Issue 1—2010 Inside this issue… Social Media Demystified • Maintaining a Positive Attitude • Top 10 Things a New Exec Should Know • Highlights from the Membership Meeting and Panel Discussion page Springfield full page page 2 Executive Focus Issue 1—2010 Published quarterly by: Missouri Society of Association Executives 722 East Capitol Ave. P.O. Box 1574 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Telephone: 573.659.8898 Fax: 573.635.7823 sboeckman@msae.net Submissions News items from our membership are welcome. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit and/or reject all materials received. Submissions may be condensed in order to fit the allotted space. Local photographs may be submitted by our members for consideration of cover placement. Please submit photo in high resolution and include a photo release. Deadline for submissions is the 15th of the month preceding publication. Advertising Advertising deadline is the 15th of the month preceding publication. For advertising rates or information contact MSAE office at 573.659.8898. The appearance of advertisers does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured by the Missouri Society of Association Executives. On the Cover: In 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City was decommissioned after 168 years of operation. At the time of its closure, the penitentiary was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River. In the spring of 2009, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau reopened the doors to the Penitentiary and is now offering hard hat tours through many of the penitentiary buildings. The tour allows visitors to look at cells that were home to infamous inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and James Earl Ray. Tickets for the tour are $12 per person and can be purchased at www.MissouriPenTours.com or www.VisitJeffersonCity.com. Tickets are also available by calling toll free, (866) 998-6998 or locally (573) 632-2820. Social Media Demystified By Ted Janusz How can associations today benefit from using social media like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace? Janusz takes the mystery out of the top three sites. Focus on the Good Stuff By Paul Martin It's been said that what we think about we manifest; where we focus our energy determines what we produce. By being optimistic we are able to bring good things into our lives. Top 10 Things I’d Tell a New Exec By Robert Hall Speaking from experience, Hall relates the top ten things he believes all Association Executives should know. Member Focus Glavin Joins Graves & Associates, St. Louis Wins ASAE Convention Bid, Kistler Earns CAE Designation, Prison Tours in Jefferson City, Chateau Offers New Meetings Package, Branson Lakes Area CVB wins 2009 Inner Circle Award, The Lodge of Four Seasons Hires Kirtley, Lohman Hills Creative Presents Workshop, Kristin Thompson Joins Westin St. Louis MSAE Spotlight: Membership Meeting Departments 4 President’s Message 4 MSAE Board of Directors 6 Membership Application 12 Welcome New Members 19 Calendar of Events page 3 Board of Directors PRESIDENT: Ryan C. Rowden (573) 634-2941 Email: rowdenr@api.org PRESIDENT-ELECT: Linda Oligschlaeger (573) 638-2258 Email: lindao@mobar.org SECRETARY TREASURER: William Schwartz (573) 636-9455 Email: bschwartz@molagers.org IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Gwen Pelzer (573) 893-3700 Email: gpelzer@mail.mhanet.com BOARD MEMBERS: Patricia M. Barnett, CMP (314) 992-0645 pbarnett@explorestlouis.com Jennifer Bauer (573) 635-0830 E-Mail: jbauer@mo-afp.org Lee Bunch, (573) 632-6722 E-Mail: mscalee@socket.net Daniel P. Mehan (573) 634-3511 E-Mail: dmehan@mochamber.com Cindy Neff (660) 882-1468 Email: cynthia.neff@islecorp.com Jodi Winegar (573) 634-4898 Email jwinegar@gallagherconsultants.com VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAMS: R. Dennis McClelland CAE, RCE, CMP (573) 445-8400 E-Mail: rdennismcclelland@morealtor.com VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP: Doug Smith (573) 636-3188 Email: dsmith@agcmo.org VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATION: Jennifer Baker (573) 893-2060 E-Mail: jennifer@mohealthcare.com FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES: Ron L. Fitzwater, CAE (573) 636-7522 Email: ron@morx.com Brenda S. Roling (573) 636-2822 Email: brenda.roling@embarqmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Sandra C. Boeckman (573) 659-8898 Email: sboeckman@msae.net From Your President First off, I hope everyone is staying warm, I am praying that when this letter reaches your desk warm weather will be right behind it! I hope everyone enjoyed our February workshop entitled “Planning and Surviving Challenging Times” and I want to thank our panelists who helped make it a success. The panelists included Jennifer Baker, Lorah Steiner, Katie Steele Danner, Carol Kemna, Jan Neitzert, Gayla Welsh and Ed Stroesser who did a wonderful job. There was a great cross section of people within our industry who helped moderate the discussion and I hope you took something away. These are challenging times for associations and there is no better time to get involved with MSAE to help guide your group through these difficult times. Our next workshop “Maximizing Technology during Challenging Times” is scheduled for April 23rd and is shaping up to be a very interesting program on “Social Media”. Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn are becoming a great tool for people to use in our business. We have some of the industry’s best coming to show us how to put these tools to work. I find these workshops to be an integral part of what MSAE does for our membership and I hope all of you will make plans to attend. And finally, MSAE is also holding a CEO Breakfast at each of our workshops and I hope you will mark your calendars for the next breakfast. In February Dave Drebes, political prognosticator and owner of MOScout lead the discussion and painted a picture of the legislative and political landscape over at the capitol for those in attendance. Dave did a wonderful job and I want to thank him for giving up some of his time to lead the discussion. We will be putting together the next CEO breakfast for April and would love to see you there. The CEO breakfast is a great opportunity to discuss important topics with your peers. As always, thank you for allowing me to serve and I look forward to seeing all of you at our next MSAE event! —Ryan page 4 By: Ted Janusz I hear people talking about Web sites like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. What are they? And, even more importantly, should I be using them to promote my association? First, you are not alone. A recent Harris Interactive / LinkedIn Research Network survey showed that 69 percent of American adults did not know enough about Twitter to even have an opinion. Tools like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace are components of something else you may have heard people talking about: Web 2.0, a popular term for Internet applications in which the users are actively engaged in creating and distributing Web content. Web 1.0 probably consisted of the Web sites you saw back in the late 90s, which were nothing more than fancy electronic brochures. Web 1.5 would have been something like Amazon or eBay, sites on which one could buy, sell and leave reviews. What Web 3.0 will look like is anybody's guess! Let's look specifically at the three applications that you mentioned. (Continued on page 7) page 5 Membership Application MSAE Can Take You There! Among the member benefits of MSAE are the Education Programs, Bi-monthly meetings, Speakers Showcase and Meeting Planners Trade Show. At any one of these events you'll learn about topics affecting association management. In addition to great business meetings, MSAE hosts terrific social events like the annual FunFest Golf Tournament and Christmas party and much more. What's even better is that these functions go to support the MSAE Foundation, which provides scholarships to Missouri students. page 6 (Continued from page 5) Tweet, Tweet “Twitter is like text messaging, only you can also do it from the Web," says Dan Tynan, the author of the Tynan on Tech blog. "Instead of sending a message to just one person, you can send it to thousands of people at once. You can choose to follow anyone's update (called "tweets") simply by clicking the Follow button on their profile, or vice-versa. The only rule is that each tweet can be no longer than 140 characters." States is Yahoo, followed by YouTube. The third most visited site, is Facebook, followed by MySpace. YouTube was started by three former employees of PayPal, and then sold to Google about a year later for $1.65 billion dollars. Unlike the other sites we'll discuss that allow for the posting of words To have to business success on YouTube do not post a video of your company president in a head shot saying blahblah-blah. Nobody will view it. To be noticed on YouTube, be sure to be humorous, offbeat or very personal. According to ComScore, Twitter is the fastestgrowing major Web site in the United States with 25 million registered users. That's up 3,000% from a year ago. This is fine, but what is the business application of Twitter? In the past, says Natalie L. Pethouhoff, an analyst at Forrester Research, companies would depend on focus groups to get the reactions of customers during a twohour session that can cost $10,000 to $15,000. Now companies like Comcast, Dell, HR Block, Kodak, Southwest Airlines and Whole Foods can "follow" what real customers are saying about them in real time. And they can answer questions and resolve complaints from real