July 2015 spin news by Catherine Jensen

Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network Issue 46 – July 2014 Issue 56 – July 2015

SPiN:News

Is SPiN Valuable to You? To the Industry? Really?

By Founder, Shawna Suckow, CMP I’m going to be very candid here, because something’s on my mind. If you believe SPiN needs to exist, then we need every member to pay your dues (c’mon, they’re absolutely the lowest of any major industry association!). If you appreciate the senior-level education, networking, private discussion board, and newsletter that we constantly strive to provide you, will you please consider supporting SPiN with at least a meager $25 annual investment in its future? That’s two bucks a month to support senior-level education and networking.

Upcoming Events Jul 29

SPiN:Toronto BranchWine Down Wed

Jul 30

SPiN:Roundtable Dealing with our Clients & Attendees

Jul 30

SPiN:San Francisco Branch Event

THE BACKSTORY In just four short years, we grew so quickly and branches formed all over North America, requiring more administrative effort than a team of volunteers could bear. Today, we have 1.5 staff members for a 2,500 Aug 6 -person network. PCMA and SITE are twice our size, but I guarantee they have more than twice the staff. We do NOT have unnecessary overhead that eats up your dues – we respect your finances as much Aug 13 as we do our own.

Despite my deep love for this network and the people within it, I can no longer continue to pour my own money into SPiN. Over (Continued on page 12)

spinplanners.com

Aug 13

SPiN:Roundtable Productivity SPiN:Roundtable Selling (Ind. & 3rd Party) SPiN:Twin Cities Branch Event

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners

Issue 56 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 2015

In this Issue WARNING: Swimsuit Season Ahead

pg. 3

Meet SPiNCon 2015 Keynote Speaker, Kristen Brown

pg. 4

SPiNCon 2015 Teasers

pg. 5

60-Second Spotlight

pg. 6

San Diego July Branch Event

pg. 7

Pack Your Saddlebag & Join Us in Texas!

pg. 8

Is There a Difference Between Having a Milk Allergy & Being Lactose Intolerant?

pg. 9

Shawna Suckow Plays at The World Series of Poker!

pg. 10

Do you have a favorite summer read? Join a lively LinkedIn discussion happening this month! Share your favorite book or find a suggestion to curl up with at the pool/beach.

Have you seen the latest blog on Independent Planning? Check it out here.

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www.linkedin.com

Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

WARNING: Swimsuit Season Up Ahead! What, like you’d rather see another “The Most Amazing Slim-Down-Shape-Up-Diet-Plan EVER” for this July headline?

By Terry Matthews-Lombardo, CMP Hey, I’m basically a realist. Sometimes that means I get called a ‘Debbie Downer’ but I don’t take it personally. Right now, all’s I know is that we are now smack dab in the middle of summer, so if you haven’t already taken that plunge and enjoyed a cool splash in the water because you still don’t look like a Victoria Secret swimsuit model (or for you guys out there, um, Magic Mike?), then you really need to get over yourself and enjoy the mindless benefits you can have with your body bobbing around in some water along with one silly Styrofoam noodle. Just do it! Speaking of swimming, you know how we toss around the term ‘skinny dip’ when referring to, uh, skinny dipping? Well, earlier this summer I overheard a friend say she and her husband were more inclined to ‘chunky dunk’. Say what? Apparently, that’s the accepted terminology for those of us who aren’t well, mistaken for Victoria Secret/Magic Mike models. . .you get the picture here, right? Anyway, the point I’m eventually swimming to (by way of this long lap. . .) is that it’s summer, and shouldn’t we all be having just a little bit of fun right now? I think so, but my daily agenda tells me otherwise. Sigh. Here comes that realist again. But I just can’t help it! Part of the problem is that when you’re in the throes of raising kids, your year revolves around the school calendar. This is even though we know the real work world operates year round, and yet we still ‘pretend’ that summer is vacation time. But in the new world order in which we now exist, working 24/7/365 is the new normal. But I’m here to tell you that even if you don’t have a formally scheduled vacation squeezed into what’s left of your summer, you can still salvage some mini mind escapes during your everyday life. For instance, I recently met up with some business associates after a very long work week and we all agreed that instead of ordering our usual ‘serious’ adult beverage of choice, (Continued on page 13)

