Carolina Bltz February - March 2019

Carolina Blitz February - March 2019

New Member Spotlight Tammy Pleasants-Merritt Page 8

CAROLINAS CHAPTER

Crowne Plaza Executive Park March 28-29, 2019 Charlotte, NC

in this issue...

features Maintaining Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 FUN-Raising Needs You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Look Who We Spotted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Creative Market | OlhaKlein

Board Meeting Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019 |

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

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

our members Welcome New Members!

Kimberly Adams Improv Comedy Club Raleigh kadams@improv.com Jason Berry Winwood Hospitality Group jason.berry@hilton.com Remya Chandran Bhuvanachandran Nair Ashworth College amy.chandran@gmail.com Kelton Chapman National Board of Echocardiography kelton.chapman@gmail.com Emma Creamer Wilmington Convention Center equinnette@ businessmadecasual.com John Doyle International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis John_Doyle@isth.org

Jaimie Goddard Retail Sports Marketing jaimieg@rsmbiz.com

Seth Macchi Live Events Media Group sethmacchi@gmail.com

JoAnne Oncea HelmsBriscoe joncea@helmsbriscoe.com

Laura Goodrich, CMM Gingersnap Event Marketing lauragoodrich@ gingersnapem.com

Jennifer Mayfield Deutsche Bank Global Technology jhmayfield2002@gmail.com

Shelley Pressley, CMP Society for Neuro-Oncology shelley@soc-neuro-onc.org

Caroline Grant Village at River Landing cgrant@murfam.com

Tammy Merritt SAS Institute Inc. tammy.merritt@sas.com

Sharon Jarrett Odyssey Media sjarrett@odysseymc.com

Erica Meyer Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton ericam@hotelballast.com

Mindy Kozlowski Hilton Durham mindy.kozlowski@ hiltondurhamnc.com Caroline Krcelic SYNNEX Corporation carolinek@synnex.com Janie Lilly Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center Hotel Janie.Lilly@ sheratonmyrtlebeach.com

MPI-CC Anniversaries 25 Years Pamela Eyring The Protocol School of Washington

5 Years Sarah Davis, CMP Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

15 Years Catherine Mauldin, CMP (CDM Smith) DESA, Inc.

Mark Lupfer, CMP, CHSP Northview

10 Years Susan Losurdo, CMP, LES The Scholar Consulting Group

Jeffrey Michaud AC Hotel, Aloft & Hotel Arras sm2ashevilledowntown@ mckibbon.com Parastoo Muse, PMP University of North Carolina Wilmington parastoo.muse@yahoo.com Derek Noll Pinehurst Resort & Country Club Derek.Noll@pinehurst.com

Courtland Rudon Audio Visual Services Grp LLC, DBA PSAV crudon@psav.com Melanie Smith Destinations DMC melanies@outsidebrands.com Sarah Teague smteague1@gtcc.edu Lynn Vitello Switch Four, LLC lvitello@worktrip.com Caroline Watts Atrium Health caroline.e.watts@ atriumhealth.org Jillian Weleski Hilton JLWeleski@gmail.com

First Timers and New Members at the January Mixer

Lori Reynolds INDA

Back Row (left to right): Laura Clark - Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach; Dalia Perna; Courtland Rudon - PSAV; Tammy Merritt - SAS Institute, Inc.; Jason Berry - Windwood Hospitality Group; Marco Mendez - Embassy Suites Hotel Greensboro-Airport

Mikki Walls Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Middle Row: Betty Vidacic - BMV Training: Erica Meyer Hotel Ballast; Ashton Reddish - Hotel Indigo Durham RTP; Laura Goodrich - Gingersnap Event Marketing; Mindy Kozlowski Hilton Durham; Tracy Stuckrath, CMM, CSEP, CHC

Congratulations to each of you for reaching a milestone in MPI!

Front Row: Brittany Ruebesam - Hilton Raleigh North Hills; Karen Williams - Crowne Plaza Greenville, SC Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019 |

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monthly meeting planner March 28-29, 2019

July 18-19, 2019

Chapter Meeting Charlotte, NC Crowne Plaza Executive Park

May 19-20, 2019

September 19-20, 2019

Annual Meeting Asheville, NC Renaissance Asheville Hotel

June 15-18, 2019

BrianAJackson/iStock/Thinkstock

Chapter Meeting North Charleston, SC North Charleston Marriott

Business Exchange Cary, NC Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle

MPI World Education Congress Toronto, Canada

Reminder: Deadline for submissions for the next Carolina Blitz is April 5, 2019.

