Intercom November/December 2014

INTERCOM Designed and Edited by Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative

VOLUME 112 | November/December 2014

Let’s Knock It Out Of the Park!

MPISCC’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER IS ON DECK AT DODGER STADIUM

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Reno Tahoe

Shining Stars

High Tech Indpendents

Industry Update L.A. Tourism’s Market Outlook

MPISCC Honors Four Outstanding Volunteers PAGE 12

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter DESIGN & EDITORIAL Managing Editor/Designer Alvalyn Lundgren | Alvalyn Creative alvalyn@alvalyn.com 805-857-7981 Contributing Editor Laura Bergersen, CMP Contributors Kevin Kirby; Mariles Krok, CMP; Joe Martin, CMP; Audra Narakawa, CMP; Liz Placentini, CMP; and Megan Powers.

Photo Credits

Cover: wikimedia; p. 4: Michelle Conant; pp.9-10, 16-18: Alvalyn Lundgren; pp. 11-13: Reno Tahoe CVA

INTERCOM is published six times a year by Meeting Professionals International–Southern California Chapter, a nonprofit professional association of meeting planners and suppliers. ©2014.

Article contributions are welcome.

Article submissions and editorial guidelines requests should be sent to Alvalyn Lundgren, Managing Editor, at alvalyn@alvalyn.com.

Advertising Information www.mpiscc.org/marketplace/ advertising-kit/

INTERCOM112 Insider Tips

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MPISCC MONTHxMONTH

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President’s Message

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What Has MPI Done For You? Member Testimonial

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Coming Attraction MPISCC’S Annual Fundraiser Let’s Knock It Out of the Park!

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International Update

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State of the Chapter

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Program Highlights 9 Special Olympics: The World Is Coming

President Elect Mariles Krok, CMP Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board 424-731-7781 Immediate Past President David Anderson, CMP Eventive Group 562-438-4834 Vice President of Communications Laura Bergersen, CMP Laura B Events 562-234-8819 Vice President of Education/Programs Nicole Newman Searchwide 951-640-3745 Vice President of Finance Amy Zelinsky, CMP A to Z Special Events 818-646-3445 Vice President of Leadership Development Joe Marcy, CMP Westin Long Beach 310-748-3075 Vice President of Membership Christine Hartman Ice Hat Creative 310-601-0695

Tech Talk Assailing AV Aversion

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Destination Spotlight Reno Tahoe USA

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Photo Album Weekend Educational Summit

Awards and Recognition Shelley Grey, CMP TCW 213-244-0579

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Industry Insights L.A. Tourism’s Market Outlook

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Fundraising Joe Martin BDI Events 323-692-0802

Directors

Volunteers MPISCC’s Shining Stars

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New Member Spotlight

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Welcome New Members

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MPISCC Strategic Sponsors

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275 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite 215 Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 Phone: 805-449-9111 Fax: 805-557-1133

Marketing and Publications Jane Mato, CMP Hilton Waikoloa Village 310-523-3896 Member Care Akemi Shapiro Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach 805-652-5118 Member Recruitment Michelle Conant VP Limousine & Coaches 714-556-6300 Monthly Programs Carlos Murillo Harrah’s Rincon Resort 760-751-3219 Professional Development Bryan Quinan, CMP Milken Institute 310-570-4638 Public Relations and Media Meredith Delfosse Crown Plaza Hotel Beverly Hills 310-651-3251

To Advertise

Please direct advertising inquiries to: Joe Martin | BDI Events 323-692-0802 joe@bdi-events.com MPISCC MISSION STATEMENT MPISCC will be recognized as the leading local membership community that is committed to shaping and defining the meetings and event industry in Southern California.

Officers & Directors 2014-2015 President Beverly Laing, CMP, CTC Russell Harris Event Group 818-217-0817

IN THIS ISSUE

Pro Tips 21 How To Hire the Right Keynote Speaker

www.mpiscc.org

MPISCC

To Become an MPI Strategic Partner

Please direct sponsorship inquiries to: Shang Hur | HelmsBriscoe 626-449-9111 shur@helmsbriscoe.com 2

Special Education Mai Hogan Luxor & Excalibur Hotel & Casino 702-262-4824 Special Events Michelle Thornton, CMP NBCUniversal 818-777-6044 Strategic Sponsorship Shang Hur HelmsBriscoe 626-460-8991 Executive Director Debbie Hawkins, CAE, CMP 805-449-9111

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

Save the Date!

Annual Fundraiser Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Stadium Club, Dodger Stadium 6:30pm - 10:30pm Featuring: Networking • Entertainment Backstage tours of Dodger Stadium • Dinner, drinks & fun!

Silent auction filled with trip packages from around the US!

For more information on the fundraiser or any other upcoming events and monthly educational programs at MPISCC, visit www.mpiscc.org.

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

MPISCCMONTHxMONTH

FOR MPISCC MEMBERS

Insider T ps

NOVEMBER 2014 MPISCC Annual Fundraiser November 12, 2014 Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium

MPISCC is a volunteer-run organization, providing many opportunities for engagement, connection, and professional and personal growth. Our chapter has an outstanding reputation in the industry due to our volunteers.

Responsibilities and time commitments vary, and there is a place for every member to become involved.

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DECEMBER 2014 Holiday Luncheon December 2, 2014 | 11:00 a.m.

Location TBA

Members volunteer for a variety of reasons ranging from personal development, career development, relationship building, networking opportunities, serving the community, and giving back to an organization they believe in.

After Five With MPI December 10, 2014 Various Locations around Southern California and Nevada

We hope that you will volunteer for at least one task, at least one time, at least one year. MPISCC is dedicated to doing its part to assure you of a satisfying and meaningful volunteer experience. To find out more, contact Joe Marcy, VP of Leadership Development, or visit www. mpiscc.org/membership/volunteer-opportunities/

JANUARY 2015 Networking & Program January 8, 2014 Location TBA FEBRUARY 2015

MPISCC’s Connections Program is an opportunity for members to tap into the vast collective knowledge of our chapter, and to share that knowledge on an individual level. Meet with your peers on a one-on-one basis to accomplish a particular goal you’re striving to achieve, including:

State of the Industry February 10 & 11 Locations TBA MARCH 2015

Learn more about our chapter, or get insight about how to improve your networking;

Networking & Program January 8, 2014 Location TBA

Boost your knowledge of technology or emerging media;

APRIL 2015

Look for new ways to market your business or inquire about a new niche in the industry.