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 3

Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

Meet SPiNCon 2015 Keynote Speaker, Kristen Brown We are thrilled to have Kristen Brown - Keynote Speaker, Corporate Trainer, Business Strategist, Bestselling Author and founder/CEO of Happy Hour Effect, LLC join us this year. Kristen helps individuals and organizations minimize stress, leverage goals and boost happiness which directly impacts personal and bottom line growth. Prior to starting Happy Hour Effect, she spent 15 years leading teams and working with Fortune500s, start-ups and everything in between. Kristen was widowed in 2007 with a new baby during the economic collapse which prompted her shift into helping others spin stress into success despite the challenges we face every day. She is on the board of NSA-MN and Women Entrepreneurs of MN. She holds a Master’s in Integral Theory (the art and science of multiple perspectives), a holistic coaching certification and has won several awards for business and writing. She’s been seen on screen and stage over 500 times including Live with Kelly & Michael, HLN, Forbes, Inc., Women Presidents Organization, Cargill, Regis, Mayo, Boston Scientific, Regis and more. Her bestselling books include The Best Worst Thing, The Happy Hour Effect and a contributing chapter to Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Women. She recently signed a twobook publishing deal for her next two books forthcoming in 2015 and 2016. We are excited that Kristen will be serving as both the opening and closing speaker at SPiNCon this year. We feel that she will help set the right “tone” for us to focus on our brain, body and being. Kristen will be presenting Brand Yourself for Success: Communicating Your Personal Story for Professional Growth and The Happy Hour Effect: 5 Strategies to minimize stress, leverage goals and boost success.: 5 St Visit www.happyhoureffect.com/newsroom to see Kristen’s speaker reel and learn how to book her for one of your upcoming meetings.

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 4

Issue 56 – July 2015

SPiNCon 2015 Teasers Have you registered yet? SPiNCon is just 4 1/2 months away!

We would like to share a snippet of activities that will be taking place this year - look for additional details in upcoming weekly 3 things e-blasts, our Facebook and Twitter accounts, LinkedIn and of course our monthly newsletter.



AMAZING CEU eligible sessions dedicated to your Brain, Body & Being  Pre-conference Wellness Retreat Option with Monica Graves Glamping Open Reception including Planner Ghost and Horror Stories  Lip Syncing Battle (prizes will be awarded, bring your creativity!)  Hybrid meeting Tuesday  The first ever hosted sponsor program

Register today at www.spincon.spinplanners.com SPiNCon DuPage County Trivia Earn prizes from our SPiNCon partner, DuPage County CVB! Email your answer to Catherine, Catherine@spinplanners.com to be eligible. Good Luck! At the time of its opening in 1968, which shopping center ranked as the largest shopping center in the United States at 1,300,000 square feet?

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Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

60-Second Spotlight SPiN’s New Speaker Matchmaker: A Worldwide, 10,000-Speaker, Searchable Database for SPiN Planners An interview between SPiN Chairwoman, Shawna Suckow, CMP, and Joe Heaps.

Shawna: Let’s start off with the basics. Tell me about the speaker database you’ve built. Joe: Talking with planners, we’re really finding that it’s hard to find the right speaker. Google doesn’t work, it’s too time consuming. Speaker Bureaus are helpful, but sometimes planners just want to shop around and get ideas on their own. What we built is the perfect place to find and hire a speaker, because it’s all under one roof. We help match the right speaker with the right audience. Professional Speakers; Working Experts such as Doctors, Professors, CEOs, Marketing Directors who speak on the side; Celebrities and Entertainers. Shawna: How will this make SPiN members’ jobs easier? Joe: Planners can click on the SPIN:Speakers link from the www.spinplanners.com home page, then easily filter and sort our 10,000 speaker database according to budget, topic, or geography. Through technology, we can provide a better experience for the planner. We offer exclusive verified reviews of speakers as well, along with the ability for speakers to provide video clips, and even their calendar of availability. You can even find a speaker who already will be in your event’s city over the same dates, and save on travel costs because they’re already there. Shawna: Is there a middleman we have to deal with, like a speaker bureau? Joe: You can communicate with the speaker directly through the system – no middleman. Check availability, check rates, communicate directly with the speaker, book the speaker, and go to contract directly through the system. Shop for a speaker at midnight in your jammies – super easy.