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

THE NEW BREAKOUT EXPLORE TASTE SOMETHING SOMETHING NEW NEW A NEW PLACE TOSESSION MEET Vi Vi ss ii tt N N ee w wB B ee rr n n .. cc o om m/ /M M ee ee tt ii n ng g ss

We’ve spent over 300 years We’ve spent over 300 years preparing for your meeting preparing for your meeting

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

OUR HELPING HAND WINNER: Ashelyn Roberts!

Congratulations to Ashelyn Roberts for winning the January Helping Hand Award! Ashelyn hit the ground running when she joined the Marketing Committee and has worked diligently on the weekly Midweek Member Minute (MMM) to provide the best possible information to our members.

She is very responsive and always very positive.

The Marketing Committee is very lucky to have her on their team and MPI-CC greatly appreciates her willingness to donate her time to serve our members. Thank you, Ashelyn!

president’s message HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MPI-CC! Who out there knows that MPI-CC is about to turn 35? Yes, it’s true – we are about to embark on our 35th year as a chapter. I don’t know about you, but to me, that’s a pretty fantastic milestone and I’m honored to be a part of the celebration while continuing to push our mission forward. I hope you take just a moment to read the excerpt below from our website and learn how we came to be. If this doesn’t make you proud to be an MPI-CC member, I don’t know what will.

Meeting Professionals International – Carolinas Chapter, established in 1984, is recognized as one of the largest chapters globally with 400+ members representing over $500 million in annual economic spend.

Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM MPI-CC President

The vision to establish the Carolinas Chapter started with Nancy B. Holder, a meeting planner from Winston-Salem, NC, who became the chapter’s first president. The chapter has grown from humble beginnings but continues to share the same core values established by the thirty founding members.

Our commitment to professional development, community, and each other continues to be at the forefront of every decision.

Spanning two states, the chapter has one of the largest geographic territories in the MPI network. That’s how far the founding members had to reach in 1984 to recruit the necessary fifteen planners to qualify. Now, with over 200 planners, the Carolinas Chapter is recognized as the leading organization responsible for professional growth in the region.

Our members have produced extraordinary events and delivered world class programing over the past 35 years. But the rich and diverse makeup of our membership has always been the Carolinas Chapter’s most valuable asset.

I have said it many times before and I’ll say it again…I’m honored to serve as your chapter president. I’ll be honored to serve as your immediate past president next year, and will be honored to volunteer my time as a committee member after that. Nancy B. Holder, with the help of 14 extraordinary meeting planners and 15 suppliers, laid the groundwork for this chapter.

It’s our duty to pick up the ball and take it from here.

Your humble and honored President,

Alison Harding

Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM

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MPI-CC 2018-2019 Board of Administration President Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM AENC 919-461-8698 Alison@aencnet.org

President-Elect Nicole Keshler Greater Raleigh CVB 919-645-2682 nkeshler@visitraleigh.com

Immediate Past President Alyce Kelly, CHSP Beaufort Hotel Alyce.Kelly@concordhotels.com

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

Marketing Committee Chair Needed

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

Education Committee Co-Chair Alison Flaig Genworth Mortgage Insurance Alison.flaig@genworth.com

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

Education VP of Education John Cruz, CMM Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC 301-889-1143 john.cruz@bcbsnc.com

Education Committee Co-Chair Wendy Jeffries HelmsBriscoe wjeffries@helmsbriscoe.com

Finance VP of Finance Maureen Donovan Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach 910-256-2231 mdonovan@

Silent Auction Committee Chair Needed

wrightsville.holidayinnresorts.com

XCHANGE Committee Barbara Dragan VisitGreenvilleSC 864-421-0000 bdragan@visitgreenvillesc.com

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

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development Nicole Filippo, CMP Elon University 336-278-6091 nfilippo@elon.edu

Awards Committee April Ferguson, CMP, CMM BCD M&E Onsite at Cisco Systems 502-468-6084 april.clark1@gmail.com

Director of Member Engagement Michelle Castro Siena Hotel 919-918-2539 mcastro@sienahotel.com