customers immediately, if they so choose. The Toledo Blade even sends tweets that are fast-breaking headlines, along with "tiny URLs," which are links back to the full story. Top Four Web sites According to Google Trends, the number one Web site in the United Diet Coke + Mentos - Check out the geysers this combination creates! While Coca-Cola stayed away from promoting this phenomenon (perhaps out of fear of litigation), Perfetti (the maker of Mentos) jumped in with both feet, posting both a large link to YouTube on its Web site and sponsoring its own contest. In the process, they sold a lot of mints. and photos, YouTube is the number one video-sharing Web site. Best of all, you can post your video on the site for free. A simple Flip video camera (priced at under $150 on Amazon.com) can do the trick for you. What is the business application of YouTube? Let's examine some successful examples: Blendtec - a Utah-based manufacturer of blenders posted a series of videos entitled "Will it Blend?" In these videos the company attempted to pulverize items such as golf balls and iPods. The first eight episodes resulted in three million downloads in a week. Even better for Blendtec, they sold out of the $600 blender - in the first 24 hours. And take good care of your customer. What kind of damage do you think United Airlines' customer Dave Carroll has done with his video "United Breaks Guitars" on YouTube? So far the video has over 5 million hits. You might want to use the video to teach proper customer service to your staff. According to ComScore, in May 2009, Facebook for the first time surpassed MySpace in the number of users in the United States. Facebook also stands as the number two Website in the rest of the world (behind YouTube), surpassing MySpace internationally in April 2008. Since its usage has doubled in the last year, total Facebook users outnumber MySpace users worldwide, by 350 million to 130 million. Facebook was originally created by Mark Zuckerberg, intended for use by his fellow students of Harvard University as "The Facebook." It was (Continued on page 8) page 7 (Continued from page 7) meant to be an online replacement of the book one receives as freshmen when entering college or university containing photos and other information about the new freshman classmates. Within 30 days, about half of the students of Harvard had a profile on the site. Facebook soon spread to other Boston area colleges. Presently, approximately 85 percent of all college students have a presence on Facebook. others having similar likes and dislikes. The site was initially popular with bands, who didn't want to go through the hassle of creating and maintaining a web site, but sought a way to distribute their music, photographs, videos and other information to their fans and would-be fans. MySpace usage has since spread like wildfire to people of all interests and ages. MySpace initially appealed to teenagers, but now half of Facebook has been able to overtake MySpace as the number one social networking site in the world because it no longer has the stigma that it is "just for high school or college students." Anyone may now join Facebook. Sites like MySpace and Facebook are so popular because social networking allows so much more than email or text messaging. In addition to writing on someone else's "wall" on Facebook, you can also share photographs and videos. With over a billion photos and over 14 million added each day, Facebook is the number one photosharing site on the Internet. At a glance, you can see what all of your "friends" are up to. And because you choose your friends on Facebook, you can virtually eliminate spam which composes up to 90% of all e-mail. How can you put it all together? According to USA Today, HarleyDavidson's corporate profiles on MySpace (36,000 friends) and Facebook (175,000 fans) let it solicit comments from fiercely loyal customers. Harley also uses Twitter and produces videos of its motorcycles on YouTube. The New Free TV? There is a danger for businesses to want to view the social networking sites as a television alternative since they can advertise on them for free. "If you are going to go there, you had better go for the right reasons," says Seth Godin, author of the best-selling book on marketing, Purple Cow. "And if your reason is to sell more stuff, please don't bother. It's not going to work.” the visitors to the site are age 35 or older as the site's demographic composition continues to shift. What is the business application of MySpace? Successful marketing using any of the Web 2.0 applications means an ad cannot look like an ad or else it will be rejected immediately by the social networking visitors. Your customers What is the business on average are subjected to 1,500 to application of Facebook? 