Shawna: What are some tricks of the system – give us some tips. Joe: Put an open call for speakers on the system job board and see who responds, or search and filter down to your short-list. You can even send out your shortlist to your own committee for voting within the system. Through our agreement with SPiN, we’re giving a percentage of every speaker booking as a contribution back to your organization. (Continued on page 7)

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 6

Issue 56 – July 2015

San Diego July Branch Event Recap The San Diego Branch met at Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn & Suites and was hosted by the Resort and Caesar’s Entertainment to an afternoon of information, education and networking. Following a presentation by Caesars Entertainment on the wide variety of group assets they have in Las Vegas and around the country, a lively discussion about incorporating entertainment into your events took place. Key takeaways when hiring entertainment included hiring a “qualified” broker, check the entertainers website, get current referrals, review riders and negotiate the best deal possible. A delicious happy hour concluded with plenty of member networking and discussions.

60 Second Spotlight (Continued from page 6)

Shawna: Any tips on how planners can market their speakers better? Joe: Pre & post video for the audience. Link to their speaker profile. Put it in the speaker contract that they will tweet, post on your event Facebook page, maybe write a blog. Joe Heaps is a managing partner and VP of Sales & Marketing at eSpeakers. In his many years in the industry, Joe’s innovative ideas and strategic vision has moved eSpeakers forward - recognized as the leading software provider in the industry.

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Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

Pack your Saddlebag & Join Us in Texas!

A senior planner level educational program where experts and professionals share insights and inspirations to grow your business and your well-being and spirit!

Program (for the complete program, click here)

Monday, August 24 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Dine Around with integrated Health and Wellness Program in Grapevine Texas. Highlights include: Embassy Suites DFW Outdoor World● Grapevine Town Square ● Messina Hof Grapevine Winery ●Grand Hyatt DFW ●Marriott Courtyard/TownePlace Suites ●Roundup Campfire at Austin Ranch Tuesday, August 25 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. General Sessions ● Concurrent Breakout Sessions Networking and Educational Breaks ● Lunch at Austin Ranch Topics include: From Cinderella to CEO – Updating your Management Style ● Security and Risk Management- Protecting Your Brand ● Your Challenges with Team Solutions ● Technology Trends Coaching Speakers for Better Results ● Creative Best Practices - Risk & Creativity = Success! Our Amazing Speakers include: Shawna Suckow – Founder of SPiN Judy Johnson ● Cary Broussard ● Linda Swindling ● Sherri Cook Courtney Stanley ● Kevin Mellot ● Tracey Smith and YOU!

Fort:SPiN will be held at Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center (at the DFW Airport) Bunk with us with the Special Room Rate $89 Complimentary Airport Shuttle

Register Today! It’s the ideal pre-SPiNCon experience More Information? Call: Dana Rhoden, CMP, CMM ● DFW Branch Director ● danarhoden@yahoo.com ● 214.868.8067

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 8

Issue 56 – July 2015

Is there a difference between having a milk allergy and being lactose intolerant? Editors Note: SPiN Member, Tracy Stuckrath, CSEP, CMM, CHC [aka the Food Allergy Guru!]

answers another member question in this month’s column. She is President & Chief Connecting Officer for Thrive! Meetings & Events www.thrivemeetings.com, and specializes in spreading the word far and wide about industry issues relating to food allergies. She’s happy to answer specific questions or address focused topics in this column (we know you have some!), so please send her a quick email at tracy@thrivemeetings.com and we’ll keep printing all the Q & A’s in our next issue. Yes. While both milk allergy and lactose intolerance require a person to avoid milk products, they are different conditions with severely different reactions—lactose intolerance can cause great physical discomfort, while food allergy can be life threatening. To be specific, an allergy is an overreaction of a person’s immune system to a food protein where intolerance involves one’s digestive system and food sugar. Lactose intolerance is caused by not having enough lactase, an enzyme needed to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and other milk products. Event attendees with lactose intolerance are unable to digest these foods and as a result may experience symptoms such as nausea, cramps, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Milk allergy is a food allergy caused by an allergic reaction to a specific food protein in milk—whey or casein. When the food protein is ingested, inhaled or touched, it can trigger an allergic reaction, which may include a range of symptoms, from mild (hives, rashes, swelling, itching and more) to severe (wheezing, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, etc.) and potentially deadly (anaphylaxis).

