The Meeting Professional





From The Editor

October 2024

Let’s make a deal

By Blair Potter

 

 "I don’t think she likes me." That’s what a car salesman told my stepdad after my mom slammed her hand on his desk and said, "Just tell me the price of the car. I don’t need a friend."

My mom is a very nonconfrontational person, but who hasn’t been pushed to the brink negotiating at a car dealership? I once stormed out after retrieving my golf clubs from my "new car" after the financing process went sideways. My wife was once told the car she had just traded in couldn’t be returned after the deal ultimately fell through because the keys were on the roof of the dealership (they found someone with roof access to retrieve the magically traveling keys).

For law enforcement officers, negotiating is often a matter of life and death. I know this because I watch movies. In 1993’s action thriller "The Fugitive," Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard shoots and kills a fugitive. When a colleague says he believes Gerard should have bargained with the man, Gerard leans in to whisper one of the film’s most iconic lines: "I. Don’t. Bargain."

In the world of meetings and events, you do, in fact, bargain. Much like the car lot, pretty much everything is negotiable. And though these stressful situations can sometimes seem particularly intense, contract expert Therese Jardin wants you to remember that—unlike in the movies—meeting and event negotiations are not high-stakes situations.

"So, everybody, calm down just a little bit—don’t feel like if you make a mistake, it’s going to be the end of the world because it won’t be," says Jardin, instructor of MPI’s Contract & Negotiation Specialist Certificate course.

Having said that, the intersection of money and meetings is no joke. And we’re here to help with The Money Issue.

Jardin offers additional insights in "Contracts: Remember What’s at Stake—and What’s Not" (Page 50). Alongside cost-management tips from many of your industry peers (Page 46), we also address the rise of event registration fees (Page 46), the health of planner and supplier businesses (Page 48), the importance of transparency with veteran independent planner Mozelle Goodwin (Page 52) and more.

As always, I leave you with a quote from someone smarter than me. In this case, it’s former U.S. President John F. Kennedy: "Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."

 

 

Blair Potter
Editor in chief, MPI



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From The MPI President

October 2024

Reaching for the stars

By Paul Van Deventer

 

Southern California—my home for the last 24 years—is no stranger to rocket launches, thanks to Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara. One recent evening, my breath was taken away as an already-stunning golden-hour sky was punctuated with the brilliant glow from the contrails of a 200-plus-foot-tall Falcon 9 rocket intent on piercing the heavens.

Even though extraterrestrial exploration is a modern reality—and has been, to varying degrees, for my entire life—it never fails to induce grand thinking and amazement at the immensity of the cosmos, a mental state unobtainable when pondering earth-bound pursuits. It consistently invokes thoughts of innovation, creativity and mankind’s potential of the future.

Space exploration is about the big picture—perhaps the biggest picture for mankind. But from a more terrestrial perspective, the big-picture goal of bringing people together to create better individuals, better organizations, better communities, better societies and a better world through meetings and events is no less important, or inspirational. After all, without various meetings and events to brainstorm, strategize, troubleshoot and network, space exploration as we know it would not exist. Meeting professionals of yesteryear certainly played a significant role in the advancements of our society—and you and/or your peers are carrying that torch.

A successful future, however, can’t be constructed in a silo. You need guidance, education, inspiration, support and a community from near and far. As the world’s largest association for meeting and event professionals, MPI’s role is to support you as you reach for the stars. And through MPI you’re able to experience that in so many ways: the MPI Academy’s innovative education, including the extremely relevant AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program; The Meeting Professional’s timely and insightful content; the MPI Foundation’s investments in you, often when you need it the most; the voices and opinions of your peers shared on MPItv, the EVENTalks podcast and within your local chapter; and when we come together in-person for events such as the World Education Congress, the European Meetings & Events Conference, the EVENT in Canada, chapter events and, this month, IMEX America in Las Vegas.

Thanks to our strategic partnership with IMEX Group—celebrating a decade of formal, collaborative excellence next year—at IMEX America event professionals are availed dozens of complimentary professional education sessions on Smart Monday, powered by MPI (Oct. 7), plus world-class keynotes throughout IMEX America, all to help you design and execute events of and for the future. And on Oct. 9, the MPI Foundation, with our partner Caesars Entertainment, provides our industry’s best networking event of the year at Rendezvous at Drai’s. Because when we meet, we change the world.

 

 

Paul Van Deventer
President & CEO, MPI



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Wellness

October 2024

Releasing burdens. Finding balance.

