February 2005 - ITMIC 2004 in Albuquerque
The first quarter of the New Year is almost over. Are we having fun yet?
The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect on how we, as meetings,
incentives and travel planners do business. Do you sometimes think that the
"normal" format of conferences has become "tired"? Do meetings feel more like
Middle School, with a few "assembly programs" (general sessions) followed by a
flurry of classes (breakouts), with minimal interaction and the absence of a
well thought-out instructional design? Does it sometimes look like the
commercials overwhelm the learning opportunities?
WHAT IF we radically changed the conference model and go for much smaller groups
of people pursuing the same objectives, get them set up with appropriate mentors
and design fun learning experiences outside the classroom? Why do attendees have
to sneak out of meeting rooms to experience the destination? Isn't the
destination part of the learning package and one of the reasons why they are
attending the conference?
For the joint conference of the Connected International Meeting Professionals
Association and Asian Leaders Association in Greece on November 10-15, 2005, we
want to dramatically re-design the conference format. Can you help us with some
ideas? We invite you to be a co-designer for this 15 year old conference. Please
go to www.cimpa.org/itmic2005.htm for information.
Meanwhile, FYI, some of the speakers presentations at ITMIC 2004 can now be
heard at www.cimpa.org/miceradio.htm
Keep in mind that you can multi-task while listening to this internet radio. You
can also fast forward or re-wind. Just press on the appropriate buttons.
GRANTS AND CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINORITIES - Eddy Badrina, Executive
Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,
gives a very informative presentation on grants and contract opportunities for
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Bush administration. There is money
out there for all minorities, including Hispanics and African Americans.. All
that one has to do is find out where and how to get them. Eddy did a great job
in leading us through the maze.
TALKING EMAIL AND WEBSITES - A first in the industry. MIke Stewart, the
undisputed King of Internet Voice, talks about how to put sound on your website,
email and other informational products. Indeed, learning is enhanced when you
use more senses. Listen to CIMPA speakers at www.cimpa.org/miceradio.htm Mike
recorded these at the conference and Andrea Sigler encoded and uploaded them on
the CIMPA website. Andrea is an enthusiastic student of Mike.
THE JOY OF CONNECTING - Bonnie Ross Parker's presentation on The Joy of
Connecting was a joy. There were very useful tips on how to make the most out of
your participation in conferences and any other event. Bonnie is well known as
"America's Connection Diva". She is one of the favorite connectors at the
CONNECTED International Meeting Professionals Association.
FUNDRAISING IDEAS - Who needs money? Patricia Chavez and Gene Pino are a pair of
successful hands-on fundraisers. In this presentation, they share their
experiences and some very useful tips and strategies for raining funds to get
your projects and programs going..
BREAKTHROUGH THINKING - Why didn't I think of that? More than a motivational
speech, this presentation had the audience mesmerized, their brains wildly
spinning. Edie Raether is provocative, funny and full of the uncommon common
sense. She very effectively demonstrated the principles she was talking about.
We particularly enjoyed her leading Luisa Yu, owner of her own travel and
meeting planning company and the last person you would think would use her bare
hands to break a board, DO IT - to the hearty applause of the audience. We also
enjoyed her demonstration with Carlos Zapata, meeting planner for giant LULAC,
whose strong physiology she changed with the power of suggestion. The recording
is a bit long. But hey - you can multi-task while listening.
THE BASICS OF MEETING PLANNING - Jim Fausel, CMP, CMM, President of Conference
Connection and professor of meeting planning at Arizona State University in
Scottsdale talks about how to get started as a meeting planner. If you are a
beginner, you should listen to this recording.
ALBUQUERQUE WELCOME - Cathy Gonzalez, Vice President for Conventions at the
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and President of the Albuquerque CIMPA
Chapter talks about what Albuquerque has to offer to meeting, incentive and
travel planners. Thank you, Cathy and colleagues, for your support and wonderful
hospitality. Thanks as well to Brad Mettler and Sharon Billings of the
Albuquerque Hyatt Regency Hotel. We encourage all our members to sample the most
caring, solicitous service in this beautiful hotel.
COMING SOON - "How To Increase Your Business By Becoming Slightly Famous" by
Rochelle Balch, "life's A Business, So Let's Get Busy" by Phil Parker, "The
Hispanic Community" by Margaret Gonzalez, "You Can Handle More Than You Think
You Can" by Dave Balch and others plus the Asian Academy Hall of Fame Awards
Ceremony.
Meanwhile, if any speaker or anyone would like to have their voices heard, you
are welcome to make a recording anytime. This would be especially useful to the
awardees who did not speak at the ceremony, speakers in Albuquerque who would
like to give a new presentation and other speakers who did not make it to
Albuquerque but who would like to join us in Greece. Here's how:
1) If you are in the USA, dial 1-800-609-9006 x 1301
International callers may use 678-255-2174 x 1301.
2) Identify yourself. Give your name, your title, organization, location of
organization,
3) Record your speech, comment or idea
4) Email me (by clicking the reply button) to let me know you have made a
recording. Andrea Sigler will retrieve it and publish it on the web.
ASIAN ACADEMY HALL OF FAME AWARDS - We will soon be sending out the Call for
Nominees for the 2005 Asian Academy Hall of Fame Awards. Be sure to email us if
you want to nominate a deserving candidate. Awardees will be recognized at a
unique Olympic ceremony in Greece. The Knighting Ceremony in New Mexico was a
very impressive one.
SAVE THE DATES: The next conference will be held on November 10-12, 2005 in
Greece with a post Mediterranean cruise.
Having exported chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy before most nations were
staying up late enough to want ouzo and souvlaki, Greece, cradle of ancient
civilization, boasts an unrivalled legacy. Greece is the land of ancient sites
and architectural treasures--the Acropolis in Athens, the amphitheater of
Epidaurus, and the reconstructed palace at Knossos being among the best known.
But the Greek propensity for partying dates back to Dionysus - so expect our
conference there to be a fun-filled study of the ancient world.
Register now for the 2005 conference - www.cimpa.org/register2005.htm
If you are a speaker and would like to speak at this conference, please visit
www.cimpa.org/itmic2005.htm
DON'T FORGET - We need your help urgently at the Helping Hands Mission to Asia
in July, 2005. If you cannot join us, your financial contribution will be
appreciated. Info at http://www.asianleaders.org/tsunami_victims_fund.htm
A million thanks to all the caring, generous souls who have sent in their
contributions.
CPPM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM - is newly revised to reflect the new trends in the
industry. Start the New Year right with an investment in your career -
www.cimpa.org/certify.htm
GET CONNECTED . Sign up as a member now - www.cimpa.org
Wishing you a new year filled with great possibilities!
Best regards,
The CIMPA / ALA Team
_______________________
Please visit us at our talking websites:
www.cimpa.org
www.asianleaders.org
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