Carolina Blitz December 2019 - January 2020

Carolina Blitz December 2019 - January 2020

New Member Spotlight Neeta Daryani Gropper Page 8

Graylyn International Conference Center Winston-Salem, NC January 23-24, 2020

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

in this issue...

features Awards Committee Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Sign Up Now to be an Ambassador for the First-Time Attendee Draft. . . . . . . . . . . . 16 North Carolina’s Tarnished Reputation . . . . . . . 22

in every issue Our Annual Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Our Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Monthly Meeting Planner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MPI-CC Board & Committee Chairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 New Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Photo by Genesis Marasigan Castillo on Unsplash

Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Look Who We Spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Board Meeting Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

1

MPI-CC THANKS OUR ANNUAL SPONSORS! We Appreciate Your Support!

Platinum Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Convention Center & Visitors Bureau

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

our members Welcome New Members!

Gina Altieri Dentsply Sirona gina.altieri@dentsplysirona.com

Danielle Freeman Dentsply Sirona danifreem@gmail.com

Jodi Lessard Dentsply Sirona jodi.lessard@dentsplysirona.com

Emily Burgholzer Mosaix Group eburgholzer@mosaixgroup.com

Emily Hewett Chobani emily.hewett@chobani.com

Alexa Maldonado amaldona@highpoint.edu

Jon Campos jon.campos@theaba.org

Linda Jeffries Greater Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau ljeffries@beaufortsc.org

Denise Cornell UNCC denise.b.cornell@gmail.com Mackenzie Cullen-Keel mackenzie.keel@aicpa-cima.com Nikki DelBen, CMM UNCC michelledelben@gmail.com Sandra Dewberry, CMP-HC, CMM Merz North America sandra.dewberry@merz.com Dyane Fogleboch UNCC dyane.fogleboch@gmail.com

Tabetha Jordan EventConnect, LLC TJORDAN@EVENTCONNECT-LLC.COM

Sandy Nikolas Land Rover Experience biltmore@jaguarlandrover.com LaShika Norwood UNC lashika7@yahoo.com

Julia Kardos The Hunt Institute jkardos@hunt-institute.org

Tracy Robbins tmrskipper@gmail.com

Jessica Kern Great Wolf Lodge - Concord/Charlotte jkern@greatwolf.com

Karlotta Roberson Telerent Leasing Corporation Karlotta.Roberson@telerent.com

David Krusch EastCoast Entertainment dkrusch@bookece.com

Morgan Wallace, CMP Wells Fargo morgan.wallace@wellsfargo.com

Lorien Leaman-Fay LiftOne lorleafa@gmail.com

Tishara Ziobrowski tishara_seaborne@yahoo.com

20 Years Wendy Bassett, CMP HelmsBriscoe

MPI-CC Anniversaries

15 Years Julie Froehlich Jackson Marketing Group, Inc.

Congratulations to each of you

John Sneed II Wilmington and Beaches CVB

for reaching a milestone in MPI!

Brie McConneghey bmcconneghey@yahoo.com

10 Years Heather Tillman, CMP BD

5 Years Jess Brooks, CMP, CMM BCD Meetings & Events Onsite at Cisco Systems Alisa Hurt The Sanderling Resort & Spa Stacy Pegg Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

3

monthly meeting planner January 23-24, 2020

July 16-17, 2020

Winston-Salem, NC

Durham, NC

Graylyn International

The Rizzo Conference Center

Conference Center

November 5-6, 2020 March 25-26, 2020

Charlotte, NC

Cary, NC

Renaissance Charlotte

Embassy Suites Cary

Suites Hotel

*Note Wed-Th day pattern*

BrianAJackson/iStock/Thinkstock

May 17-18, 2020 Beaufort, NC The Beaufort Hotel Annual Meeting

Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is Friday, January 31, 2020.

Please submit any articles or photographs to be considered for publication to Editor-In-Chief Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at cathymauldin@gmail.com.

RE-OPENING FALL 2019

A refreshing view for your work day - Waterfront Views - 30,000 sq. ft. of Flexible Meeting Space - Board Room & Breakout Rooms Available - Complimentary Wifi - Free Parking - Walk to Nearby Shops, Restaurants, Hotels B&Bs and Marina - Minutes from EWN Airport

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

president’s message

New Year – New Engagements!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MPI-CC friends! I cannot believe the new year has begun.

