Convention Industry Council

APEX Helps the Industry Get “Up to Speed” on Bandwidth

lleonard@conventionindustry.org — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:34:55 GMT

Joint CIC and HSMAI Report Examines Internet Access and Bandwidth at Events

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and the Convention Industry Council (CIC) today released "Up to Speed: Event Bandwidth and High Speed Internet Access.” The white paper examines the importance of bandwidth and Internet access for today’s meetings and events and offers critical information and advice for professionals working in meeting planning, hotel sales and convention services. CIC’s APEX Event Bandwidth Workgroup guided development of the white paper.

The APEX Event Bandwidth Workgroup was formed in June 2012 to raise awareness of this often overlooked and under-planned part of the event experience. “When we looked at the challenges the industry faces in today's technologically advanced world, we knew we needed to develop tools to help everyone better understand the importance of the bandwidth at their events,” said John Rissi, Senior Vice President, PSAV and chair of the Workgroup.

Since its inception, the Workgroup has delivered a range of resources and best practices that include a bandwidth estimator tool, articles, face-to-face education, and sessions at major industry events.

The new white paper will be followed by additional resources, to include a new glossary of terminology, enhancements to the APEX RFP Workbook and best practices on post-event bandwidth reporting.

The whitepaper can be accessed at http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/APEX/eventbandwidth.aspx

CIC Chief Executive Officer Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP commended the APEX Event Bandwidth Workgroup on their efforts. “This project is a perfect example of how APEX draws together passionate volunteers and experts to develop resources and best practices. The Workgroup’s efforts will undoubtedly improve the way meetings and events meet business needs and attendee expectations, and ultimately drive results.”

The members of the APEX Event Bandwidth Workgroup are: John Rissi, PSAV (Workgroup Chair); MaryAnne Bobrow, Bobrow & Associates; Steve Enselein, Hyatt Hotels The Americas; Charles Massey, SYNAXIS Meetings & Events; Michael Owen, EventGenuity; John Pollard, Sonic Foundry; Stuart Ruff, The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.; and Todd Walton, MGM Resorts.

APEX/ASTM Standard on Accommodations Published

Convention Industry Council — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:04:01 GMT

The American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) has published standard E2772 on sustainable accommodations, giving professionals in the meetings industry access to a complete suite of standards for sustainable meetings and events.

Publication of the ninth and final of the APEX/ASTM standards completes a period of intense development that began in 2008. The standards, produced as a partnership between the Convention Industry Council’s Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) and ASTM, were initially conceptualized by the Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC) in discussions with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

The APEX/ASTM standards are comprised of nine individual "sector" standards that cover all facets of event planning and management:

Accommodations
Audio-Visual
Communication & Marketing Materials
Destinations
Exhibits
Food & Beverage
Meeting Venue
On-Site Office
Transportation

Much of the work and research behind the initiative was a result of the work done by the APEX Green Meetings and Events Practice Panel, consisting of 300 planners, suppliers and sustainability experts from across nine time zones. ASTM International provided comprehensive input, review and feedback from its technical experts, engineers, materials scientists, and sustainability experts across the globe.

The standards are available for purchase as a specially priced bundle and as individual documents through ASTM International. For those who have already purchased the bundle, the Accommodations standard will be automatically added at no additional cost.

For more information on the standards and to view a complete list of the volunteers that contributed to the project, visit http://www.conventionindustry.org/StandardsPractices/APEXASTM.aspx

About CIC

The Convention Industry Council's 32 member organizations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry. The mission of the Convention Industry Council is to provide a forum for member organizations to exchange information on global trends and topics, promulgate excellence in best practices and guidelines, collaborate on industry issues and advocate the value of the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry.

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The Convention Industry Council Announces Hall of Leaders Honorees for 2013

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:45:20 GMT

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) announces its newest inductees into the CIC Hall of Leaders and its second class of Pacesetter Award recipients. The inductees into the Hall represent influential leaders who have shaped the industry over a lifetime of accomplishments and whose contributions have left an indelible impression on the industry. In 2012, CIC also introduced the Pacesetter Awards, established to salute emerging leaders and industry supporters. Both will be inducted during the 2013 Hall of Leaders Gala to be held on October 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, prior to the IMEX America tradeshow.

