The OFFICIAL daily publication of MPI’s MeetDifferent 2010
ONSITE
Hall ‘n Quotes
In yesterday’s general session,
keynote speaker Jeremy Gutsche
repeatedly asked, “What are you
specifically trying to do?” So, what
ARE you trying to do?
“Create a C-suite position of chief gathering officer.
We need to re-update and evolve the meeting and
event industry by showing how it’s really a gathering.”
Chris Gasbarro
Chief creative officer
C3 llc
“Try to become simply the best mind doctor that
exists.”
Dr. Lawana Gladney
Author, speaker, trainer
Emotional Wellness Inc.
Monday, February 22
IMEX Launches
U.S. Show
Industry leading trade show group IMEX
will travel and stay free as our guests,”
will launch an Americas edition Oct. 11IMEX Chairman Ray Bloom said. “For the
13, 2011. The new show will take place
inaugural show in 2011, we are forecasting
at the Sands Expo Convention Center at
1,500 hosted buyers, of whom 80 percent
the Venetian/Palazzo and will benefit from will originate from within North America—
a strategic partnership
the balance arriv“As a longtime partner of the IMEX
with MPI, as well as
ing from across the
group,
we
are
honored
to
be
the
a broad coalition of
world. We will also
strategic partner in IMEX America to conduct large-scale
industry support. It will
run as part of the IMEX
visitor marketing
provide compelling educational
Group—which includes experiences to the entire meetings and campaigns to attract
IMEX Frankfurt (May
events industry as part of this tremen- several thousand
25-27)—and will be
dous new marketplace opportunity.” more key decisioncharacterized by an
makers from across
— MPI CEO Bruce MacMillan, CA
uncompromising focus
the country.”
on business, international hosted buyer
According to MPI President and CEO
programs and industry-wide collaboration. Bruce MacMillan, CA, MPI has a strong
“IMEX America will deliver the largest- history of partnership with the leading playscale hosted buyer program in North
ers in the global meetings industry.
America, where top meetings and incentive
“As a longtime partner of the IMEX
buyers from across the U.S. and the world group, we are honored to be the strategic
Continued on page 14
General Session:
Crisis Creates
Opportunity
“As a chapter president, I’m trying to keep the chapter
abreast of all the new trends and stay above the curve.”
Michelle Boudreau, CMP, CMM
Director of marketing and membership
The Ranch Golf Club
“Create and innovate by differentiating from our
competitors the advantage we have by producing
events.”
Dan Vazquez, CMP
President
AOM Events
Sunday General Session keynote Jeremy
Gutsche hit this topic running with a
crowd buzzing and tweeting (see Page 3) at
an increasingly louder rate, leading to what
appeared to be one of the best-received and
most thought-provoking keynote sessions
to ever grace the MPI event stage.
Glenn Thayer, the session’s host, began
the event citing another significant meeting
taking place simultaneously with MeetDifferent in Cancun—a grand gathering of
Latin American leaders (including presidents of Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela and
many other nations). And this superbly
highlighted a problem the global meeting
and event industry has been combating:
misperceptions of some destinations as
meeting locales.
Continued on page 14
Relationship
Cultivation
Delivers Success
MeetDifferent 2010 was the
result of a successful partnership
between MPI and the Mexico
Tourism Board that has been
developing for more than eight
years, according to Eduardo
Chaillo, CMP, CMM, director of
the board’s strategic business unit.
“It was a great opportunity
for our country to show what
we’re able to do—to accomplish,”
Chaillo said. “MeetDifferent also
allowed us to connect all MPI
members not only to Mexican
suppliers but to show the reality
of Mexico. We had to take advantage of that opportunity and put
our country in the global arena of
the meeting and event industry.”
Increasing awareness of the
value proposition of holding
international meetings and events
in Mexico was the goal, he says.
This includes educating delegates
on Mexico’s expanding meeting
and event infrastructure. Convention centers are now found
throughout the country, including
small cities that have traditionally
been perceived as strictly leisure
locales. He says this year will
see new convention centers from
coast to coast.
