educational program and trade show was metamorphosed into what we now know as the two annual MPINE Educational Institutes – “Spring Forward” (May) and “Fall Back to School” November. Do you like what we’re doing? Our mission, based on your input, is to deliver intense and relevant educational content, combined with incredible networking experiences. Let us know what you think by emailing your feedback to mpine.org.
Our next Institutes are planned for November 2011 and May 2012. If you are a Hotelier in the Greater Boston Area interested in hosting an Institute, please let us know. Your MPI support is always much appreciated!
Kudos to the Spring Forward Planning Committee
Co-chairs Bob McGlincy and Liisa Colby extend a HUGE thank you to Anne Roberts and Betsy Gonzalez for their leadership, and to the hard work by committee members Denise Zadina, Rosemary Gavin, Gail Paul and last but never least MPI New England Chapter Manager Vanessa Thompson.