Southern California EdCon April 23-24 Costa Mesa Location Details TBA

If you have a unique skill or area of expertise, or are a long-time member of our chapter looking to share your years of experience, be a Connector!

SEEN The ladies turned out for MPI After Five in Long Beach

To be matched as a Connector or a Connectee, fill out the online Connections Profile and we will get you matched up!

Are you interested in attending an MPISCC Board of Directors meeting? MPISCC members are welcome to sit in on a monthly board meeting. This is a great way to gain insight into what our volunteer leaders do in their roles, and how they work together to accomplish monthly programs, educational goals, special events, and more. To arrange a visit, contact the MPISCC office: 805-449-9111 or info@mpiscc.org.

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INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Engagement Involvement THROUGH

don’t put yourself out there, you won’t meet new people.

So, use your networking time with the chapter to meet new people. Volunteer on a committee which promotes your talents and in no time you will see positive things happen.

It is with great pride and my pleasure to provide you with another issue of Intercom to keep you updated and informed on chapter happenings. In case you didn’t know, most of the articles are written by our dedicated MPISCC volunteers.

As you may be aware, serving on the MPISCC board of directors and/or a committee is purely on a volunteer basis. The commitment and passion our volunteers have for our Chapter and for the advancement of our industry is truly admirable.

With a strong team in place and a balanced cross-section of planners and suppliers to represent all interests and needs, I feel we are truly blessed!

I was reading a blog the other day about ways to network and to be recommended for a position if you are thinking of a career change. The writer mentioned “the best way to get recommended is to showcase your skills in a volunteer position.” By working on a project with a team of colleagues you exhibit your talents, enthusiasm and work ethic. You are not only building a relationship, but also enhancing your reputation. This person would not hesitate to either hire you or recommend you to his/her management. The writer further stated that companies tend to hire “recommended” individuals because they stay longer at a job and have already proved themselves!

I look forward to your participation and feedback making this a highly productive year for us all. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the board. We would love to hear from you.

Beverly A Laing, CMP

Don’t be afraid to use your personal interests and hobbies to connect with people you may not otherwise meet. If you

What has

MPI done for YOU?

To share your story, go to our homepage at www.mpiscc.org click on the form link, complete the form. and send it in.

MPISCC Chapter President Russell Harris Event Group

I always wanted to sell a beautiful property in Hawaii.

During WEC in Las Vegas, a friend and fellow MPI member, John Cruz, introduced me to his friend and fellow MPI member, Russ Kemble, who happened to work for the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii.

A few months later, a position became available to sell this lovely property while being based in LA. Because of the connections that were made through MPI, everything worked out perfectly.

Thank you MPI! Jane Mato | Hilton Waikoloa Village

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter COMING ATTRACTION

t’s that time once again! Don’t miss out on one of the largest and most popular MPISCC events of the year — our annual MPISCC Fundraiser! We are excited to announce that this year’s event will take place on November 12 from 6:30–10:30 pm at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium! We couldn’t think of a better place than this iconic Los Angeles venue to knock our fundraising efforts out of the park.

4) You will enjoy live entertainment provided by Dash Entertainment and ballpark-themed games provided by Plan-It Interactive.

The Top Five Reasons to not miss this event:

Register today for just $45 at mpiscc.org. Hurry! The early bird registration option ends on October 31!

5) It’s for a good cause! Proceeds raised at the annual fundraiser benefit the educational programs and events produced by MPISCC. Plus! We are asking each attendee to help in our give back efforts to our local community by bringing canned goods for the Los Angeles Mission.

1) You can network with more than 200 colleagues from MPISCC and other industry associations in Southern California over delicious food and drink sponsored by Levy Catering and Dodger Stadium.

Don’t forget to invite your friends and colleagues — it’s an all-industry invitation!

#knockitoutofthepark

2) You can step up to the plate and bid on one (or more) of the incredible packages in the silent auction featuring hotel stays, attractions, leisure getaways, theme park tickets and more! We have packages from all over North America including Salt Lake City, Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach, Vancouver, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Disney Destinations, Seattle and more!

MPISCC ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 6:30-10:30 pm Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cocktail Attire

3) You can experience a one-of-a-kind VIP behind-thescenes tour of Dodger Stadium that includes access to the dugout and field, a look inside the exclusive Lexus Dugout Club where the team’s World Series trophies are on display, and the one-and-only Vin Scully Press Box!

Information & registration: www.mpiscc.org

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

LEADERSHIP

International Update What’s going on at the highest level of volunteerism in MPI? The International Board of Directors creates opportunities for education, grants, scholarships, leadership development and service on a world-wide stage.

by Kevin Kirby | Chairman, International Board of Directors with Audra Narikawa | Board Member, International Board of Directors

Greetings Southern California!

We

were very excited to have the opportunity to connect with so many of our members at WEC 2014 in Minneapolis. The best part of that experience was hearing the tremendous feedback of those who attended regarding the educational content, quality of speakers, the FlashPoint sessions, and their overall conference experience. WEC received a 95% satisfaction score for education content and a 98% overall satisfaction rating – our best yet! Remember, the WEC experience isn’t over. You can still access the educational content from WEC 2014 at www.mpiweb.org/wec and keep the ideas flowing. We are building out an even stronger program for WEC 2015 in San Francisco and look forward to seeing you all there.

Please encourage your colleagues, coworkers and industry friends to attend.

In September we hosted over 260 chapter leaders in Dallas who are ready to get their chapters moving forward.

At this meeting, the MPI Foundation (MPIF) launched the Chairman’s Challenge 5K Plan and asks every

chapter to get engaged in giving back to your industry by hosting a noncause 5K with your Chapter in March of 2015. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds will be returned to chapters to produce local educational programming and 75% will support the MPIF Chapter Grant Program. For more information about the Chairman’s Challenge visit: wwwmmpiweb.org/ foundation/chairmanschallenge.

Tourism; Riviera Maya Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya are thrilled to be hosting the first onsite meeting of the enhanced CMM program in November 2014. This updated program promises to deliver one global standard of excellence that will bolster the business management skills of meeting and event professionals.