“The marketing has to follow
the infrastructure, so MeetDifferent was a great opportunity to
show meeting professionals that
we are very well equipped and
that we’re evolving, not just in
Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and
Cancun,” he said.
General Session >>
Creating Buzz at the
Ideas Exchange >>
The Ideas Exchange is a wealth of info and
content, all in one spot for your convenience. And it’s free to you on site during
MeetDifferent in Galactic 4-5.
See page 3 for details.
TradeDifferent >>
A relaxed networking environment accompanied by diverse themes, cuisine and settings awaits MeetDifferent attendees tonight.
See page 4 for details.
Monica Harrington takes a hard
look at lessons learned while on the
bleeding edge of technology from
9-10 a.m./09.00-10.00 during today’s
General Session. See Page 4 to learn more.
One+ ONSITE
Creating
Your MPI
The Best
of the
from Sunday’s
General Session
Tweets
Simple but powerful. “Make your meetings
& events irresistible to a small audience.”
Keynote @trendhunter #md10
—@miguelseven, 9:57 a.m. Feb. 21
from UberTwitter
Keep Open to possibilities...what a terrific
concept #MD10 http://myloc.me/42dys
—@mtgstrategists, 9:58 a.m. Feb. 21
from UberTwitter
RT @MPI_Content: Make ur event irresistible 2 strong target group. Group becomes
evangelists 4 u. Event takes off virally.
-Gutsche #md10
—@MichaelMcCurry, 9:58 a.m. Feb. 21
from TweetChat
At the Your MPI session yesterday morning, attendees were challenged to build a
maple leaf out of sand to win an all-expense-paid trip to Canada. It was a lively
exercise that helped start off the day by energizing the group of new members and
first-time MeetDifferent delegates.
“Your MPI is a great introduction to what the association has to offer, and
the energy is always
amazing thanks
to [emcee] Chris
Gasbarro,” said Eric
Rozenberg, CMM,
CMP, president of
Swantegy and MPI’s
incoming chairman.
“He should have his
own talk show.”
Meeting at the
Barracuda Restaurant
and Beach, attendees learned how to get the most out of membership opportunities that can create a map to professional successes.
Your MPI was sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission.
Attendees of yesterday
afternoon’s Insider
Exchange learned
about the many
attributes of Portland,
Ore., as a meeting
and event destination
from Travel Portland
representatives.
RT @TCRAGGGATTO: There is no point in
innovation if you think you know everything Jeremy Gutsche #md10
—@bryanbruce, 10 a.m. Feb. 21
from UberTwitter
Packaging is everything—luxury brands
have capitalized on this for many, many
years! #md10
—@GreenA_V, 10:03 a.m. Feb. 21
from TweetChat
Your title will determine how far your story
will travel. #md10
—@niesas, 10:05 a.m. Feb 21
from TweetDeck
Be simple, direct and supercharged in your
message. To become viral. #md10
—@JimLouis, 10:06 a.m. Feb. 21
from Snaptu
Rule #1: Relentlessly Obsess Over Your
Story @JeremyGutsche #MD10
—@camerontoth, 10:09 a.m. Feb. 21
from HootSuite
Join the discussion or just
follow the latest news and
insights at MeetDifferent
on Twitter at #MD10.
This is Your Brain
on MEETINGS
As adults, most of us have forgotten
what it’s like to have fun, and that can
be detrimental to the brain.
“You create memories when you have
fun,” said Dr. Lawana Gladney during
her session “Creating Meetings that
Excite the Brain for Optimal Learning”
yesterday afternoon. “Whatever excites
your brain is what you’ll remember—
and unfortunately, people usually talk
about the bad memories. That is why
you want to plant positive memories in
your events.”
The best way to encourage positive
memories is to have fun and to keep
meetings simple and challenging.
“You never want anyone’s brain to
shut down in a meeting, so don’t make
things too difficult,” Gladney said.