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Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

In Her Own Words. . .News from Shawna Suckow, CMP on the Scene in the Poker Room at Caesar’s Palace When I’m not busy with work, my alter-ego is an ace poker player. It wasn’t always this way, though… My story begins last August, at the 2014 MPI World Education Congress. Fellow SPiN members, Tracey Smith, CMM, CMP, and Tracy Stuckrath, CMM, CSEP, and I wandered down to have a quick drink at the MPI Foundation’s annual poker party called The Big Deal. We planned to stay just for a bit, but fate had other plans. As it turned out, I ended up playing in the poker tournament, and winning the whole thing. My prize was a ticket (valued at $10,000) to play in The Main Event at the World Series of Poker, plus airfare for two, lodging and other perks. I was as shocked as anybody – my husband was the aspiring ace poker player in our house, not me. I knew the basic fundamentals of Texas Hold ‘Em, but that was about it. Since winning that MPI tournament, I’ve spent the past year studying and playing poker like it was my job – I’m that competitive! Let’s just say my husband now has some serious competition. Fast forward to July 5, 2015 – The World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. If you’re wondering whether or not I experienced the High Roller life while there for the tournament, you bet I did! From the moment Caesars picked us up from the airport in a limo, we felt like rock stars. When we emerged from the limo, a camera crew from Encore filmed my husband and me like we were celebrities. A small crowd of bystanders actually formed, recording us with their cell phones as if we were famous – we even heard somebody say, “I think I know that guy,” about my husband. We stayed in a suite, compliments of Caesars, dined at the famous Voodoo Steak restaurant, visited the exclusive Foundation Room – a private club at Mandalay Bay, and filmed commercials to be aired at the 2015 MPI Big Deal tournament. We got to meet actress Jennifer Tilley, and see other celebrities including James Woods and Brad Garrett, along with dozens of the big-name celebrity poker players. I bet you’re wondering how I played in the tournament. Well, I sat down with poker professionals and held my own for nearly 12 hours, losing all my chips just before midnight to – get this – an ancestor of the man who founded the WSOP. I guess that was a reputable way to end my WSOP career. For now.

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 10

Issue 56 – July 2015

Would I do it all again? You bet. Hopefully, by the time you read this, I’ll be the first two-time winner of The Big Deal, and on my way to play in the 2016 WSOP! p.s. – if you are in need of an amazing production company for a larger event, I highly recommend contacting my friend Freddie Onsaga, Director of Sales for Encore Event Productions. Every year, his company sponsors the MPI Foundation Event by providing all the equipment and staffing to run The Photo courtesy of Encore Productions Big Deal at MPI-WEC (other sponsors are Caesars Entertainment, which provides the grand prize WSOP package, and Hilton – a Caesars partner company). What I didn’t realize was that Freddie’s company, based in Las Vegas, is the official production company for the entire WSOP. Yes, the one that ESPN reruns practically nonstop every night. He can certainly handle any event you throw his way. Special thanks also go out to Bill Greaves, Melanie Fagan, and Jordan Clark of Caesars Entertainment for treating us to such a top notch experience that we’ll never forget. This post is for anyone that has an alter-ego, you know, an alternative identity that you manifest on the nights after work/weekends/quick get-aways that allow you to be somebody else, if only for that brief moment in time. That’s right – we’re talking to you out there because after we finish being our daily super-heroes doing our real jobs, many of us are pursuing something else that we love too, right? So starting with this issue above about her recent time spent playing in THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER by our one-and-only super SPiN founder, Shawna Suckow, we’re inviting YOU out there to submit your own stories. We’d love to hear what occupies the rest of your time outside of work whether it’s hammering nails on a house for Habitat for Humanity, rescuing animals in need, participating in Slam poetry contests, or maybe you’re penning that great American novel on the side? Whatever it is, please write a quick story (just a paragraph or two is fine) and send it to us at tml@cfl.rr.com. We’ll gladly share your story in a future issue because after all, inquiring minds want to know! Come on now, don’t be shy! Let’s pull up a barstool and learn a little more about each other. If you’re not a writer but still want to share your unique story just send me a quick email and I’ll do an easy interview. Yes, it’s that simple!

