March 2005
Part 1 - Mark Your Calendar
for "Conversations in Greece and Italy" - November, 2005
Springtime!. On our website (http://www.cimpa.org/about_greece.htm) about our
2005 Conference venue, we have Greek singer Nana Mouskouri singing "The Rose".
The last stanza is my favorite:
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed that with the suns's love
In the spring becomes the Rose
Comforting thought. Remember that whenever you face resistance and seemingly
unsurmountable challenges to whatever you are doing. As tulips burst from
lifeless sod and cherry blossoms dress up naked branches, I wish you a
beautiful, warm and joyous spring.
I am writing this issue of the newsletter myself because I have 3 very important
things to share with you. The first one I call Un-conferencing: Innovation in
the Meetings Industry. This relates to the re-design of the joint CIMPA and ALA
conference in Crete, Greece on November 10-12 with pre and post conference trips
to Athens and Italy. I am very excited about this project. http://www.cimpa.org/itmic2005.htm
The 2nd is the announcement that the 2005 Asian Academy Hall of Fame Awards will
be held at the Olympic Stadium in Athens and the third is an appeal for help and
invitation to join the Asian Leaders Association's Helping Hands Mission to Asia
on July 30-August 14 to help the tsunami and typhoon victims. Several months
after the disaster, many victims are still walking around in utter hopelessness.
Your help is needed now, more than ever. Time has not healed. In some cases,
their situation has become far worse as the world has started to forget. http://www.asianleaders.org/help.htm
But first, here is the email address to get a useful idea to advance your
business: Get a free white paper on "Email Marketing as A Relationship
Strategy". This year, we are attaching something useful for you to keep with
each issue of the newsletter. Send a blank email to whitepaper@cimpa.org and
type White Paper on the subject line. Enjoy!
RE-DESIGNING CONFERENCES
"Come and listen to 5000 experts"
"1000 break-outs and 100 tracks"
"1 million exhibitors in a half day trade show"
I am exaggerating - but you get the idea.
Read any conference brochure in the meetings and travel industry. The numbers
may vary - but all of them basically offer keynote speeches, general sessions,
breakout sessions, tracks. You run around in a conference center looking for the
sessions you have chosen and then what? You sit down and listen. If the speaker
does not go over the time limit, you might have time to ask one question -
MAYBE. Did you pick up some ideas? Maybe yes - maybe no. Did you learn? Most
probably not. There's a difference.
Do these 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?.
That is not how we are going to do it at the 2005 joint conference of CIMPA and
Asian Leaders Association to be held in Crete, Greece on November 10-12 with pre
and post conference tours in Athens and Italy. You might call this an
Unconference. CONVERSATIONS will probably be a more appropriate term. Authentic
conversations - with experts, gurus, suppliers and industry colleagues.
ITMIC (International Technology, Meetings and Incentives Conference) 2005 will
be a very different industry event. The meeting world does not need another
"tired" seminar or trade show. You are invited to join CIMPA and ALA in creating
the next generation of meetings focused on the real world of learning.
ITMIC 2005 will be a gathering of meeting professionals interested in and
intrigued by LEARNING. Suppliers will not treat you like sales prospects but as
mentors and partners in providing exciting venues and services for your
meetings. Instead of Tracks, we want to build small Learning Exploration Sites
where explorers determine what they want and how they are going to get it.. We
would like learning to be the focus of all events and activities without
detracting from the enjoyment of such a beautiful setting on the Mediterranean
Sea.
Technology has drastically changed the way information is distributed, hence
dramatically changing not only the methods but the content of meetings. We will
use technology to the fullest prior to the meeting so we can devote more time to
activities that face to face meetings are good for - networking, creative
strategizing, bonding, building business relationships and yes - stress
reduction:-)
How are we going to do it? We have the basic idea but we need your help. We
would like you to be more than a passive participant. You are invited to
participate in designing and building a new concept in meetings. As soon as you
register, you will be part of the Design Team and together, we will build a new
model for conferences. We have planted the seed but we need your energy,
experience and wisdom to get the rose to come out and bloom. It will bloom -
regardless - so you might as well help us.
Our collaboration will begin long before you get on an airplane to experience
the beauty and serenity of a Greek island. We have chosen a most relaxing venue
on the sea - with brilliant sunrise and stunning sunsets.