During the lively, interactive and
standing-room-only session, attendees
learned why to avoid cramming too
much information into meetings and
why scheduling too many learning
sessions at conferences is bad for the
brain and attendee memories.
Gladney concluded her session
by describing the psychological and
physiological effects of certain colors
and reminded attendees to “keep it
simple,” “keep it interesting” and
“keep it moving.”
IMEX-America & MPI Lunch
Join us from noon-1:15 p.m./12.00-13.15 today in the Universal Ballroom for the IMEX-America & MPI Lunch. IMEX
Group Chairman Ray Bloom will reintroduce IMEX-America (announced officially in October 2009) and highlight IMEX
Frankfurt with a short presentation and video. MPI is the strategic partner of IMEX-America.
BUZZ
in Ideas Exchange
Ask keynote Monica
Harrington about her
experience as a media
advisor for Bill and
Melinda Gates. Discuss
industry legal issues
with Barbara Dunn,
an attorney and partner with Howe & Hutton. Attend a book club on The Green Collar
Economy with Amanda Gourgue. The MeetDifferent Ideas Exchange offers delegates the
opportunity to confer with industry experts
and peers on any number of hot topics. It’s free
on site in Galactic 4 and 5.
The rooms also serve as MPI Resource
Central, with printed resources available for
reference including the December Business Barometer and FutureWatch 2010. Dr. Lawana
Gladney, CEO of Emotional Wellness, is avail-
able for coaching today, and tech guru James
Spellos and meetings vet Deborah Gardner will
host a lively soapbox debate.
Yesterday, morning keynote Jeremy Gutsche
expanded upon his exploration of innovation
and change. The author of Exploiting Chaos
and founder of TrendHunter.com, Gutsche
answered dozens of audience questions during
a Q&A facilitated by Glenn Thayer. Surrounded on two sides by a packed crowd,
Gutsche discussed the differences between cool
and popular and between trends and fads. He
also spoke to Twitter.com business strategy,
telling the rapt crowd that the medium was
“for people who have something to say,” not
teenagers.
Mainly, Gutsche encouraged audience
members to get involved early and often. Actor
Ashton Kutcher was the first of his peers to
embrace Twitter, and while he may not be the
most popular performer in the world, he does
have more followers than his colleagues—totaling 3.5 million.
Monday’s session with Harrington should
prove equally engaging, as should Tuesday’s
discussion with keynote Marty Neumeier.
Come for the Q&As and stay for lively discussions with your peers. Check the MeetDifferent Web site and click on schedule for a list
of Ideas Exchange events, or just drop in and
experience the excitement.
MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22 ONE+ ONSITE
3
One+ ONSITE
Not Your
Normal
General Session Preview:
Trade Show
Opportunity
in Disguise
Monica Harrington was a senior policy officer at the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation during one of Microsoft’s
biggest failures. She’ll share how Bill Gates turned that
failure into opportunity from 9-10 a.m./09.00-10.00 during today’s General Session. She’ll also take a hard look at
lessons learned while on the bleeding edge of technology.
One+ editor Jessie States asks Harrington to describe her
expertise.
JS: What was the single most important moment that
brought you to where you are today?
MH: My life changed when I answered a blind ad that
read, “Writers wanted, no experience necessary.” At the
time, I was 23 and had been working less than a year in
my first “real” post-college job—a job that looked prestigious from the outside but that was dreadfully dull.
The person who placed the ad turned out to be a hiring
manager at a software company, and she had decided she
wanted to hire a “normal” person who could write well.
After I submitted a writing sample, she was eager to hire
me. It seemed like a great opportunity, but I worried about
leaving my first job “too soon.”
Fortunately, my mom—who was always my favorite
career counselor—said, “You’re young, go for it. What’s
the worst that can happen?” She was absolutely right. I not
only loved that job, but it put me on the path to Microsoft
during its rocket years and ultimately a fascinating and
rewarding career that lets me apply my interests in innovation and strategy to both the business and social sectors.
