President's Connection - February 2012
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President

We all know that Disney World is the most magical place on earth- since we can not all meet in Orlando for this month’s meeting, the Hilton Lexington will serve as our host as we welcome Lenn Millbower and his presentation, Meet Like A Mouse: Apply Theme Park Methodology. Deliver Magical Results. I look forward to welcoming everyone in Lexington on Thursday.

It is hard to believe that Mid-America 2012 is right around the corner! I hope that you will make plans to join us at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, OH. Mid America offers the finest in education and regional networking and we are proud to say that such a stellar event is co-hosted by your chapter!  If you have not registered, or would like more information visit www.mpimidamerica.com.

Each year the chapter allocates funds to award scholarships to our members so that they can take advantage of all MAC has to offer. Congratulations to this year’s recipients Joyce Howlett, Brian Calvert, Debbie Walters and Heather Warden.  The chapter has one remaining scholarship that will be raffled off at Thursday’s meeting.  So show up early and buy your raffle tickets and you too can be a scholarship recipient for MAC 2012!

President's Connection - January 2012
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President

Welcome 2012!

I truly hope you and your family had a merry holiday season and have big plans for 2012. I look forward to exciting happenings within our chapter in the next few months and look forward to you sharing them with us!

There will be no monthly meeting taking place this Thursday. We will resume our normal schedule on Thursday, February 16th at the Hilton in Lexington. Please visit our website at www.kbcmpi.com for all the details.

Your board is working hard to make this year full of enriching education and new exciting venues. We need your help to make this happen! If your venue would like to host a KBC meeting please contact Diana Spina at diannaspina@insightbb.com. There are several different sponsorship levels to fit your needs and hosting a monthly meeting is a great way to gain exposure your business.

Your board will meet next Monday at our annual mid-year retreat. If you have any comments or items that you would like to be addressed to the board, I welcome you to send those to me at ljenney@sheratonlouisville.com. I will share them with our team and report back to you after our meeting.

I look forward to seeing everyone in Lexington at the Hilton next month!

 

President's Connection - December 2011
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President

It is so hard to believe 2011 is coming to a close and our MPI year is half over. The holidays have brought us together outside of our normal meeting setting and I am so thankful for everyone that volunteered to work with Angel Tree and for everyone that attended our annual holiday reception and breakfast at West Baden last week. What a great time, and once again the ugly sweaters did not disappoint!

In the past year, we as a chapter have endured many changes, challenges and explored new territories that were unfamiliar to many. As we enter 2012 I am optimistic that our chapter will continue to grow, learn and achieve goals that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. I look forward to leading our chapter into a very productive 2012!

To you and your families, I wish you a blessed holiday season with love, laughter and hope. See you next year!

 

President's Connection - November 2011
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President 

It is hard to believe that the MPI year is almost half over! This has been a great year for a chapter so far- our membership is growing, our committees are getting stronger and we have seen some of the best education we have had in years. This month’s meeting will be no different-we are so fortunate to have with us again Holly Duckworth, an MPI Platinum speaker presenting to us Build Meetings that Make the World a Better Place.

As the holiday season quickly approaches (there was holiday music being played in the stores over the weekend) and we all become so busy with parties, travel and family gatherings lets try and make some time for our MPI family. Thursday’s day at the races will be a great time to catch up with our members, enlighten visitors on how special our is and also speak with current board members about what is going on in the chapter and how you can become more involved.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!

 

President's Connection - October 2011
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President

At the beginning of the year I made a promise to our chapter to deliver a higher level of education at each and every meeting. We have had a great line up of speakers, topics and venues so far and this month’s meeting will be no different. Jay McChord with Workplace Buzz will guide us on a journey to understanding how to work with those that are from different generations. With the arrival of fall, I can not think of a more beautiful venue to meet at in late October than E.P. Tom Sawyer Park.

We will close out the year on a high note- first with a “day at the races” at Churchill Downs in November and then celebrating the holiday at the breath taking West Baden Resort. Break out those ugly sweaters, because you never know when the ugly sweater contest will be announced.

Every month I urge our members to “use” your MPI board. We want your feedback, thoughts, questions and concerns. This is YOUR chapter and will continue to be better with input from YOU. Please do not hesitate to contact me at ljenney@sheratonlouisville.com or 812.206.7165.

Happy Fall and I look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday!

 

President's Connection - September 2011
By Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President 

What a great meeting we had last week at Louisville Stoneware!  Thank you to Lisa with Louisville Stoneware and Chef Jarfi from Jarfi’s catering as well as everyone that contributed to making this event a success.  Thursday’s meeting was proof that MPI touches everyone, not just those with the hospitality industry.  One of our visions for this coming year is to have a schedule that not only includes the most cutting edge education but also a schedule that showcases our area’s most interesting venues.  If you know of a venue in Louisville that could accommodate a KBC meeting, please let one of your board members know.  The more out of the box, the better!

