May 2012

Where does the time go? It seems as though we opened our fiscal year last month – but that is an indicator that we all had a very busy and fulfilling year. With only nine weeks until June 30th, we still have opportunities for you to become engaged with WestField and your fellow colleagues.

To learn more about these opportunities and to receive a broad update on the WestField Chapter and the most relevant industry topics, please carve out the time to read through this newsletter. I would like to take this time to thank our hard-working volunteers and Board of Directors who have unselfishly devoted their personal time to support the needs of our members. Without their dedication, it would be impossible to plan, produce and execute all that we do throughout the year. Your input and comments are very important and I ask that you share your feedback on your membership experience. Your comments can be directed to our Newsletter Chair, Corey Cesario, at Newsletter@mpiwc.org. All feedback will be promptly responded to and addressed.

As we enter these final weeks, I would like to bring your attention to two very important chapter events that historically generate strong attendance. These are great opportunities to engage with one another and to invite a colleague or friend who has not experienced a WestField event. Our next event, “A SPIRITED EXPERIENCE” will take place on Wednesday, May 9th at The Meadowlands – Darien Community Association in Darien, CT. This program will feature an educational component on food & beverage trends while the annual fundraising activity is underway. The chapter really needs your support in many ways, so I personally invite and encourage you to attend and to “bring a friend.” For more information, please click here.  

The Annual Awards Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 13th at the Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, NY. During this cornerstone event, we’ll get to look back on the past year, celebrate with our friends and colleagues and award our Chapter “celebrities” for their commitment to excellence and service to our members. This special evening will also include the inauguration of the fiscal year 2012-2013 WestField Board of Directors – an honorable moment which should be proudly shared with all of our members, and a special memorial tribute to Susan Sprague, a past president of our chapter. To learn more about this program and to register, please click here.

I thank you for spending time with us today and look forward to seeing you at the May and June events!

All the best,

Gerald F. Longo, CMP
President, MPI WestField Chapter, 2011-2012
(212) 850-0730
glongo@aaaa.org

Turning Stone Destination for Meetings

The Northeast’s premier meetings destination is located in a serene corner of Central New York State, easily accessible by air via Syracuse Hancock International Airport, just 35 miles away, or by car. Turning Stone sits conveniently off the New York State Thruway, two hours from Albany, three hours from Buffalo and within a morning’s drive of most major Northeast cities.

The resort, which earned the coveted Gold Tee Award from Meetings & Conventions magazine in 2011, features over 100,000 square feet of flexible space, making it the ideal backdrop for everything from a private executive board meeting for 10 (pictured below) to a large convention for 3,000. Meeting planners can host keynote speakers and multi-media presentations in the 29,380-square-foot event center, then hold smaller sessions in Turning Stone’s 20,756-square-foot conference center, which features 26 breakout rooms for groups of 10 to 250.                                                                                                                                                  

With 709 well-appointed guest rooms at four different price points, Turning Stone also accommodates multiple-day meetings with ease. Incentive and executive groups will appreciate Turning Stone’s two AAA Four Diamond-rated options: The Lodge, a luxurious all-suite retreat, and The Tower, a sophisticated hotel with expansive views. Other lodging includes classic accommodations at The Hotel and the modest comforts of The Inn. 

Attendees will also enjoy bountiful culinary choices at Turning Stone’s variety of distinctive dining venues, which range from casual fare to fine dining. The seasonally inspired cuisine at Wildflowers, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant, tempts the most discriminating palates, while appetites for gourmet Asian, steak and seafood, and classic Italian are satisfied at Peach Blossom, Forest Grill and Pino Bianco. Groups looking for a dining experience not found anywhere else in Central New York should try Rodizio, a churrascaria serving slow-roasted meats in the Brazilian style.
                                                       Meeting planners can create winning agendas by enhancing business with Turning Stone’s acclaimed recreational amenities. Known throughout the region for its lively casino and exciting entertainment venues, Turning Stone is the only New York resort with three of Golfweek’s “Best Courses You Can Play in New York State.” Home of masterful designs by Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and Rick Smith, Turning Stone also features two nine-hole layouts and the Golf Dome, as well as two spas, including Skaná Spa, named one of the “Top 100 Spas of 2011” by Spas of America. Turning Stone arranges out-of-the-box team-building events, too — such as culinary cook-offs, health and wellness spa breaks, cake decorating contests and chip-and-putt tournaments. Turning Stone’s professional team is ready to attend to every detail seamlessly, with expert assistance on event logistics, technical and A/V support, customized catering and conference services.