Monday General Session
speaker Monica Harrington
JS: How can people take advantage of risk, as opposed
to letting it take advantage of them?
MH: Do a risk assessment, and be honest about answering, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Often, the
downside isn’t nearly as bad as we make it out to be. I
don’t like to fail—no one does—but if you’re too afraid
of failure, you’re never going to take on anything that
challenges and stretches you in new ways. I also believe
in working hard to mitigate risks, which means planning ahead and thinking through multiple scenarios and
backup plans.
JS: What is your top tip for small companies that want
to make a global impact?
MH: If you want to make an impact globally, you’ve got
to think globally—and that means reading voraciously
about global business, political and social issues with a
special focus on whatever industry you’re in.
Understanding
the C-suite
The C-suite can be an intimidating group. The boss of
your boss has to focus on financial vision and strategic
goals, leadership and mission. There’s little time to spare
for long presentations and even longer event summary
reports. Corporate planners at “Getting Your Meetings
to the C-levels: Parts I and II” Sunday afternoon learned
how to speak to their leaders with facts and data, and
later developed their own strategic meetings management
presentations.
Just don’t say those words to a C-level executive,
according to speaker Kate Lastinger of the Metaphrasis Group, warning planners to avoid meeting industry
jargon that can cloud the message. She also recommends
avoiding phrases such as “risk mitigation” (don’t get
sued), “technology” (staffing and expenses) and attrition
(loss of capital and staff), which mean different things for
4
ONE+ ONSITE MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22
execs than they do for meeting professionals.
Speaking from a CEO perspective, Mark Hubrich of
Sign Up4 told audience members to keep their presentations short and sweet when asking the C-suite to support
a strategic meetings program.
“Granular data on one meeting is not interesting
to me,” Hubrich said, explaining that he wants “facts
and data” followed by a snapshot of the plan. Lastinger
encouraged planners to work on their presentation skills:
know the audience, open with a purpose and anticipated
outcome, lay a basic foundation and close with the ask.
The two sessions were presented by the MPI Foundation in concert with trade show AIBTM (launch in June
2011) as part of an alliance to provide career-building
thought leadership development in the Value of Meetings
series.
Attendees at MeetDifferent
2010 in Cancun will enjoy an
evening of networking and
scenery at MPI’s first-ever
TradeDifferent. The outdoor
event is one of several supplierplanner networking opportunities that replace the
usual trade show at MeetDifferent.
“One of the primary goals of MeetDifferent is
to encourage one-on-one connections in non-traditional ways,” said Kristen Przano, events manager
for MPI. “TradeDifferent is just one of the ways
we are able to connect planners and suppliers with
a positive business outcome.”
Moon Palace will play host to TradeDifferent
at 6 p.m./18.00 tonight, as attendees mingle over
cocktails in a garden courtyard and take off their
shoes and dance on the pristine white sand beach.
Sponsors will host a variety of outdoor areas, each
showcasing different themes, cuisine and settings.
TradeDifferent is designed as a more relaxed, personal networking experience, allowing old friends
to catch up and new friends to be made and giving
sponsors a new avenue to express what makes
their brands unique. Thank you to our TradeDifferent sponsors: PSAV Presentation Services
and Sarao Special Events.
Learning
Hallways
Visit the Learning Hallways to enjoy games, puzzles and books between sessions. And Arcaneo will
be demonstrating Acraneo Metron, the meeting
industry’s leading software solution for strategic
meeting management. Stop by, take a break and
engage your mind and body in fun activities.
A Night at
the Disco
Join us tonight from 9 p.m.-1 a.m./21.00-01.00
at the Andromeda Disco for A Night at the Disco
with Marriott & Renaissance Hotels. Enjoy drinks
and a night of music and fun with your colleagues
and friends as we celebrate a night of dancing and
relationship building. The disco is located in the
Sunrise Main Building, Level 1, across from MoMo-No-Ha-Na Restaurant.
