14 minute read
Education
by Nicole Filippo, CMP
Human trafficking is among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world.
The Department of Homeland Security reports traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity accessible through the hospitality industry .
“If we were connected in person today, there would be a high probability that there was a perpetrator or victim nearby,” said Malinda Harrell, CMP, CASE, director of sales at the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, during an MPI-CC virtual meeting on January 28 .
During Harrell’s presentation, “Debunking the MYTHS of Human Trafficking and what we can do to FIGHT it,” she explained the two types of perpetrators – exploiter and trafficker – and that a person can be both a trafficker and an exploiter . An exploiter buys sex from a trafficking victim, and a trafficker compels another individual to perform labor or a commercial sex act, often by means of force, fraud and/or coercion .
Harrell, who serves on the MPI Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, also addressed common myths about human trafficking, including the following:
Malinda Harrell CMP, CASE
MYTH: Only women and girls can be victims of sex trafficking . REALITY: Men and boys are also victimized by sex traffickers . The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40 .3 million victims of human trafficking globally . In the U .S ., the common age of entry into trafficking is 13 for girls and 11 for boys . Targeted victims include LGBTQ youth, sexually abused youth, runaways and homeless youth .
MYTH: Traffickers target victims they don’t know through use of a violent crime, like kidnapping .
REALITY: Traffickers use psychological means, such as tricking, defrauding, manipulating and threatening victims . Many survivors have been trafficked by romantic partners or family members .
MYTH: Victims are locked up and held against their will .
REALITY: While that is sometimes the case, people in trafficking situations often stay for reasons that are more complicated . Some lack the basic necessities to physically get out – such as transportation or a safe place to live . Some are afraid for their safety . Some have been so effectively manipulated that they do not identify at that point as being under the control of another person .
What can we do? Harrell offered the following advice:
ASK QUESTIONS. • Do the companies I’m contracting with understand their influence? Do they practice corporate social responsibility or community engagement? Do they include human rights of sustainability in their RFPs?
• Is my company involved with fighting human trafficking? Does my company do any employee training on human trafficking? Is my company a member of The Code, a multi-stakeholder initiative with the mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the tourism industry to prevent the sexual exploitation of children?
VISIT THE MPI ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING page for resources, including sample anti-human trafficking language RFP and contract language .
DOWNLOAD THE TRAFFICKCAM APP, which uses crowdsourced snapshots of hotel rooms to help law enforcement locate victims and prosecute sex traffickers . ADD THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE TO YOUR CONTACTS LIST in your phone to contact law enforcement: 1-866-347-2423 .
VOLUNTEER YOUR SUPPORT AND DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING. “Most charities are understaffed and underfunded,” Harrell explained . “There’s plenty of organizations that can let you help remotely also . ”
USE YOUR VOICE AND USE THE POWER OF DEMOCRACY. Write to and call your senators, legislators and other leaders about the importance of fighting human trafficking in your state and community .
LEARN MORE about human trafficking .
CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. “Research and choose a few anti-trafficking organizations with strong social media content to follow,” Harrell said . “When something is on your feed about slavery, which is human trafficking, it grabs your attention and it reminds you about the global issue . When you share the content with your online community, add a personal message talking about why you care, and use your influence to remind these people about the things that matter .” n
WE’RE READY FOR YOU.
VisitGreensboroNC.com
We’ve missed hosting meetings—and we can’t wait to welcome back groups of all sizes when possible. In the meantime, venues in Raleigh like the Raleigh Convention Center, which received GBAC STAR™ accreditation for facility preparedness, are doing everything in their power to protect the health and safety of visitors. As for those meetings yet-to-come, we’re ready to start planning whenever you are.
Jonathan Corbett
visitRaleigh.com/wishmeetings
Work has never looked so
Plan your next event at our newly renovated facility and you’ll find all the amenities you need for a new way of doing business.
203 S Front Street New Bern, NC (252) 637-1551 www.RiverfrontConventionCenter.com
NETWORKING UPTOWN STYLE Another hidden gem
Beyond our modern meeting spaces and networking-friendly hotels, you’ll discover legendary Eastern NC whole hog BBQ and a vibrant Uptown District. We’re ready to host your corporate event, trade show or reunion whenever you are. NC’s Emerald City is filled with countless hidden gems.
See you soon at VisitGreenvilleNC.com
January Education Recap: Building Resilience in Turbulent Time
by Nicole Filippo, CMP
You have to be able to lead yourself before you can lead others.
Patrick Nelson, founder of Loyalty Point Leadership, shared timely advice for developing resilient behaviors during his presentation, “Building Resilience in Turbulent Times,” at the MPI-CC chapter meeting on January 28 .
The ability to be resilient in the face of adversity is a vital characteristic of high performing leaders . Nelson urged the audience to be mindful of their energy management, monitoring their body, emotions, mind and spirit .