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Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network

Is SPiN Valuable to You? To the Industry? Really? (Continued from page 1)

the years, I have personally contributed a six-figure financial outlay, to the detriment to my family. I take no salary from SPiN, only actual expense reimbursements, and today remain just a volunteer. DID YOU KNOW IF we were to let suppliers become members of SPiN, OR if we were willing to sell our member list, we would NOT need to charge member dues. I am deeply opposed to both of these because they are contrary to promises I’ve made since the early days of SPiN. WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT I hope that if YOU love SPiN as much as I do, that you:  Recognize the need for 1.5 paid staff persons (at a living wage)  Realize that, because we have no supplier members, many of our volunteer positions go unfilled, requiring MORE time from our humble paid staffers, Sara Vanderbilt and Catherine Jensen.  Accept and pay the industry’s lowest dues (seriously, who charges $25/year?! We do, that’s who!)  Understand that we do our best to secure sponsorships, which is another reason dues are so low, but this too requires a ton of administrative work and sales time from PAID staff people (unless anyone out there wants to give up their day job to volunteer full time).  Respect that SPiN needs to be MEMBER-supported, not founder-supported any longer (my husband thanks you). Today, we have dues in place at two levels: 1. A minimal, annual $25 level (that’s two bucks a month!) for those who may not be able to engage regularly, but still believe SPiN plays an important role in the industry. 2. An annual $200 level for those who are able to engage regularly in the local, national, and virtual offerings we constantly strive to provide you, our senior-level planner peers. SHAMELESS PLEA PLEASE pay your dues to help support a living wage for SPiN’s 1.5 employees, and the continued growth of the many initiatives that exist only to serve you, our senior-level planner peers. This association exists FOR you, but we cannot (and frankly should not) exist without your buy-in. Go to www.spinplanners.com and click on the orange LOG IN or the JOIN NOW button at the top right of the home page.

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 12

Issue 56 — July 2015

WARNING: Swimsuit Season Up Ahead! (Continued from page 3)

we’d venture out and pick something fun and different-preferably a refreshing summer blend. Out came the mojitos, Pina coladas, and mai tais but more importantly, you know what else came out with those cheeky blended drinks? A whole lotta fun! For as long as those frozen delights lasted, we were all reminiscing (and dreaming) about fabulous beach days, backyard pool parties, and long swings in the hammock instead of rehashing (once again) that beast of a week we had just ended. It was a small, unexpected thing to do, and yet we all left in such good spirits (pun intended), and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that was able to drift off to sleep that night with renewed visions of vacation plans on my imaginary dream board. So what about you? Is your planned vacation still a dream or are you making it a reality? I’m reminded of that cute TV commercial where the kids are begging the adults to use up their vacation time, and every time I see it again I think of friends I know who avoid the whole vacation thing because ‘they just can’t get away.’ Really? Here’s my final thought on the subject; tweet it if you like: Life is a trip, but where are you going? Best if you enjoy the journey!

An exclusive - never pretentious gathering place for people just like you 13

Monthly Journal of the Senior Planners Industry Network Issue 56– July 2015

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our Motto

SPIN is a peer-led and peerfocused community of seniorlevel meeting and event planners who create and share the industry’s highest level of education, networking and engagement.

SPIN is the industry’s only supplierfree association strictly serving senior-level meeting and event planners. We influence the future of our industry through extreme innovation, unparalleled education, and a true sense of community and collaboration among peers.

By Planners, for Planners.

Gold Partners

Bronze Partners

Our Membership Qualifications Membership is strictly for planners and you must have 10+ years’ experience to join.

Silver Partners

Technology Partners

Strategic Partner

Social Media Partner

BY senior-level planners, FOR senior-level planners 14