One+ ONSITE
Chapter & Verse
News from the MPI Community
Flipped Out
Attendees at the Mid-Atlantic Conference and Exhibition
(MACE!) in December proved that new tagline “FLIPPED!”
may be here to stay. Instead of a traditional exhibit hall, the
MPI Potomac Chapter offered its first ever fully “flipped”
marketplace at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention
Center. More than 40 meeting planners participated in the
new format, and played host to their own set of supplier
Session Preview:
Disaster and
Contingency Planning
Preparations for disaster must occur long before possible maladies—including a list of what to tell attendees when meeting in a recently affected area. Are some
of your attendees nervous about going to a destination
that has recently suffered from a natural disaster or a
severe public relations crisis? Calm their worries with
the following best practices.
Work with the destination. The local CVB will be as
eager as you are to let people know that the city and
its meeting facilities are back in good working order.
Use the CVB’s videos, photos, press releases and Web
site to spread the word.
Explain that many natural disasters—particularly hurricanes—happen at certain times of the year. Most of
the time, there’s no danger—if a hurricane threatens,
you’ll usually have several days in which to complete
your business and leave the area.
Emphasize that other, more sudden disasters—such as
tornados and earthquakes—while less predictable are
also rare. San Francisco, for example, is famous for
suffering two serious earthquakes—but they happened
almost 100 years apart.
If a destination has recently had bad press because of a
high-profile crime or civil disturbance, remind attendees that these incidents almost always take place well
away from primary meeting venues, in neighborhoods
where visitors are unlikely to go.
Disasters of every manner happen all the time, affecting businesses, jobs, lives and families, and ultimately,
the economy. In “Real-Life Disaster Training for Meeting Planners” from 1:30-5 p.m./13.30-17.00 today,
presenters Bob Mellinger and Cheryl Burress of Attainium Corp. put you in the throes of a real-life event
disaster as it unfolds. Make the critical decisions any
meeting manager may have to make—and deal with
the consequences of those decisions.
6
ONE+ ONSITE MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22
appointments throughout the morning.
Comfortable living room-style furniture adorned the
edges of the marketplace for spontaneous networking
opportunities.
Students and non-participating suppliers convened separately during the flipped marketplace for learning experiences geared toward specific needs. Also, for the first time,
MACE! offered a peer-led White Space. Other innovations
included Spotme question technology during the luncheon
keynote and networking breaks at InGenius Bar stations.
And talk about ROI: participants sent almost 500
messages and appointment requests, exchanged well over
1,000 electronic business cards and rated the educational
content as having built upon their skill bases. Just to be
sure, MACE! surveyed participants on their Spotme devices
at the end of the day; 100 percent of participants who
responded said that not only would they attend MACE!
again, but they would recommend it to colleagues.
Winter Chic
Winter scenes, frosted branches and ice sculptured centerpieces added to an urban-sophisticate ambience at Winter
Chic, the sold-out MPI Toronto Chapter annual holiday
gala in December. The International Centre treated planners, sponsors and suppliers to an exquisite three-course
dinner of locally sourced ingredients. Sweet treats and warm
apple cider kept the party going in the after-dinner lounge,
where a DJ kept the revelers dancing into the wee hours.
The annual gala is one of the area industry’s largest networking events, but it also acts as a fund-raising campaign.
Organizers distributed a mountain of collected toys at charity event Breakfast With Santa along with CAD$21,000
collected through live and silent auctions.
Book Club Preview:
Green Collar Economy
“First the bad news: decades of shortsighted economic
and environmental policies have torn the floor out from
under the American people. The poorest among us are
most at risk, but the future for everyone looks grim.”
So wrote people’s advocate and
and former U.S. green jobs czar Van
Jones in lauded tome The Green
Collar Economy. MeetDifferent
delegates will discuss the 2008
book from 5-6 p.m./17.00-18.00
today as part of MPI’s conference
book club series. Facilitated by
green guru Amanda Gourgue of
Meeting Revolution, the discussion
will follow the book’s own path
from a destructive past to realistic future solutions.