A new year often brings new goals. Sure, we all may want to be healthier, or more fit, or debt free, but I have a better idea! This year set a goal for yourself to attend all the MPI-CC meetings you can. Make it a priority to engage more this year. Being present and building those relationships will lead to guaranteed success. People buy from people they know and trust, but how can that happen if you don’t show up and put in the work too?

Nicole Keshler MPI-CC President

We’ve told you that your board really wants to shake things up and bring you more value but here’s the thing: we can’t do that without you. We need to see you at our meetings! We need your input and your participation. Being together allows us time to grow our relationships with each other and at the end of the day relationship building is what we do. Gone are the days of cold calling and boring supplier/planner relationships. To be honest, I have earned just as much business from my supplier MPI friends as I have planner ones. Why? Because MPI-CC has allowed me the opportunity to grow and foster those relationships.

So, what is success to you? Give me a call or shoot me an email. I want to learn more about you and work together on ways MPI-CC can bring you more value and future success. I hope to see you soon!

Here’s to 2020! Happy New Year, friends. n

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

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MPI-CC 2019-2020 Board of Administration President Nicole Keshler Greater Raleigh CVB 919-645-2682 nkeshler@visitraleigh.com

President-Elect Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs 919-469-1040, ext. 128 ahodges@NCACPA.org

Immediate Past President Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM AENC 919-461-8698 Alison@aencnet.org

Director of Marketing Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University 336-278-6091 nfilippo@elon.edu

Marketing Committee Chair Needed

Director of Meeting Planning Ashelyn Roberts ConferenceDirect 336-880-7024 Ashelyn.roberts@ conferencedirect.com

Education Committee Chair Needed

Communications VP of Communications Mica Parekh, CMP IWP Photography 919-270-2510 mica@iwpphotography.com

Education VP of Education Maureen Donovan Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach 910-256-2231 mdonovan@ wrightsville.holidayinnresorts.com

Finance VP of Finance Ricardo Hicks Tech Factory 336-686-6895 rhicks@ techfactoryproductions.com

Special Events – Auctions

Najauna White Discover Durham 919-680-8305 najauna@discoverdurham.com

Special Events – Exhibits

Jamie Frydlo Hotel Indigo Raleigh Durham Airport @ RTP 919-294-9873 jfrydlo@bluegrasshotels.com

Member Engagement VP of Member Engagement Michelle Castro Siena Hotel 919-918-2539

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development Brandon Crumpton Key Signature Entertainment 704-568-1968 brandon@ keysignatureonline.com

Awards Committee Co-Chair Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB 910-332-8747 mjohnson@ wilmingtonandbeaches.com

Director of Member Engagement Deanna Griffith House, CMP, GWPgM, CME, PMP, PCM, CMM Charter Spectrum Reach 704-941-3482 deanna.k.griffith@gmail.com

Awards Committee Co-Chair Tarshi McCoy, CMP, CHSP, TMP New Bern Riverfront Convention Center 252-637-9400 tmccoy@cravencountync.gov

f Directors and Committees Advocacy Committee Chair Christian Schroeder Visit Winston-Salem 336-728-4218 Christian@ visitwinstonsalem.com

Chapter Administrator Christine Irwin, CMP The Management Office 704-377-5648 Christine@ themanagementoffice.com

Publications Committee Cathy Mauldin, CMP DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith 803-917-1871 cathymauldin@gmail.com

Social Media Committee Chair Needed

Meeting Planning Committee Chair Needed

Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Sasha Armour, CMP Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley 919-571-5352 sasha.armour@marriott.com Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Tessa Barrier, CMP MHI 704-714-0000 TBarrier@mhi.org

Member Engagement Committee Chair Yolanda Diaz Doubletree by Hilton Raleigh Brownstone-University / DOWNTOWN 919-582-2876 ydiaz@brownstonehotel.com

New Member Committee Chair Alicia Miller, CMP Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce 919-664-7090 amiller@raleighchamber.org

Leadership & Volunteer Development Committee Chair Olivia Terrell Renaissance Asheville Hotel 828-210-3008 Olivia.Terrell@wcghotels.com Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

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new member spotlight:

Neeta Daryani Gropper Volunteers are the heart of our organization.