"There is tremendous talent in our industry, and the 2013 class of Hall of Leaders clearly meets the criteria for this award; all have shown remarkable leadership and whose prolific work continues to advance the field,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Chief Executive Officer for the Convention Industry Council. “The Pacesetter winners are inspiring today’s industry professionals to achieve great things early in their careers and very well may be tomorrow’s Hall of Leaders.”

Nominations were submitted by CIC member organizations or the general industry community. Only those who have substantially contributed to the industry and whose efforts continue to shape it qualify for nomination into the CIC Hall of Leaders. A selection committee comprised of industry leaders and several Hall of Leaders inductees, representing all segments of the meetings industry, met this month to review the nominations and recommend honorees. The CIC Board of Directors then approved the slate proposed by the committee.

The 2013 Hall of Leaders honorees are (more detail on the honorees located below):

Jorge Castex, Honorary President, COCAL and Senior Advisor MCI Argentina: Nominated by International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO)
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM: Nominated by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)
Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director, Baltimore Convention Center: Nominated by the Baltimore Convention Center Staff
Liz Erikson, Executive Director, Meetings & Incentives, Fairmont-Raffles-Swissotel: Nominated by Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
Stephen Powell, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Intercontinental Hotels Group: Nominated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

As a part of the Hall of Leaders Gala, the CIC will be presenting two Pacesetters Awards in the Young Professionals category. This award recognizes individual excellence based on innovation, impact, vision, leadership, influence, collaboration, courage, perseverance, and other achievements in real time rather than over a life time.

The Pacesetters Award winners are Robyn Mietklewicz, Director, Accounts & Global Meeting Management Services, Meeting Sites Resources and Meghan Schilt, Events Manager, Apax Partners.

For more information on all of the winners, go to www.conventionindustry.org/hallofleaders

Hall of Leaders Honorees Bios and Contribution to the Industry

Jorge Castex, Honorary President, COCAL and Senior Advisor MCI Argentina

Nominated by International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO)

Jorge Castex is a pioneer of the modern PCO—Professional Congress Organiser. He founded one of the original PCO companies in the early 1970s, Congresos Internacionales S.A. He was a founding member of the Argentine Association of Congress & Exhibitions Organisers, a precursor to COCAL, the Latin American Federation of Professional Congress Organisers. Foreseeing the need for an international network, Castex joined the fledgling PCO founding fathers in the development of IAPCO, serving as its president for two non-consecutive terms. A champion of education, Castex was a driving force behind the IAPCO Training Academy as chair for ten years, and has dedicated 20 years to lecturing and training for the academy’s national/regional seminars as well as the prestigious Wolfsberg Seminar.

Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM

Nominated by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

Eduardo Chaillo,CMP,CMM is a passionate advocate for the global meetings industry and during his tenure at the Mexico Tourism Board, harnessed that passion to raise the image not only of his native country but the meetings and tourism industry as a whole. While much of Chaillo’s involvement in numerous industry organizations can been seen as part of the job of marketing the brand of Mexico, Eduardo’s commitment to elevating the image and standards of the profession through credentialing, involvement and education was universal. He has been an international representative to the CMP Board of Directors, was instrumental in the development of the North American ICCA Chapter and the PCMA Mexico Chapter and is a founding advisor of the Latin America Association of CVBs. Chaillo was also the standard bearer for the implementation of an Economic Significance Study of the Mexico meetings industry after seeing the U.S. and Canada benefit from the ability to articulate the value of the industry to public officials.

Peggy Daidakis, Executive Director, Baltimore Convention Center

Nominated by the Baltimore Convention Center Staff

Peggy Daidakis left a historical mark on the meetings and conventions industry in 1986, when she became the first woman to manage and operate a convention center in the United States. Daidakis has been part of every major redevelopment in Baltimore’s meetings and tourism history, beginning with the restoration of the famed Inner Harbor. In 1978, she was selected by the Mayor to put together a convention and visitors bureau office to sell the soon to be completed Baltimore Convention Center. Dadaikis has utilized her position, knowledge and connections to mentor other women in the industry and has used her relationship building and partnership skills to advance the causes of her building, profession and society at large. As co-chair of a joint IAVM-DMAI Committee, she was instrumental in the development of a white paper, “Best Practices, Convention Center Sales and Convention Center Operations,” a document that set the standard for understanding the relationship between bureaus and centers and the roles and responsibilities of each for a seamless customer experience. Daidakis has also led her building’s efforts and commitment to environmental systems and practices that place the BCC as a green leader in the industry.