And, at WEC 2014 in Minneapolis, we were excited to launch the Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate (HMCC). This professional development course is designed for those meeting industry professionals who need a broad understanding of healthYour International Board of Directors care regulatory topics. is focused on the following priorities Industry Voice: Our aim is to ensure that every member of MPI has the as we move through the year: Professional Development: MPI is tools and information to effectively focused on being the first choice for tell the story of the meeting and event professional career development pro- industry in their own words. MPI’s viding you with the knowledge and Meetings Move Us Forward initiative opportunities to advance your career. and the Meetings Mean Business In support of this commitment, we coalition, led by our industry partner US Travel Association, provide essenhave two new programs to discuss. tial resources in helping tell our story MPI and GBTA, together with support as the second-largest provider of US of our generous partners, Mexico The MPI Foundation also recently relaunched its Grants and Scholarships page and lists the many opportunities available for individual members and chapters: www.mpiweb.org/foundation/GrantsandScholarships

continued on next page

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

iBOD continued

GDP in the private marketplace. Visit those individuals who have elevated www.mpiweb.org/moveforward their performance and delivered far beyond expectations. I ask you to to learn more.

MPI’s Meetings Move Us Forward ini- consider the following opportunities tiative and the Meetings Mean Busi- to recognize your peers and support ness coalition are essential in helping your community: tell our story as the second-largest provider of US GDP in the private marketplace. Visit www.mpiweb.org/ moveforward to access resources to tell the story.

Networking and Business Exchanges: MPI wants to provide you with the best opportunities to network and conduct business by expanding our event strategy through programs like Market Square and Hosted Buyer and providing more opportunities for our Chapters to create meaningful connections with for their members.

Our meeting and event community is a dynamic force of professionals. We have an eye for talent and we know

RISE Awards Nominations: The RISE Awards — Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence — feature sevenannual awards in 3 categories organizational achievement, individual achievement, and community achievement. Recipients are recognized for innovation, global transferability, impact and influence. Please consider submitting a peer nomination for one of our RISE Award Categories. www. mpiweb.org/Community/AwardsAndRecognition/Overview. Nominations for the 2015 RISE Awards will be accepted between October 31– December 12, 2014.

Apply to serve on an International Committee Position: MPI relies on its volunteers to assist with creating programs that members need. Numerous opportunities are available to serve at the international level. Not only will you build your career and increase your industry knowledge, but your time and expertise will help the meetings and events industry improve and grow as well. Application period for volunteer positions will be open on April 1, 2015 for committees that will begin on July 1, 2015.

MPI is, and always will be, a membership organization. Our members are at the center of every decision we make and initiative we launch. This is your organization and I, along with my fellow board members, invite you get engaged and help us make the MPI experience a truly remarkable one.

We look forward to serving with you!

STATE OF THE CHAPTER Talking points from the Sunday morning session at WES, presented by David Anderson, CMP, MPISCC Immediate Past President, and Mariles Krok, CMP, MPISCC President-Elect.

OUR MEMBERSHIP

VALUE TO MEMBERS

OUR FINANCES

Current membership: 600 52% Planners 48% Suppliers

MPISCC works to ensure that it remains valuable to our membership: Chapter Needs Assessment Non-member Attendance Subscriber Memberships to other MPI chapters Meetings Industry Advocacy

MPISCC is exemplary in terms of fiscal position, with a healthy budget and healthy reserves.

New Member Orientation is being restructured.

OUR LEADERSHIP 25% of members volunteer with the chapter.

Nominations process is being restructured.

Nominations for 2015-2016 Board of Directors begins in December 2014.

Service on the Board of Directors provides opportunity to develop skills and knowledge beyond the job setting.

EDUCATION Members are welcome to suggest ideas for monthly programs, WES, EdCon. Monthly speakers are subject matter experts inside and outside our industry.

Members are encouraged to submit leads for properties to host chapter events.

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MPISCC has a healthy 100% of its operating budget equivalent in reserve and exceeds the percentage recommended by MPI. $50,000 was cut from the annual operating budget in less valuable and overburdened areas.

Advertising sales are down.

Advertising opportunities have been expanded to include more digital.

Members are encouraged to click on web site and email links to help support our advertisers.

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The World

is coming!

by Deborah Shepard, CMP, CHSP Get ready, SoCal! The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will be held in Los Angeles and surrounding communities from July 25–August 2, creating an emotional, organizational, and financial impact that should impress everyone in the meetings and hospitality industry!

Speaking with our attendees at the August program hosted by the magnificent Sofitel Hotel Beverly Hills, Patrick McClenahan, President and CEO of the 2015 World Games, engaged and excited us with inspiring stories of people with intellectual disabilities who have overcome incredible adversity through the support, physical training, and healthy athletes programs organized through Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics World Games alternates every two years between summer and winter. This 9-day celebration of courage, determination and joy will be the largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games. Los Angeles was named the host city during the Summer Games in Athens in September 2011.

The facts are staggering: 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 177 nations; 30,000 volunteers; 3,000 coaches; and an estimated 500,000 spectators to see amazing competition in 26 different sports. The economic impact on our area is expected to reach $415 million!

Reflecting the intent of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who founded Special Olympics in 1968, the inspirational Athlete Oath states, “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the 9

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

attempt,” and is repeated before every game by athletes of all ages and nationalities. Mrs. Shriver’s goal was to create a world that is not dominated by those who are excluded, but by those who are included. At every level, the organization strives “to unite the world through sports in a celebration of the abilities and accomplishments of people with intellectual disabilities.” Of the 200 million afflicted, well over 4 million have competed in 80,000 events worldwide, are twice as likely to be able to hold a job and to live independently.

The World Is Coming! continued

Be part of the movement! MPISCC is planning a day at the Games to cheer on the athletes. As the event draws closer, be on the lookout for information on being one of our Fans in the Stands. #TakeAStand: Join the social media campaign on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram leading up to and during the World Games 2015. Patrick and MPISCC are encouraging each of us to participate in ensuring the special athletes, coaches, visitors, press and local fans have a summer to remember in Los Angeles…where dreams come true!

For more information about participation, becoming a major sponsor, or to sponsor an athlete, volunteer, or invite a Global Messenger to speak, please visit www.la2015.org.