Recently listed as one of the “75 Best Golf Resorts in North America” by Golf Digest, Turning Stone is proudly owned and operated by the Oneida Indian Nation. Learn more at www.turningstone.com/meet or call 888.361.7958.                                                                                                       

A Spirited Experience!

You still haven't registered for WestField's annual Spring fundraiser?  Well time is a-fleeting, and there is much anticipation surrounding this year's event! In addition to our popular silent and live auctions, the evening will feature an interesting twist: an educational food & beverage trend discussion and tastings with industry experts. You won't want to miss this fun-filled night! Please join us for a memorable experience at the historic Darien Community Association Meadowlands on Wednesday, May 9, 2012.

Enjoy an interactive wine and spirit trending discussion with industry experts including Adam Levy, AKA The Alcohol Professor from Spirited Events, Waldy Malouf, Executive Chef and Owner of Manhattan's Beacon Restaurant, and Dana Pellicano, Senior Director of Food & Beverage, Loews Regency Hotel in New York City.

In addition to sampling some superb wines and spirits from the local area, the experts will share current trends in beverages and educate us about all that the local area has to offer for interesting event venues.

At this unique event, you will learn about:

• Local resources for wines and spirits, and interesting event venues
• Beverage trends in fine dining
• Ways to select beverages to complement food selections

Come prepared to participate in our silent and live auctions for wines and spirits and other fabulous items! 

PLANNER MEMBER PROMOTION
We haven’t seen some of you in quite a while and hope you are able to attend one of the stellar WestField MPI programs planned for the remainder of this fiscal year!  Take advantage of this opportunity for complimentary attendance at the program planned for Wednesday, May 9th, or at the Awards Celebration on June 13th. This special offering is open to current planner members who have attended fewer than 3 programs over the past year and is limited to a maximum of 10 planners per program. A person may qualify for complimentary attendance at just one of the programs. When you register, enter the following text in the Special Requirements box: “Guest of WestField Membership Initiative 2012."  We will confirm your qualification prior to finalizing your registration.

BIDDING FOR GOOD - ONLINE and LIVE AUCTION
Our online auction officially opened on Monday, April 23rd and closes at 8:00pm EDT on Wednesday, May 9th at THIS chapter fundraiser and educational event. 

You may peruse the fabulous auction items available and start bidding today! The bidding will continue during the event and there will also be some special items to bid on during a live auction at the end of the evening.  To view the items and start bidding, please click below. 

The fundraiser will not only assist the chapter, but also proceeds will benefit a wonderful organization called The New York Says Thank You Foundation.  The mission of The New York Says Thank You Foundation is to send volunteers from New York City each year on the 9/11 anniversary to help rebuild communities around the country affected by disasters. It commemorates the extraordinary love and generosity extended to New Yorkers by Americans from all across the United States in the days, weeks, and months following September 11th.

Special thanks to our Program Sponsors for this event:

Decor provided by:

      Carolyn Dempsey Design

Entertainment provided by: 

   

Tasting cups provided by:

And...

Stephanie Tothill of Thinkers Design for designing our beautiful invitations.

In celebration of 40 years of MPI, WestField is celebrating its own members and welcoming new members with our Member Cares Program, Membership Initiative and Awards Recognition!

MEMBER CARES 
Ask about WEC scholarship and membership assistance for all members and our Ambassador program for newer members.  Email Melissa Hollander, CMP, at westfieldcares@mpiwc.org.