5,000 advertising impressions each People have a "profile" on Facebook, day. Since they have successfully whereas a business has a "page." You learned how to block most of these and I can have "friends" on Facebook, interruptions, they are six times more while a business has “fans”. How likely to read an article from you than businesses on Facebook can really an advertisement. benefit is by soliciting the trusted referrals of their friends, which is To see how companies have something missing from the successfully launched a presence on monologue of advertising. MySpace, check out Cartier International (www.myspace.com/ MySpace lovebycartier). But for my favorite, look for Miss Helga, a spokesperson Tom Anderson and Chris DeWolfe for Volkswagen (www.myspace.com/ designed a Web site to provide a service at no charge to regular people misshelga). looking for a way to connect with On the other hand, if you can use social networking sites as ways to connect to real people, just for that sake alone, then it's a great way to spend a half hour a day." Godin concludes, "And what we are finding, as a by-product of that is yes, in fact, your business will do better, because you are a trusted member of the community." Ted Janusz is a professional speaker, author and marketing consultant, who presents “Web 2.0 How to Harness the Power of Social Networking to Grow Your Business.” Janusz has been invited to appear on the Geraldo show on FOX News Network. A featured speaker at the 2008 International Association of Administrative Professionals conference, he has also presented dozens of Creative Marketing Conferences across the country for Rockhurst University and was a keynote speaker for the 2009 Independent Computer Consultants Association conference in San Francisco. Janusz was selected by eBay to conduct “eBay University” seminars nationwide. His Website is: www.januspresentations.com page 8 By: Paul Martin A pessimist continually finds himself in a place he'd rather not be, while the optimist counts her blessings for all she's been given. This is attitude at its finest. It's been said that what we think about we manifest; where we focus our energy determines what we produce. "If you think you can't do something, you're right," said Henry Ford. A pessimist continually finds himself in a place he'd rather not be, while the optimist counts her blessings for all she's been given. This is attitude at its finest. Attitude When you put your feet on the floor each morning, you're on a mission— you feel driven. The day's plan may include promoting a cause, planning a board meeting or applying for a grant. Or you may face more administrative tasks such as reprimanding an employee or preparing a financial statement. Whatever it might be, it is your attitude that will determine the level of difficulty you experience. Approach tasks by being open to a beneficial experience and outcome. For instance, while enrolling members you might meet a likeminded friend. While filing paperwork, you just might come up with that novel idea. I come up with most of my ideas while grinding out miles riding my bike or running for hours at a time as I prepare for my next race. Expect Success Optimism goes a long way when it comes to staying the course in the face of a daunting challenge. Expect things to go your way, know that you will complete the task, that you will reach your goal, that you will deliver when called upon. Things will come together for you, often from unexpected places, when you stay open-minded while giving all you’ve got. I am training for a race in South Africa in May. I will run the 56-mile Comrades Marathon, the world’s oldest ultra-distance foot race. I’ve never run more than 26.2...but I’m dedicated to training and convinced I will complete it. I know that I won’t actually enjoy all the training and will surely find myself in great physical and mental discomfort over the course of that 10-plus hour event, but that’s now what I think about. (Continued on page 10) page 9 (Continued from page 9) I think about the glory of the finish line! Put your head where you want to be and the rest of you will follow. Expect Hardship It has also been said—probably by your parents and bosses—that nothing comes easy. That's a given in the vast majority of all things of value. We are a goal-oriented society—especially characteristic of the volunteers and staff members working in membership organizations. This outlook has been with us since the birth of our nation. Thankfully, our country’s founding mothers and fathers looked past the hardships and kept their eyes on the prize. Approach your pursuits prepared for physical, mental and emotional difficulty—don’t forget to bring a little patience—and you'll find these bumps hardly phase you. Those who expect smooth sailing experience the opposite; they will surely fight a storm. Responsibility You have a responsibility to complete your