by JAIMIE MATTES, Helms Briscoe

It’s Time to Kick off a New Year of MPI!!!

Here we are, the summer is more than half over and I am sure we are all questioning where the time has gone. Although I am disappointed that there are only 45 days left of summer, I am thrilled that our 2009-2010 education year is upon us. And do we have exciting things planned for you! I hope that you will be there to learn, network and enjoy all that MPI has to offer as we Meet On Purpose. Take a peek at the exciting things coming up over the next few months.

August
Deborah Gardner from Compete Better Now will kick off our year at the August monthly meeting. Deborah will be with us to talk about how to Perform with Passion. For those that know Deborah, she definitely has passion and an energy that is contagious. She will teach you three steps that will help you win in business and life. You’ll learn how passion can make a difference in your professional and personal life. Additionally, you’ll learn how your passion can be affected by future industry trends.

August is also our committee recruitment month. Each committee will be on hand to talk about what it is that they do for the chapter. Please arrive early to give yourself a chance to mingle through each of the committees. Did you know being a volunteer does not mean that you need to give of yourself every month? Sign up for a committee and if you can only help at one monthly program. The chapter appreciates all that you have to give. Consider the new friends and networks you can connect with by being involved with MN MPI!

Special thanks go out to Brackett’s Crossing Country Club for their generous sponsorship of our August Kickoff Meeting. Join us at this amazing location on August 19th to see what Brackett’s Crossing has to offer for your next meeting or event.

September
Make sure and register for the 1st Annual MPI MN 5K Run/Walk on September 12th at Lake Nokomis. This will be a great morning to come out with your family and get a little exercise in. I hope you join me in running the 3.1 mile course. The competitor in me wants to see you come out and have some fun. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Minneapolis Heart Institute.

November
We look forward to having you join us November 11-12 as MPI MN travels to Madison, WI for our 1st Annual Midwest Education Day. It will be an incredible event that you will not want to miss. More to come soon…

Membership
Did you know that MPI International now can help you pay for your membership renewal? Anytime a member refers a new member to join MPI, they will receive a $25 MPI credit they can use toward their membership renewal. That’s right, if a member refers 13 new members to join MPI, they have just earned a free membership renewal for themself. For members to receive credit, their membership number needs to be included in the application of the new member. There is even more benefit for our members to help grow our community, so, refer away everyone!!!

This new year has just begun and we already have a lot going on! I have to catch my breath, but what better way to start the year with passion and a race! See you all at the August Meeting. BE BOLD! BE BRAVE! BE BRILLIANT!

by JOHN COSGROVE, Cosgrove Trivia Challenge

Welcome to a new year for our Minnesota Chapter of MPI. Somehow we are still in one piece after what has been quite a summer battle within our industry. As we continue to emerge, new strategies and tools are being developed almost daily by the great thinkers and innovators around us. Now more than ever it is vital to stay on top of these new developments so we can face our battles confidently and fully armed.

Our newly elected chapter President, Jaimie Mattes has encouraged us to stretch this coming year. Good enough is no longer good enough. It’s no longer viable to have a monthly newsletter and email updates to your inbox. Three generations working collaboratively with traditional and emerging tools adds further dimensions to the communication mix. It is our goal to put the information out there through all the various mediums to empower you, the membership to seek, find and utilize that information. For this we have a chapter Facebook page for you to join, you can follow us in Twitter and receive updates on LinkedIn. The monthly Meeting of the Minds newsletter will continue to be an important resource for all that is happening within our chapter and you can continue to rely on it’s content in the coming year.

This is the start of a new year in our chapter, with a new board and a new president. There are tremendous opportunities for you to get involved. New year resolutions in January dissipate within a few weeks at most. Our first meeting of the year on August 19th at Brackett’s Crossing in Lakeville will present you with all the options on how to get involved with your MN MPI chapter. By doing so, it will benefit your career, stretch your comfort zone and empower you to realize that good enough is not enough anymore.

Staci Kvasnik will start her new position as Meeting Planner for Land O’ Lakes on July 31st. Land O’ Lakes is the leading marketer of dairy-based food products for consumers, foodservice professionals and food manufacturers.

John Tracy is now Sales Consultant at Lodge Hotels & Resorts. Developed in 2004, Lodge Hotels & Resorts is a hotel development and management company and includes the Lodge at Brainerd Lakes.

