In this issue:August 2010
MPI MN is on:
My take-away was the message that when you can engage volunteers, imagine what you can do in the workplace. Some of the other speakers talked about how the need for passion is critical when leading. I believe I have this passion needed to lead the chapter this year in accomplishing our goals: to grow and retain membership as our industry makes our way through the recession; formal leadership succession planning to identify future committee and board members; alignment of planners and supplier relationships to make it easier to do business together; and enhancing communication to incorporate current social media trends while insuring members receive it regularly and clearly. My passion in my role at Medtronic was also further ignited this week to take our Strategic Meeting Management Program to new levels—including global. “ONLY when we meet, we change the world.” – Emmanuel Gobillot
I look forward to seeing you at the August Monthly Meeting held at the Sheraton Bloomington. The meeting will give you an overview of what the chapter has to offer so you can effectively decide how you can get involved—all with a fun social media component! There are many committees and many ways to get involved that work with your schedule. How will you use this year’s opportunities to bring out your inner leader?
As of this writing, MPI MN is 463 members strong! And personally, August 5 marks my eighth year anniversary as a member. In and of themselves, those are just numbers. So what can one individual do to activate his or her membership, stand out, and really get the most out of the dues? For me, it was joining a committee. Membership is different for each of us, whether it’s continuing education or relationship building. Regardless of our reason, there’s a place for each of us in the association. However, I believe it’s up to us to take advantage of the network by getting involved. For me, that has come mostly from joining a committee and becoming the newsletter editor. I encourage you to look for ways to strengthen your membership as well. Click here to see a list of committee descriptions to see where your current skills might best fit or where new skills could be developed. What have you done to “activate” your membership and get the most out of your association?
When: Wednesday, August 18, 2010,
11:00 AM-1:30 PM This year’s kick-off will Meet by starting off with an interactive keypad trivia challenge. During the challenge, we will Learn by educating and updating chapter members about our overall chapter and each committee: Membership, Education, Finance, Community Outreach, Leadership, and Communications. After the chapter members have received this full and detailed information, we challenge you to Lead as we invite you to stop by each committee table, signing up for those you are interested in. From this informative session, you will:
Learn more and register today. What is your takeaway goal for attending the August program?
Join us for our August meeting and learn how mentoring can benefit you:
There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is requested. What are you most curious about mentoring?
So what exactly does that mean to you as a member of the chapter? The Emerging Leaders group is under the leadership development committee. Chaired by Julie Ann Schmidt, CMP and Melissa Deming, we will offer four programs throughout the year that are available to all members and nonmembers at no charge. These sessions will take place before designated monthly programs and will last approximately one hour. Additional meetings will be held in October 2010 and January and March 2011. The Emerging Leaders Criteria:
Our kick-off meeting will happen before the start of our regular August Meeting on August 18, from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. Although these programs are geared toward our less seasoned members, anyone is welcome to join us—including nonmembers. The first topic will be “Mentoring: Why you need it and how to get the most out of it.” We’ll include ideas and resources for getting a mentor and hear from past Power of 2 pairings, who will share what they learned from the program. Get a mentor or become a mentee and get on the path to enriching your career. What is the best advice that your mentor gave you?
 For additional Great Race photos and other MPI MN photos, check out our Flickr page!
Big Picture Many people believe they’re stuck with the voice they were born with. That’s not really true. You don’t have to be a vocal professional to improve your vocal quality if you’re willing to do a little work. First, analyze your vocal strengths and challenges. Then get some guidance on what to do with that analysis, which I’ll call your vocal data. If you’re really nasal-sounding, there are specific vocal exercises you can do to minimize or eradicate the twang. This won’t happen overnight, but it’s possible to make changes. If you’re one who often clears your throat when presenting, perhaps you’re dehydrated. Watching hydration a day or two prior to any presentation moment, plus on game day itself, can only help. For everyone, avoiding dairy and sugary foods or drinks several hours to a day prior to your presentation moment is key. Day-to-Day Recording and listening to any presentation moment (which could include a phone call) is a great way to analyze where you are now as a communicator and then use the data to strategize where you want to go with your vocal behavior development. Getting compliments on your voice is gratifying, but it’s also foundational. It really doesn’t matter what you know if you don’t know how to communicate it. Don’t forget to keep your authentic self-perception intact and be honest with your own analysis to figure out how you will improve in a way that’s authentic to you. Many people don’t actually analyze how they sound or the messages they deliver beyond the words they speak. If you do, you will build your vocal power and start to position yourself as a stand-out in your field. Do you have a vocal presentation tip that has helped your communications?