Welcome new members and those who have rejoined from January to April 2012:
Donna Browne (Mohonk Mountain House)
Stacey Castagna (Meeting Planner)
Donna Ercole (United Rentals)
Kathryn Marks (Hilton Rye Town)
Barbara Massy-Bear (Massy-Bear Events)
Dan Miller (The Westport Inn)
Dan O’Brien (The Delamar Greenwich Harbor)
Elizabeth Percheson (Student at Sacred Heart University)

MEMBERSHIP INITIATIVES

Qualifying Meeting Planners Attend Free -- Members and Non-Members!
WestField MPI has a limited number of complimentary registrations available for its May 9th educational and fundraising event being held at the Darien Community Association. Sample superb wines and spirits from our local area, while experts share local beverage and venue offerings. This is a great opportunity for you to try WestField on for size. Invite a colleague or your employer to be your guest!

JOIN MPI AND ATTEND FREE!  INCREASE YOUR NET WORTH BY EXPANDING YOUR NETWORK! JOIN WESTFIELD TODAY and receive one (1) complimentary registration at one of the programs below:

May 9, 2012: Educational and Fundraising Event at the Darien Community Association (CT)

June 13, 2012: Annual Awards Ceremony, Board Installation and Memorial Tribute to Past President Susan Sprague at the Larchmont Yacht Club (NY)

Register today and enter the following text in the special requirements area “Guest of WestField Membership Initiative 2012”. You will be contacted regarding your qualification for complimentary registration.

ASK ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO FIRST-TIME MEMBERS TO MPI AND HOW TO RECEIVE $50 OFF YOUR NEW MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL DUES!

COMING SOON: ANNUAL AWARD NOMINATIONS – DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!
We look forward to seeing you soon!

WestField MPI Membership Committee
 

In an effort to continue to meet our members' needs, the WestField Cares Committee is here as your membership resource. It is our goal to provide you with information that can directly enhance your career and membership experience while saving you money. 

Please feel free to email us at westfieldcares@mpiwc.org if you have any questions or if you need any member assistance with regard to any of the resources mentioned.

CORT® Event Furnishings is the only true national provider of furnishings for the exhibit, meetings and events industry. With distribution centers nationwide and 24/7/365 service, you’re guaranteed Style & Service Delivered.® Whether it’s high-end furnishings for an executive conference or comfortable lounge seating for special events and parties, CORT’s extensive product collection, unparalleled customer service and large quantities ensure a successful program.

Only CORT offers premier brands developed specifically for the exhibit and event rental industry, including the flexible Endless Collection,™ the brilliant Luna Lighting,™ the progressive modern designs of Lounge22™ Powered by CORT and the exclusive Blofield Air Design collection.  When image matters, select Lounge22 Powered by CORT, a high-end luxury collection made in the U.S., now available nationwide. CORT’s trend-setting boutique brand is the only choice for discerning clients who appreciate progressive modern design.

Explore CORT’s entire contemporary product collection and mix-and-match furniture to create the perfect solution for your clients’ needs. CORT Event Furnishings is changing the events industry one click at a time with a redesigned website. Explore the free and easy space planning tool that allows first-time users and experienced designers alike to create accurate and concise 2D floor plans, using preloaded event furnishing images.

The Endless Collection is a proprietary modular seating system designed for events with the flexibility to suit any space. Ottomans become chairs; those chairs become sofas which, in turn, become high banquettes. Design large serpentine or circular configurations or intimate vignettes. Modular seating presents endless options and its versatility enables event planners to exercise unlimited creativity. Infinite ideas.

Introducing Blofield Air Design by CORT (pictured)--A European-designed, award-winning collection that goes from the beach to the board room. It’s durable, lightweight, and provides comfort and style anywhere. CORT is the exclusive U.S. rental provider of the Blofield collection for the special event industry.

CORT’s collections also feature Luna Lighting, the most versatile, flexible and modular LED-lighted furniture in the meetings and events industry. It’s the green, energy efficient alternative to plug-in lights and cumbersome cords. The complete line includes functional lighted bars, architectural light columns, lighted tables and illuminated pedestals. Industry-leading LED, battery-operated lights can be set to glow in one of eight colors. Mix and match sizes and colors to express your unique style, and create a vibe that will make your event shine. So lighten up your next event with Luna Lighting by CORT. Be brilliant.

Take the guesswork out of planning your next event with simple drop-and-drag technology that allows you to create floor plans in minutes and keeps track of your items, to simplify ordering.  Visit CORT Events to view the entire CORT Event Furnishings product catalog. Or contact a CORT solutions expert, available 24/7/365 at 1.888.CORT.YES and see how CORT can help you create a brilliant event.