He recommended the following practices:
• Recognize what you enjoy about your job and do it as much as you can .
• During time off, do things you enjoy .
• Change the stories you tell yourself . Shift your perspective by changing your language . Instead of
“I have to work today” say “I get to work today . ”
• Spend a week going to bed earlier than usual .
• Make good choices when it comes to diet and exercise . Start with one choice . “Resilient leaders have the ability to sustain their energy level under pressure to be able to cope with disruptive changes and adapt to them,” Nelson said .
He explained, resilient leaders bounce back from setbacks, view failures and setbacks as learning opportunities . They also respond instead of reacting in situations . They’ve learned to override the automatic, emotional, visceral reaction, and focus on solving the issue with a forwardlooking accountability mindset .
Developing resilient behaviors does not make the adversity go away, he explained . However, it does create an opportunity for collaboration and the development of new ideas and improved processes .
“Leaders help others prepare mentally,” Nelson shared . “We help make them feel safe . Struggles are a way of life and we have to learn how to confront them . Sometimes the most challenging things can hold the greatest opportunity for success . ” n
Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University MPI-CC VP of Program Development
MPI has 70 chapters and clubs around the world, offering the most powerful—and localized— meeting and event industry network. Join MPI today at mpi.org/join and discover the global impact of your local chapter.
PRISTINEPost text: by nature MPI members lean on each other, learn from one another and are committed to guiding our profession back to the center of economic growth in a post-COVID world. Join MPI today and help shape the future of meetings and events. LINK: mpi.org/join
Welcome
The Gastonia Conference Center, located in the revitalized downtown and adjacent to the boutique Esquire Hotel, is a state-of-the-art facility providing 30,000 square feet of tech-savvy space accommodating groups of up to 450 and located only minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
GoGastonNC.org
704-825-4044 | @GoGastonNC
NOW RESERVING WEST BEACH CONFERENCE CENTER
800.576.1585 • KiawahWBCC.com
Look Forward, Meet Back in Winston-Salem
Centrally located in North Carolina, Winston-Salem is a welcoming meeting destination with a history committed to reinvention and innovation. Named a Forbes’ Top 10 Best Downtown, Winston-Salem boasts a vibrant, walkable city center, ideal outdoor meeting spaces, and more than 5,000 hotel rooms—including 1,200 downtown. Meet with comfort and ease in downtown’s 105,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center, which—along with our hotel partners—have implemented stringent cleaning protocols and hybrid meeting configurations to ensure your future meetings are safe, healthy, and successful. Proud to Partner:
Karen Wall Senior Sales Manager
Karen@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4210
Christian Schroeder Director of Sales & Services
Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4218
Learn more about our Travel Back Rewards Program
Annual Meeting Duty of Care
We are so excited to see everyone at the 2021 Annual Meeting in Beaufort, NC! With the return of our first in-person event in over a year, we want you to know that the utmost care and attention will be taken regarding the health and safety of all attendees. Following the CDC guidelines for meetings and events, we have several things we will be doing onsite to ensure everyone feels safe, stays healthy and ensure we are able to continue moving forward with in-person events.
First, we are asking all attendees to self-evaluate their own health before deciding to attend any MPI-CC event . If you don’t feel well or are presenting any symptoms related to COVID-19, please choose to stay home . If you are already onsite, we will have a plan in place to ensure you make it home safely while keeping others safe as well . Once attendees are at the onsite meeting, you will notice a number of precautions being taken, including:
FACEMASKS: All attendees will be required to wear a facemask while not actively eating or drinking .
DAILY HEALTH CHECK: All attendees will be required to have their temperature taken during the MPI-CC meeting with a no-contact thermometer . Any attendee who records a temperature greater than 100 .3 F will be asked to leave .
WRISTBANDS: All attendees will choose to wear a wristband that is red, yellow or green .
Each wristband indicates the following: GREEN: I am happy to greet you with a fist bump! YELLOW: I am okay with you being within 6 feet of me but no physical contact, please . RED: Please do not come within 6 feet of me, we can chat while socially distanced!
NETWORKING: We are so excited to see you face-to-face! Please keep the following things in mind:
Before greeting another attendee, make sure to notice the color of their wristband and proceed accordingly . No handshakes or hugs . We know, it’s a bummer, but it won’t be like this forever . For now, please stick to fist bumps only when greeting each other .
Please refrain from exchanging business cards or other hard-copy materials . The meeting app will include contact information for all attendees, both in-person and virtual . You can even take notes in the app about your interaction with an attendee to reference later!
MEETING SPACE / F&B: • Masks will be worn by all hotel staff .
• The meeting space will be deep cleaned, including electrostatic spraying, before and after each meeting, each day .
• To limit contact of hotel staff in the meeting space, linens will not be changed between functions .
• Please follow guidelines around 1-way in/out of meeting rooms and aisles .