Liz Erikson, Executive Director, Meetings & Incentives, Fairmont-Raffles-Swissotel

Nominated by Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Liz Erikson is a pioneer for women in the hotel segment of the meetings industry and one of the first to hold a senior level position in a landscape dominated by men. With more than 40 years in the hospitality industry, Erikson paved the way for many of the women who are now steering the course in the meetings industry. First stepping onto the national stage in 1973 as Director of Sales and Marketing for the first InterContinental hotel in the U.S., Erikson has held a number of progressively responsible positions culminating with her current position at Fairmont where she oversees the strategic vision for group development of the brand’s 90+ hotels. For more than three decades she has mentored emerging leaders for numerous organizations and in that time, has developed a long term strategy to fund scholarships, research and education through the PCMA Foundation and raised more than $300,000 for that effort in three years.

Stephen Powell, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Intercontinental Hotels Group

Nominated by Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

For over 35 years, Steve Powell has exemplified leadership and excellence in every area of the meetings industry. As the youngest MPI President and first supplier to serve in that role, he created the Canadian Council to encourage chapter development outside the U.S., created the first MPI standing committees, founded the MPI Foundation, and, foreseeing the role of technology in association community building, created the first online bulletin board for the organization. As an early adopter of technology, he also saw its role in the customer experience and converted Sheraton’s sales resources to CD-ROM in the early 90’s. His innovation to the sales process included the initiation of the Dynamic Pricing Model for IHG’s business travel segment to alleviate the burden of the traditional RFP process on IHG employees as well as client travel departments. Based on a discount off of market rate versus flat pricing, this program produced savings for clients, better production for IHG and greater price transparency and simplicity overall.

About the Convention Industry Council: The Convention Industry Council, with 31 member organizations representing more than 103,000 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties, was established in 1949 to provide a forum for members seeking to enhance the industry, exchange information, develop programs to promote professionalism, and educate the public on the industry’s profound economic impact. Among its initiatives are the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program, Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), Economic Impact Study, Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Awards.

CIC Announces New CMP Class

Convention Industry Council — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:01:18 GMT

Alexandria, VA – March 18, 2013 - The Convention Industry Council (CIC) today announced that 206 individuals passed the 1^st Quarter CMP examination. This distinguished credential, recognized throughout the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry, demonstrates an individual's comprehensive knowledge of meeting management as well as a commitment to the profession. The full list of new CMPs can be found on the CIC web site.

Established in 1985, the mission of the CMP program is to elevate and enhance the professionalism of the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry and the dedicated individuals who are responsible for meeting management. Demand for this designation continues to increase as both employers and meeting professionals recognize the high standards of knowledge and professionalism it embodies. Since its inception, the CMP designation has been earned by more than 14,000 individuals in 46 countries and territories worldwide.

The next CMP exam window is scheduled for May 9-18, 2013. Additional information on the CMP and the Convention Industry Council process can be found at http://www.conventionindustry.org/.

Convention Industry Council

Commentary: “Mental Blueprint not a ‘Mental Bordello’” – CIC CEO Karen Kotowski Responds to Recent Wall Street Journal Article

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:30:02 GMT

In her recent column for The Wall Street Journal, entitled “Bordellos for the Brain,” published in the print version of the paper on March 9, 2013, Holly Finn paints the meetings and conventions industry as yielding few, if any, external benefits to attendees or to business itself. That’s just not the case.

People attend conferences for two primary reasons – to learn and to network. Seasoned professionals stay current in their ever-changing marketplaces and nurture longstanding business relationships, both of which are essential for success and growth. Participants absorb key trends, are exposed to new techniques and methodologies and make important connections that can help open doors, many that last a lifetime. Few industries exist where doing a good job is enough to get you recognized and promoted. Further, companies simply cannot afford to offer in-house training for all employees, across disciplines. Professional conferences are an excellent alternative.

Same is true for journalism. The editors of The Wall Street Journal host invitation-only conferences throughout the year with the world’s most influential and powerful leaders. Their own publication recognizes the value of bringing together leaders, face-to-face to discuss and provide solutions to pressing problems.

Attendees value conferences and as Finn noted from a recent survey, 53 percent of those who had attended a conference in the past 18 months plan to do it again in the next six. Meetings make a difference. And not just for the participant or the organizations holding them, but for the economy as a whole. More than 200 million people attend conferences each year, and, according to an Economic Impact Study by PricewatershouseCoopers LLP in 2011, the industry has helped account for 1.7 million U.S. jobs, $263 billion in direct spending, and a $106 billion contribution to GDP.