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INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 TECH TALK

ASSAILING AV AVERSION

By Megan Powers | Powers of Marketing

A tech liaison can help both planners and audio-visual suppliers to boldly go where neither has comfortably gone before.

I

took an informal poll of what the biggest challenges are for event professionals these days. The feedback received revealed that AV budgeting is often the last item in the event planning process, and planners continue to be intimidated by the AV aspect of their shows. It’s a combination of planners not feeling comfortable with the technology and what elements are needed, and the (often) tremendous impact AV has on their budgets that makes for difficulty in trusting the entire process. In many cases, planners become complacent or are overwhelmed by the process, and stay with the same vendor out of fear or convenience. Here’s a direct quote from a senior-level planner to me: “I know I’m paying too much and I need to go out to bid, but I don’t have an RFP… and to be honest, I really don’t even know where to start.”

What if there was an intermediary to help planners form a realistic depiction of their AV needs, help them create realistic RFPs (which is helpful to the AV company as well), and help them obtain bids from a variety of qualified providers?

AVforPlanners.com is an online survey service intended to save planners time and money by giving them a central place to vet companies all in one location. It is the only industry resource of its kind. Its comprehensive survey walks through every aspect of AV that might be needed for all elements of a meeting. It asks the questions that AV companies end up asking the planner—questions that are often missing from initial RFPs. Works for both sides While created as a resource for planners, AVforPlanners is also great for AV suppliers. Its online directory listings provide opportunities for exposure to potential clients they might not have had access to otherwise. It can also help to eliminate the cryptic part of the process where the two sides hide information from each other.

The Challenge Often times planners don’t want to share their budgets because they fear the AV company will use it all (there are some who might), so they end up telling the sales representative “just tell me what I need and what it will cost.” One of the challenges with that approach is that there is more than one way to produce an event.

You could be charged more just for the sake of charging more, but it’s also important to remember that this each event might be different for a variety of reasons because of the venue or the number of attendees. For example, having plastic speakers on the floor throughout a room will provide a much different experience than speakers that are rigged overhead. It will be less expensive, but will it be worth the trade-off in quality? If attendees can’t hear the presenters, it will reflect poorly on everyone.

Bridging the gap between AV companies and planners will also help everyone talk about more than just the bottom-line price. What is the planner trying to accomplish with the show? What is most important to their attendees? To their sponsors? How can the planner make the show more successful? AVforPlanners intends to put the power with the planner and I think they are doing just that. They’re still developing the platform, so it will become more and more robust as time goes on.

The RFP-Builder, which is worth its weight in gold ,is free. From there you can pay for other services, which are all in line with the goal—to make AV less intimidating and more transparent for planners, and make them as comfortable with this part of the show as they are with catering.

A Solution What if AV pros had open and honest conversations with planners about what the technology does and specifically why they need it? Why choose a rigged linearray speaker setup instead of speakers on the floor? Or why do you need a Screen-Pro-plus-switcher?

Megan Powers is a marketing consultant with Powers of Marketing, and a former audio-visual professional. She is a member of MPI San Diego Chapter.

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT

Reno Tahoe USA Meetings Industry Gets High-Tech Boost

by Rena Tahoe Convention & Visitors Authority

T

he Nevada legislature recently held a special session to reallocate funds for tax incentives toward a planned 5 million square-foot “gigafactory” to be completed in 2017. The production center for Tesla’s lithium ion batteries is being built just 20 minutes east of the metropolitan areas of Reno and Sparks, and will provide the electric car company the avenue it needs to begin producing more affordable vehicles and appealing to a broader market. This highly sought-after project will not only include investments, by Tesla, into the surrounding commu-

nities, but will also increase awareness of the Reno Tahoe area as an up-and-coming tech, business, and meetings market, according to Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Christopher Baum.

“The fact that five states wanted a $5 billion factory, and Tesla chose Reno, really does give people pause,” Baum recently told the Reno Gazette-Journal. Adding, “Tesla is a very powerful marketing tool. It gives us credibility that this is not a dying resort town, but a high-tech town that’s also a resort.”

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INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

HIGH TECH BOOM

are heated by a geothermal well, 4,400 feet below the property. Believed to be the only hotel in the world with an onsite renewable energy source providing heating for the whole resort, the Peppermill was recently named the “Top Hotel in North America” by Expedia Elite. The Peppermill’s 106,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, of course, is also warmed by geothermal heat during the colder months in northern Nevada.

A September Forbes.com article referenced three things that “Reno can expect from Tesla’s gigafactory”: new roads, additional hotels and restaurants, and lots of visitors. In addition to the 6,500 jobs promised by Tesla, the largest project of its kind anywhere in the world will also produce additional demand throughout the number one industry in Nevada.

Added business and leisure travel will lead to improvements of public areas, as well as convention hotels and high-traffic areas throughout Reno Tahoe. Tourism officials also believe the expected boost in visitation will enhance the travel experience by increasing demand in air service, which could lead to more daily flights in and out of Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Along with Apple Inc.’s plans for a new, $1 billion data center, and the recently approved program to develop and test drones at Reno-Stead Airport, the high-tech boom around Reno Tahoe will have positive effects on business and meetings travelers on multiple levels.

THE INDEPENDENTS According to the RSCVA’s 2013 Visitor Profile Survey, 28 percent of respondents said they conducted business or went to a convention while visiting. That’s roughly 1.3 million people, by the organization’s estimates, which is much easier to digest when you consider that the region, of less than a half-million residents, contains more than 15,500 first-class hotel rooms and more than 1 million sq. ft. of meeting and convention space. Few major Reno Tahoe resorts bear the flags of nationally-recognized hotel chains, and officials say that is as much an advantage as it is a disadvantage. While the destination does not have nationwide marketing teams directing business in its direction, the decision-makers at each resort are on location, streamlining negotiations with group meetings and convention planners.

The RSCVA recently highlighted this feature, which they say makes doing business in Reno Tahoe easier than many other destinations, with an ad campaign called “Reno Declares its Independents,” showing the faces of CEOs and general managers from prominent Reno Tahoe convention properties.