The June 13th Annual Awards dinner is rapidly approaching!

Now is your chance to nominate and vote for your fellow members who have contributed in so many ways toward WestField’s successful year! The Annual Awards dinner is a way to recognize chapter members who have given so much of their time and effort to help the WestField chapter provide outstanding member benefits. They are our mentors, our colleagues and our friends -- pushing us to raise our own bars a little higher. For those of us who were fortunate enough to attend the MEETNow! event, we recognize these individuals as those who push us to "break the board."

Voting will take place via the MPI WestField Chapter website.  First, keep an eye out for an e-mail that will direct you to make nominations. Once the qualified nominees have been chosen, voting will begin. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to recognize those who have given back so much throughout the year!

After voting, we invite you to join us at the Gala celebration at the historic Larchmont Yacht Club in Larchmont, New York. Take a look at their website.  It will be an evening to remember! You can expect delicious food and drink, an exciting auction and the always-entertaining awards ceremony - all with a beautiful view of the Long Island Sound.  

This special evening will also give our WestField Chapter the opportunity to honor the memory of Susan Sprague, Past President of the MPI WestField Chapter from 2005-2006. Susan passed away in December following a lengthy illness. Her service to both the WestField Chapter and the hospitality industry at large will not be forgotten. We look forward to honoring and celebrating her life at such an important event for our Chapter.

Register now for the Annual Awards dinner! Celebrate your friends and colleagues, spend the night with a mentor, learn more about Chapter Committees and become a volunteer next year.

As a special incentive, pricing has been set at a reasonable price of $55 for all planners and suppliers.

We can’t wait to see you there – we’ll save you a seat!

INTRODUCING THE EASY AND FUN WAY TO KEEP ATTENDEES INFORMED: Swank Audio Visuals Launches Mobile Meeting Manager (M3) App

Swank Audio Visuals’ innovative Web-based meeting app, Mobile Meeting Manager (M3), makes accessing itineraries and agendas fun and saves meeting planners time and money.

Attendees use M3 on their smartphones and tablets to access meeting times, speaker biographies, information about other attendees and exhibitor lists, and they can even use M3 to build a personal schedule. It makes preparing and distributing bulky informational packets a thing of the past.

Meeting planners save time because Swank’s dedicated M3 service team loads the event information; no special formatting is required. Additionally, having Swank provide an event’s audio visual services and its meeting app simplifies planning. Planners save money by reducing printing and shipping costs and eliminating reprints. The app for a meeting or event can usually be developed in less than a week. Revisions are easily made during the event and are automatically updated on attendees’ devices.

Swank’s partner hotels benefit from the app’s unique landing page, which features maps and special offers. M3’s web-based technology requires no downloads and is compatible with nearly every smartphone and tablet.

James Roché, Swank’s M3 Customer Service Director, says, “M3 is exceeding the expectations of meeting planners and attendees. For example, planners are creating new ways to use it, and M3 has the flexibility to adapt on the fly. And this is just the beginning — we’re already developing new features.”

The National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) was Swank’s first M3 customer. NAHU Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Jessica Waltman, said, “We used M3 to not only provide our attendees with agenda and speaker information, but to also link them to legislative talking points, Twitter and Flickr feeds, sponsor details and the conference website. M3 enabled NAHU to significantly reduce the amount of paper distributed to attendees, which helped us meet an organizational goal of having ‘greener’, more technology-savvy conferences. Attendees reported successfully using the M3 application, found it to be helpful, and would like to use it again at future meetings. NAHU plans to use Swank Audio Visuals’ M3 application at future events, and we recommend it to other organizations.”

For a demo of M3 and additional information, please click here. Screenshots of the app and photos of the M3 customer service team are available upon request.