By Blair Potter

 

Sepidah Eivazi says she was able to reclaim her authentic self due in part to her discovery of somatic breathwork. She would go on to share what she learned far and wide, including at Caesars Entertainment’s inaugural Global Wellness Summit in June in Las Vegas.

Promoting wellness best practices is Eivazi’s way of empowering others to "break free from the cycle of stress and burnout in their lives."

"It’s about creating spaces where healing, sustainability and genuine connection can flourish," says Eivazi, a wellness advocate and founder of Dawn of the Earth, a platform combining somatic breathwork with custom-made teas.

 

 

Eivazi grew up in Iran, where she developed a deep understanding of herbs, which she now uses to create healing, toxin-free blends. She also integrates Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) into her practice, helping individuals release emotional burdens and find balance.

"With extensive experience in the event industry, including roles as a hotelier and as director of global accounts with Elevated Meeting Solutions, I uniquely merge wellness with event planning," Eivazi says. "My approach creates experiences that are both memorable and deeply nourishing. As a member of the Global Wellness Institute’s Breathe Initiative, I educate others on the power of breathwork, and through my commitment to sustainability, I plant a tree for every tea blend sold—nurturing both people and the planet."

Her interest in wellness began as a personal journey to heal from the challenges she faced growing up in Iran.

"Discovering somatic breathwork was a turning point—it allowed me to release deep-seated trauma and reclaim my authentic self," she says. "This experience fueled my passion to share these powerful healing practices with others. As a former hotelier and current event planner, I’ve seen firsthand the intense stress our industry demands. Holding so much tension to perform and support our clients often forces us into a constant state of fight, flight or freeze, which is damaging to our nervous system and mental well-being. Understanding this, I felt a strong calling to merge wellness practices with event planning, creating experiences that not only leave a lasting impression but also nourish the mind, body and spirit."

 

"Even in the busiest schedules, small, intentional practices can make a big difference in maintaining your well-being. Take a few moments between meetings or during travel to practice deep, mindful breathing."

Sepideh Eivazi Wellness Advocate and Founder of Dawn of the Earth

 

Eivazi is a featured speaker on Caesars Entertainment’s wellness menu, which features healthy F&B options and wellness activations that meeting planners can utilize to create more holistic, wellness-focused events. The June wellness summit was a great opportunity to share wellness learnings with an exclusive meeting planner audience.

"Recognizing the high-stress environment of the event industry, we collaborated to introduce mindfulness and relaxation techniques throughout the event," Eivazi says. "I had the honor of speaking about the power of tapping, also known as EFT, in building self-confidence. This method is incredibly effective in breaking negative thought patterns and promoting mental clarity. Through breathwork, we can release trapped emotions at a cellular level, bringing the body to a state of calm and emotional balance. Additionally, I provided sustainable wellness boxes as room amenities, which included lavender bags sourced from Ojai, Calif., and hand-crafted Palo Santo, both designed to calm the mind and alleviate mental ailments."

Knowing meeting professionals work long hours and travel frequently, Eivazi suggests they prioritize micro-moments of self-care throughout the day.

"Even in the busiest schedules, small, intentional practices can make a big difference in maintaining your well-being," she says. "One simple, yet powerful, practice is conscious breathing. Take a few moments between meetings or during travel to practice deep, mindful breathing. This helps regulate your nervous system, reduce stress and bring you back to the present moment."

 


Photography courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

 

Staying hydrated and choosing nourishing foods is also key, Eivazi says.

"Travel and long hours can disrupt your eating habits, so try to carry healthy snacks and drink plenty of water," she says. "Your body will thank you, and you’ll have more sustained energy throughout the day. Lastly, whenever possible, incorporate some movement into your routine. Even a short walk or stretching can do wonders for relieving tension and re-energizing your body."

Eivazi is happy to see event organizers increasingly recognizing the importance of creating spaces where attendees can decompress and recharge.

"For example, incorporating dedicated wellness zones where attendees can engage in activities like breathwork sessions, guided meditations or even quick yoga breaks has become more common," she says. "These practices help attendees stay focused, reduce stress and enhance their overall experience."

 

REGISTER FOR THE 3 "MUSTS" OF SELF-CARE

Through the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many individuals get so caught up in serving others that they often overlook crucial self-care treatment. The MPI-MD program "You Can’t Walk Through the Pigpen Without Getting Mud on Your Feet - The 3 ‘Musts’ of Self-care" on Nov. 8 will be a highly interactive and engaging workshop to help you explore areas where fatigue may occur. Register at academy.mpi.org .