Nevada is one of the top states for renewable energy sources, and Tesla plans on utilizing a mix of geothermal, wind, and solar energy for all its energy needs. Plans for those renewable power sources have not been made public, but the thought of powering such a large facility exclusively with renewable energy creates its own opportunity for public tours, and has the potential to lure scientific and environment-sympathetic conventions to the destination. Another remarkable advancement in renewable energy usage is not open for public tours, but the $9.7 million geothermal project at Reno’s Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is as impressive as it is sound to the resort’s bottom line. From hotel rooms to the outdoor pools, and from the casino to Spa Toscana, the entirety of the water and public spaces at the Peppermill

The competition between the “independents” is palpable, and it’s evidenced in seemingly continual improvements from the crystal blue waters of North Lake Tahoe to the event and shopping districts of Sparks. Reno’s newest non-

Peppermill Resort has 106,000 sq. ft. of meeting space

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter The Riverwalk

RENO TAHOE continued

JA Nugget

gaming, smoke-free hotel, the only one of its kind in downtown, Whitney Peak Hotel opened in May 2014. Located near the famous Reno Arch, Whitney Peak has a smaller convention area than surrounding resorts, but lends itself to travelers who want easy access to the city. The property also has an outdoor entertainment aspect, for travelers who want to test their limits, or hold team-building functions, in a safe environment. Whitney Peak houses an indoor bouldering park, as well as a 164’ rock-climbing wall on the outside of the building, overlooking Virginia St. and downtown Reno.

Whitney Peak Hotel

Grand Sierra Resort is under new ownership, and added the 25,000 square-foot, $15 million LEX Nightclub to its arsenal during the summer of 2014. “GSR” has more than 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting and convention space, and has performed more than $40 million in renovations to its hotel rooms, restaurants, public areas and meeting space. JA Nugget in Sparks, also under new ownership, is currently undergoing a $50 million improvement project to similar areas of the resort, and has added a new Gilley’s Dance Hall, BBQ and Saloon. In Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Regency has completed a $20 million improvement project, and Cal Neva Resort, Spa and Casino has plans to re-open in 2015 upon completion of a top-to-bottom renovation.

Officials with RSCVA say Reno Tahoe makes sense from an economic standpoint for meeting planners, and that the variety of outdoor activities, a special events season of monumental proportions, live entertainment, and world-class spas provide an opportunity for meetings attendees to add a personal day at the beginning or end of scheduled business functions. The visitors authority is currently offering a program which allows qualifying meetings planners to visit the destination, and get a feel for the quality of hotel rooms, dining and meeting spaces, free of charge. For more information, go to www.VisitRenoTahoe.com.

Spa Toscana at Peppermil Resort

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INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

Something Sacred is at Stake at Every Event

310.558.8190 ContemporaryCatering.com

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter PHOTO ALBUM

MPISCC’s Weekend Educational Summit

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

O

ver 130 planners and suppliers from all over California attended WES on September 12-14, hosted by Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, CA, and sponsored by MGM Resorts International. Saturday’s Summer Movie Night was sponsored by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Las Vegas Convention Center & Visitors Authority hosted Sunday’s Cabana Networking. The Luxor Hotel & Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino sponsored MPISCC Cares at the Boys and Girls Club and the State of the Chapter brunch.

Exhibitors included: Gather Digital, Hilton Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board; Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau; Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau; Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau; The Mob Museum; and Visit Napa Valley.

Raffle rewards were contributed by Base Entertainment, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Hotel & Casino, and New York New York Hotel & Casino.

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Los Angeles Tourism’s

MARKET OUTLOOK 50 million visitors by 2020

by Mariles Krok, CMP | Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board

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n August 20, 2014, the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board (LATCB) held its 2nd Annual Los Angeles Tourism Industry Market Outlook Forum to a sold out crowd of 350+ attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

A special appearance from Tom, Tim, Stewart, and Jerry — a.k.a. the Minions from Despicable Me — and Xiomara Wiley, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales of Universal Studios Hollywood, kicked off the program and shared that the Los Angeles attraction is on pace to have another 1 million more visitors than in 2013.

President and CEO, Ernest Wooden Jr., shared some records and firsts that Los Angeles had accomplished since our last Market Outlook Forum, such as a record 42.2 million visitors in 2013, a record 6.2 international visitors, a record 27.2 room nights sold, and a record occupancy of 76.8%.

He went on to share that LATCB had also launched its first global destination advertising campaign. We enjoyed record destination media coverage and website visits, and Los Angeles was the first city to achieve 1 million Facebook fans. These combined efforts have put Los Angeles on the map as a leading global tourism destination, and according to The Resonance Report, L.A. was just ranked the #1 destination in the United States. The criteria for this award was based on L.A.’s surge in infrastructure activity, our wide array of activity options, consumer reviews

of the L.A. Experience and the general buzz about the destination through traditional and social media.

In 2012, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board set a goal of welcoming 50 million visitors by 2020. Based on the records and previously-shared statistics, we’re well on our way to that goal.

A strong local tourism industry means a strong local economy and job growth. In 2013, L.A.’s tourism industry generated record visitor spending of $18.4 billion for local businesses. This spending translates to an economic impact to L.A. of nearly $30 billion. Because of this visitor spending, L.A.’s Leisure and Hospitality industry supported 436,700 jobs and created 21,400 new jobs in 2013 — more new jobs than any other industry, surpassed only by the Health Services industry. Now, 1 in 9 L.A.-area is supported by our tourism industry. The tremendous amount of tax revenue generated from visitor spending saves each Los Angeles household $669 per year in taxes.”

Wendy Kheel, Vice President of Tourism Insights, shared L.A. Tourism Outlook and Trends. Senior Vice President of Sales, Darren Green, addressed the Meetings and Convention Outlook, and then Don Skeoch, Chief Marketing Officer, shared the Destination Marketing Outlook. This was followed by the General Session, Tourism Infrastructure Update: Los Angeles Convention Center, LAX, Public Transportation, New Hotel Deployment with panel-

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ists Mary Grady, Los Angeles World Airports; Martha Welbourne, Metro; and Bud Ovrom, Department of Conventions & Tourism Development.

This session was moderated by LATCB’s very own Patti MacJennett, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs.

This year, the Market Outlook Forum implemented concurrent breakout sessions. Breakout One: Inside the Millennial Mind: Connecting with today’s Most Powerful Generation included panelists Jo Piazza of Yahoo! Travel; Rita Prosyak Drucker with Yahoo! Marketing Partnerships & Branded Entertainment; Andrew Pelosi of Maker Studios, a Disney Company; Devery Holmes with Spark Alliance Marketing; and Bob Gregson from the Line Hotel. This breakout was moderated by Susan Lomax, LATCB’s VP of Communications.