The process of working toward the CMM designation was clearly outlined from the very beginning. Step-by-step, I applied, was accepted, planned to attend the residency in Dallas, took the exam, and then wrote the business plan and submitted it for grading. Throughout the process, I felt supported by MPI and the fellow planners I connected with through the CMM portal of the MPI website. We were able to download the pre-reading materials, communicate with one another, and prepare for the journey toward attaining our CMM. The five-day residency was full of intense learning and sharing. I felt changed when I left. I was different. I had a deeper understanding of the strategic concepts of meeting management. It was a humbling feeling to learn even more about an industry that I thought I had mastered. It proved to me that I can continually grow, and for that, I am also grateful. The exam portion of the process was an open-book essay test that took about six hours to complete. I tried to finish the exam as soon as I got home so that the concepts were still on the top of my mind. Then the tough part began: writing what turned out to be a 69-page thesis/business plan. In the beginning, there was research to do, facts to gather and analyze. Putting together the project was a process of revising and revising until I felt that I was clear and concise and had folded in all of the concepts that were part of my project. Whew! I was relieved after submitting this paper! It was fantastic to be able to take the time to analyze a topic that thoroughly. I really learned a great deal from the process. Thank you, MPI Minnesota, for the scholarship that made it all possible!
 
What part of the CMP or CMM process are you curious about?
ACME, Mich., July 21, 2010 – The 900-acre, 600-room Grand Traverse Resort & Spa near Traverse City, Mich. has announced the promotion of Taryn Miracle to Associate Director of Sales. In her new position, Miracle continues to represent the Resort to meeting planners in a variety of corporate, association, SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal) and other markets including Chicago and takes on added Conference Sales department authority to oversee the Resort’s three-person Executive Meeting Management team, as well as assist with departmental projects and work with firms that represent the Resort to the meetings industry. Miracle joined Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in 2003 and in 2006 was promoted to Executive Meeting Manager, then to National Sales Manager in 2007. Miracle is a graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. Her professional affiliations include membership in the Chicago Area, Minnesota, and Ohio Chapters of Meeting Professionals International. Do you have a member announcement?
Congratulations to the following members who have been recognized for their continued commitment to MPI MN and who celebrated their monumental anniversary. Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment within our chapter. August
Quick Links: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
StaffEditor Production National Awards2010 RISE Award for Community Achievement in Knowledge and Ideas 2002-2003 Best Overall Online Newsletter – More than 250 Members 2001-2002 Honorable Mention 2000-2001 Best Design – More than 250 Members 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 fourth Wednesday of the month prior to distribution, and articles for News Notes are always due on the first Thursday of the distribution month. |
As I sit in Vancouver taking in the beauty of the destination and winding down from an outstanding week at the MPI World Education Conference 2010, I reflect on the irony of the alignment of the conference theme “When we meet, we change the world” to this year’s chapter theme “We Meet. We Learn. We Lead.” In fact, the importance of strong leadership was clearly visible in every aspect of the conference. John Furlong, CEO of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Organizing Committee, and Emmanuel Gobillot, previous executive at Google and author, both spoke on the importance of leadership for an organization, a cause, or an event.
When: Wednesday, August 18, 2010,
10:30 AM-11:30 AM
Vocal Power
The MPI Minnesota CMM scholarship was invaluable to me as a planner. It presented the opportunity to further my education in a meaningful way by attaining the Certification in Meetings Management. For this opportunity, I am sincerely grateful.
Taryn Miracle, promoted to Associate Director of Sales