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

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 Tenessa Moore Moore Creative Ink, Inc. 704-542-4814 tmoore@moorecreativeink.com

Meeting Planning Committee Chair Needed

Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Farrah Staub, CMP Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley 919-571-5319 farrah.staub@marriott.com Professional Certifications Committee Co-Chair Jennifer Kist, CMP MHI 704-607-1454 jkist@mhi.org

Leadership & Volunteer Development Committee Jemeria Lawson

The Durham Hotel 919-768-8837 jlawson@thedurham.com

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new member spotlight New Member Spotlight: Tammy Pleasants-Merritt

by Amelia Hodges, CMM, CMP

Why did you join MPI-CC? As a meeting planner for more than 20 years, I have always wanted to join MPI. Until I joined SAS, my travel schedule did not allow for me to become an “involved” member. I truly believe you get out what you put in and I wanted to make sure I had the time to volunteer for committees and attend the Tammy Pleasants-Merritt sessions. I am so impressed with the structure of MPI-CC and how you can join different committees to help support the organization and enable true networking.

What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing a career in the meeting industry?

Know the whole story! I LOVE WHAT I DO! However, many times people view meeting planners as “people of leisure”. The one misconception is we travel to all these exotic locations and sit by the pool, tour the city and see all the sights. A truer picture is we see the airport and whatever is on the way to the hotel from the airport. So, my advice is to talk to people in the industry, folks that have been doing what you want to do for a few years to get the true story. MPI is a great place to start!

What led you to your current role at SAS Institute Inc.?

SAS has been on the Great Places to Work list since it’s inception. Everyone knows that SAS promotes work/ life balance and most importantly career growth and development. I wanted a job that would allow me to continue my career as a meeting planner but required less travel. Enter SAS! My position in the Executive Briefing Center allows me to do all of the things I love about meeting planning; interact with external customers, partner with internal account executives and hosts to develop an agenda that provides the customer with informative sessions lead by industry experts. My role also allows me to know more about my cities, planning local tours, while dinners and excursions have opened my eyes to a whole new world right outside my front door!

What are your hobbies and what do you enjoy outside of event planning?

I am a host at heart; I enjoy cooking and spending time with friends. My greatest joy comes from volunteering for

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

Fill Your Bucket List Foundation (FYBLF) which provides wishes for adults with cancer. The smallest things can make the biggest difference to someone going through the struggle of their life. In addition to FYBLF, I also work with the children’s programs at my church planning events and programs for our youth.

How did you enjoy your first MPI-CC meeting?

My first meeting was not at all what I expected; it exceeded my expectations. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging. The group size was not at all overwhelming but was quite intimate. Other than the training, my favorite part was the new member mixer.

It was very informative and gave new members the opportunity to meet key players for MPI-CC as well as meet each other. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a member and to have such a great network to guide me in personal development as well as professional development. n

Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM North Carolina Association of CPAs VP of Member Engagement

Make a Difference

Volunteer Today

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 www.mpi-cc.org or email Director of Leadership & Volunteer Development, Nicole Filippo, CMP, at nfilippo@elon.edu for more information on getting involved.

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 | February - March 2019 |

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education MPI-CC Education January Recap

by John Cruz, CMM

Everyday Ethics for the Meetings Professional Our speaker, Michael Shannon, really connected with the group during the Thursday, January 24 session on ethics.

He had a very diverse panel to assist him in the process consisting of an independent planner, corporate planner, hotel sales manager, cruise line representative and a CVB representative. The session really shed some light on some everyday realities and challenges and afforded all attendees the opportunity to either start thinking differently or simply be more aware of ethical challenges.

This collaborative session nicely set the stage for the next day and many questions and answers were shared throughout the session.

make professional choices and assisted all in understanding the impact of their choices. Michael provided case studies that groups used as table exercises that aided attendees to think about future ethical conflicts that may arise. At the end of the day, he helped us understand that right and wrong are not always black and white. n

After a very interesting session on Thursday that carried over to the reception, Michael picked up right where he left off and did a deeper dive into the world of everyday ethics.

He provided relevant information to help all attendees

Thought you knew us? Meet the new us.

CONVENTION CENTER WINSTON - SALEM

NORTH CAROLINA

With a multi-million dollar Convention Center renovation and more than $1.7 billion invested downtown, Winston-Salem is renovating more than buildings. We’re Reinventing the Meeting.