MPI-CC offers many ways to become more involved by volunteering with one of our committees. Interested in helping?

Check out which committee may align best with your interests by visiting: MPI-CC/get-involved today.

Employer: UNC System Office – our office oversees all 17 UNC Institutions throughout the state.

My Pet Peeve: Putting things back where they belong – my OCD and highly organized personality takes over!

My Guilty Pleasure: Bollywood movies, dark chocolate and red wine.

What song gets me out on the dance floor: Any song will get me out to the dance floor – seriously! I absolutely love to dance!

Committees that need immediate assistance are the Marketing Committee and Special Events Committee. Please reach out to Brandon Crumpton, Director of Leadership and Volunteer Development, at brandon@keysignatureonline.com or Olivia Terrell, at Olivia.Terrell@wcghotels.com if interested in learning about ways to help.

First Timers and New Members at the November Mixer

Favorite Vacation Sport: Horseback riding and jogging on the beach for hours on-end.

CALLING ALL WRITERS Do you dream of being a published author?

If so, the Blitz is looking for you! While we’re not the Wall Street Journal, getting published in the Blitz is a great way to share your ideas with fellow MPICC members and earn points toward your CMP certification. The Blitz is always accepting original articles and great topic ideas.

To submit your articles or ideas, please contact Cathy Mauldin, CMP, at CathyMauldin@gmail.com or submit via our website at www.mpi.org/carolinas.

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

Back row, left to right: Maria Smith; Jodi Lessard - Dentsply Sirona; Danielle Freeman - Dentsply Sirona; Gina Altieri Dentsply Sirona; Katie Rothweiler - Middle C Jazz; Alyssa Martinez - App State; Marley Spencer - App State; Sandy Nikolas - Land Rover Experience; Mikayla Mendels Key Signature Entertainment; Karen Schroeder Barnsley Resort; John O’Malley - Incentive TripKit; Kevin Mullane - Silver Oak Transportation Front row, left to right: Diane Esposito - ShutterBooth Charlotte; Hannah Stevens - Dentsply Sirona; Emily Evans Corning Incorporated; Christie Mahle - Loews Hotels; Aaron Mayo - Loews Hotels & Co; Michelle VonCannon - NC Biotechnology Center; Melanie Mason

Dear Superhero, (that’d be you)

When something is unexpected and remarkable, people talk. You’ve seen what they’re saying about Greenville, SC. Expectations are high. The pressure is on. (Surely you know a thing or two about that.)

The next time you need to save the day and rescue mankind from “been there, done that” … just find the nearest phone booth. You know who to call. We’ll arrange a personalized site visit faster than the speed of light. Yeah, THAT Greenville. (Capes optional.)

We realize you have endless options when it comes to planning your next meeting or event, but you’ll find more than a destination in Greenville, SC. You’ll find the extra dose of mojo you need to accomplish something truly super.

800.351.7180 Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 | 9

MEET AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL. Greensboro offers the perfect combination of small town charm and big city appeal.

See what’s new in Greensboro! You will be surprised by all it has to offer.

VisitGreensboroNC.com

NETWORKING UPTOWN STYLE gem

Another hidden

Host your corporate event, trade show or reunion here and discover one-of-a-kind restaurants, craft breweries and art galleries. NC’s Emerald City is filled with countless hidden gems.

Find yours at VisitGreenvilleNC.com/Meetings

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

Awards Committee Update

by Molly Johnson, CMP

MPI-Carolinas Chapter is fortunate to have so many active and passionate members willing to give their time and experience to make our chapter the best it can be.

It is a great honor to be nominated and win chapter awards. Our chapter awards are one way we can show you our gratitude for your volunteerism. The awards committee is currently working to refresh chapter awards and selection procedures.

the

Volunteer of the Quarter award

The first change being rolled out is renaming the Helping Hand Award to the Volunteer of the Quarter. The Volunteer of the Quarter Award will be given out four times a year and those winners will be eligible for the Volunteer of the Year which is presented at the annual awards gala. As we transition, 2019’s two Helping Hand Award winners, Yolanda Diaz and Rachel Whitten, will be in the running along with the Volunteer of the Quarter winners that are announced at the upcoming January and March meetings.

