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| C O N T E N T S |
FALL 2009 |
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COVER STORY
Off the Beaten Weinstrasse: Chandler Hill Vineyards
The rolling hills of central Missouri are home to historic vineyards and wineries dating back 150 years. It is popular to tour the numerous wineries along the Weinstrasse in the Augusta, Missouri area. However, a stop at Chandler Hill Vineyards before you get to Augusta will make it seem that you have been transported to Napa Valley – and you may not want to continue on the rest of the tour.
Chandler Hill Vineyards houses a French nouveau chateau-style tasting room, restaurant and meeting venue that will captivate the most discriminating wine connoisseur or the casual visitor. The...
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| FEATURES |
| Meetings 101 |
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This past spring, a pregnant PhD candidate had come to the point in her studies where she was ready to defend her doctoral dissertation. There was just one problem. The committee examining her work was located in Montréal and the candidate had since moved to Kansas City. She was literally days away
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| Features |
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Is there really a difference between a medical meeting and any other business or educational meeting? It depends on where you focus.
“The logistics of meeting planning are universal whether it’s for physicians, nurses or real estate agents,” says Judy Brandes, special events planner and
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| Expo |
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Change has come to the meeting and event industry, and those who acknowledge that and adapt will thrive. Those in denial will be watching their profession pass them by.
That was the simple but powerful message at the 2009 Missouri Meetings & Events St. Louis Regional Expo, “Planning
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| Rob's Rules |
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Like the dinosaur, is the holiday party going extinct? From black tie to bowling, many companies are torn between group celebration and party annihilation. Does a rough economy mean we’re all Scrooged?
As the old saying goes, you don’t miss something until it’s gone. The same holds true
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| Special |
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The 2008 economic crisis became the meeting and event crisis in early October with articles like this from the Orange County Register: “Less than two weeks after Uncle Sam gave American International Group (AIG) an $85 billion loan - staving off financial collapse - execs from one of its insurance
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| IN THIS ISSUE |
| Cover Story |
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The rolling hills of central Missouri are home to historic vineyards and wineries dating back 150 years. It is popular to tour the numerous wineries along the Weinstrasse in the Augusta, Missouri area. However, a stop at Chandler Hill Vineyards before you get to Augusta will make it seem that you
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| Facility Focus |
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If the Downstream Casino Resort were to market itself like Las Vegas, its slogan might go something like this: “What goes on in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, stays in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.” Okay, so it doesn’t have the same ring as the Vegas catchphrase, but the resort does have a unique
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Glass may seem like the most static of art forms, but the work that goes into it is a fluid process of constant movement, energy and change.
That’s what meeting guests learn at Third Degree Glass Factory, a St. Louis facility where art is part of the agenda, and planners have a wide
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Pass by the Cashew Bar and Restaurant on any given day and you’ll see happy people. They will be sitting outside or at tables inside the airy building, which has garage doors that open out onto the street. You will surely hear laughter, and perhaps if you visit on a First Friday, when this area is
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| Meet Over Eats |
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As a tribute, owners Shirrel and Nancie Duncan named Ruthie D’s Dining & Spirits after their mother, Ruth Duncan. They envision the restaurant as an embodiment of her reputation as a “strong-spirited, hard-working and unpretentious individual.” Elmer Diehl, general manager of the restaurant,
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| People Update |
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Julie Sizemore has been appointed Director of Sales of the new Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbia hotel. As Director of Sales, Sizemore will direct the sales and marketing efforts of the hotel and will participate in community activities in Columbia. Prior to joining the Fairfield Inn & Suites by
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Wilhite honored with prestigious new professional certification by HSMAI Renee Wilhite, Director of Sales and Marketing for the AAA Four-Diamond Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Missouri, has been honored with Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association
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Missouri Meetings & Events welcomed Shannon Green in a summer internship program. A junior at the University of Iowa, double-majoring in marketing and English, Green assisted with various editorial and marketing tasks. Green looks forward to a career in publishing upon graduation. While interning
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Melissa Gilliam, new Marketing Director for YMCA Trout Lodge and Camp Lakewood, is a native of Farmington, Missouri. Gilliam recently returned to her home state from New York City, where she worked in marketing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and was active in the Emerging Leaders of New York Arts
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| Industry Update |
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The Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark and the Hilton St. Louis Airport are ready for their close-ups. The two properties, owned by Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM), were selected as the backdrop for the movie “Up in the Air” from DreamWorks Pictures. In the fall of 2009, Paramount Pictures will
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Meeting Professionals International (MPI) St. Louis Chapter held its “Then and Now: 30th Anniversary Celebration” on May 7, 2009, at the Chase Park Plaza. Hospitality industry members and colleagues celebrated their history and future as one of the strongest MPI chapters across the globe. The
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The state of Missouri was recognized through various chapters by the Society of Government Meeting Professionals at the 27th Annual Sam Gilmer Awards Banquet on May 14, 2009. The following individual and chapters were recognized, along with other nationwide recipients, at the Galt House in
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KCMPI Holds 2009 Annual Awards Ceremony
Local members of Meeting Professionals International Kansas City Chapter (KCMPI) recently attended its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony where outstanding volunteers were honored for their dedication to the event planning industry.In addition,
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Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Missouri, has captured the prestigious “Pinnacle Award” from Successful Meetings magazine. A plaque commemorating the award will be presented to Stephen Marshall, vice president and general manager of the AAA Four-Diamond resort,
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The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau has earned accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, becoming only the second destination marketing organization in Missouri to do so. Internationally, about 90 DMOs are accredited.