Founded in 1937, Swank Audio Visuals is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012. The Company has a rich legacy of providing superior expertise, creativity, full-service support and state-of-the-art technology for the hotel, resort, meeting and conference center industries. Provided with a hospitality approach, services include audio, video, lighting, stage design, production, internet connectivity, webcasting/webarchiving, 3D renderings and more for events of all sizes. As an industry leader, Swank developed SwankDraw, a unique proprietary iPad app that allows room renderings to be created instantly onsite. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Swank Audio Visuals employs more than 1,600 talented professionals in approximately 375 destination resorts and hotels in 65 major markets, representing more than 165 cities in the U.S., Canada and Middle East.

Join us at our Annual WestField Golf Outing, Monday, July 9th at Knollwood Country Club (pictured). This exclusive private country club, located in Elmsford, New York, was established in 1895 and is one of the first golf clubs formed in the United States.

The Scramble format for the shotgun tournament allows any level golfer to join in the fun! The day will include cocktail stations, team activities, great food and a special surprise on the infamous 19th hole (par 3).

Take advantage of our “early birdie” special: register your foursome by June 1st and save $100 (individual golfers can sign up before the deadline and save $25)! If you are not a golfer, don’t worry! We welcome you to join us for lunch and/or dinner. Take advantage of this great opportunity for networking, building business relationships and renewing old friendships. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

Register today and enjoy all the amenities of a private country club for the price of a public course. To view the club's website, please click here.

For more information about the outing, please click below.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Carol Stierle, Committee Co-Chair
Charlie Coleman, Committee Co-Chair
Robert Goode
Peter Griffith
Gerald Longo, CMP
Pam Martin
Jeff Nyikos

Leadership – MBWA (Management by Walking Around)
By Carolyn Browning, CMP, Leadership Development Committee 

Walking around? You mean I need to get away from my desk and go see people? Won’t texting or emailing suffice? In our high-tech, “I’m too busy” and “I need it yesterday” world, walking around and talking to people has become a lost art. Besides the health benefits of getting up out of your chair and walking, a new perspective can do wonders. Do you know what your colleagues’ offices look like? Do they have a cube, a walled office, a niche in the living room? What does their work space say about them. What does yours say about you? 

Getting to know your co-workers on the personal level is a valuable business tool that we have gotten away from -- and it will make you stand out from the crowd. Some of the best leaders go that extra mile and learn a few facts to make their teams more cohesive. Yes, it’s work (whether paid or volunteer), but we might as well have a little fun while doing it. Mary Poppins sang “a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” Maybe getting together for a quick coffee (or your favorite beverage) will help connect some dots and make working relationships a bit more palatable. Everyone is busy, but there’s always time for a cup of coffee (at the local shop, the break room or your kitchen table) or a quick lunch. Find out who’s a latte fan like you, who’d rather have tea, or who would rather have a diet Coke.

When was the last time you chatted about your weekend plans, asked about their kids/spouse/ grandchildren/dog? Do you even know if they have any of these things? Pick up the phone, make the call and set up a date. Making time to share some informal time with your colleagues, be it your staff, your clients, your suppliers or your volunteer team, can make a huge difference. Seeing others in a slightly different light – finding out what makes them tick, what you have in common, and what motivates them, can make for a better working relationship.

So, is anyone up for a nonfat cappuccino?

MAKE YOUR EVENT SHINE AT SANDS

An unforgettable event is waiting for you at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. The event meeting space extends beyond 12,000 square feet of state-of-the-art function space. Our event specialists will help you organize each detail, ensuring the occasion is a success every step of the way. Cutting-edge technology, complimentary Wi-Fi, and onsite audio/video technicians are available at your command. As the newest meeting and event center in the region, our facility is suited to your needs and will undoubtedly wow your delegates every night.

The Sands Bethlehem Event Center includes 50,000 square feet of flexible multi-purpose space which will also accommodate meetings, conventions and a variety of entertainment events.

Let our elite catering service adds a touch of gourmet to your event, offering the finest cuisine and delectable treats for your guests. Our award-winning chefs will prepare a delicious meal suited to your taste, whether it is hors d’oeuvres for your conference or a three-course dinner.

Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is located 10 minutes from Lehigh Valley International Airport, just off of Interstate 78, Route 22, and Route 33, and is less than an hour from New York City and Philadelphia. Our newly-opened luxury hotel offers outstanding comfort for each guest and our world-class resort provides endless entertainment.

