MPI has been full of memories for me and the future will create many more. One of the memories (and traditions) we hope to create is an Annual Education Conference. After many years of talk and discussion, the MN and WI Chapters decided to move forward with the First Annual Midwest Education Conference. Is the timing right? The reviews are mixed, but if not now, when would be a good time? I have been meeting and talking with the WI Chapter President Tami Gilbertson for over a year, putting some ideas into place and gathering a committee from both chapters to give our memberships a dynamic program. We are thrilled with the slate put together by the committee chairs. Thanks to a Chapter Grant from MPI International, the MN and WI Chapters both received $5,000 to cover the cost of our speakers, including a keynote speaker from the US Travel Association. The goal is to hold this event regionally each year. We are already talking about holding the 2010 Education Conference in Minneapolis. I hope you can join us on November 11-12 to make new memories, new friends, see some new venues and gain great information We are still three weeks away from Thanksgiving, but I want to THANK each of you for being a part of MPI and the MN Chapter. It would not be the same without you. Happy Thanksgiving! BE BOLD, BE BRAVE, BE BRILLIANT!!!
As a relative “newbie” to the MN MPI, I was quite eager to get involved and feel very fortunate to be part of such a dynamic and welcoming community of event and meeting peers. A quick background: I have 12+ years in marketing communications with an emphasis in event and meeting planning for the past three years, and a strong interest in the social media marketing revolution. Certainly 2009 has proven to be a challenging year on many levels for so many folks. The constant media attention on the current state of the economic recession/ recovery, troop casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, the H1N1 flu epidemic, the highly controversial healthcare debate and the influx of fading reality TV stars who just won’t go way can take its toll on maintaining a daily positive outlook. All this can take its toll on seeing the positive in the world. I would challenge that these are reason enough to take stock and thoughtfully reflect on all that there IS to be grateful for: your career, your family & friends, community involvement, your health and the freedom you have as an American. Thanksgiving Day traditionally allows us an authentic moment to focus on gratitude, if only for one day before holiday obligations take over. It’s a time to celebrate with those we love, with real holiday joy, untouched by the cynicism of external media messaging. Give thanks and be glad. It’s also a time to remember those who may be alone or far away and reach out to them and show we care. Make an effort to provide hope and comfort to those in need. A little gratitude goes a long way, not just on Thanksgiving, but for the rest of the year. It helps us to find the everyday joy in our work and personal life that no amount of stuff can provide. So eat heartily at this year’s feast. Cheer extra loud at the football games. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Make great memories! As always, the Meeting of the Minds Newsletter is a great place to make your comments and opinions known. We would love to hear from you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Five dollars of each participant’s registration fee was donated to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. Thank you, Diane Pearson, got the event started and energized everyone. We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to our sponsors that assisted in making this event possible. Without these sponsors, this event happen would not have been possible. Promotion Selection Thank you to all of our volunteers for the event that spent time coordinating dates, the course route, details for the event and registration. We look forward to a 2nd Annual Event in 2010!
I hope you were able to join us for October’s luncheon at Burnsville Performing Arts Center – another unique venue in which everyone had the opportunity to “be on stage,” with Chateau Lamothe providing the buffet lunch. Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, welcomed us all to the Performing Arts Center. It was a first for our chapter to have a mayor in attendance to speak. Kathleen Ronald, the “Queen of Business Networking,” is an unparalleled networker, an internationally renowned speaker-trainer, and the founder of Speaktacular. Kathleen has more than 25 years of experience providing customized inspirational keynotes and training seminars to Fortune 500 companies, small business, and professional associations. Author of the soon-to-be-released Networking Bible, Queen Kathleen excels at helping people shed the cookie-cutter approach to prospecting and developing personal, authentic strategies that, “Build their net worth by building their network.” Kathleen mixed humor and energy into her presentation on how follow-up is key in the majority of your daily business and life tasks. Change your thoughts from “having to” to “getting to,” and it will change your outlook on what you have to follow up on. Keep the things that are preventing you from getting it done from getting in the way. And who can forget the dollar – did you tear it in half? Although this writer did not, I understand now about looking for the trust in the situation and being able to do so next time. Keep that dollar by your phone so it will remind you to do your follow-up! Thanks again to our sponsors for making this event possible: Burnsville Performing Arts Center for a wonderful venue, Chateau Lamothe for delicious food, and Renaissance Floral of Burnsville for providing beautiful flowers.
The Monthly MPI Meeting on October 21st, on FOLLOW UP was great! I am very inspired by Kathleen Ronald and think there was a lot that members in attendance could utilize, not only in their own careers but as a tool to strengthen their relationships within MPI. I have had such a wonderful experience as a student, I can’t wait to continue building my relationships (through follow up!) in the future as a member! Thank you.