Contact Christian Schroeder at Christian@VisitWinstonSalem.com, 336.782.4218, or Karen Wall at Karen@VisitWinstonSalem.com, 336.728.4210.

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Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

ReinventYourMeeting.com

Looking Ahead at Education: March Chapter Meeting

by John Cruz, CMM

Participants will be able to immediately apply their refreshed perspective on the fundamentals of leadership.

Having applied many of these skills through experiential learning exercises, they will have a renewed sense of the importance of a fundamentals-based focus in exploring what it means to be a leader in today’s professional world.

Additionally, through their day-to-day interactions with colleagues and co-workers, attendees will be able to immediately apply their learnings in the areas of selfawareness and interpersonal intelligence.

By using the perspective of music to explore the competencies of the field, participants will come away with a renewed appreciation of the art and discipline of leadership. Revisiting the fundamentals of the field in this way elevates the leadership practices of professionals across the meeting planning industry. n

Sewa Beats will be offering a collaborative Q&A session on Thursday, March 28 regarding the importance of an experience-based approach to meetings, since what we are doing is experiential in nature. We will discuss how all applies to all kinds of meetings because the approach generates engagement on the part of the participants and generates ROI for the stakeholders. We will also talk about how creating experiences ties into the current research on meeting effectiveness, engagement, reaching millennials etc. The session will end with a little drum playing/demo

by Bill Scheidt with Sewa Beats and maybe a surprise attendee will give it a go as well.

Sewa Beats will start the Friday session, “Music as a Metaphor for Leadership Success,” with a brief interactive dialogue that sets the context for using rhythm as a metaphor for leadership success and provides a quick overview of the relevant research. Then, after a brief warm up, the program continues with a series of rhythm-based exercises in the areas of leadership, communication, and collaboration. Combined with skilled debriefing, this provides the platform for us to explore the impact of emotional intelligence and self-awareness of our ability to be effective leaders.

Moving to the drums, participants then learn to create a piece of music together. We debrief each step along the way, exploring the learnings involved with dynamically applying various leadership skills in this unique musical context. The metaphor of the collective music-making experience becomes a live learning laboratory in which the participants have an impactful and substantive experience with a number of critical leadership skills that drive success in today’s professional world. Not to mention, everyone has fun!

John Cruz, CMM Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC VP of Education

H O P, S K I P, and a

JUMP visitgreenvillenc.com/meetings

We’re not out of the way. We’re out of the ordinary.

Andrew Schmidt CHME, MPA Executive Director 252-329-4200 andrew@visitgreenvillenc.com

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Look Who We Spotted at...

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

the JB Duke Hotel in January in Durham, NC! Photography by Mica Parekh, CMP – IWP Photography

OUR ANNIVERSARY GIFT TO YOU It Comes Naturally.

During the 15th Anniversary of The Sanctuary Hotel, your group won’t have to choose how to celebrate— you get all the gifts, including complimentary rooms, upgrades, golf perks, discounts on contracted F&B and A/V…plus a free stay.*

CELEBRATE WITH SPECIAL RATES TOO! Get all the details at KiawahMeetings.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

Proud Host of the 2021 PGA Championship *Offer valid for select dates in 2019. Does not apply to previously booked meetings. See website for details.

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Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

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.

828.322.1355 hickorymetro.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

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 Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019 |

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Maintaining Integrity

Principles of Professionalism Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) Principles of Professionalism provide guidelines recommended for the business behavior of its members that impacts their perceived character and thus the overall image of MPI. Commitment to these principles is implicit to membership and is essential to instilling public confidence, engaging in fair and equitable practices and building professional relationships with meeting industry colleagues.

by Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM

In response to our recent session given by Michael

As members of Meeting Professionals International, we are responsible for ensuring that the meeting industry is held in the highest public* regard throughout the world. Our conduct directly impacts this result.

Shannon on ethics in the workplace, this is a good time to remind our chapter

Maintaining Professional Integrity:

members about MPI’s Principles of Professionalism.

Honestly represent and act within one’s areas of professional competency and authority without exaggeration, misrepresentation or concealment.

Many of you may not be

•

Avoid actions which are or could be perceived as a conflict of interest or for individual gain.

