January 2008 Educational Program

Panel Shares Wisdom on Adapting to Change

By January Programming Committee Co-Chairs
Joanne Durham, CMP, National Fire Protection Association and
Craig Sutton, President, Craig Sutton Entertainment

Working in the hospitality industry means anticipating and successfully adapting to change. That was one of the many pearls of wisdom presented at the MPI/New England monthly educational meeting held on January 16, 2008 at the Taj Hotel, Arlington Street, Boston.

To gain perspective on both the planner and supplier sides, an expert panel of industry veterans discussed real-life scenarios and how they addressed them with an audience of about 130 attendees. The program focused on how to understand, work through, and embrace change – especially at a time when hotels are bought out by real estate capitalists and employee turnover is normal in this growth industry.

The theme of advance and upfront communication was a common thread throughout the meeting. Another focus was legal protection including the addition of clauses covering building renovations, ownership and brand changes. Working closely with legal counsel can only help. The audience shared experiences, too, about clearly communicating your needs during transitions by staying in close touch with your vendor or planner. In fact, everyone agreed communication and seeing each other as a partner was the number one means for a smoother transition to benefit you and your organization.

Craig Sutton moderated a panel with more than 80 years of hospitality industry experience. The panel included Serena Leiser, CMM, Director of Conferences and Meetings for the Northeast Human Resources Association; Karen Tucker, Conferences and Events Manager at Commonwealth Financial Network; Richard Caroll, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Chatham Bars Inn; and Nancy Lindemer, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Babson Conference Center.

Taj Hotel/Boston was a generous host for the evening providing elegant space, audiovisual services and amazing executive chef selections for the reception that followed. David Gibbons, General Manager of the Taj Hotel, spoke to the attendees about the luxury standard offered by Taj for service and style. Fiona Dwyer, National Sales Manager, and Vanessa Welch, Meeting & Special Event Manager worked with Joanne Durham, CMP to ensure the evening at 15 Arlington Street was a memorable one for MPI/New England.

December 2007 Educational Program

Put Your Red Sox On

MPI/NE celebrated the holiday season, ending the year in Red Sox “RED.” Fenway Enterprises hosted the annual holiday networking program, which was named “Put Your Red Sox On” which took place on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at the EMC club inside Fenway Park!

It was a holiday extravaganza including food provided by Aramark Premium Services with music and décor provided by Craig Sutton. The Newport CVB graciously sponsored the appearance of “Wally” the Green Monster. In addition, David Fox Photography was ready to capture attendees with either Wally or the World Champion Red Sox Trophy.

In the spirit of the season, MPI attendees were generous in contributing to two causes; the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox and the MPI Foundation. The networking event provided an opportunity to network with peers, celebrate the holidays, and support a good cause!

If interested in holding your own event at Fenway Park, please refer to www.fenwaypark.com. Thanks to all our sponsors for their generocity - Fenway Enterprises, Aramark, Newport CVB, David Fox Photography, Craig Sutton Entertainment, The Red Sox Foundation.

November 2007 Educational Program

“The Ten Commandments of Contracting and Planner - Supplier Relations”

The 11th Commandment … Thou shalt participate in MPI to educate thyself and to network with your peers for the betterment of the industry! We hope that’s what everyone took away at the November Program on the always-provocative topics of contracting and planner - supplier relationships. Held at the DCU Center in Worcester and attended by an equal mix of planners and suppliers totaling some 150 people, “Negotiations Guru” Donna Wikstrand from Conference Hotels Unlimited adeptly facilitated the panel discussion.

Our experts on the panel included Kelley Bazydlo, Associate Director for Conferences for Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R); John C. Touchette, CMP, Director, Meetings & Special Events, Raytheon Company; Janet F. Weiner, CMP, Director, Strategic Account Management, Experient; Perry Kessler, Director of Sales, Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel; Jim Mangan, Director of Sales & Marketing, Woodstock Inn & Resort; and Martha Sheridan, President and CEO, the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. In addition, Kevin Cummiskey of Cummiskey & Company, played an “otherworldly” role in the production by introducing the “Ten Commandments”.

Commandment I
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

Commandment II
Thou shalt not request an immediate proposal without first providing full meeting information

Commandment III
Thou shalt work with thy supplier as thy partner, not thine enemy

Commandment IV
Thou shalt keep it simple stupid!

Commandment V
Thou shalt only negotiate win-win contracts

Commandment VI
Thou shalt communicate, communicate, communicate

Commandment VII
Thou shalt always be ethical in all that you do

Commandment VIII
To thine own word be true

Commandment IX
Thou shalt always work to exceed expectations

Commandment X
Thou shalt sweat the details

Through expanded discussion on the commandments and enthusiastic participation from the audience, the panel demonstrated how to overcome obstacles and challenges during the contract negotiation process, and how to forge win-win partnerships to ensure a successful event for all stakeholders, while also building long-term relationships.

We wish to thank the 19 exhibitors, who helped to make the November Program a complete success through their participation … and were pleased to hear from several that their efforts “paid a dividend”. Also, the program in Worcester continued MPI/NE’s commitment to “take the show on the road” and highlight the broad number of outstanding meeting locations around New England. We heard from numerous attendees, including many from “out west”, who were thrilled with our choice of Worcester for this program.

We appreciate the warm welcomes by Michael O’Brien, Worcester’s enthusiastic City Manager, and Patrick Lynch, our MPI/NE President and Executive Director of Destination Worcester. Upon entering the DCU Center, we were greeted by a “receiving line” of staff from the Worcester hotel community and the DCU Center along with the mascots from the Worcester Sharks, the Worcester Tornadoes, and the Worcester Surge who thanked each and everyone of us for coming to the event. The meeting and networking spaces presented perfectly, the food was delicious, and the service team most accommodating. What a wonderful turnout and what a wonderful venue for our November meeting!

Just remember the 11th Commandment, as it is the key to opening many doors for new initiates to MPI and seasoned veterans alike. Participate, participate, participate!