Message from the President - Michael J. Lynch

Welcome to the 2009-10 Meeting Professionals International/New England Chapter Member and Resource Directory. We hope that you utilize this to locate and patronize the industry’s finest meeting and event professionals in the world!

The past year has taught us how important our organization is to our professional networkand growth – an uncertain economy and an attack on our industry has made MPI a strongerorganization. We stood together, proud and tall, and didn’t take ‘no’ for an answer – theperseverance and loyalty of our members is unlike other organizations as we continued to meet network, learn and have fun!

Each Chapter President is given the opportunity to provide a theme for their year of service. When I expressed myconcern, while speaking to a colleague, that it isn’t my ‘style’, she asked why I didn’t feel that was important. I toldher that we have lost the ‘human connection’ that drives our industry – we have gone away from picking up thephone, making personal contact, utilizing our “Buy MPI” mentality. “BINGO,” she said, “there is your theme.” Andshe was right. So as I speak from my imaginary pulpit, I would encourage the entire membership to return to MeetingPlanning 101 and utilize the incredible resources we have right in front of us. I am not recreating the wheel –just echoing the call from Meeting Professional International (MPI) headquarters in Dallas.

Our chapter works closely with MPI to provide our members with a roadmap for success of the chapter and for youprofessionally – focusing on four integral parts:

1. EVOLVE — our goal is to provide you with a rich, knowledge-based community where we have the opportunityto come together and evolve into a powerful industry.
   
   
2. RE-IMAGINE — our chapter is unique to International and we need to look outside our comfort zone and continueto grow and lead professionally and personally. Our members need to form and shape their involvementin the industry in ways they might not have in the past. Think differently, be flexible and go ‘crazy’.
   
   
3. ELEVATE — Today’s marketplace is as competitive as ever and we need to utilize our community of meeting professionalsto take our game to the next level. Standing with two feet on the floor is not an option. We need toconstantly upgrade our ‘personal’ brand – you need to be seen!
   
   
   
4. BUILD — The economy has thrown us a curveball and we need to build upon the experience of our colleagues,competitors and the industry giants to sustain our viability. Reaching out to other communities of potential membersto build a stronger, global marketplace is critical.

The above strategic initiatives are the core to our International and Chapter Mission – which is:Make our members successful by building human connections to:

• Knowledge/Ideas
• Relationships
• Marketplaces

Embracing this culture aligns us with International and provides a strong base from which to prosper. Our chaptermembership of over 700 meeting professionals continues to be the envy of other chapters – as we meet in recordnumbers (regularly 150-200 each month), volunteer with countless hours, and provide educational content that is secondto none. Our networking events are spectacular and allow us to do what we do best – meet, mingle andbe social!

I want to provide the chapter with strong leadership and an eye on growth, BUY MPI success and a solid financialsituation. I am thrilled to be working with a Board of Directors that is energetic, fresh and driven. We can all beconfident that our industry will rebound in this fiscal year and America will keep on meeting!

Time to Rock and Roll!
Michael J. Lynch
President, MPI New England
General Manager/Owner, Sebasco Harbor Resort