This panel of travel and entertainment experts represented companies that are leading the way in engaging Millennials. This was the breakout that I attended and found to be quite valuable. Millennials (ages 20-34) are the largest consumer group and avid tech users. They will generate 50% of travel spending by 2020 equating to $180 billion.

Breakout Two: International Outlook, was led by Kathy Smits, VP of International Tourism for LATCB along with guest speaker, Erin Frances-Cummings with Destination Analysts. continued on page 20

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

INDUSTRY UPDATE continued Lunch featured Keynote Speaker, Joanne Heyler, Director/Chief Curator of the Broad Art Foundation. The Broad is a new contemporary art museum being built downtown on Grand Avenue. The museum will open to the public in 2015 and will be home to the nearly 2,000 works in The Broad Art Foundation and the Broads’ personal collections, which are among the world’s most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art. With its innovative “veil-and-vault” concept, the 120,000-square-foot, $140 million building will feature two floors of gallery space to showcase The Broad’s comprehensive collections and will be the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation’s lending library. The Broad is also building a 24,000-square-foot public plaza adjacent to the museum, adding critical green space to Grand Avenue.

Breakout Three: The Digital Tourist: Trends, Tactics, and Takeaways educated guests on today’s Travel 2.0 world and how top brands navigate the digital landscape. This was moderated by Bill Karz, VP of Digital Marketing for LATCB, with panelists Todd Skelton, Trip Advisor; Troy Thompson, Travel 2.0; and Greg Velasquez, Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

Breakout Four: Group, Meeting, and Convention Trends: Strategies, Opportunities, and Perspectives from Industry Executives featured Danielle Boyles, HelmsBriscoe; and Brian Stevens of ConferenceDirect. This session was was co-moderated by Kathy McAdams, VP of Convention Sales and Bryan Churchill, VP of Hotel Sales of the LATCB. In this session I learned that third party account acquisition and penetration continues to increase. In fact, 39% of Fortune 500 company planners use a thirdparty platform. When the panelists were asked what the differences are between each company, Danielle shared that when working with HB, there are no fees passed onto the client, that they offer site selection as well as hotel negotiation and in 2013, HelmsBriscoe booked $857 M and

4.6M room nights, $15.8M and 78K in room nights. Brian responded that CD is a full-service company with 1,800 customers, and that CD booked $537M in rooms revenue in 2013 and 2.9M+ in group room nights. Danielle shared that HB prides itself on its buying power and providing exceptional value. HelmsBriscoe’s scope of business is 70% Corporate and offers special promotions and dedicated partnership programs with hotels and CVBs. Brian shared that CD has 1,100 3rd party members in MPI, that CD offers an internal certification program. CD often hires hotel sales staff and has a full time trainer. The

…We have an exciting story to tell around the world about the Los Angeles experience. facilitators went on to ask additional questions regarding international trends, the global economy and emerging markets, and closed with the question “What can we do as a destination/hotel to be a more desirable partner?” Danielle’s responses was, “Relationships, staying top of mind, being known as a third party friendly destination, FAMs, and completing RFPs in a timely manner.

Brian’s responses were, “selling trust, finding ways to have the General Manager meet clients, and take the client to and from the airport”.

The closing General Session The Shared Economy: the Transformation and Impacts of Alternative Lodging Accommodations covered the latest on inroads into the hotel industry, the impact of private accommodation, the rise of the new-gen renter, and what it all means for business. The panelists included Douglas Quinby, PhoCusWright; Matt Kurtz, HVS Consulting; and Frank Loukrenzis of LATCB. Tom 20

Mullen, Chief Administrative Officer, LATCB, served as moderator. In this session I learned that private accommodations are nothing new to travel.

In 2008 vacation rentals generated $24B. Seventeen percent of US leisure travelers spent $22M on rentals, and half of those were Millenials. The new gen renter represents 31% and is spending more of their disposable income. These renters prefer to stay in smaller, boutique alternatives versus the “big box” hotels. They also use their smartphone or tablets to book their travel. My biggest take away was that short term vacation rentals do not seem to impact hotel performance.

Wooden Jr. concluded the program with the following message: “Without a destination, any road will do. We have a destination – 50 million visitors by 2020. And, today, we shared key insights and plans to get us there. As a destination, we have an exciting story to tell around the world about the Los Angeles experience. It is our hope that today…you are walking away with thoughts and ideas to build your own L.A. success story in the year ahead. We are excited to work with you and look forward to your continued engagement with us to achieve continued record results.”

Speaking of continued record results, here is one very exciting performance metric: From August 3–9, Los Angeles enjoyed a 93.6% occupancy rate, which is nearly unheard of. Even more impressive, every single sub market within Los Angeles enjoyed 90% occupancy or better – something that has never been done before in the Los Angeles market. Every single area of Los Angeles has been firing on all cylinders.

If you haven’t yet attended a Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board Market Outlook Forum, I highly recommend doing. The information and insights pertaining to the Travel and Meetings industries is invaluable.

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 PRO TIPS

How To Hire the

RIGHT KEYNOTE SPEAKER

by Liz Piacentini, CMP | Goodman Speakers Bureau

Whether or not you partner with a speakers’ bureau, this handy checklist will provide insight and help expedite the selection process.

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hoosing the best speaker for your meeting can be an exciting task, often determining one of the key elements of your event. With the Internet at our fingertips, it is easy to Google “motivational speakers” for immediate results on speaker options. Easy, that is, until you are presented with literally millions of website options! The reality soon sets in that this is a time-consuming and challenging task.

To streamline the process, savvy planners work with a speakers bureau as an extension of their meeting planning teams. By helping them to research, secure, and coordinate speaker logistics, speakers bureaus save planners time while providing guidance and expertise.

Use the following checklist to create an effective partnership with your speakers bureau. Gathering the answers will also provide a valuable exercise in keeping you and your stakeholders on track for success. After completing as many questions as possible, share your findings with your speakers bureau partner - your creative resource for discussing ideas, needs and concerns.

Start with the basics: • When is the meeting?

• Where is the meeting?

• Is the keynote time or date flexible?