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Volunteer Leadership

October 2024

‘MPI is a heart thing’

By Blair Potter

TARA LIASCHENKO STEVEN G. FOSTER FOSTER+FATHOM AND GRIT PRODUCTIONS & EXPOSITIONS

 

Serving as an MPI chapter leader is so much more than just volunteering time, says Tara Liaschenko, CMM.

"In MPI, our chapter leaders are the heartbeat of the organization, as they are the connection between MPI Global and its members," says Liaschenko, CEO of The Link Event Professionals Inc. and chair of the Facilitator and Chapter Training Committee (FACT, part of the Chapter and Membership Advisory Council). "MPI understands this and invests back in its volunteers. The organization provides great role-specific education but also overall leadership development training. MPI’s chapter leaders become our industry leaders. This leads to future jobs and advancements, more business and greater personal and professional connections."

"Our chapter leaders don’t get paid to serve. They do it because they want to give back to their local community of MPI colleagues," says Foster, managing partner of Foster+Fathom LLC and recipient of MPI’s 2024 RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership. "It’s work that often goes unnoticed and unappreciated."

Foster has spent 21 years working with almost every MPI chapter in North America and says without hesitation that there is no MPI without volunteer chapters leaders.

"They impact our professional lives and industry legacy," he says. "Everyone who has ever served as an MPI chapter volunteer should be celebrated as a community hero, because that’s what they are."

MORE EQUIPPED TO BE SUCCESSFUL

Liaschenko and Foster have served as MPI chapter facilitators for many years, but their dedication to the association and the meeting industry goes well beyond the countless hours they’ve volunteered in any "official" capacity. As a staff member working in the MPI media department for more than 20 years, I’ve reached out to both of them many times for quotes or interviews and they have never hesitated, always responding quickly with keen insights even though they’re extremely busy and often on the road.

 

 

MPI Regional Councils: A New Spark of Enthusiasm

"I’ve been around long enough to see many campaigns roll out across the MPI landscape, but I don’t remember ever being as excited as I am about the new regional council initiative," says Steven G. Foster. And he has good reason to be excited.

Each MPI regional council fosters continuous collaboration, best practice sharing and improvement within MPI chapters, clubs and student clubs in a designated region. This new initiative aims to create cohesive and effective links between MPI communities, so it only made sense to recruit key MPI veterans to head up each council.

Foster is council chair for the Southwest Region (which includes chapters in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, the Texas Hill Country, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado) and reports a high level of enthusiasm from chapter leaders who are ready to achieve great things together.

"I’m working with an amazing vice chair, former MPI Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter President Paige Mejia, and a group of chapter liaisons to provide support, assistance and collaborative strategies to the hundreds of MPI chapter members we represent. We’re completing a very successful first year and have already submitted our goals and objectives for the 2025 term, which will include hosting a SW Region Town Hall in January; sharing financial best practices on budgeting, revenue generation, reserve fund management and sponsorship and partnership development; and hosting a SW Region Meet-Up/Reception at WEC 2025."

Read more about the regional council chairs and their insights into the latest meeting industry trends in the April 2024 issue of The Meeting Professional.

 

Foster got involved in MPI chapter facilitation in 2003 when MPI identified a need for its chapter leaders to begin operating with more focused attention on business metrics in areas such as membership, education and sponsorships.

"A group of MPI chapter leaders, mostly past presidents, were selected to participate in an inaugural chapter facilitator program, and I was fortunate enough to make the cut," he says. "Over the next two years we developed a set of chapter business documents to help volunteer leaders at the board level operate more efficiently and collaboratively. Looking back, it really was groundbreaking because it changed the MPI chapter landscape in so many ways. Fast forward 21 years, there have been many changes in our processes and in the Chapter Preferred Facilitator roster, all of them positive. We’ve learned so much along the way and our volunteer chapter leaders today are so much more equipped to be successful in service to their members."

Liaschenko was encouraged by Terri Breining—past chair of the MPI International Board of Directors and current director of the meeting and event management master’s program for the SDSU Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism—to consider facilitating in 2008.

"Sixteen years later, I’ve worked with almost every U.S. chapter, much of the Canadian leadership and many global chapter leader programs," Liaschenko says. "From an MPI Global perspective, the facilitator program has gone through several iterations, but today I find it to be much more structured and supported."