tasks not only for yourself but also for the benefit of others who rely on you at work, home and community. Accepting responsibility with the knowledge that others are counting on you will lighten the heaviest loads. I’m running the 56-mile race as member of Team World Vision, 18 individuals each charged with generating 100 people, groups, or entities to sponsor an African child. The knowledge that my team and those children are counting on me brings ample energy to take this daunting task to successful completion. Make It A Habit Optimism is a habit, it’s part of one’s personality. For example, when getting to know someone, an optimist will focus on one’s qualities—not shortcomings. By looking for the good, the door is open to greatness. And I think Mr. Ford might agree that great vision calls for seeing what is possible. Paul Martin is a frequent speaker for associations, chambers and business. He is a leg amputee, Ironman triathlete and silver and bronze medallist at the Athens Paralympic Games. He can be contacted at paul@paulmartinspeaks.com or 508-3978406. page 10 Top Ten Things I’d Tell a New Association Executive By: Robert A. Hall, CAE, Executive Director, American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons With a long career behind me, including carrying a rifle for Uncle Sam in Vietnam, five terms in the Massachusetts Senate, and 28 years as an association executive, the calendar suggests that my long march through life is closer to the finish than the beginning. In fact, for the last couple of years, time has fled with such celerity that the “march” feels more like an out-of-control hiker pounding breakneck down a steep trail, unable to slow down and flailing his arms to maintain balance. 1. Finances. Work hard to get a solid understanding of association finances as a body of knowledge, and your association’s finances in particular. If things are going sour, you better be the first person to know it, and do something about it. Pointing at the CPA or bookkeeper and saying, “That’s not my job” won’t cut it. You may be running a non-profit, but if it operates at a continual loss, it will go bankrupt just like a business, and it’s doubtful the government will decide you are “too big to fail.” Money pays for the party. much as you do about your own, you will not have a great team. And never let association members abuse your staff by swearing at them or denigrating them. If it costs you your job to stand up for your staff, the job wasn’t worth having. 4. Leadership. There are a lot of factors to leadership, but a fellow named Lewis Burwell Puller boiled them down to three: 1. Be proficient at your job (or your followers won’t respect you). 2. Set the example. (If you always arrive late, leave early and fudge your expenses reports, you’ll get I have the consolation that with age comes wisdom. That consolation dies 2. Bylaws. Be the most knowledgeable lax staff members too.) 3. Look out for person in the organization about your the welfare of your subordinates. (If each day with the first stupid thing I do, but each night I try to breathe life bylaws and policies. Yes, chances are you are the big hog at the trough at raise and bonus time, you’ll get the they are complex, and you will forget into it. Regardless, I’ve been around kind of loyalty you deserve.) No one things in them—I still do. But having long enough that younger peers do the board discover you are operating has yet put it better. ask me for advice—I have recently in violation of the bylaws is not career been asked to counsel two association colleagues on their enhancing. And it won’t be their fault. 5. The future. The volunteers want great things to happen today, on their careers. watch. But whose job is it to ensure 3. Staff. Your staff is a reflection of That led me to think about the sort of you, because it’s your job to build the that the association is strong and vibrant in ten or twenty years? Yours. staff. Yes, sometimes you inherit advice I’d offer a person just things that association politics prevent You have to balance achieving today’s embarking on the wonderful, evermission with building the financial you from fixing. Nevertheless, team changing and sometimes-frustrating building is your job. Staff development reserves and infrastructure for the career we call association future. You have to ensure that the is your job. Developing their future management. For what it’s worth, here are ten thoughts, in no particular careers ten years from now is your job association has strong policies, strong too. Unless you care about the welfare governance and a strong brand. That order. and development of your staff as (Continued on page 16) page 11 Laura Glavin Joins Graves & Associates Laura Glavin has joined Graves and Associates, CPAs, LLC, Jefferson City, working in tax and auditing. Laura has 5 years of accounting experience and is working on her CPA exam. She is originally from North County St. Louis, and along with her husband, Toby, and their daughter, Lexi, they are enjoying living in Jefferson City. St. Louis Wins ASAE Convention Bid for 2011 St. Louis has won the bid to host the 2011 ASAE convention and the Convention & Visitors Commission is now seeking volunteers to serve on committees during the planning process. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Patricia M. Barnett, CMP, at the St. Louis CVC (pbarnett@explorestlouis.com or 800.325.7962). Help show ASAE how excited St. Louis is about this opportunity! Committees: Transportation, Marketing & Promotion, Public Relations & Media, Volunteer Recruitment & Assignment, Social Media James W. Kistler Earns CAE Designation James Kistler is currently President and CEO of the Heart of America Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. ABC is a national organization representing more than 25,000 member businesses in Kansas and Missouri who believe in open competition and free enterprise. James Kistler completed the U.S. Chamber Institute of Organization Management (IOM) program in January of 2009 and received the national designation of Certified Association Execution (CAE) in January of 2010. James Kistler previously served as Executive Vice President of Associated Industries of Missouri and as Executive Vice President and a former Vice Chairman of the Missouri Transportation and Development Council. While with Associated Industries of Missouri, he served as the director for the Missouri Business and Industry Health Council, Executive Director of Taxpayers Research Institute of Missouri, co-chair of the state School to Work Advisory Committee, a member of the state Drug and Alcohol Summit subcommittee on workplace safety and as a member of the state Business and Labor Ad Hoc Committee. James Kistler has served as a special representative of the state of Missouri in a multi-state task force examining the role of state government regarding employee skill shortages and training. He previously served as Director of Government Relations for the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons where he served on committees dealing with Medicaid reimbursement, managed care and professional relations. Prior to that, Mr. Kistler worked with governmental compliance and policy with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture. page 12 Prison Tours Continue to be a Popular Attraction in Jefferson City In 2004, the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City was decommissioned after 168 years of operation. At the time of its closure, the penitentiary was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River. In the spring of 2009, the Jefferson City Convention and Visitors Bureau reopened the doors to the Penitentiary and is now offering hard hat tours through many of the penitentiary buildings. Visitors begin the tour by entering the penitentiary through the same building the inmates did. The tour allows visitors to look at many of the cells, including the cells that were home to infamous inmates such as heavyweight champion Sonny Liston and James Earl Ray. Also featured on the tour is the gas chamber where 40 inmates were executed, the buried cells, several housing units and the upper yard. In addition to the prison tours, Ice shows, adventure races, outdoor movies and spectacular theater productions await those who visit Jefferson City in 2010. Jefferson City, once again, has put together a full lineup of special events throughout the year, many of which are free. Some of the newer events to be added Jefferson City’s calendar are Thursday Night Live concerts on the streets of downtown, “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Movie Series, Show-Me Beer Festival and the Capital City Cookoff barbecue competition. The capitol grounds plays host to many events such as the Cultural Concerts in August and September and the Outdoor Movie Series set up in the shadow of the capitol dome in June, July and August. Jefferson City’s events are perfectly suited for those with a tight budget because the majority of them are free, including long-running, annual events such as Salute to America Fourth of July Celebration, Kidsfest, Harvestfest, Oktoberfest, Governor’s Mansion Candlelight Tours and Living Windows Christmas Showcase. For specific details on all of Jefferson City’s events, or to purchase tickets for the prison tours, go to www.VisitJeffersonCity.com. page 13 Branson Lakes Area CVB wins Association Meetings 2009 Inner Circle Award Association Meetings magazine readers voted for the top CVB’s – those that provided the best service to their meetings and conventions during the past 12 months. This is the 18th year for the Inner Circle Awards. This year, the award was presented