Our organization, the Convention Industry Council, represents the interests of 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. We take our jobs very seriously, demonstrated by the14,000 people who have completed the Convention Industry Council’s Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program. Now in its 25^th year, our rigorous certification program recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. The profession is advancing and growing rapidly, and we’re keeping up with it.

In her column, Ms. Finn implies that face to face meetings are passé in today’s virtual world. While virtual meetings represent a technological landmark for the industry, they are not a catchall alternative to the face-to-face format. A recent study, conducted by the IMEX Group, in partnership with the Meetology Group, found that face-to-face meetings garner more creativity and make a larger impact than virtual meetings.

The real conference “take-away” is not, as Ms. Finn suggests, that people go to meetings to seek a “mental bordello,” rather, they are seeking a blueprint – concrete ways to stay current in their industries and indispensable in their jobs so that they can plan for their and their company’s futures. Our industry facilitates meetings where the exchange of ideas lead to real world solutions. We will continue to aid in that process, as we have since 1949.

Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP is the Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Industry Council.

Commentary: Sequestration Provides an opportunity for the Meetings Industry to Get Stronger, Not Surrender

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:24:31 GMT

The recent decision to allow a government sequester to take effect sent shock waves throughout agencies around the country and created ripple effects in a number of related industries, among them, those of us who work in meetings and conventions.

The meetings industry, which has increasingly been under attack in recent years, will be hard hit from multiple fronts – delays in airline flights and security wait times, making it more difficult to properly plan logistics, increased scrutiny of conference travel affecting attendance by government participants, as well as bearing the brunt of public outrage. In fact, in a recent “Travel Weekly” article, Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association is quoted as saying, “Travel has the very real potential of becoming the face of the March 1 sequester cuts.” And so, the industry must gird itself for tough times ahead.

With a growing national debt that stands at upwards of $16 trillion, we all understand the need to trim the budget, but issuing mandatory, across-the-board spending cuts, a number of which will specifically target travel and meeting expenses, may end up causing more harm than good.

Travel has most recently been put under the microscope since a 2010 report detailing excessive spending at a General Services Administration (GSA) agency conference held in Las Vegas. The public outcry, professional embarrassment and negative publicity prompted the Office of Management and Budget to require agencies to reduce travel spending significantly through 2016. Agencies are now more carefully scrutinizing the need for travel, requiring additional approvals and, in some cases, denying travel altogether in favor of web broadcasting or other means of disseminating the information to employees. But even with more stringent regulations and the enactment of a significant number of cuts, agencies cannot seem to shake the GSA stigma; in fact, GSA recently cancelled its 2013 Training and Expo, citing the current fiscal climate and the need for all agencies to make tough spending cuts. And meetings continue to be viewed by many under a harsh and unforgiving light.

While cutting travel spending will indeed save money and trim the budget, it also comes at a significant cost. Virtual meetings and online training certainly have value, and a place in the industry; however, the importance of face-to-face meetings does not decline as fiscal uncertainties increase. The results of a recent study conducted by the IMEX Group, in partnership with the Meetology Group, speak to the higher quality and number of ideas gleaned from face-to-face sessions versus meetings conducted over the phone or by video chat. Soon, companies may feel pressure, or a desire, to opt out of face-to-face meetings in favor of virtual events or no meetings at all. And saving money at the cost of employee education and professional development is not really a cost savings at all and can end up hindering an organization’s growth and competitiveness in the long run.

As meeting professionals, we will be called on more and more to not only justify our services, but to do more with a lot less. Our challenge, therefore, is to be flexible and swift enough to adapt to what may become a hostile environment, driven by volatile global economic conditions, and provide the knowledge and leadership to guide this industry, and those who depend on it, into the future. The economic climate may not improve for the foreseeable future, but we form a powerful base and must continue to advocate the value of events and be committed to promoting professional practices and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas, as CIC has done since 1949.

Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP is the Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Industry Council.

This article originally appeared in the March 12, 2013 issue of CMP Today.

Three Members of CIC's Hall of Leaders Speak Out on Industry Trends and Challenges for the New Year

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:43:20 GMT

Roundtable Discussion Kicks Off CIC’s Final Push for 2013 Nominees

Corporate confidence, new boundaries in professional development, pro-active advocacy campaigns and channeling new technology head the list of key issues facing the industry, according to a panel of three Hall of Leaders members conducted by the Convention Industry Council (CIC).