AVAILABLE PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY

One critical component to MPI chapter success: board retreats—annual gatherings to prepare the incoming board for the year ahead and mid-year gatherings to make sure plans are on track. Liaschenko says that beyond the essential business that’s conducted (business plan, budget, 18-month rolling calendar, etc.), there are many components to a chapter retreat.

"It’s a time for bonding through ice breakers, meals and team building," she says. "It’s a time for leadership training, succession planning, volunteer recruitment and management, value propositions and brainstorming."

Foster says that every chapter board essentially runs a business and would ideally meet 12 times a year, but that’s a big ask for anyone, let alone people completely volunteering their time.

"These retreats are vital to the success of the chapter and drive every member-focused value activation throughout the year," he says. "But it’s not only the business that happens in the meeting room that matters. Equally important is the team building (bonding) that occurs when board members have time to get familiar with one another and build relationships. These retreats validate the investment of time, talent and treasure these volunteer leaders have in the professional growth of their fellow chapter members. That’s extraordinary."

 


FOSTER+FATHOM AND GRIT PRODUCTIONS & E XPOSITIONS

 

 

An MPI chapter leader igloo session at MPI’s World Education Congress.

Chapter retreats are conducted by facilitators in order to ensure every important component is achieved in a timely and efficient manner, Liaschenko says.

"Facilitators know how to schedule each element with breaks and exercises to keep a positive flow," she says. "They are an unbiased coach to manage conflict and achieve consensus. And they are skilled in varied facilitation techniques to deal with all situations and add fun."

A facilitator who is an MPI member and past chapter leader understands the MPI culture and mission, Foster says.

"Preferred facilitators receive routine training and communication from the FACT Committee and work closely with the Global Chapter Operations team to stay current on the environment in which chapter leaders operate," he says. "We provide a trusted voice and perspective to the specific needs of volunteer chapter leaders. MPI chapter facilitation is unique because it requires a deep understanding of the MPI business model, chapter structure and, most importantly, a willingness to contribute at the same level as the volunteer leaders. It’s not a transactional relationship. You have to be available personally and professionally or it doesn’t work."

THE ‘HEARTBEAT IS STRONG’

Of course, not all training can be conducted at the local level. That’s where the annual MPI Chapter Leaders Summit (CLS) comes into play. Since 2020, the summit has been hosted live from the Grit Studio in Grapevine, Texas, and sponsored by Foster+Fathom and Grit Productions & Expositions.

"For many years, Kelly Massey (Grit Productions & Expositions) and I invested our personal time as volunteer leaders. Today, as business owners and industry colleagues, we are encouraging involvement within our own companies," Foster says. "CLS is something MPI chapter volunteers look forward to attending, so Kelly and I understand we have to deliver on those expectations. By partnering with the MPI Chapter Operations Team, we’ve made a long-term investment to provide chapter leaders the space to collaborate and prepare for their upcoming board terms. In a small way, we’re investing in their success."

Liaschenko has been a CLS facilitator for many years, training volunteer leaders and facilitating meaningful discussions.

"CLS is essential as it’s the only time all our chapter leaders can come together at one time and get amazing training, resources, best practices and, most importantly, connect with their peers to make sure that this organization’s heartbeat is strong," she says.

CLS provides the most focused training, best-practice sharing, leadership support and collaboration necessary for MPI chapters to remain strong, viable and significant, according to Foster.

"Tenure provides opportunity, and as a 32-year MPI member, I’ve been presented with many, but CLS is special," he says. "It’s the one event focused entirely on driving success at the chapter level. I’ve been an attendee, a presenter and now a sponsor, and I always look forward to this community of chapter leaders coming together."



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Industry Legacy

October 2024

50 years of growth, wellness and making communities better

By Blair Potter
Todd Frappier

This year, Orlando-based Rosen Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Todd Frappier, chief sales and marketing officer for Rosen Hotels & Resorts, has been with the company for more than 30 years and has firsthand knowledge about much of the growth and community-boosting initiatives spearheaded by the company’s founder, President and COO Harris Rosen. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary, Frappier spoke with us about celebrating this important milestone, how the company and Orlando have flourished and the entrepreneurial spirit of Harris Rosen.

Read our full interview with Frappier on the MPI blog, where he discusses the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the RosenCare healthcare program for employees.

How is Rosen Hotels & Resorts celebrating the 50th anniversary?

We kicked it off in January with the Rosen Reveal magazine, a publication offered in all our guest rooms and properties, with some stories about Mr. Rosen, what the company is all about and how being an independent company allows us to be more creative and flexible when competing in the extremely competitive convention market. We also highlight Mr. Rosen’s philanthropic spirit and his passion for education and healthcare.