•

Offer or accept only appropriate incentives, goods and services in business transactions.

aware that these exist, so take a moment to read through them and familiarize yourself with these standards.

Utilizing Professional Business Practices:

By holding one another to

Honor written and oral contracts, striving for clarity and mutual understanding through complete, accurate and timely communications, while respecting legal and contractual rights of others.

these standards, we ensure that business is conducted in a professional manner and high standards are the expectation.

•

Ensure rights to privacy and protect confidentiality of privileged information received verbally, in writing, or electronically.

•

Refrain from misusing solicited information, proposals or concepts.

•

Commit to the protection of the environment by responsible use of resources in the production of meetings.

•

Actively pursue educational growth through training, sharing of knowledge, expertise and skills, to advance the meeting industry.

Respecting Diversity: Embrace and foster an inclusive business climate of respect for all peoples regardless of national origin, race, religion, sex, marital status, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental impairment. *Encompasses oneself, the association, fellow members, meeting attendees, clients and customers, suppliers and planners, employers and the general public.

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Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

Creative Market | Stefan & Janni

Adherence to these Principles of Professionalism signifies professionalism, competence, fair dealing and high integrity. Failure to abide by these principles may subject a member to disciplinary action, as set forth in the Bylaws of Meeting Professionals International. n

Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM AENC MPI-CC President

Orig inality without reservations Vanvisa and Vansana Nolintha have poured their beliefs and passions into Brewery Bhavana. Their newest gathering place blends inspired dim sum with craft beer, flowers and well-curated books in a space that celebrates creativity. It’s the kind of establishment you’d only find in Raleigh, where talked-about chefs and some of the country’s most original restaurants are thriving.

A meeting in Raleigh is an opportunity to go beyond the conference room to discover unique experiences and find greater inspiration.

Find the Top 25 Reasons to Meet in Raleigh, N.C., at visitRaleigh.com/top25.

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board meeting highlights

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes January 24, 2019 | Durham, NC

by Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Office

Attendees: Alyce Kelly, CHSP; Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM; Christine Irwin, CMP; Nicole Keshler; Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM; John Cruz, CMM; Mica Parekh, CMP; Ricardo Hicks; Michelle Castro Excused Absences: Maureen Donovan; Nicole Filippo, CMP; Deanna Griffith-House, CMP, CMM Financials: Christine Irwin, CMP, presented the December P&L, balance sheet and aging report.

Motion: Alyce Kelly, CHSP, made a motion to approve the December P&L, Balance Sheet and Aging Report as presented.

Second: Mica Parekh, CMP Vote: Approved Minutes: Alyce Kelly, CHSP, presented the minutes from the November 8, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting.

Motion: Alyce Kelly, CHSP, made a motion to approve the November 8, 2018 Board of Directors Meeting Minutes as presented. Second: Nicole Keshler Vote: Approved Chapter Office: Christine presented the December metrics report and reviewed the agenda and room locations for the January meeting.

Nicole Filippo, CMP, will send out the current volunteer list for a mid-year check in. Please review and let her know if you need any changes to be made to your committees.

Consent Agenda: Alison Harding , CMP, GTP, CMM, asked that everyone review the consent agenda.

Motion: Alyce Kelly, CHSP, made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Second: John Cruz, CMM Vote: Approved Business Plan Objectives: Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM, reviewed the 2018-2019 Business Plan Objectives and asked for status updates for each one.

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A couple of key points that came out of the discussion: • Move the MMM to every other week instead of every week.

• Event based annual awards – at the March meeting, we will discuss and agree upon the awards to be added. We will officially announce them at the annual meeting in May. The “Best AV” award will be presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting.

• Membership team is working on a strategic plan to track and implement their member meet-ups.

John Cruz presented an idea to mimic the eight states kick-off mixer that another organization holds.

• Education – John and Deanna will research the potential for webinars as an additional education option for the chapter.

Volunteers: Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM, requested Helping Hand Award nominations for the March meeting.

If you have any committee needs, please let Nicole Filippo, CMP, know.

November Survey Results: John Cruz, CMM, reviewed the results from the November meeting and addressed feedback with the board.

November 2019 Meeting: Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM, announced that we have postponed our November 2019 meeting since the dates overlapped with an AENC meeting. We have resubmitted the RFP and will be looking for the following week, still in a Charlotte location.