Understand the Audience:

Evaluate Past Event History:

Audience demographics and characteristics can be crucial in selecting the right speaker. Speakers bureaus can immediately recommend, or eliminate from consideration, certain speakers based on the audience demographics.

If you are working on an annual program, chances are, you collected helpful data in last year’s evaluations. Review the feedback and recommendations from prior attendees and compare this with current stakeholder expectations.

• Titles of attendees

While attendees and internal executives may all appreciate the value a professional speaker adds, you need to be sure you understand their needs and objectives to have both happy attendees and satisfied stakeholders. To help meet this wise goal, both planners and their internal executives should answer the following questions:

• Age range • Male/female ratio • Which division/department of the organization are they from?

Understand the Stakeholder’s Perspective: Senior leaders are often the final decision-makers in selecting a speaker.

Meeting planners can save themselves time and energy by learning what’s important to the executives before researching speakers.

• What books are your senior leaders reading? (insight to what’s important to them) • What challenges is your industry, organization or audience facing?

• What personal interests inspire your executive team? (i.e., Do they appreciate music, encourage creative thinking, or follow a particular sport?)

• How often is the meeting held?

• Who stands out as the best speaker you have had in the past?

Why? (Was it subject matter, delivery style, placement on the agenda, celebrity status, or participation in the event beyond the stage?)

• Who stands out as the worst?

Why? Define the Meeting Objective & Program Format: By clearly identifying your meeting objectives, you can design meeting components that become building blocks for a successful meeting.

Share objectives early in the process with your planning committee, key stakeholders and your speakers bureau continued on next page

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter

partner.It helps everyone to understand the type of speaker that can drive attendance, engage attendees or deliver the desired outcome.

Encounter a change along the way?

Keep everyone informed! A speakers bureau can redirect its research and respond with updated recommendations. The more your event partners know about your desired outcome, the more they can help you find the right professional speaker and increase your meeting’s success!

The more your event partners know about your desired outcome, the more they can help you find the right professional speaker and increase your meeting’s success!

• What is the overall objective of the meeting?

• What is the strategic message or program theme you wish to communicate?

• What type of speaker would help you accomplish this? (Do you need a specific background such as recognized business leader, industry expert, celebrity, or sports figure? Or, do you need a particular style such as motiva tional, humorous, educational, interactive, etc?)

• How will the meeting format be structured to communicate this message?

• Where on the agenda would the speaker be most effective?

Define Speaker Expectations: Defining speaker expectations initially helps a speakers bureau make the right speaker recommendations. Once the speaker is determined, they help the speaker customize their presentation according to the program objectives.

Conference calls provide excellent communication opportunities for clarifying these expectations.

A speaker will appreciate being told upfront that you need someone to deliver the opening keynote PLUS write an article for the newsletter and participate in a meet and greet reception before they accept the invitation. Use the following questions to clarify expectations and avoid misunderstandings: • What expectations do you have from the speaker in supporting your meeting’s objective?

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• What ideal “take aways” would you like the speaker’s presentation to provide?

• Beyond the keynote, are there other expectations of the speaker? (i.e., pre-event promotional article, Q & A session, book signing, reception attendance, follow-up webinar) • How important is the keynote speaker is to the overall success of the meeting?

Conduct a Post Event Review: After the event, assess the role of the speaker and how he/she impacted the overall event.

• Did he/she add value to the meeting and deliver the defined expectations?

• Did he/she meet your stakeholder’s expectations?

• Did he/she meet your audience’s expectations? Did attendees respond well? In what ways?

• What are your additional thoughts or comments about the speaker?

Don’t forget to share feedback from both stakeholders and attendees with your speakers bureau. This information helps them to further understand your organization’s culture and preferences.

Future collaboration will only be stronger and help you to continue to produce exceptional programs that meet your objectives and your stakeholders’ expectations.

Liz Piacentini, CMP has been a member of MPI since 2002. She has served as the past Director of Leadership Development for the Connecticut River Valley Chapter and has been the Chapter’s CMP Study Group Leader for nine years. Liz currently works as a Program Consultant at the Goodman Speakers Bureau, helping meeting planners find, secure the coordinate the right professional speaker for events. Liz may be contacted at liz @g o o d m an s p e ak e r s bu re au .c o m or 860-687-1116.

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 VOLUNTEERS

S R A T S G N I S H IN ’s

MPISCC

Each quarter, MPISCC recognizes its outstanding volunteers, nominated by their peers for their contributions to their teams, to the organization and to the meetings industry.

MARK NITTI has been an outstanding volunteer on the Advocacy Committee. He has been very dedicated to this group by giving of his time and expertise.

KAREN MILLAR has been hosting MPISCC’s After Five meet-ups on the Westside. Her efforts and time devoted to MPISCC has earned her this honor.

Mark is Director of Customer Engagement at Metrolink, where he oversees the marketing, sales, customer service, communications and market research departments. His professional background was in the hospitality and incentive business with management positions at Marriott, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, Associated Luxury Hotels International and Balboa Meetings and Incentives.

Karen joined Bloomingdale’s in 1999 as Regional Manager for Corporate Sales. She launched the West Coast office and established Bloomingdale’s as a key fashion resource for the corporate gifting industry. Her passion for the business and commitment to customer service has distinguished Karen as the recipient of many Bloomingdale’s awards, including induction into the Chairman’s Club. An active volunteer, she is committed to charitable causes focusing on women’s and children’s health initiatives, and has chaired fundraising dinners and events throughout Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

Mark is a native of Southern California and was born and raised in Los Angeles. In his spare time Mark enjoys his family, golf, cooking and is an avid surfer.

CAROLYN MCKENNA has been working diligently on social media for the MPISCC Communications team, focusing on our LinkedIn account. She has been very responsive and dedicated.

Carolyn began her tenure at NBCUniversal as a page in New York City during the summer of 2005. Over the past 8 years Carolyn has made significant contributions to the sales and marketing teams in both domestic and international television distribution.

Recently, Carolyn took a leap of faith and resigned from her position at NBCUniversal to pursue her passion for pilates.

JEFF BERGMANN has done a standout job hosting the After Five gatherings on the Westside, and has been a great resource to MPISCC. Jeff is the Group Sales Manager at The Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills, the mostawarded hotel in Southern California for 22 consecutive years. Jeff joined the hotel in 2008 after experiences with The Four Seasons Los Angeles, The Bel Age Hotel (now the London West Hollywood) and the Omni Los Angeles. Prior to his hotel career, he worked in the entertainment industry at a talent agency.