Our sponsors are preparing an exciting array of activities. Here are just a few:
1."Governmental County Director will offer to your members a welcome reception
with Greek folklore music+dances at the Venetian old Castle which provides a
panoramic overlook, on the old city and the coastline"
2. "Our company will offer to your participants a Free tour at our Ageco
Eco-farm with a Cretan Eco products meze-buffet with drinks straight...from the
Raki-distillery". (The farm recreates a traditional 17th century farm and
mini-village).
3. "Hotel will offer you the Orchestra with Greek+International music during
GALA Dinner".
There are others awaiting confirmation.
So - I ask you to register early - at least before June 3, 2005 when I will meet
with our design partners. I sincerely hope that includes you. Venue for this
Design Meeting is Washington DC. Please visit www.cimpa.org/itmic2005.htm for
information. Please join us. The meeting is free to all those who are signed up
for the Greek conference on November 10-12, 2005. We will be engaging EVERY
registered participant in the planning and design process. So, if you would like
to be involved in this exciting project....register and join the team.
We need your help. But we are also offering you an opportunity to get involved
in an innovative project that will give you great professional satisfaction. It
will be worth your investment to sign up now at www.cimpa.org/register_print.htm
Can you bring your family to Greece? Absolutely! It is an excellent opportunity
for the kids to make history come alive. Our un-conference welcomes spouses and
kids to the birthplace of early civilization. Experience the Parthenon, Ancient
Corinth, Delphi, Olympia, Mykonos, Santorini, Lesbos, Mycenae, Epidavros,
Meteora and many other historical sites together. It is a great opportunity for
bonding, learning together and creating precious memories. In fact, you can
bring your family to Asia too. It is a great way to teach the kids that Life is
not all about Disney. They will experience the joy of giving early in life and
make them appreciate their blessings even more.
My next email will cover the next 2 topics: The Asian Academy Hall of Fame and
the Helping Hands Mission to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives and the Philippines.
The idea attachment is about "The Art of Blogging". I have to divide this
message as some email programs will not handle long messages. If you do not get
it within the next 2 hours, please send me an email.
Meanwhile, please visit www.asianleaders.org/help.htm and www.cimpa.org/
shopping.htm
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 - http://www.cimpa.org/certify.htm
GET CONNECTED . Sign up as a member now - http://www.cimpa.org
All the best,
Andrea Sigler, PhD
and the CIMPA / ALA Team
_______________________
Part 2 - Helping Hands Mission
Hello again! This is the second part of the email I just sent you.
APPEAL FOR HELP AND INVITATION TO JOIN THE HELPING HANDS MISSION TO ASIA
We ask ALA and CIMPA members to attend the fundraising gala to be held on June
4, 2005 in Washington DC. Proceeds will be used for the Helping Hand Mission to
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives and the Philippines on July 30- August 14, 2005.
The Philippines was hit by a devastating typhoon a week before the tsunami,
leaving thousands dead and thousands more homeless and destitute. We surveyed
our members. A list of what they need most are at http://www.asianleaders.org/help.htm
We need your help in making the mission as useful as it can be. We need both
expertise and funds. Our goal is to raise $200,000 by June 30th.
This newsletter list has over 100,000 people on it; CIMPA has over 3,000 members
and ALA has about 500 supporters. So if each person who gets this newsletter
only contributes $10, we should be able to over-subscribe our goal. Right? Here
are 9 ways to help:
1. Donate your expertise. Join the Helping Hands Mission to Thailand,
Philippines, Sri Lanka and Maldives on July 30 - August 14, 2005. People who are
able to spend more time in one country are encouraged to do so. We will make
arrangements for your extended stay.
We need meetings, tourism, travel and hospitality professionals, technology and
other trainers, educators, entrepreneurs, business consultants, assistants,
doctors, nurses and others. In fact, we can use all the help we can get.
Application form at http://www.asianleaders.org/volunteers.htm
2. If you can, please donate cash. It is what is most needed. Here are 3 EASY
WAYS TO MAKE A CASH DONATION
a) To make an electronic donation, please go to http://www.asianleaders.org/help.htm
and click on the Make A Donation button. . We have chosen PayPal to handle all
our electronic payments because PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential
credit card information in transit from your computer to theirs using the Secure
Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length of 128 bits (the
highest level commercially available). You do not need to open a PayPal account
to donate money to this fund. All you need is a credit card number.
b) If you prefer, you can mail a check payable to Asian Leaders Association and
mail to ALA Helping Hands Mission, 9200 Bayard Pl, Suite 102, Fairfax, VA 22032
USA
c). Or you can print and fax the form at http://www.asianleaders.org/contribution.htm
3. Donate your product or service for auction on eBay: Asian Leaders Association
is listed with ebay's Mission Fish as a charity. All of us have merchandise that
we purchased, perhaps in our travels, perhaps locally but never used. Donate
them and get a tax deduction. If you work with a hotel, airline, travel agent or
tour operator, ask for a donation of a vacation package. If you are a speaker,
consultant or trainer, donate your time and knowledge; if you are an author,
donate your books, if you are an artist, donate your art. It is a great way to
promote your product or service while at the same time helping people in need.