Please take the time to nominate a fellow chapter member who is a stand-out volunteer on the chapter website. The awards committee welcomes any suggestions, feedback and volunteers. n

Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB Awards Committee Co-Chair

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

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education November Education Gets Center Stage

Event Logistics Management Panelists: Haley Julia Sain, Ava Howard, Haley Habenicht, Beth Butler, and Steven Foster, CMP

The Active Survival course with Sgt. Chris Kopp MS, ICPS

Looking Ahead at Education: January Chapter Meeting

by Maureen Donovan

Join us Friday, January 24 for Mary Tribble’s two-part session “Refresh and Reboot: Meeting Constituents Where They Are to Create Lifelong Engagement”.

Takeaways: •

Learn how to use data collection and analysis to better understand the needs of your constituents

•

Bring an informed approach to refreshing and rebooting initiatives

•

Customize events and programs that make a meaningful impact on the lives of your constituents

•

Have a process to evaluate an event’s effectiveness

•

Leave with a toolbox of creative ideas that will energize you in the new year

Mary Tribble joined Wake Forest University in 2014 as Senior Advisor for Engagement Strategies where she is responsible for creating meaningful experiences for approximately 70,000 members of the alumni family.

She previously owned an event marketing firm in Charlotte for 25 years which earned national and regional

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

recognition. Mary has been recognized as Business Woman of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman of Distinction, Green Business Leader of the Year and inducted into the Event Solutions Hall of Fame. Following the sale of her company in 2010, Mary was tapped as the Deputy Executive Director of Hospitality and Events for the Democratic National Convention. n MPI-CC is a CMP Preferred Provider.

The program(s) identified with the CMP Preferred Provider logo meet the requirements to receive continuing education (CE) credit for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential. The use of the CMP Preferred Provider Course logo is not an endorsement by the Events Industry Council of the quality of the session. For more information about the CMP credential or CMP Preferred Provider Program, please visit www.EventsCouncil.org.

Maureen Donovan Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach VP of Education

Find Your

Center

in Winston-Salem

• Conveniently and centrally located in North Carolina • Voted as one of Forbes' Top 10 Best Downtowns • $2 billion invested in downtown development • Recently renovated 105,000-square-foot Benton Convention Center

• More than 5,000 hotel rooms—including 1,200

downtown within walking distance of the Benton

• Over 120 downtown restaurants and shops • Travel Back Rewards Incentive Program to help offset meeting expenses

To book your next meeting, contact:

Karen Wall

Senior Sales Manager Karen@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4210

Christian Schroeder

Director of Sales and Services Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com 336.728.4218

Look Who We Spotted at...

14 | Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

at Omni Charlotte and Strike City in Charlotte, NC Photography by Mica Parekh, CMP – IWP Photography

Sign Up Now

to be an Ambassador for the

Oh Captains, My Captains!

The Inaugural First-Time Attendee Draft is Coming Up! We are officially launching the MPI Ambassador Program and are looking for Carolina Chapter members that want to be involved to share their experiences with new members.

The Ask: Participate in a conference call every CAROLINAS CHAPTER

First-Time Attendee DRAFT

two months. During this call, you will draft new members to your team who are about to attend their first ever MPI meeting. Once recruited, you will spend one-on-one time with your recruits at their first meeting and help them engage with other members.

The Reward: You get #FirstLooks at our new members and you will be helping to evolve and inspire them to be plugged into our chapter!

Email Rachel Whitten at RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov for more information or to sign up to be an Ambassador! Your recruits are counting on you, Coach! *Spots are limited*

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

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Renato in Centro, Spartanburg

A GRAND UNVEILING It Comes Naturally.

SPARTANBURG? MORE LIKE...

CAN-YOU-SAYYUM-BURG?

We know top meeting venues and business opportunities for when you want to work hard. We also know farm-to-table food, local craft beer and outdoor adventure for when you want to play hard. What we don’t know is... why haven’t you come to visit yet?