“This book takes me on an emotional rollercoaster,”
Gourgue says. “One paragraph I’m sad and wondering
how the planet got this way; the next paragraph, I’m
hopeful and excited to see all the wonderful changes that
are to come. This book is for anyone who wants to learn
more about social responsibility, climate change and how
to change the planet in positive ways.”
Jones certainly has the pedigree of a world-changer. He
helped pass America’s first green job training legislation,
and he co-founded several successful nonprofit organizations, including the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
and Green For All. Join Gourgue for an exciting conversation about the future of industry.
Schedule
at-a-Glance
Monday, February 22
Global Village and Registration
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m./07.30-18.00
Ideas Exchange
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m./07.30-18.00
CMM/CMP Breakfast (invitation only)
7:30-8:30 a.m./07.30-08.30
Make a Difference Day - Community
Service Project
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m./07.30-15.30
General Session Day 2:
Opportunity in Disguise
9-10 a.m./09.00-10.00
White Space & Ask the Experts
10-10:30 a.m./10.00-10.30
Hosted Buyer Program Appointments
10:30 a.m.-Noon/10.30-12.00
Knowledge Sessions (computer labs
are an additional fee)
10:30 a.m.-Noon/10.30-12.00
Knowledge Sessions (computer labs
are an additional fee)
1:30-3 p.m./13.30-15.00
Knowledge Sessions (computer labs
are an additional fee)
3:30-5 p.m./15.30-17.00
TradeDifferent
6-9 p.m./18.00-21.00
Moon Palace
Facts >>
Look no further than Moon Palace Golf
& Spa Resort for action and excitement.
Eight outdoor pools, two of them freestyle, are among Mexico’s largest pools.
Each winds its way along the beach for
more than 650 feet with Jacuzzis, swimup bars and children’s areas. In addition,
the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
offers golfers excellent greens on par
with some of Mexico’s top courses. Other
activity options include a meditation garden, beach volleyball, six tennis courts
and a water sports marina.
One+ ONSITE
So what can you do to communicate with these
folks when strangling isn’t an option? Attend this
session, and you’ll learn how you can change your approach and have them (practically) eating out of your
hand. Really!
Stop asking when what you mean to do is tell. Stop
telling when what you need to do is ask. You’ll learn
which words create commitment and which words are
One thing you can plan on when you’re planning
like talking into thin air.
an event: some people will be difficult to deal with.
Understand why people react to you the way they
Whether it’s because they’re inexperienced or overly
do, what you can do about it and how you can comexperienced, control freaks or insecure, simply don’t
municate to win them over. You’ll leave this one-hour
session able to concentrate on the stuff that matters
(your perfect event) instead of on the stuff that makes
you want to scream.
Get up early and plan to attend “Dealing with Difficult People” at 7:30-8:30 a.m./07.30-08.30 today with
Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, who has been compared to
Red Bull, but better for you. She is an MPI Platinum
speaker, a published author (Power Sales Writing and
understand or are too full of themselves, they hurt
productivity and cause stress all around. Cantankerous How to Say It to Sell It!) and a great tweeter (@Speakclients, difficult delegates and beastly bosses just make erSue). Check out her blog at www.speakerSueSays.
com and her Web site at www.speakerSue.com.
life more difficult.
Session Preview:
Dealing with
Difficult People
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Having trouble deciphering? See Tuesday’s One+ OnSite for the answer.
8
ONE+ ONSITE MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22
Save the
Children
You can support local organization Save the
Children anytime today and pay with just time
and effort.
“Come out of your sessions, help stuff a few
backpacks, grab a snack and make your way
to your next session,” says Keri Dool, meeting
manager for MeetDifferent. “There is no fee to
participate in the project, but you can choose to
donate if you desire.”
Save the Children provides a wide range of
programs
across the
globe including training
new mothers with prenatal care, supplying lifesaving immunizations for young children, building
schools in developing countries and improving literacy and nutrition. The group launched Rewrite
the Future, a campaign that has given more than
10 million children in conflict-affected countries
access to improved education and reunited more
than 7,000 children with their families after Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar.