To make sure your donation is credited to the Tsunami fund, please complete this
form and we will post your donation on ebay.
Print and fax form: http://www.asianleadeers.org/donation_print
To complete a form online: http://www.asianleadeers.org/donation_online
3. SHOPPING WITH A PURPOSE: If you are buying office supplies, books, CDs,
videos, beauty products, computers, software and others, why not do it online?
It is usually much cheaper than shopping at the mall. It is definitely more
convenient and , yes - it is safe. There's a wide variety of online stores to
which we are affiliated - computers, software, books, business tools, airlines,
hotels, etc. Helping Hands Mission will get 2-10% of your purchase at no
additional cost to you. It is a painless way of making a donation to the
mission. Go shopping with a purpose at http://www.cimpa.org/shopping.htm
If you email us after you buy something, we will send you a receipt after we
receive the check from the store. Asian Leaders Association, sponsor of Helping
Hands Mission is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your donation is tax deductible.
4. Kick this effort up a notch by becoming a sponsor. Your sponsorship will help
us reach our goal so much faster. Sponsorship also helps your business. http://www.asianleaders.org/sponsor.htm
5. Sign up or upgrade to CIMPA Gold membership at http://www.cimpa.org/gold.htm
. CIMPA is donating $50 out of the membership fee to the Helping Hands Mission
6. Sign up for Golden Global Membership at ALA at . http://www.asianleaders.org/gold.htm
ALA is donating $25 out of the membership fee to the Helping Hands Mission
7. Sign up for CPPM, CGMP or CIMP certification at http://www.cimpa.org/certify.htm
CIMPA is donating $40 out of your fees to the Helping Hands Mission
8. Organize a party, an event, an auction, a raffle at your meeting, a
friendship walk, a concert - whatever you can do. Email us for ideas and
literature.
9. Buy a bracelet for yourself or buy several to give to your friends or staff
to wear to show their support and sympathy. These stunning bracelets were
crafted by talented but poor local craftsmen in Thailand. We got a few to help
them out. All proceeds will go back to them. See http://www.asianleaders.org/gift_of_love.htm
All donors will get a receipt. ALA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) and
your contribution is tax-deductible.
HOW SHALL YOUR MONEY BE USED?
100% of your donation will be used for programs. Our chapter leaders in the
local areas are now determining what would be the best use of our limited
resources. Basically, we want to assist the neediest to get back on their feet.
We want to provide both training and a small loan to help them get started.
These will be loans, not grants - as we want to spread the money to as many
people as possible. If appropriate, we are looking at various tourism and
technology projects. These are already big dollar earners in these areas before
the disaster hit and changed the victims' lives forever. But we are not yet
excluding other projects. Your ideas are most welcome.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! IT IS MUCH NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.
ASIAN ACADEMY HALL OF FAME
If you are a member of Asian Leaders Association, please remember that we are
planning to have the Asian Academy Hall of Fame Awards at the Olympic Stadium in
Athens. We will also be talking about our ongoing project to help Tsunami and
typhoon victims in Asia, poverty reduction and "blog the issues" projects. You
have a responsibility to help members of your Asian family - so please be there.
http://www.asianleaders.org/academy_of_asian_leaders.htm
As promised, here is your article on "The Art of Blogging". Send a blank email
to whitepaper@cimpa.org and type Blogging on the subject line.
I end with a few lines from the Man of La Mancha in his "Impossible Dream" You
can listen to it on our website http://www.asianleaders.org/help.htm
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear the unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will be peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world would be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
Are we dreaming the impossible dream? It's worth a try - with a little help from
you..
All the best,
Andrea Sigler, PhD
and the CIMPA / ALA Team
_______________________
Please visit us at our talking websites:
http://www.cimpa.org
http://www.asianleaders.org
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