The three members shared their thoughts as CIC was shifting into full gear to seek nominations for the 2013 Hall of Leaders, the 27-year-old institution honoring outstanding leaders and innovators in the meetings, conventions and exhibition industry.

For the first time, inductees will now be selected on an annual basis rather than every other year, adding more stature and continuity to the industry’s premier recognition program. The 2013 induction celebration will take place Oct. 13, 2013, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas prior to the start of IMEX America.

At the same time, CIC is continuing its call for nominations for the newly created Pacesetter Awards, launched last year to celebrate achievement and excellence among today’s industry participants.

Panel participants included: Terri Breining, Principal of Breining Group LLC and a Hall of Leaders inductee from 2010; Christine Duffy, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association, inducted in 2007; and Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Convention Bureau, inducted in 2011. The Hall of Leaders currently has 106 members.

“The biggest challenge for the industry is uncertainty – in the economic situation, the outlook for corporate earnings and the implications from the recent U.S. elections,” said Duffy.

Breining, who emphasized the need for meetings to serve as a key marketing and communications channel, warned that planners have to strike a balance with technology and not employ it simply “as a gimmick that might obscure the real focus of a meeting.”

Mutschlechner pointed to the expanding participation, management and contribution on a global scale of event attendees via virtual formats and new technological means.

To read the complete transcript, visit www.conventionindustry.org/hallofleaders .

The CIC introduced the Pacesetter Awards last year and created five categories of distinction:

Young Professionals
Sustainability and Social Responsibility
Innovation
Friend of the Industry
Chairman’s Award

Nominees for the Pacesetters will be measured on individual excellence based on innovation, impact, vision, leadership, influence, collaboration, courage, perseverance, and other achievements.

“We are encouraging all industry trade organizations and participants to be heard in the process and come forward with colleagues, mentors and influencers worthy of consideration,” said CIC President and CEO Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP.

The deadline for initial nomination forms for the Hall of Leaders and the Pacesetter Awards is Feb. 1, 2013 with complete submission materials due two weeks later. More information and Nomination Forms can be found at http://www.conventionindustry.org/HallofLeaders/2013hol/HallofLeadersGala.aspx.

For questions on the nomination process, contact CIC at awards@conventionindustry.org or 571-527-3116.

CIC Announces November 2012 CMP Class

Convention Industry Council — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 17:22:56 GMT

Alexandria, VA – December 13, 2012 - The Convention Industry Council (CIC) today announced that 220 individuals passed the November 2012 CMP examination. This distinguished credential, recognized throughout the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry, demonstrates an individual's comprehensive knowledge of meeting management as well as a commitment to the profession. The full list of new CMPs can be found on the CIC web site.

CIC Council Sets Strategic Direction - Approves Strategic Plan, Elects 2013 Board and Welcomes New Member

Convention Industry Council — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:31:55 GMT

ALEXANDRIA, VA – December 10, 2012-- CEOs and representatives of the leading professional and trade associations in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events sector convened on November 12, 2012 for the annual meeting of the Convention Industry Council (CIC). At the meeting, the Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan focused on advocating the value of events, promoting excellence in professional practices and leveraging the power of collaborative and collective action.

The meeting industry’s most influential and respected leaders together mapped out a 3-year plan and outlined initiatives to advance the profession and seize new opportunities for growth. The initiatives are broken into three categories: promoting excellence through certification and accreditation programs, creating a global voice for industry issues through strong partnerships, and insuring that industry partners, government and the public have access to research and information that supports the value of meetings.

“The Convention Industry Council and Board of Directors worked together to formulate a series of exciting action plans to translate our strategic vision into reality, befitting the strength that comes from the collaboration of all of our members from every segment of the meetings industry,” said Fran Rickenbach, CAE, IOM, Executive Vice President, Association of Destination Management Executives International and newly elected chair of the CIC Board of Directors. “CIC’s expansion of certification programs and membership, as well as the synergy of the collective research efforts of both CIC and its members, will further enhance the impact CIC has on the global meetings industry.”

The CIC board also welcomed Convention Sales Professionals International as CIC newest member. Convention Sales Professionals International (CSPI), formerly the Association for Convention Sales and Marketing Executives, is dedicated to fostering a spirit of collaborative success between convention center sales professionals and their convention sales counterparts at regional destination marketing organizations (DMOs).