2019-2020 Board of Directors Slate: Alyce Kelly, CHSP, presented the proposed 2019-2020 Slate of Officers.

President – Nicole Keshler, Greater Raleigh CVB President-Elect – Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM, NC Association of CPAs

Immediate Past President –

Director -

Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM, Association Executives of NC

Brandon Crumpton, Key Signature Entertainment

VP Finance – Ricardo Hicks, Tech Factory

Director Nicole Filippo, CMP, Elon University Motion: John Cruz, CMM made a motion to approve the slate

VP Education – Maureen Donovan, Holiday Inn Resort

as presented.

Second: Alyce Kelly, CHSP

Wrightsville Beach

Vote: Approved

VP Communication – Mica Parekh, CMP, IWP Photography

The slate will be presented to the membership for 30

VP Member Engagement – Michelle Castro, Siena Hotel

Next Board Meeting: The next board meeting will be

Director – Jamie Frydlo, Hotel Indigo Raleigh Durham Airport at RTP

days in order to be approved.

held on March 28, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park in Charlotte, NC. Meeting Adjourned. n

Director Najauna White, Discover Durham Director Ashelyn Roberts, Conference Direct Director Deanna House, CMP, GWPgM, CME, PMP, PCM, CMM, Charter Spectrum Reach

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

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019 |

19

! t I o Just D lease.

Donate… p

MPI-CC Bidding For Good Online Auctions to take place Spring 2019 If you were offered complimentary ad placement guaranteed to reach a targeted audience of more than 350,000 people, wouldn’t you take advantage of it? MPI-CC is doing just that with our online auction hosted on the Bidding For Good (BFG) website, www.biddingforgood.com. Travel packages and hotel stays are the MOST popular items on BFG, giving you another way to promote your hotel or destination to a new, diverse audience. Last year, winning bidders of the MPI-CC auction were from Seattle to Florida – even Canada, and of course our own MPI-CC members. Each donation of at least a two-night stay gets a custom web page with your logo, four pictures and a description.

ANNUAL MEETING RAFFLE We are mixing it up this year in Asheville at the annual meeting. Along with our traditional silent auction, we will be holding a raffle throughout the meeting. You will be able to buy your raffle tickets when you register online or purchase them when you arrive at the hotel. Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win some local North Carolina items from artwork to jewelry and many other things!

For your convenience we will collect items for donation at the March meeting. Have any unused holiday gifts you would like to donate?

The FUN-raising Committee appreciates all those who donate and participate with our chapter fundraisers. We will be available at the March meeting to answer any questions you might have regarding these opportunities and of course donations will be graciously accepted. Donation forms are available on the MPI-CC website.

If you need additional information, contact: Maureen Donovan, VP of Finance 910-344-6805 | mdonovan@wrighsville.holidayinnresorts.com Funds raised through auctions and raffles go to enhance member education opportunities and chapter meetings.

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| Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019

Carolina Blitz | February - March 2019 |

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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 Mica Parekh, CMP - IWP Photography Editor Cathy Mauldin, CMP • DESA, Inc. Onsite at CDM Smith

Know a Helping Hand?

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 board member, a committee chair or member or even a brand new MPI-CC member who has already started to shine.

Helping Hand Awards are given on a bi-monthly basis and nominations are accepted all the time! Please send your nomination to April Ferguson, CMP, CMM, at aprilferguson10@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping recognize your fellow members!!

Contributing Writers Alison Harding, CMP, GTP, CMM, AENC; Christine Irwin, CMP, The Management Company; John Cruz, CMM, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina; Amelia Hodges, CMP, CMM, North Carolina Association of CPA; Mica Parekh, CMP, IWP Photography; Nicole Filippo, CMP, Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; Maureen Donovan, Holiday Inn Resort - Wrightsville Beach, 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; Lynn Rich, CMP, American Express Meetings & Events; Nancy Lowe, CMP, NC Medical Society; Ginny Fountain, CMP, CMM, NC Association of Electric Cooperatives; Melinda Mowry, DoubleTree by Hilton New Bern - Riverfront 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-cc.org

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 MPI-CC 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-cc.org.

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

March 28-29, 2019 Crowne Plaza Executive Park Charlotte, NC

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-cc.org for additional advertising and sponsorship opportunities!