Devie Hagen, Owner, is pleased to announce the opening of Elan Speakers Agency based in Minneapolis, MN. The Agency represents a select portfolio of professional business speakers/facilitators/presenters. Elan means inspirational, vivacious, and classic.

Dianna Fuller has joined the HelmsBriscoe team. Dianna can be reached at 763-475-1207 or dfuller@helmsbriscoe.com.

Julie Schmidt, President, Lithium Logistics Group received honorable mention as one of Exhibit City News 40 Under 40. The honorees have at least five years experience in the tradeshow and association-related industries, and each has demonstrated ingenuity, creativity, and leadership in his or her career.

Remember, this is your place to share news about yourself or your fellow MPI member. Please note that news about other members will be verified and members must grant permission before inclusion.

If you would like to submit news to this column, send your information to:

Ann Margaret Young
Assistant Director of Sales
Hilton Minneapolis
E-mail ann.young@hilton.com

1. How did you get to your current position?
While working at the Hard Rock Café, I became aware of a job posting listed through one of the organizations that I belonged to.

2. What is your current job description?
I serve as a Roseville Visitors Association liaison to corporate, universities, government, association, leisure and sports markets. In addition, I pursue new business for the area and maintain relationships with Roseville hotels and restaurants and the retail service industry.

3. What has been your greatest professional challenge?
In my current position, there are days when there is a lot going on. Staying focused can be a challenge.

4. In your past history, has anything happened that was unexpected?
Not really.

5. How long have you been in MPI and what have you learned since becoming a member?
Having been a member of MPI, Minnesota Chapter for almost 5 years, I have learned that in personal and professional life it is not what you know, but it is who you know it is important to network and not burn bridges.

6. What is something you would like to share with us about your personal life?
I like to work… I have 3 jobs that I won’t give up because I really enjoy being busy.

All MPI MN Volunteers – Save the Date

The All Team Meeting is Wednesday, September 9th from 3:30 – 5:30. Learn how to navigate the International and Minnesota MPI websites through a competitive, yet friendly scavenger hunt, meet with your committee and enjoy an opportunity to network. Details will be posted on the website soon.

In sad news, former MPI member, Michael Foster, passed away after a short battle with cancer. He was only 43. He was last a member in 2007 and left work in 2008 as the cancer progressed. He last worked as the director of catering for the Radisson Plaza. Our condolences are extended to Michael’s family and friends.

The MPI International virtual pass may be an option!

Click here for more information.

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Rain or Shine

Lake Nokomis
4955 W. Lake Nokomis Parkway, Minneapolis, MN

8:00 AM Registration
9:00 AM Race Start
Prizes, snacks and entertainment to follow

$20.00 Early Bird Registration (Up to one day prior)
$25.00 Race Day Registration
$50.00 Team (Up to 3 people, $10.00 each additional person)
12 & under are free

$5.00 of each registration will be donated to the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

Please register now at www.mpimn.org

Registration is open to the public.

1. The “as reasonable” test by the IRS for holding international meetings includes all of the following except:

1. purpose of meeting
2. interest by attendees in visiting location
3. purpose of sponsoring organization
4. location of past and future meetings

2. If your company plans to exhibit at an international exhibition, how much additional staff and expenses should you anticipate?

1. the same as a domestic exhibition
2. two times
3. three times
4. five times

Answers

Congratulations to the following members who have been recognized for their continued commitment to MPI Minnesota and who celebrated their monumental anniversary in May or June. Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment within our chapter.

5 Years:
Kelly Cornwell, World Marking Group, 6/4
Laurita Hennessy, Independent, 6/11
Mary Kay Hokanson, Factory Motor Parts, 7/7
Melody Haines, Wildside Caterers, 7/12

10 Years:
Jim Morton, Prestige Resorts and Destinations, Ltd, 6/28
Deb Loahr-Wright, Pearson AGS Globe, 7/1
Bernie Fautch, Eclipse Transportation, 7/28

15 Years:
Darcy Dilly, Dairy Queen Operators Association, 7/28

Have you visited the MPI MN Flickr account lately? Photos from our latest events are there now. Check them out!

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
1821 University Ave. W., Ste S256 | St. Paul, MN 55104-2897
(651)-917-6243 | Fax: (651)-917-1835 | office@mpimn.org | www.mpimn.org

International Headquarters
3030 LBJ Freeway, Ste 1700 | Dallas, TX 75234-2759
(972) -702-3000 | Fax: (972)-702-3000 | www.mpiweb.org

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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