“The new strategic plan defines a vision for CIC and charts a course for the future,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP and Convention Industry Council’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we continue to work with the board to define specific strategies and priorities, it will provide the staff the roadmap that we need to ensure we are delivering the value our members want.”

The CIC Council of Delegates also elected the 2013 leadership. Members of the 2013 CIC Board of Directors include:

Officers

CHAIR: Fran Rickenbach, CAE, IOM, Executive Vice President, Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI)
CHAIR-ELECT: Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHA , President & CEO, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR: Stacy Tetschner, CAE, FASAE, CEO, National Speakers Association (NSA)

At-large Board Members Elected to Two-Year Term

Michael Gehrisch, President & CEO, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)
Vicki Hawarden, CMP, President & CEO, International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
Allison Summers, Managing Director, Site

At-large board members continuing for another year

Bonnie Fedchock, CAE, Executive Director, National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)
John Graham, IV, CAE, President & CEO, ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
Tamara Kennedy-Hill, Executive Director, Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC)

CIC Partners with IMEX and MGM Resorts International to Host 2013 Hall of Leaders Award Gala in Las Vegas

Convention Industry Council — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:02:14 GMT

ALEXANDRIA, VA (December 3, 2012) –The Convention Industry Council (CIC), the IMEX Group and MGM Resorts International are pleased to announce that the 2013 Hall of Leaders & Pacesetter Awards Gala will take place prior to IMEX America on October 13, 2013 in Las Vegas. The event will honor lifetime achievements and emerging leaders in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

“The Hall of Leaders represents intelligence and leadership, ideas and innovation, influencers and risk-takers—the true pioneers of the industry,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP and CIC’s Chief Executive Officer.

“Just as the Hall of Leaders is the premier recognition program in the industry, IMEX America is the leader in the U.S. trade show market, so joining forces on this event was fitting,” continued Karen. “We chose to bring in MGM Resorts because they continue to be on the forefront of sustainable hotel practices and exemplify the spirit of innovation behind the awards.”

Talking about the event, Ray Bloom, Chairman of the IMEX Group said,”We are truly honored and delighted that CIC has chosen to hold the Hall of Leaders Gala alongside IMEX America 2013. This is an enormously prestigious occasion, which is close to our hearts, and we are looking forward to working with CIC and MGM to deliver an exceptional event. An important element of IMEX America is the co-location of a number of association-led events enabling the industry to maximize their time and investment and enjoy a very busy week of business, education and networking. The Hall of Leaders adds tremendously to this opportunity.”

“As a thought leader in CSR, technology and development, MGM Resorts takes an active role in keeping the industry moving forward,” said Mike Dominguez, senior vice president of Sales for MGM Resorts International. “Because of our commitment and support of excellence, we are delighted to host the honoring of the distinguished colleagues who improve our industry, making it stronger and better.”

The awards gala will also pay tribute to the Pacesetter Award winners. Started in 2012, the program recognizes individuals for contributions to the industry in areas such as:

Young Professionals
Community Service, Sustainability and CSR
Innovation
Friend of the Industry
Chairman’s Award

“The addition of the Pacesetter Awards allows us to honor achievement in real time and recognize the people whose recent accomplishments chart a course for where the industry is now and where it will be in the future,” said Karen Kotowski. “They are tomorrow’s lifetime achievement winners.”

To date 106 individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Leaders and five professionals received the inaugural Pacesetter Award this year. CIC is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 Hall of Leaders and Pacesetter Awards. The deadline to nominate individuals is February 1, 2013. For more information, visit www.conventionindustry.org/HallofLeaders

CIC Conducting Survey on Corporate Social Responsibility at Meetings and Events

Convention Industry Council — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:00:06 GMT

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) is encouraging meeting professionals and suppliers to participate in CIC’s Volunteer Activities at Meetings Survey. Spearheaded by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Task Force made up of CIC member organizations, Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), ASAE, Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), the research project will uncover how organizations are incorporating social responsibility into events and how they track the value of the initiatives.

“CIC led a research effort several years ago to quantify the economic impact of events and now it’s time to measure the societal impact,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP and Convention Industry Council’s Chief Executive Officer. “We know that CSR has a presence at most events. What we don’t know is to what extent and how organizations measure the footprint within the community and among attendees.”

In addition to the survey, CIC is collecting broader best practices, research and case studies on CSR at events to be shared with the industry at large on CIC’s website. For those that would like to share relevant information, please email these resources to cichq@conventionindustry.org.