to only 15 Convention and Visitors Bureaus nationwide. The Branson Lakes Area CVB won the award for the third consecutive year and they are the only CVB in the state of Missouri to receive this honor. Chateau Offers Meetings on a Higher Level The AAA Four-Diamond Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center, which sits on an Ozark mountaintop overlooking Branson, Missouri’s scenic Table Rock Lake, is offering a “Meetings On A Higher Level” package with seven enticing incentives for groups. The 301-room resort boasts one of Missouri’s largest convention centers, with 43,500 square feet of flexible meeting space, and the ability to host groups of 10 to 3,000. Available to new programs booked and held at the resort by May 1, 2010, the “Meetings On A Higher Level” package includes seven incentives: the choice of a free meeting break, or wine & cheese reception, or continental breakfast; five free Spa Access passes at the resort’s world-class spa, for attendees; a free meeting room; three free VIP amenities; one free VIP upgrade to a suite at the group rate; free high-speed Internet access in all attendee guest rooms; and free garage parking for all attendees. Making it even more appealing is that room rates for the package start at just $99 per room, per night. The package is available to new groups with a minimum of 25 room nights. The offer is based on space availability and the availability of the incentive perks at the time of the contract signing. The incentive perks are one per program, and not one per day, and the offer may not be combined with any other special offer or promotion. Meeting rooms are assigned appropriately to group room nights booked. For information about the offer, call the resort’s Sales Department at 1-888-333-LAKE (5253) or (417) 3341161, or visit www.ChateauOnTheLake.com . The Lodge of Four Seasons Announces KC Kirtley as New St. Louis Group Sales Representative Growing up in South County St. Louis and having attended Oakville Senior High School, K.C. moved to the Lake area and completed her education at Camdenton High School and State Fair Community College. After college Kirtley served as a sales representative/ warehouse manager for V.I. Cards located in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. After missing the beautiful and ever changing seasons of Missouri, KC moved back to the Lake area and began her hospitality career at Dogwood Hills Golf Resort facilitating group golf stays, events and tournaments for three years. Kirtley joined The Lodge sales force in September of 2008 representing the SMERF market. K.C. and her fiancé, Charlie, reside in Camdenton, Missouri with their two children (Cole, a black Labrador and Izzie, a Boxer mix) and plan a late summer Lake area wedding. K.C. enjoys golf, camping, traveling and spending quality time with her family. As the St. Louis Group Sales representative for The Lodge of Four Seasons K.C. will handle the entire St. Louis market base including Corporate, Association and SMERF accounts. Kirtley will remain located on-site at The Lodge providing the highest possible level of service for her clients and will be visiting the St. Louis area regularly for sales calls. K.C. is excited to expand her market base “back home” to the St. Louis area and building relationships with meeting planners throughout her new region. For your St. Louis group meeting needs, or a personalized site tour please call K.C. Kirtley at The Lodge at 800-711-8983. page 14 Lohman Hills Creative Presents Workshop Lohman Hills Creative presented "Building Your Social Media Toolkit" at the Special Olympics Conference held January 16th at Tan-Tar-A. The presentation detailed ways in which organizations can use social media applications to expand their footprint, encourage new membership, and avoid pitfalls along the way. LHC is a creative shop located just outside Jefferson City, Missouri. They help their clients find creative, innovative solutions to the timeless problems encountered by businesses and organizations. They can be reached by email at gina@lohmanhills.com or by phone at 573.338.4177 Kristin Thompson Joins Westin St. Louis Kristin Thompson, CMP, has joined the Westin St. Louis as Sales Manager. Located in the historic Cupples Station section of St. Louis, The Westin St. Louis boasts a premiere setting. Enjoy the nearby federal courthouse, pedestrian mall, and famed Gateway Arch. Watch a Cardinals game at Busch stadium or just explore the city. Every aspect of Westin is carefully selected to create an emotional connection with their guests. Thier sensory welcome greets you with warm lighting, beautiful botanical arrangements, signature music, and calming white tea scent. Their Heavenly Bed® and Bath help you awaken refreshed and ready for the day ahead. Kristin can be reached at 314.552.5794 Welcome New Members