For more information on the organization,
visit www.savethechildren.org. And look for the
Save the Children community service area today at
MeetDifferent.
One+ ONSITE
Session Preview:
Managing the Job
The project management profession is expected to experience dramatic growth over the next decade, as the
world economy is increasingly dominated by projects,
according to Project Management Circa 2025. The
29-chapter book published by the Project Management Institute (PMI) delves into globalization, space
exploration, U.S. defense acquisition, project portfolio
management and sustainable manufacturing.
A 2008 study by the Anderson Economic Group
forecasts that by 2016 demand for employees in
projectized industries will jump to 32.6 million, an
increase of 33 percent over demand in 2006. Project
Management Circa 2025 details expected technological, economic political and competitive changes and
identifies future trends and major characteristics that
are implied by these predicted changes.
“Growth and change can make looking ahead
a real challenge. As a result, it’s imperative that we
carefully consider the future impact of environmental
forces on our profession,” said Mark Langley, COO
and executive vice president for PMI. “Project Management Circa 2025 reveals how those of us who work
in and serve the project management profession can
think strategically about how the landscape will evolve
in the years to come.”
For great project management tips, attend “Project
Management Tools, Techniques and Best Practices”
from 1:30-3 p.m./13.30-15.00 today.
SPEED
“The original layout was planners facing
suppliers,” he said. “Logistically, this was really
difficult and counterproductive to the bare essence
of what speed networking is about—meeting new
colleagues. We are all part of this industry and do
not have to be pitted on one side or another. The
MeetDifferent delegates increased the size of their
person in front of you may be your ‘competitor,’
networks without all the stress and time with
but in reality that person is a colleague who can
industry expert Eli Gorin during an event on
refer business to you as well.”
Saturday. And while the idea may be new to the
Gorin also asked them to arrive prepared.
meetings sector, it’s really nothing new at all.
Speed Networking is about presenting yourself.
“I first took part in a speed networking proDelegates came ready to give their 60-second
gram a few years ago at a marketing council
elevator speeches (in a really slow elevator).
meeting,” Gorin said. “Making the initial break“It’s about
through to meet new
what really makes
people can be tough,
you stand out in a
and often people
“We are all part of this industry
crowd,” Gorin said.
aren’t inclined to just
“With those two
go up to someone and
and do not have to be pitted on
things in mind, parstart talking or even
one
side
or
another.
The
person
ticipants met people
go to evening functhey may never have
tions where they can
in front of you may be your
met in the traditional
meet new people.”
‘competitor,’ but in reality that
networking scene and
The speed network
possibly ended up
advantage is that
person is a colleague who can
with a new client, a
participants are guarrefer
business
to
you
as
well.”
new business partner
anteed to meet new
or even just a new
people. In a one-hour
–
Eli
Gorin,
friend.”
time frame, attendees
Speed Networking Facilitator
For Gorin, leaving
see as many as 20 new
a speed networking
faces in three-minute
session with 20 new
intervals. It limits talk
business cards from
time.
colleagues who share the same passion toward the
“We all have been there where we meet somemeeting industry that he does is the best positive
one new and the brief introduction turns into a
outcome. It’s important to remember, he said, that
30-minute conversation,” Gorin said. “In that
the program wasn’t about selling anything. It was
amount of time, there could have been more netabout opening the door to getting to know a new
working done.”
Gorin encouraged his participants to come with colleague. Where that door leads is up to those
who attended.
an open mind.