Have you ever wanted to become more involved with the planning & execution of our monthly meetings?  Did you know that your chapter has a committee structure that enables you to become more hands-on within KBC?  The following committees are looking for members- if interested please let one of your board members know or email me directly at ljenney@sheratonlouisville.com

• Communications Committee 
• Monthly Program Committee 
• Fundraising Committee 
• Member Care Committee 
• Hospitality Committee 
• Recruitment Committee

A description of the above committees and their functions is available on our website http://kbcmpi.com/site/pages/39/Committees.html

Next month we will be meeting at E.P. Tom Sawyer Park.  I look forward to seeing everyone there!

President's Connection - August 2011
by Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President 

I recently had the opportunity to attend MPI World Education Congress in Orlando, FL with several members of our chapter. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the coming year and some new areas of focus for MPI International. Education content and quality as well as CSR are two main areas of focus on the international level. On the local chapter level we plan to make this years education the best we have had. We are exploring the topics that are relevant today and those that will bring the greatest value to our membership. If you have an area that you would like discussed, please let a member of the board know.

Please plan to join us Thursday at the newly renovated Ramada Plaza in Louisville. Speaker Jackee Schwartz will take us back to the Beatles era and show us how to re invent ourselves to get ahead. Speaking of re-inventing ourselves, I would like to leave you will a quote from WEC Keynote speaker Joe Calloway-“If you’re afraid to fail, you’ll never do anything the least bit brilliant.”

President's Connection - July 2011
By Lauren Jenney, KBC MPI President

It is hard to believe that another MPI year has come and gone. It seems like yesterday that we were on stage at Bravo! and I was being sworn is as President –Elect. It was a great year and I can not thank Crystal enough for all of her wisdom and patience that she has shared with me over the past year. When I joined KBC five years ago and was asked to assist with the raffle I never thought it would turn into leading us into 2011-2012 year as president. I look forward to leading us into a challenging year and I can assure you that you have elected a board that is fit for the task.

The 11 members of the KBC board share a common goal of taking our chapter to the next level- high caliber education, new venues for monthly meetings and most importantly an ROI for you and your employer. It is important to us that you recognize your board is accessible- if you a question, comment or concern please let one of the board members know.

I will be attending the MPI World Education Congress next week in Orlando representing KBC along with many of our members. I look forward to bringing back to you some great education, fresh ideas and exciting update from MPI.

President's Connection - June 2011
By Crystal Chism, KBC MPI President

This is my last column to you as your chapter president. It has truly been an amazing year. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent you. I have learned so much and grown both personally and professionally through this experience. I am so thankful to all of you, my industry peers and moreover, my friends for the year we have had together. There isn’t a group of people in the world that I’d rather spend time with than you!

The 2010-2011 Board of Directors have been and continue to be an amazing support. We have accomplished so many things with the help of our faithful administrator, Greg Jewell. Our website has been improved, we are now connected to every social media outlet and the educational offerings have been amazing. Our membership team is a true group of hand-holders. The past presidents who remain active and on the board are truly patrons, mentoring those who will be our future leaders. The words go on and on but I simply THANK YOU, all of you, for all that you have done to support this chapter.

My next thank you extends to all of the members who are constantly donating their time and their services. From venues to speaker gifts to menial tasks, it is obvious that the members of this organization truly care about being part of it and do everything possible to stay engaged.

My last thank you is to those of you who took the time to recognize your peers. Your nominations are appreciated. I can’t wait to see everyone at Bravo! to celebrate our nominees and unveil our award recipients. Following is a list of those nominated. Please congratulate them and thank them for all that they contribute not only to our chapter but to our industry.

Planner of the Year
Greg Jewell, AEC Management Resources
Amy Gilbert, Republic Bank
Dianna Spina, Independent Planner

Supplier of the Year
Jennifer Williams, The Brown Hotel
Jim Rittenhouse, McKinney Speakers
Matthew Stone, Interactive Media Lab

Rising Star
Lisa Higgins, Mint Julep Tours
Jennifer Jones, Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates
Selin Demren, Hardrock Café
Mary Anderson, Howl at the Moon

Committee Member of the Year
Jennifer Jones, Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates
Joyce Howlett, BJSB
Kat Gallagher, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau

Volunteer of the Year
Joyce Howlett, BJSB
Tina Bowling, IAMSolutions
Selin Demren, Hardrock Café

Silver Platter Award and President’s Award
To be named at Bravo!

I hope to see you at the end of the month. If you haven’t registered for Bravo!, please do so. It will be a wonderful opportunity to come together to celebrate all that we are.

Where: Horseshoe Resort and Casino

When: June 30, 2011 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

What: Awards Silent Auction Food and Libations Gambling Networking Networking Networking

We will be participating in Bidding for Good but the Silent Auction will still be available during the event.

We will be “Flapping into a New Year” with a ROARING 20’s THEME so rent that ZOOT SUIT or FLAPPER DRESS and enter yourself in the running to win the Best Attire award.

Thank you again for a memorable year. I hope to celebrate the close of my presidential term with you at Bravo!

