Chapter President’s Memo
November Edition
RECAPS, UPDATES & NEWS
PEC-NA 2007
Chapter Events
Below is a schedule of chapter leader events prior to the conference
Saturday, January 20, 2007
President/ President Elect Forum & Breakfast
7:30a.m. – 8:45a.m.
Breakfast- IBOD, Presidents, and Presidents Elect
This breakfast will focus on year to date achievements. Please come prepared
to discuss successes in the execution of the 2006-2007 Business Plan. You will
be seated with your respective IBOD contact.
9:00a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
President/President-Elect Forum
(Joining CLF at 11:30)
Presidents and Presidents Elect will then join Terri Breining for an interactive
session.
You are encouraged to stay and participate in the Chapter Leadership
Forum.
Chapter Leadership Forum (CLF)
9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m.
Chapter Leadership Forum: Welcome & Overview
10:00a.m. - 12:30p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
12:30p.m. – 2:00p.m.
Networking Lunch
2:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Team-Building to Make a Difference
Following the Chapter Leadership Forum and luncheon chapter leaders will have
the opportunity to flex their teambuilding skills working together with the New
Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, by assisting with painting and carpentry work
needed in rebuilding local area homes. Chapter leaders should plan on attending
all of the Saturday leadership sessions in jeans or casual attire appropriate for
this initiative.
**Attached is a promotional piece for the Chapter Leadership Forum that
has been created for chapters to utilize as a hand-out at monthly programs,
include in newsletters and e-blasts and upload on their websites. Your
assistance in spreading the word to promote this exciting event to your
chapter volunteers is greatly appreciated.
Chapter Presidents- Special Room Block
Chapter Presidents, we have reserved a special room block for you at the Hilton
New Orleans Riverside! Due to limited space, these rooms will be offered to you
on a first come, first served basis! Please visit the following link to reserve your
room by November 30, 2006.
http://www.mpiweb.org/CMS/mpiweb/pec2007/travelform.aspx
Satellite Events
MPI realizes the value of networking with current or potential clients outside of
the conference events during the Professional Education Conference - North
America. In our efforts to partner with you and provide a return on investment to
our host cities, MPI is tracking all events held in conjunction with MPI meetings.
We will also use this process to help you secure the venues of your choice for
your events. If you are planning a satellite event, please visit the following link
and complete your tracking form by December 15th.
www.mpiweb.org/cms/mpiweb/pec2007/pectemplate.aspx?id=6635
MPI Foundation says “Thank you!”
We can never say thank you enough! That's why the MPI Foundation needs your
voice. We want to express appreciation to our foundation donors in your chapter.
Each month, your MPI Foundation Chapter Liaison receives a list of donors from
your chapter. We ask that you take any and all opportunities to relay the
Foundation’s gratitude to these donors for their support and remind them that
their donation is reinvested in programs and research that directly effects the
chapter and its members
Thank YOU for directing your members to Kathi Wenrich, MPI Foundation
Development Manager, at kwenrich@mpiweb.org with any questions or concerns
regarding their donation.
The Platinum Program:
Sponsored by Canadian Tourism Commission and Partners
Chapter Presidents, we want to ask that you remind your VP’s of Education that
the Platinum Program is currently sponsored by the Canadian Tourism
Commission (CTC) and its partners. It is important that this message be
communicated to those responsible for the marketing of this program to include
promotions in your handouts, website, collateral and other marketing materials.
Also, let them know that they may be contacted by a representative of the CTC to
coordinate a representative attending this meeting. Through this partnership
they are allowed one complimentary registration, a table for their collateral, and
the opportunity to deliver a 3 minute welcome speech prior to the presentation.
DATES TO REMEMBER
January 1
2nd phase Education Plans due to International
January 20-23
Professional Education Conference- North America
New Orleans, LA
March 18-20
Professional Education Conference- Europe
Copenhagen, Denmark
SPEAKING POINTS
MPI Chapter Presidents Speaking Points for November 2006
Please announce these updates at your monthly chapter program, at board
meetings, on your Web site and in all chapter communications. By reinforcing
these strategic key messages and MPI updates, you will help bridge the gap
between the local and headquarters level, and more importantly, communicate
the value and ROI for membership in MPI. Contact Kathryn Goldstein, MPI
Director of Communications at 972-702-3071 or kgoldstein@mpiweb.org with
any questions.
Community Network News (CNN)
The purpose of CNN is to inform MPI members about events that impact their
business. We want to hear from all MPI chapters and clubs. We can all learn
from each other.
What is appropriate for CNN?.. Important chapter events, educational sessions,
etc.
What’s not appropriate for CNN?... Chapter meetings, promotions, etc.
If you have information you would like to see posted in the weekly CNN, please
send an e-mail to Kathryn Goldstein at Kgoldstein@mpiweb.org.
Membership Categories
It is important that our members update their membership categories so that all
the information in our computer system is accurate. These categories provide
invaluable information to help MPI create useful and effective professional
development sessions. It is easy and fast. Just go to www.mpiweb.org, login and
confirm or change the membership category. Please contact the Resource
Center if you have any questions.
The new categories are: Corporate Meeting Professional; Association/Non-Profit
Meeting Professional; Government Meeting Professional; Supplier Meeting
Professional; and Meeting Management Professional. Members currently listed
as Retired; Student; Faculty; Life; and Honorary members will remain in that
category.
New Passport Rules – Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Here's the latest information on the new deadlines to make your trip planning
easier.
If you're planning to fly to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda or Central or
South America, you'll need a passport starting Jan. 8, 2007.
If you're planning a cruise or a road trip, things get a bit confusing. The U.S. will
not require a passport for sea or land trips until at least Jan. 1, 2008, and
possibly as late as June 1, 2009. However, if you have to fly back to the U.S. for
any reason during your trip, the passport requirements for air travel apply.
Best Bet? If you plan to travel internationally, get a passport now for you and
your family. If you don't have a passport or need to renew, go to
www.travel.state.gov.
New passport holders will need to apply in person. You'll need two photos, proof
of citizenship (such as a certified copy of your birth certificate) and valid photo
identification such as a driver's license.
If you need to renew your passport, it can be done online
Experience the Extraordinary
Professional Education Conference-North America 2007
Jan. 20 - 23, 2007 in New Orleans, LA,
This promises to be a banner year as MPI returns to New Orleans! We
encourage you to register soon and benefit from the early-bird registration
special.
Take advantage of the numerous opportunities to network with your peers,
exchange ideas and build your business savvy.
And you don’t want to miss out on the city of New Orleans! Take a tour of the city
on Saturday and Wednesday. Or help rebuild a New Orleans school on
Wednesday. For more information please visit the MPI Web site at
www.mpiweb.org.