Networking
What’s New at MPI
10
ONE+ ONSITE MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22
FFutureWatch 2010
Community ECOS
M
Meetings
will be held closer to home in 2010 with
fewer attendees traveling long distances, according to
fe
the eighth edition of FutureWatch, sponsored by MPI
th
and American Express. The annual report highlights
an
trends and competitive factors that shape the future of
tre
the meeting industry. Other findings include the folth
lowing.
lo
• Organizational performance from meetings will
continue to be a major focus for planners
• CSR will remain important to organizations and
may become a differentiator for companies and
associations that can demonstrate strong,
sustainable commitment to sustainable programs
• U.S.-based planners are expected to plan 21
percent more meetings while spending 3.5
percent less per event
A copy of the FutureWatch 2010 Executive
Summary is available to MPI members at no cost at
Su
www.mpiweb.org.
w
The MPI Foundation Canada and partner AVWTELAV recently launched a pilot social initiative,
Events for Communities of Sustainability (ECOS),
designed to integrate social responsibility between
chapters and their communities. The program
focuses on food, water, shelter and education to
which many people in local communities lack
access. For example, the MPI Greater Calgary
Chapter recently ran a successful program supporting the Interfaith Food Bank. The chapter
provided volunteers, and AVW-TELAV provided
trucks and drivers. Together, they helped collect
more than 32,000 pounds of food for the Food
Bank worth CAD$64,000 and helped feed more
than 1,000 people. Other chapters, with the support of AVW-TELAV, are planning similar projects
between now and March.
Worth a Thousand Words ...
All conference photos by Reflections Photography Inc.,
www.reflections-photo.com.
MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22 ONE+ ONSITE 13
One+ ONSITE
Sunday Keynote
IMEX Launches U.S. Show
continued from page 1
continued from page 1
“Guess what?” he asked the morning crowd, “The world
governments think Cancun is a great place for meetings.”
Two powerful industry forces shared encouraging news
and tales detailing how economies and businesses are
recovering.
Dario Flota, under secretary of tourism for the state
of Quintana Roo, Mexico, said he expects to see meeting
and event industry-specific recovery reflected in the coming
months.
We’re moving from a state of contraction to “show me the
results,” according to Ann Godi, CMP, MPI chairwoman and
president of Benchmarc360°, professing the return of business events in the meeting industry. Godi declared innovation
a key driver of success, a significant point that Gutsche later
reinforced.
Gutsche focused on the need for meeting professionals to
make events so good that people are driven to discuss them.
Share the reality (or perception, if needed) of how your meeting or event is the world’s greatest in its market. Packaged accordingly, you’ll connect with your audience in this powerful
way and your story will travel faster.
partner in IMEX America to provide compelling
educational experiences to the entire meetings and
events industry as part of this tremendous new
marketplace opportunity,” MacMillan said.
The U.S. show will also reproduce IMEX
Group’s iconic Politicians Forum.
“During discussions with leading industry
colleagues in the U.S., it became apparent that
creating such a politicians forum during IMEX
America would be beneficial and well supported,”
Bloom said. “We will work closely with the key
industry trade associations to create an American
Politicians Forum in Las Vegas. Our seven years
of experience with the Forum in Frankfurt can
be used to great effect here—adding extra weight
For those who may have missed Gutsche’s session or the URL he shared
for further free trend-spotting and viral messaging for MeetDifferent
attendees, visit www.trendhunter.com/secret/meetdifferent.
14
ONE+ ONSITE MeetDifferent 2010 • Monday, February 22
and voice to U.S. cross-party lobbying efforts and
the momentum behind such campaigns as Meetings
Mean Business.”
The IMEX America Forum will deliver similar
benefits to the original Frankfurt event, encouraging destinations, convention centers, associations
and others to nominate their local or national
elected officials for a free invitation to a dedicated
one-day event during the trade show. The aim is to
improve officials’ understanding of the economic
strength and importance of the meetings and events
industry and to highlight the long-term benefits it
can provide to their communities. The forum also
provides an invaluable opportunity for politicians
and industry leaders to dialogue and network.
We Have a Winner
Congratulations to Jenna Hustad from the Doubletree San Jose, winner of the Luxury Prize Package available to those who signed up for MeetDifferent before the discounted early registration rates expired. The
prize: round-trip airfare to Puerto Vallarta on Mexicana Airlines and a four-day, three-night, all-inclusive
stay for two at the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit All Suites & Spa Resort.