A transplant from the east coast, Jeff has called Los Angeles home for more than half his life.

Karen feeds her adventurous soul with a love of travelling, gourmet cooking, and decadent desserts, all of which she shares with her husband, two sons, and Oliver, her Pekingese.

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In his spare time, Jeff enjoys golf, tennis, visiting museums and spending time with his dog. A self-proclaimed master of trivia, his co-workers have given him the nickname “The Oracle.”

Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

YVETTE ANTONIOU is the Director of Sales at the Marina del Rey Hotel in Marina del Rey, CA. She is a 20-year veteran of hotel sales, having spent most of her career at LAX hotels including the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo, the Holiday Inn LAX, and the Crowne Plaza LAX. In May of 2011, Yvette chose to explore a different market in Marina del Rey. She started as the Director of Sales of the Jamaica Bay Inn, owned and managed by Pacifica Hotel Company, and which had undergone a complete renovation, morphing from a 42-room Best Western to a 111-room independent boutique property.

In August 2013, the Pacifica Hotel Company closed the Marina del Rey Hotel so that it could

I’m MICHAEL BARRON, a Bay Area native, raised mostly in the small city of Alameda. I lived around Bay Area (Danville, then Concord, then Oakland) my whole life through college at SF State (Communications Major) before moving to LA on a whim 12 years ago. As a lifelong musician and fan of cinema, it just seemed like the place to be.

I came to hospitality via the wholesale market.

Right around when the recession hit in 2007, I took a job that seemed very random at the time, which was to work for a London-based European boutique hotel wholesaler. Through my four years with that company, I came to love the travel industry and more specifically the hospitality industry. I knew my next move would be with a hotel.

undergo a complete renovation. In February, 2014, Pacifica asked Yvette to lead the sales effort of the new property in preparation for its re-opening in mid-November 2014 as a modern 4- diamond resort. Yvette and her team are tasked with repositioning the hotel in the market and bringing upscale meetings, groups, and events to the property. All of the hotel’s 9,700 square feet of event space, including a 3,500 square foot outdoor event lawn, have beautiful marina views.

Yvette and her husband, Harry, reside in Redondo Beach and enjoy hiking, dining, and traveling.

They are supporters of and fund raisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

In 2011 I got my first hotel job with the Standard in downtown LA. I loved everything about it. I worked front desk, reservations, got promoted to Reservations Manager and then transitioned to the sales department by the end of my first year there.

At the end of 2013, I was offered to join the pre-opening sales team for a new hotel in Koreatown. It was a tough decision, but I took the plunge to join the LINE as a group sales manager. It’s been one of the most rewarding and exciting professional decisions I’ve ever made (thank you Jane Mato for opening the door!).

I joined MPI in March of 2014 and decided that I wanted to go ALL IN. I am currently volunteering on MPISCC’s monthly program committee and it’s been so much fun. I already feel so grateful for the experience and we’ve only just begun.

HEATHER MASON I am president of Caspian Productions, a third party producing firm (we NEVER say planning because it’s a low-paying word), so the buck stops here on all things. We recommend locations, content, and strategy. It’s very satisfying to see something come to completion and working with clients who are changing the world for good.

Childhood Ambition: Inventor

I wanted to be a film producer and worked in the movie industry, and realized it was about a lot more than hard work. I now produce meetings instead of films.

Favorite place visited: Cinque Terra In Italy

I joined MPISCC for the networking opportunities, to keep up with best practices and news in the industry and for the online job board listings.

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First Job: Camphand at Camp Luther Heights, which involved cleaning the composting toilet, making the bonfire and washing dishes.

Proudest Moment: Seeing my first conference that I financed — a teenage girls conference, SUREFIRE — come to completion last year Bucket List: Zipline in some exotic place Inspirational Persion: Oprah. She’s amazing

INTERCOM | Volume 112 | November/December 2014 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Azza Akkad Riverside Convention Center aakkad@riv-cc.com

Robyn Kiyomi Bird Meets Color Productions robyn@birdmeetscolor.com

John Raftery Executive Limousine & Coach johnr@goexeclimo.com

Maria Baserga-Rudd Event Manager fbaserga@me.com

Ruben Labin Visit Temecula Valley ruben@visittemeculavalley.com

Norma Reyes Student normayes04@gmail.com

Maribel Denner Marriott International maribel.denner@marriott.com

Debbie Lemke Fielding Graduate University djlemke@fielding.edu

Paul Ross Ghita Services Inc therealrj77@gmail.com

Nina DePaz Rivera Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Senior Sales Manager ndepaz@thompsonhotels.com

Alma Lester Four Points by Sheraton LAX alma.lester@fourpointslax.com

Addi Somekh Balloon Artist addi@newballoonart.com

Jennifer Mason Charles Schwab jennymason22@gmail.com

Judith Spera Marina Del Rey Hotel & Marina jspera@marinadelreyhotel.com

Christopher Medeiros NY Institute of Art and Design TheEventCreator@aol.com

Grace Takimoto Diamond Resorts International grace.takimoto@diamondresorts.com

Susan Medica AFR Event Furnishings smedica@rentfurniture.com

Kay Thompson Petersen Village Inn kaythompson@live.com

Juli Miller J&M Entertainment juli.miller@jandmevents.com

Vanessa Van de Bovenkamp Garden Inn Marina del Rey vandebovenkamp@hilton.com

Nancy Normile The Mob Museum nnormile@themobmuseum.org

Kimberlee Wolfe Student kwolfe89@gmail.com

Ginger Page Implant Direct gpage@implantdirect.com

Libby Zarrahy The L.A. Hotel Downtown libby.zarrahy@interstatehotels.com

Teresa Feil Professor, Orange Coast College teresa.feil@gbg.com Richard Good Classic Party Rentals, Santa Barbara General Manager rgood@classicpartyrentals.com Darren Green Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board dgreen@latourism.org Hillary Harris Warner Bros Special Events hillary.harris@warnerbros.com Beatriz Jurs Iberostar Hotels and Resorts manager.incentives1@iberostarhotels.com

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Meeting Professionals International | Southern California Chapter OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Thank You

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