One of the efforts of the Leadership Development Committee is to recognize everyday leaders within the chapter. These leaders among us are people who go above and beyond to make sure our chapter goals and objectives are met or exceeded. This month we recognize the work of Patty Kealy, Chase On the Lake Resort in Walker Minnesota on Leech Lake. Patty joined MPI last year and immediately stepped forward to lend her “connecting” leadership talents to the Membership Committee. Utilizing her corporate sales experience and connections, Patty began by initiating a corporate subscriber initiative and now chairs the Retention segment of the Membership Committee. She is responsible for maintaining contact with lapsed members and welcoming new members...all efforts to better our retention rate. Always willing to help when needed, Patty’s volunteer efforts are truly appreciated. To thank Patty for her leadership, she will receive a $50 Target gift card sponsored by Helms Briscoe and a gift box from Tastefully Simple. Please help us honor Patty and her efforts. Leaders of the Month are nominated by board members. If you know a chapter volunteer deserving of recognition, please share this with your committee’s Board liaisons or any board member.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 All Team meetings are open to all active committee members and Board of Directors. This is a benefit for continued education extended to you, our valuable volunteer! There are many opportunities to gain new talent professionally and personally through leadership development. In this interactive session, you will learn how you can improve upon your existing talent. You will also learn:
Venue CEUs will be given to everyone who attends the speaker presentation.
Come Celebrate and Reflect on 2009 at the annual MPI Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm at EPIC Event Center in Downtown Minneapolis! The Finance Committee is asking chapter members to assist in raising money by donating items for the Silent and Live Auction at this annual event. The proceeds directly benefit our Minnesota Chapter by allowing our members to increase their education by attending the Meet Different Conference, World Education Conference or the opportunity to earn the CMP or CMM certifications through scholarship opportunities. We look forward to your partnership with this year’s event. Our current membership is almost 500 members. All MPI members will have the chance to bid on your package by attending the Holiday Party. The top 6-8 prizes donated will be offered in the LIVE AUCTION on the day of the party. Whether you are a planner or supplier, we welcome your items and packages for this event. Get creative and different for you never know if your donation will become a live auction item! Donation forms can be found on the MN MPI website and are due by November 30, 2009. Thanks in advance for your partnership with us on this annual event!
Emerging Leader Panel Discussion Are you new to the meetings and events industry? Want to discover how you can become a leader in the field and advance your career? MPI members and nonmembers alike are invited to attend this special panel discussion featuring senior members. Come learn from experienced professionals and get your questions answered. Click here for event details, registration and a special discount on the regular January monthly meeting for attendees. More information to come. Stay tuned!
It’s easy….Pick up a supply of our Membership brochures to distribute to potential meeting industry peers. Refer interested prospects by filling out a new member referral form. For each form you fill out, you will be eligible to win monthly prizes and a Grand Prize drawing for a Weekend Concert/Entertainment Package from Treasure Island Resort and Casino! Referral Forms are available online at www.mpimn.org. In addition, for each referral you submit that joins MPI as a full member, you will receive a $25.00 credit toward your own membership dues! Take advantage of this great savings. Details and brochures are also available from the Membership Team at our monthly meetings. 
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Congratulations to the following members who have been recognized for their continued commitment to MPI Minnesota and who celebrated their monumental anniversary. Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment within our chapter. 5 Years: 10 Years:
Meeting Professionals International is the association for the global meetings industry and is committed to delivering success for its 21,000 worldwide members by providing innovative professional development, generating industry awareness and creating business development opportunities. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based organization delivers success through its 68 chapters and clubs in 20 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.mpiweb.org. Minnesota Chapter Office International Headquarters
Meeting of the Minds is the official publication of the Meeting Professionals International Minnesota chapter and is published 11 times yearly. Statements of fact and opinion within this newsletter are the responsibility of individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the officers or members of MPI. Articles submitted are subject to editorial revisions. Articles for Meeting of the Minds are always due on the third Wednesday of the month prior to distribution, and articles for News Notes are always due on the first Thursday of the distribution month. |
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November is here and the holidays are right around the corner. First is the joy of Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving and like to celebrate it at my house. It gives my mom a holiday off from preparing a big meal and she is grateful. This year, my wife and I decided to do nearly everything ourselves. I cannot wait.I love the planning, prepping, and preparing involved. I love the memories (and traditions) we’re creating for our children.
Well, here goes: my first contribution as Editor of Meeting of the Minds. The thought of doing this a couple months ago seemed much easier than it does right now as I stare at this blinking cursor.
MPI MN Chapter hosted our 1st Annual 5K Walk/Run on September 12, 2009 at Lake Nokomis. We had 45 participants for the event ranging in location from Twin Cities and all the way up to Edmonton, Canada!
Our 1st place winner was Jason McGraw (left center) with Nonprofit Solutions, our asociation management company. Nonprofit Solutions was also the largest group to register (left).