The survey is open now until December 19, 2012. Planners, hoteliers, convention centers, destination management organizations and everyone connected with meetings and events is encouraged to participate. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for two $100 American Express gift cards. To take the survey, visit:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2YTWCNK

Volunteer Opportunity - CIC Seeking Healthcare Meeting Experts for Certification Development

lleonard@conventionindustry.org — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:21:29 GMT

As a critical part of the development of the CMP Healthcare Subspecialty Certification, CIC is seeking CMPs to contribute their specialized knowledge in healthcare meetings by volunteering their time and subject matter expertise in this project. The certification will be built upon the CMP foundation and both general meeting planning knowledge and healthcare meeting expertise are prerequisites. The new certification will be a subspecialty of the CMP.

Certification development will begin in December 2012 and the exam is anticipated to launch in Q3 2013.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the CIC website to download the description of the activities and the questionnaire. The description of activities will outline the particular activities and time requirements of the different projects and any particular skills or interests needed. The questionnaire is designed to assist CIC in finding highly qualified volunteers and will ask you to summarize your experience, professional expertise and interest areas.

Certification development will begin in December 2012 and the exam is anticipated to launch in Q3 2013.

CIC is seeking volunteer CMPs with specialized knowledge of healthcare meetings to participate in the development of a healthcare meeting certification. The certification will be built upon the CMP foundation and both general meeting planning knowledge and healthcare meeting expertise are prerequisites. The new certification will be a subspecialty of the CMP.

If you are interested in participating, please review the description of the activities and the questionnaire. The description of activities will outline the particular activities and time requirements of the different projects and any particular skills or interests needed. The questionnaire is designed to assist CIC in finding highly qualified volunteers and will ask you to summarize your experience, professional expertise and interest areas.

Certification development will begin in December 2012 and the exam is anticipated to launch in Q3 2013.

July 2012 CMP Class Announced

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:29:59 GMT

Alexandria, VA – September 26, 2012 - The Convention Industry Council (CIC) today announced that 318 individuals passed the July 2012 CMP examination. This distinguished credential, recognized throughout the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry, demonstrates an individual's comprehensive knowledge of meeting management as well as a commitment to the profession.

Established in 1985, the mission of the CMP program is to elevate and enhance the professionalism of the meetings, conventions, exhibitions and events industry and the dedicated inviduals who are responsible for meeting management. Demand for this designation continues to increase as both employers and meeting professionals recognize the high standards of knowledge and professionalism it embodies. Since its inception, the CMP designation has been earned by more than 14,000 individuals in 46 countries and territories worldwide.

Obtaining the CMP designation is a two-part process consisting of an application and a written examination, administered and monitored by an independent testing agency. Eligibility to take the examination is based on an extensive review of professional qualifications - candidates must have at least three years of employment in the meetings industry, and demonstrate responsibility and accountability for successful meetings. Additionally each applicant must have completed a minimum of 25 hours of industry specific continuing education or a meeting management internship. The comprehensive written examination tests knowledge of all functions of meeting management.

The July examination marked the first computer-based administration, which made the exam available worldwide through a network of 400 secure testing centers operated or affiliated with Prometric, Inc, CIC’s testing partner. The next CMP exam window is scheduled for November 1-10, 2012. Additional information on the CMP and the Convention Industry Council process can be found at http://www.conventionindustry.org/.

JULY 2012 CLASS LIST

Convention Industry Council Announces Plans for New Healthcare Meeting Certification

Convention Industry Council — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 16:00:00 GMT

ALEXANDRIA, VA (September 12, 2012) – Today, the Convention Industry Council announced the beginning of the development process for a healthcare subspecialty to the CMP® program. Development will begin in the next 60 days and it is expected that in the summer of 2013, Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP®) will have the opportunity to pursue the industry’s first healthcare meetings certification.

“The once niche area of healthcare meeting management is growing and CIC is prepared to meet the demand with the creation of a healthcare certification,” said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Chief Executive Officer of CIC. “Over the next year, CIC will undertake a rigorous development process that includes an in-depth job analysis, assessment of professional qualifications, selection of continuing education requirements and the creation of an examination.”

The International Medical Meetings Professionals Association (IMMPA) first approached CIC about a certification for healthcare planners given CIC’s leadership in the existing and internationally recognized CMP program. CIC agreed that a healthcare subspecialty was needed and will look to IMMPA members and other healthcare meeting experts to provide detailed subject matter expertise in the development of the certification.