• Touchless hand-sanitizing stations will be located outside of each meeting room .
• All F&B will be individually wrapped or served by hotel staff from a shielded buffet .
• MPI-CC events will be set up to account for social distancing and to limit contact between attendees and staff .
• When possible, covered, outdoor space will be utilized .
Please keep in mind these guidelines are not meant to be restrictive, but rather are meant to keep the safety and well-being of each attendee and staff as our top priority . We want everyone to feel comfortable attending the onsite meeting, knowing that cleanliness and sanitation protocols will be taken seriously . There will be a virtual option as well if you still do not wish to travel onsite . Thank you for your continued support of MPI-CC and we cannot wait to meet again!
Visit mpi .org/chapters/carolinas/dutyofcare for more information and updates .
Sarah Johnson MPI-CC Meeting Planner The Management Office
Volunteers are the heart of our organization.
Help make a difference in our chapter and shape its future. Volunteering on a committee is a great way to elevate your membership, engage with fellow planners and suppliers, develop your leadership skills, and learn new professional skills.
Visit mpi.org/Carolinas or email Rachel Whitten, Leadership & Volunteer Development Chair, at RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov for more information on getting involved.
Nominate a Member Volunteer
Do You Know a Volunteer of the Quarter?
We have so many active members who deserve recognition for their efforts! If you know of someone who is going above and beyond, share their name and volunteer accomplishments with us so we can give them a shout out . This person can be a committee chair or member or even a brand new MPI-CC member who has already started to shine . The Volunteer of the Quarter Award is given four times a year and nominations are accepted all the time! Please send your nomination to Beth Tanner at beth .tanner@duke .edu .
The Carolina Blitz is the official publication of the Carolinas Chapter of Meeting Professionals International and is published every other month . All contributions, articles, and photographs should be submitted to Publications Committee Chair/ Editor one week after the meeting . Send to Cathy Mauldin, CMP - CathyMauldin@gmail .com
EDITORIAL AND NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE VP of Marketing and Communications
Ashelyn Roberts • ConferenceDirect
Editor
Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc . Onsite at CDM Smith
Contributing Writers
Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP, North Carolina Association of CPAs; Nicole Filippo, CMP, Elon University, Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office, Sarah Johnson, The Management Office
Photographer
Mica Parekh, CMP • IWP Photography
Proofreaders
Kathy Flowe, CMP, Alabama Theatre; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office; Myron Jones, Fayetteville CVB; Nancy Lowe, CMP, FirstPoint Management Resources; Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM, NC Association of Electric Cooperatives; Melinda Mowry, DoubleTree by Hilton New Bern - Riverfront; Peggy Anderson, CMP; Teresa Palmieri, Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport
Publisher
Christine Irwin, CMP • The Management Office 704-377-5648 • Fax 704-333-6927 • Christine@themanagementoffice .com
Advertising
Christine Irwin, CMP • The Management Office • 704-377-5648
Design
Kistin Creative Studio • 704-724-9188 • kistincreative .com
MPI-CC Web Site: www .mpi .org/carolinas
ADVERTISING RATES AND DEADLINES
AD SIZE FREQUENCY MEMBER NON-MEMBER RATE RATE Quarter Page 1X $220 $290 (3 1/2”W x 4 3/4”H) 3X $200/issue $270/issue 6X $160/issue $230/issue Half Page Horizontal 1X $420 $550 (7 1/4”W x 4 3/4”H) 3X $400/issue $530/issue 6X $360/issue $490/issue Half Page Vertical 1X $420 $550 (3 1/2”W x 9 1/2”H) 3X $400/issue $530/issue 6X $360/issue $490/issue Full Page 1X $640 $840 (8 1/2”W x 11”H) 3X $620/issue $820/issue 6X $580/issue $780/issue Full Page Insert 1X $700/issue $910/issue 3X $680/issue $890/issue 6X $640/issue $850/issue (Produced and provided by advertiser) There are six issues of the Blitz published yearly FEB/MAR, APR/MAY, JUNE/JULY, AUG/SEPT, OCT/NOV, DEC/JAN NOTE: Rates are published as of January 2011, and are subject to change without notice . All published rates are net non-commisionable . Any cost incurred by the BLITZ for art that is not fully press ready (e .g . reductions, halftones) will be billed to the advertiser, or art that is not press ready may be refused . DUE DATE: Due by the 15th of the month prior to publication . Artwork is due to the publisher within 10 days after deadline for space reservations . SEND MATERIALS TO: Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office, 1307 West Morehead St, Suite 207, Charlotte, NC 28208 Christine@TheManagementOffice .com • Fax: 704-333-6927 For more advertising information contact Christine Irwin, CMP, at Christine@TheManagementOffice .com or 704-377-5648 Visit our website at www .mpi .org/carolinas for additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities!