We just celebrated our associates at the annual anniversary luncheon; we do this every year, but it had special meaning this year, of course, as we celebrated some of the company’s most-tenured associates, all the way up to Mr. Rosen’s 50 years. We also had a 50th-anniversary celebration at Rosen Shingle Creek with local dignitaries, clients and community leaders—Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings even proclaimed June 24 as Harris Rosen Day. That special evening showcased "a taste of Rosen" with the amazing food our executive chefs and culinary teams provide our guests daily.

We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary at our properties through June 2025 with new, unique anniversary desserts, special events and promotions for our clients.

It’s always great to look back on how we got here and celebrate all the accomplishments of Mr. Rosen and the company, and everyone at the company is very excited about the next 50 years.

How have the company and Orlando grown over the past 50 years?

When Mr. Rosen started the company and purchased his first property in 1974, this country was still feeling the impact of a foreign oil embargo and Orlando was a lot smaller than it is today.

Orlando has evolved as a destination over the past 50 years. Disney put the area on the map from the tourism side and the Orange County Convention Center has dramatically impacted Orlando as a meetings and conventions destination.

In that time, Rosen Hotels & Resorts grew from one small motel to now seven properties with over 6,300 guest rooms and more than 4,000 associates. But I think the core of Rosen is still the same—it’s all about taking care of our associates and offering them a great place to work.

How has Harris Rosen’s entrepreneurial spirit helped drive innovation and growth?

The entrepreneurial spirit of the company starts with Mr. Rosen. As we’ve grown, Mr. Rosen has been and remains very visible. He created the company with a hands-on, no-redtape philosophy—working hard and exceeding customer expectations.

It was important for him to remain focused on Central Florida, even with opportunities to grow the company outside of the area. By staying hyperlocal, this allowed him to really keep his finger on the pulse of his properties. This way, he could hear what customers were saying or welcome a client for a site inspection. He even shakes guests’ hands when groups arrive and thanks them for their support.

It’s also important for him to meet and talk to his front-of-the-house associates and those behind the scenes to find out what’s critical to provide the best guest service experience.

Harris Rosen’s philanthropic efforts are well known. Tell us why these efforts have been important to him?

Mr. Rosen was championing corporate social responsibility before it was a buzz word. Mr. Rosen and his foundations provide free preschool and college or trade school scholarships to children in two of Orlando’s underserved communities. Those college scholarships cover tuition, room and board and books, with the goal that students can graduate debt-free. One of those communities, Tangelo Park, had a high crime rate and an extremely low high school graduation rate. Fast forward 30 years, and now crime is down to next-to-nothing and the graduation rate is almost 100%.

Mr. Rosen feels that it doesn’t matter if you’re in a gated community or an underserved community, everyone should have the same educational opportunities. This levels the playing field.

Rosen Shingle Creek

ROSEN SHINGLE CREEK

  • AAA Four Diamond flagship hotel
  • 1,501 guest rooms
  • 524,000 sq feet of dedicated event space
  • championship golf course
  • onsite garden providing farm-to-table freshness
Rosen Centre PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS

ROSEN CENTRE

  • 24 stories
  • 1,334 guest rooms
  • 164,000 sq feet of event space
  • Connects to OCCC via skywalk
Rosen Plaza

ROSEN PLAZA

  • Boutique-like feel
  • 800 guest rooms
  • 60,000 sq feet of event space
  • Connects to OCCC via skywalk


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MPI News

October 2024

Yes, event planners need AI, too

By Michael Pinchera

GETTY IMAGES

This summer, MPI's EVENTalks podcast welcomed three meeting industry artificial intelligence (AI) leaders to discuss how event professionals can best jump into and begin leveraging the power of this quickly evolving tech in ways that benefit them and their stakeholders. Tune into episode 29 of EVENTalks—available on all major podcast platforms and at www.mpi.org/eventalks—for an enlightening and entertaining conversation with Reposite’s Paul Klopfer, one of the instructors for MPI’s AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program; Erin Leonard, offering a planner perspective; and Sam Stanton, founder of REDBUTTON.AI.

MPI’s AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program offers event professionals a deeper dive into the strategic utilization of AI, from the basics and best practices to hands-on experience and legal considerations. This in-demand certificate program will fill up, so if you don’t want to miss the Oct. 24 or Dec. 6 courses, register today at mpi.org! The AI-Enhanced Event Professional certificate program is sponsored by Marriott Hotels & Resorts.



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