President's Connection - May 2011

It’s been almost a year since I stood on the stage of Bravo! at Horseshoe Resort and Casino and accepted the gavel Jim Rittenhouse passed on to me.  Nervous at the prospect of filling those shoes, I took the gavel and looked to 15 of the most amazing people I could possibly know to stand beside me and represent you, our Kentucky Bluegrass Chapter Members.  It has been an amazing year and I am humbled and grateful to all of you.  We are more than an industry organization.  We are family.

It goes without saying that I have enjoyed representing you as your Chapter President.  I hope everyone will agree that everything from the educational offerings to the website enhancements to the social media inclusion has boosted our chapter in a special way.  I am so proud of our board, of our members who are dedicated to participate and volunteer when called upon, and of our administrator, who believe me, keeps us all in check!  We’ve had a wonderful year of successes as a chapter. 

As our fiscal year comes to a close, I invite you all to join me in celebration of the year we have had and what is yet to come.  Your attendance is requested for another amazing Bravo! event.  Please plan to attend.

Where:  Horseshoe Resort and Casino
When:    June 30, 2011 from 6:30pm – 9:00pm
What:  Awards * Silent Auction * Food and Libations * Gambling * Networking * Networking * Networking

We will be participating in Bidding for Good (an online auction) but the Silent Auction will still be available during the event.

We will be “Flapping into a New Year” with a ROARING 20’s THEME so find/rent that ZOOT SUIT or FLAPPER DRESS and enter yourself in the running to win the Best Attire award.

Please don’t miss this opportunity to recognize your peers and industry venues. 

I look forward to celebrating you there!

Yours in hospitality,

Crystal Chism


President's Connection - April 2011

Our Annual Awards Gala and Silent Auction is right around the corner! 

Please save the date:  June 30, 2011 and let’s get ready to have a night to remember as we come together to attend our second annual event:  BRAVO! 2011.

It’s time to recognize your peers who will be awards recipients on this evening, enjoy entertainment, friends, auction items the amazing culinary offerings from the HORSESHOE CASINO and RESORT.

The silent auction that takes place on this evening is one of the attempts we make to raise money for chapter scholarships and other community service activities.  We are seeking donations from you to make this happen.  There is no donation too large or small!  Please contribute to this however you can.  This is not only a great service to the chapter, but will also give you the opportunity to showcase your company to other chapter members and potential clients.  Your company’s logo and website will be linked to the KBCMPI website for members to view with your donation.  Be creative with your entry; remember your item is representing your company and it will add to the fun of the event! 

The item that you donate will be present at Bravo! and will also be displayed online as we are utilizing “Bidding for Good” this year to maximize participation.  As donations are received, more information will be distributed about “Bidding for Good” at monthly meetings and also on the KBCMPI Website.

Thank you in advance for your support of this event and the silent auction endeavor.  The donation form is available here.  Please download, complete and return to Greg Jewell at kbcmpi@aecmanagement.com

All items should be sent to Greg Jewell, our Executive Director, in advance of the event. Please send to:

2132 Maryland Avenue
Louisville, KY 40205

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or our Director of Fundraising, Sheryl Thompson. Thank you again for your participation.

Yours in hospitality,

Crystal Chism
President 2010/2011 KBCMPI

Sheryl Thompson
Director of Fundraising-KBC-MPI
Silent Auction Committee Chair
sthompson@essentialdetails.biz

President's Connection - February 2011

It’s not too late to participate and win big! We will be drawing for the scholarship to the MidAmerica Conference at the meeting on Thursday, February 17th at the Sheraton Riverside Downtown in conjunction with our Membership Drive.

To be included in the drawing for the scholarship, all you have to do is to identify the name and contact information of someone you think will likely benefit from becoming a member of KBC MPI. The name should belong to someone who is a supplier or planner in our industry and who is not currently a member. For each name given, you will be entered to win the drawing for the scholarship. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the monthly meeting in February. Not attending the meeting? No problem…to email your suggestions, please send names and contact info to Jeff McCall, VP of Membership at mailto:JSM841@yahoo.com

Since its start eleven years ago, The MidAmerica Conference has brought together the finest presenters, panels, key-note speakers, and networking opportunities to showcase the health and vitality of the meetings industry. We are privileged to be hosted by the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Louisville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau in Louisville, KY March 27-29, 2011. We look forward to coming together to celebrate our industry, to network and to rise above all of our non-MPI peers through the incredible educational offerings we’ll find at The MidAmerica Conference. Don’t miss your chance to be there free! The scholarship covers the cost of MAC Registration. For more information about MAC 2011, please visit the website at www.kbcmpi.com.

Additionally, we are still looking for a leader to join the KBC MPI Board of Directors. If you have served as a VP in the past, you are eligible to serve as the VP of Leadership Development. This position is responsible for mentoring new chapter leaders when needed and will also work with a local speaker to execute a new program we will be launching for our members in the coming fiscal year. This program will be industry specific, provide CEU’s and will be geared toward developing our own leadership skills. This is a focused and exciting opportunity. Please contact me directly if you have interest in serving in this role from July 2011 – June 2012.

Yours in hospitality,

Crystal Chism