Enhance your visit with a trip to one of our delicious restaurants, including three by world-renowned chef, Emeril Lagasse. Enjoy fine dining at Emeril’s Chop House, or family-style classics from the Old World at Emeril’s Italian Table. For more casual fare, visit Burgers and More by Emeril, St. James Gate Irish Pub and Carvery, or New York’s famed Carnegie Deli.

Don’t miss out on shopping at The Shoppes at Sands, a brand new outlet mall with your favorite brands.

Plan your next event with us and we’ll help you make it extraordinary.

Updating or Obtaining CMP Certification
By Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMP Study Group Leader

For those of you who don’t yet have your CMP (you know who you are!), all is not lost! The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has recently made some changes to the CMP International Standards (formerly known as the CMP Blueprint) and, as of this July, will begin offering the exam online at testing centers instead of the "old fashioned" pencil and scan-sheet method. While that is good news for those of you with a fear of #2 pencils, the whole process should be a learning curve for all. On the plus side, there will be more testing centers (you can schedule a test date and time that works for you within a given window), and you’ll get your results more quickly. On the minus side, you will no longer have your study buddies in the same room as you sending over "good vibes" – you’ll be sitting at a walled desk in front of a computer and the others in the room more than likely are taking an exam that has nothing to do with the CMP. There will no longer be a need for exam proctors, so that opportunity for current CMPs to earn points toward recertification is gone. These are the trade-offs we’ll need to make in the name of progress!

Below are important dates for anyone considering taking the exam later this year (the deadline to submit applications for the July exam has passed).  If you are interested and would like to participate in our study group, please contact me at crbcmp@optonline.net or 203.975.1447. Your first step will be to download the application and CMP Handbook from the CIC website.   

Application Submission Period - April 2 - August 7, 2012
Local Study Group Dates TBA – early June
CIC Exam Registration August 21 - September 13, 2012
Exam Appointment Scheduling - September 24 - October 31, 2012
Exam Dates (at over 430 testing centers) - November 1-10, 2012

For my fellow CMPs, if you have never participated in a Conclave, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the exam process, help write/edit questions and network with other CMPs. Registration is still open for the Conclave happening June 9-11 in Tampa. For more information or to register, please click here.  Hope to see you there!

Ten Presentation Tips from M Communications

M Communications has been in business for 20 years. Most of our staff has a longer record than many in the audio/visual industry. Here are ten useful meeting tips we have learned over the years:

• To judge whether or not your presentation will be readable to the people at the back of the room, print out the presentation on full-sized paper and place it on the floor. If you can comfortably read it (while standing up), your audience will be able to also. If you cannot, then break it into two slides and increase the font size.
• Some movie files do not like simultaneous displays. They will either play on the laptop or on the screen, but not both. This is even the case when embedded in a PowerPoint presentation. Choose the external screen if there is a problem.
• When setting up to record video or a teleconference, it is important to remember to add additional lights to the room's direct overhead lights. Even inexpensive socket extensions with swivel heads can shift the light enough to eliminate the "raccoon effect" on the eyes, and the shiny effect on foreheads.
• The last row of seats should be 8 times the height of the image. So if you have a 6'(h)x8'(w) image, the last row of seats should be about 48' from the screen.
• On a videoconferencing call, some locations use IP-based origination, while other locations still use ISDN lines. Just remember to use a bridging service for best results between the two.
• During presentations, always check the power on your laptop to make sure the computer is running off the AC and not off the computer's battery. Be sure to turn off your laptop’s screen saver/sleep mode.
• When you are in PowerPoint's Slide “play” mode, you can still press the F1 function key to access the Slide Show “help” dialog box. This box displays all kinds of shortcut commands that will work while you're in the Slide Show mode.
• Microphones are named after the pattern they pick up. The three most common types are: 1) Omni-directional mics, which pick up sound in a 360 degree pattern, 2) Cardioid mics pick up sound in a heart-shaped pattern, and 3) Uni-directional mics pick up sound in only one direction.
• For power point presentations, use CTRL+H to hide the pointer.
• You can extend the lamp life on portable projectors by not moving the projector until after the lamp has cooled (wait approximately 5 minutes).