WEST BEACH CONFERENCE CENTER DEB UTING E ARLY 2020

800.576.1585 • KiawahWBCC.com

GR OUP FAC I L I TI ES T E A M -B U I L D I N G 5 G O L F CO URSE S 10- MI L E B E AC H VILLAS T H E S A N CT UA RY L ES S TH A N 30 M I L E S F RO M HI STO RI C C H A RL E STO N

CarolinaBlitz Blitz| December | December 2019 2019 - January - January 2020 2020 16 | |Carolina 18

VisitSpartanburg.com

The Perfect Site for Seeing Sights

Experience the perfect harmony between business and pleasure. Discover a coastal meetings hotspot in Wilmington’s new Convention District, where historic charm blends seamlessly with modern new facilities, connected by a Riverwalk lined with cafes and entertainment. After the meeting, be charmed by our endless sights to see.

From our walkable River District to three island beaches, consider a fresh possibility in North Carolina and at the coast.

NCCoastalMeetingsGuide.com • 800.650.9064

MEET IN NEWPORT

the connected coastline

DESTINATION

EXPERTS

Our coastline works overtime – attracting leaders, thinkers, meetings and conventions to our historic city.

Our Destination Experts help find the perfect fit for your group. And they do this all for free!

Tell them about your Newport meeting and they’ll get you connected.

RECHARGE YOUR MEETING EXPERIENCE IN HICKORY

Energize your meetings and attendees with a well-crafted experience in Hickory, North Carolina. As an organization, we are grounded in the steady pulse of our supercharged service — a positive staple that our clients and customers count on. With advanced technology offerings, renovations throughout the facility, and a metro-wide commitment to community enrichment, we have the power you seek to amp up your next event!

HICKORY METRO

Convention & Visitors Bureau

Meetings. Well Crafted.

DiscoverNewport.org

828.322.1355 visithickorymetro.com

“All of the staff was very helpful and exceptional to work with – best venue staff I have ever worked with!”

– Sharnese Ransom, Executive Director

NC Association of County Directors of Social Services

Carolina Carolina Blitz Blitz | December | December2019 2019- -January January2020 2020| | 19 17

board meeting highlights

November Board Meeting Recap

by Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office

Happy New Year! Although this is a new calendar year, we are right smack in the middle of our fiscal year and I’m happy to report that your Board of Directors had an incredibly successful and productive mid-year Board Retreat prior to the November meeting. Each department discussed their successes and progress at this point and mapped out ways to successfully finish out the year.

The Office of the President laid out a plan to execute a smooth transition from this Board to the next to ensure the 2020-2021 Board gets off on the right foot July 1.

They mapped out a succession plan to determine what departments will look like over the next three years. One major change they will make in the 20-21 year is to move the Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development into the Office of the President and this position will now report to the President-Elect. The plan is to make this position into a Director of Professional Development that will focus on professional development for the Board and the chapter, i.e., holding a leadership bootcamp. A lot of MPI Chapters are moving in this same direction.

The Finance Department (or Fun-nance as we like to call them) celebrated a successful Business XChange, but has turned their focus to the fundraisers for the remainder of the year as well as the Chapter’s first ever “Roadshow” that will take place next fall. The team is looking at new ways to raise money for the chapter while keeping things fun and impactful for our members. They want to make sure you see the ROI you need for your investment in the chapter.

The Membership Team is implementing a Chapter Ambassador Program. If you would like to be an ambassador, please reach out to Rachel Whitten (RWhitten@greenvillenc.gov) for more information.

Chapter Ambassadors will work to welcome new members to the chapter and get them to meetings. The goal is to engage all new members and inspire them to

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

be plugged into our chapter. The membership team will also focus on putting a plan in place to transition our committee volunteers from one year to the next. We want committees to feel like they know what they are doing and empower them to hit the ground running with their Directors July 1.

The Marketing/Communications Department is working hard to evaluate all of our communications options and processes this year. They are looking to fine tune our social media takeover offerings, integrating our communications calendar with the MPI Global communications calendar and taking a deeper dive into our Social Media platforms to ensure we are using the media outlets that you want to use. We are also evaluating the Carolina Blitz and communications platform to make everything more user friendly for you, the member!

The Education/Meeting Planning Team is rocking and rolling this year. They are working to set all of our 2020 education sessions in the first month or two of the new year so that you can plan your calendars accordingly for which sessions you are interested in attending. We think it will be all of them! The Director of Meeting Planning role will also take on a new life and focus more on the program design from start to finish of the event. We want you to experience MPI-CC in a whole new way!