Bridget Elrod, Kleertech, Fenton, MO Libby Huff, Sales Manager, Crowne Plaza Kansas, Kansas City, MO Angela Lang, Area Sales Manager, Drury Hotels, St. Louis, MO Emilee Mudd, Director of Communications, Missouri Health Care Association, Jefferson City, MO page 15 (Continued from page 11) can be a delicate balancing act for which you may not be thanked now or remembered when you are gone. And, yes, you may take some lumps and the next executive or a future board may fritter away what you’ve built after you are gone. Build anyway—duty is duty. 6. Ethics and moral courage. It is often wise to bite your tongue and go along with a policy or program pushed by the volunteers that you think may not be the best course. It is, as we say, their association. But it is never wise to agree to lie, or break the law, or compromise your ethics for them, even if it means your job. There are other jobs, but repairing your reputation and personal honor can be impossible. And one transgression against your character will lead to others. 7. The Board. You are not the official leader of the board and the other volunteers, but you are a leader, and they will need your guidance and good judgment. They have given you the honor of being their association executive, and they pay you. You owe them leadership, your best judgment and you owe them the truth. But the wise executive learns to phrase the truth diplomatically and respectfully. Someday I hope to be wise. And I have learned that, despite your best efforts, micromanaging happens. 8. It’s not about you. When I was a new executive, I read something I’ve always remembered, though I’ve, alas! forgotten the author: “An association executive should have his fingers on every pulse and his fingerprints on nothing.” That is, it is always the volunteers who deserve recognition and honors for the advancements of the association. Your recognition comes in your paycheck and the accomplishments you list on your resume. 9. Network. Ever year I know more about association management, but a smaller portion of what there is to know. As with every profession, the body of knowledge grows far faster than any one person can learn. But through ASAE, your local ASAE affiliate and informal groups of execs in your particular field or region, you can develop an amazing network of un-paid professional advisors, who know a lot more than you possibly can, about a wondrous array of subjects. Get involved, if only as a participant. Meet people you can call upon for advice and help. And give unstintingly of your own good ideas and experience to them, thus enriching the pool of knowledge. 10. Know when it’s time to go. The job that was perfect for you five years ago may not be right today. And sometimes the only solution to a bad situation is to be willing to walk away. The only job I’ve every regretted leaving was the Marines—and that’s my heart talking, not my head. New challenges can energize you and restore your creative flow and commitment. And if you can—and sometimes I can’t— try to shut the door softly behind you. Bob can be reached at 847-384-4373 or E-Mail: Bob@aahks.org Tan-Tar-A half page page 16 MSAE Spotlight Membership Meeting Moderator .......... Jennifer Baker, Manager of Education, Missouri Health Care Assn. CVB ............................................ Lorah Steiner, Executive Director, Columbia CVB Tourism......................Katie Steele Danner, Director, Missouri Division of Tourism Event Planning.... Carol Kemna, Executive Director, Missouri Physical Therapy Assn. CEO................... Jan Neitzert, Executive Director, Missouri Park and Recreation Assn. Hotel ...................................Gayla Welsh, Director of Sales, Lodge of Four Seasons Marketing......................................... Ed Stroesser, President, Communique’ Inc. Mark your calendars for the next Membership Meeting and Workshop April 23 Truman Hotel page 17 Hosted at the MSAE office at 722 East Capitol Avenue, your $20 registration includes lunch and learning with ASAE’s new webinar series. Space is limited so reserve yours today! Lodge 1/2 page page 18 Branson 1/4 pg St. Joe quarter page Calendar of Events 2010 MARCH 19 Board Meeting, MSAE Office MARCH 24 Lunch & Learn Webinar MSAE Office Lunch noon, webinar 12:30 pm JULY 20 Joint Meeting Planners Tradeshow Capitol Plaza Hotel AUGUST 6 Board Meeting., MSAE Office AUGUST 21-24 ASAE Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California APRIL 9 Board Meeting, MSAE Office SEPTEMBER 20 Board Meeting and Funfest. Meadow Lake Acres Country Club APRIL 23 Membership Meeting and Workshop Truman Hotel SEPTEMBER 21 Annual Meeting Truman Hotel MAY 21 Board Meeting, MSAE Office NO MEETINGS IN JUNE OCTOBER 1-2 Board Retreat Location TBA JULY 2 Board Meeting, MSAE Office For sponsorship opportunities call 573.659.8898 page 19 Sprinfield full page