Candidates interested in pursuing the exam must first obtain their CMP. The certification will be built upon the CMP foundation and general meeting planning knowledge is a prerequisite. The new certification will not repeat information included in the CMP, but will test only on those aspects of planning particular to healthcare meetings.

“Meeting professionals in the healthcare segment face the stiffest and most complex government regulations of any industry,” said Pat Schaumann, CMP, CSEP, DMCP, Founder of IMMPA. “With required reporting and transparency, understanding compliance is critical for anyone involved in healthcare meeting management. Certification for healthcare meeting professionals provides a number of benefits including career enhancement, professional recognition, personal satisfaction and professional opportunities.”

More information regarding qualifications and exam dates will be become available in early 2013, once the development process is well underway.

Media Contact:
Korenna Cline
Convention Industry Council
(703) 299 – 3404
korenna@epicprgroup.com

Sustainability Expert and Emerging Professionals Recognized by Meetings Industry with New Pacesetter Award

Convention Industry Council — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:30:42 GMT

A new awards program spearheaded by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) honors accomplished industry supporters and emerging leaders in the meetings and events community. Called the Pacesetter Awards, the program will pay tribute to individuals in the following categories, as achievements are brought to the CIC as worthy of industry recognition:

Community Service/Humanitarian
Innovations & Best Practices
Environmental Leadership/Corporate Social Responsibility
Public Elected Official
Young Professionals
Lifetime Achievement
Friend of the Industry

For this first Pacesetter Award presentation, CIC has chosen Amy Spatrisano, CMP, principal at MeetGreen and renowned sustainability expert to receive the 2012 Environmental Leadership Pacesetter Award and four Young Professional Pacesetters nominated from CIC member organizations to receive the 2012 awards.

Spatrisano was one of the driving forces behind the development of the industry’s first sustainable meeting standards, the APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards, released earlier this year. As Chair of the APEX Green Meetings and Events Panel and later as a member of the ASTM E60.02 Committee, she oversaw the development of the standards, a four-year process that included expertise from 300 planners, suppliers and sustainability experts from within the industry, as well as the standards, engineering and materials science experts that make up the ASTM membership.

The 2012 Young Professionals Pacesetter Awards will be presented to the following individuals:

Joe Capitanelli, Regional Marketing Director, Global Spectrum, nominated by International Association of Venue Managers, for his leadership and influence to foster more involvement from local non-profits, city government, staff, and volunteers in “Helping Hands for the Holidays.” The event seeks to provide food and services for those in need within St. Charles County Missouri and has grown from annual event serving 150 people in its first year, to one of the largest charity events of its kind serving over 1,200 meals, offering flu shots, winter coats, canned food, various health screenings, transportation, and family activities to those in need.

Krzysztof Celuch, Manager, Poland Convention Bureau, nominated by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), for his role in the execution of the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals, and for his work in helping to organize the inaugural IMEX Challenge Poland, a biennial humanitarian event designed to promote the power of corporate social responsibility.
Mary Catherine Tagg, DMCP, National Sales Manager, Destination King, nominated by Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI), who has risen to president of the Memphis Attractions Association, earned a Fellow of Leadership Academy Memphis and serves on numerous ADMEI committees and earned a Rising Star Award all within 5 years in the DMC industry.
Sarah Vining, Marketing Manager, The National Conference Center, nominated by International Association of Conference Centers, serves the IACC Board as a non-voting associate to advise on emerging trends from the Millennial perspective and Chairs its Emerging Trends Committee. Sarah created “Meeting Discoveries,” a series of white papers on compelling industry topics.

Beginning in 2013, the Pacesetter Awards will be a part of and presented during the CIC Hall of Leaders gala, a program that was started in 1985 to represent the industry's highest honor and lifetime of achievements and contributions to the industry. This class of emerging professionals will be honored alongside Spatrisano at an invitation-only luncheon hosted by CIC on Oct. 8, 2012 in Las Vegas during IMEX America. In this inaugural year, individuals were selected only within these categories and in outward years those honored will be expanded to include Community Service/Humanitarian Pacesetter Award, Innovations and Best Practices Pacesetter Award, Public Elected Official Pacesetter Award and a Lifetime Achievement Pacesetter Award.

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Media Contact:
Korenna Cline
Convention Industry Council
(703) 299 – 3404
korenna@epicprgroup.com