Hope you all had a great holiday season with family and friends. We can’t wait to see you at the January meeting! n

Christine Irwin, CMP MPI-CC Chapter Administrator The Management Office

End mee tings on a high note

Cheetie Kumar’s indie music venue KINGS warmly welcomes bands, visitors and locals alike to rock out in a space known for its great acoustics and intimate atmosphere. KINGS, along with Kumar’s restaurant, Garland, and cocktail bar, Neptunes Parlour, are all original places you’ll only find here in Raleigh. Discover unique experiences and find greater inspiration when you plan a meeting in Raleigh, N.C.

Learn more at visitRaleigh.com/top25.

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 |

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NORTH CAROLINA’S TARNISHED REPUTATION

by Molly Johnson, CMP

As you may recall, in 2016 the North Carolina legislature called a special session and in just twelve hours signed a law known as House Bill 2 (HB 2), also known as the Bathroom Bill (Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act).

There was immediate backlash in response to HB 2 that would end up costing the state billions of dollars in lost revenue. In March of 2017 HB 2 was repealed, in its place the legislature passed House Bill 142 (HB 142) which eliminates the bathroom ban but still prohibits municipalities from enacting anti-discrimination measures for three years. HB 142 does not restore the status quo because it bars localities from protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and specifically prohibits protections for bathroom access.

HB 142 is still seen as discriminatory which is why North Carolina remains on California’s travel ban list. The California travel ban states that government funded travel is prohibited to states with laws that discriminate against the LGBT community. Many associations as well as companies follow the guidelines that California has set in determining whether to travel to certain states.

And, organizations can be quick to issue a travel ban because it is the politically correct thing to do.

Destinations International along with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) hired APCO Insight, an independent research firm, to do a study to determine whether travel bans work to effect political change and what the long-term damage is to a destination’s brand. Travel boycotts have become more popular in the last few years, thus, the aptly named report, “The Weaponization of Travel,” looks at the perceptions people have of the destinations being boycotted as well as the financial impact. The study

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| Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020

covered individual travelers not just large organizations.

It shows that even if a law is repealed the reputation of a state is damaged for many years after. North Carolina is one of the five states referenced in the report; states referenced currently have or have had discriminatory laws that landed them on a travel ban list. Travel boycotts to these states was a tactic to combat the controversial laws. Associations and professional societies have also been involved and have weighed in on the issues, many following the California travel ban as a guide. The report surveyed American travelers on their awareness of the travel boycotts to these states, most people were familiar with the boycotts and said they are less likely to travel to a state that is being boycotted whether they agree or not with the legislation in that state.

The effects of HB 2 will have long lasting repercussions on North Carolina as the state’s reputation has been deemed as discriminatory, even when the legislation is reversed, the damage has been done as people continue to have a negative opinion. While some organizations may be barred from bringing their conferences to North Carolina, the organizations that are based in North Carolina can show their support by keeping their conferences in state which in turn will continue to keep over 200,000 of hospitality workers employed. n

Molly Johnson, CMP Wilmington & Beaches CVB MPI-CC Advocacy Committee

ONE RESORT ONE CONTRACT ALL CONVENIENCE

Our professional staff will make your conference worry-free.

Book your event now to take advantage of our easy one contract planning, 32,794 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and the breathtaking landscape of the Great Smokey Mountains.

CaesarsMeansBusiness.com

Carolina Blitz | December 2019 - January 2020 | 21

Carolina Blitz 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 Director of Marketing Nicole Filippo, CMP • Elon University Editor Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith Contributing Writers Nicole Keshler, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Company; Molly Johnson, CMP, Wilmington & Beaches CVB; Mica Parekh, CMP, IWP Photography; Maureen Donovan, Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach, NC; Rachel Whitten, Greenville-Pitt County CVB - Greenville, NC Photographer Mica Parekh, CMP • IWP Photography Proofreaders Kathy Flowe, CMP, Alabama Theatre; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office; Teresa Palmieri, Sheraton Imperial; Myron Jones, Fayetteville CVB; Nancy Lowe, CMP, NC Medical Society; Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM, NC Association of Electric Cooperatives; Melinda Mowry, DoubleTree by Hilton New Bern - Riverfront; Peggy Anderson, CMP

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 Molly Johnson, CMP at mjohnson@wilmingtonandbeaches.com.

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.

January 23-24, 2020 Graylyn International Conference Center Winston-Salem, NC

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!