DMAP is an international
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ISES St. Louis welcomes new board members and thanks last year’s board members who will serve another year.
President – LaTonja Thomas
Immediate Past President – Josie Littlepage, CSEP
President Elect – Laura Guyton
V.P. Education & Programs – Cheryl Haney
V.
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In the heart of St. Louis’ iconic arts and entertainment district known as The Loop, a new moon has risen. The Moonrise Hotel – the city’s first and only luxury boutique hotel – officially opened April 17, 2009. The contemporary, $23.5 million hotel is located at 6177 Delmar Boulevard in the most
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In 1912, tea time was a major daily custom that many Titanic passengers observed aboard ship. Titanic Branson is pleased to recreate this elegant tradition for a select number of young ladies. Reserve a spot at one of the year’s high-society events — the Princess Tea Parties. Last year, more than
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The new Branson Airport hosted an air show from May 8 to 10, 2009. The privately funded airport welcomed an estimated 50,000 visitors prior to its official opening the following Monday. U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlined the air show and were joined by a variety of other performers including the
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On April 23, 2009, the DoubleTree Hotel & Conference Center St. Louis hosted a familiarization (FAM) tour for Missouri Meetings & Events readers. Planners began the evening on the patio with signature cocktails, including hand-made mojitos and pomegranate cosmos. They also sampled chilled
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On a weekend in late spring you might find Al Roker of the Today Show judging an annual Pie Contest; listen to the a cappella group Six; serenade an amphitheater full of veterans; and sample wines and cheeses at the first annual Missouri Wine Festival. Branson truly lives up to its reputation of
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Cedar Creek Conference Center in New Haven hosted a familiarization (FAM) tour for planners to experience the luxury side of networking. The staff at Cedar Creek Conference Center skillfully enabled the participants to have a relaxed time getting to know the facility and the others visiting on the
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| Organizations & Associations |
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The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & the Center for Association Leadership are the premier professional organizations for association professionals. ASAE & the Center offer membership benefits for a wide variety of professionals working with and in associations, including
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| Faces & Places Captions |
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St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley (front center) signed a proclamation for Administrative Professionals Day. Present were IAAP officers (back row) Patty Thompson, South County President; Marsha Bright, Lindbergh President; Paula West CPS, South County Past President; (first row) Lynette
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Lynette Sona, CPS, Past President of the St. Louis Chapter of IAAP, and Jada Parks President of the St. Louis Chapter of IAAP, at the International Association of Administrative Professionals anniversary celebration and 2009-2010 officers and directors installation on June 11, 2009, at the Emabassy
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On May 12, 2009, the St. Louis Area Hotel Association (SLAHA) hosted its annual hotel games and chili cook-off at the Millennium Hotel. Third place winner in hotel games was the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront. Its team included Jake Hronek, Carla McClure, Steve Molina, Francine Alvarez and Tim
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The second place winner in hotel games was Swank Audio-Visual. Top row: Andy White, Mike Heinrich, Kevin Macchi and Tom Koch. Bottom row: LaQuetta Dobbs and Paul Pape.
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The SLAHA champion hotel games team was the Sheraton Westport. From left to right: Mario Jauregui, Rob Hill, Robert Kelly, Tony Dandino, Manuel Huroco and Jim Grant.
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Crowne Plaza St. Louis Downtown walked away as champions of the chili cook-off. From left to right are Joe Ruggeri, President of Love Hotel Management and General Manager of Crowne Plaza St. Louis Downtown; Justin Lieser, Director of Food Service at Crowne Plaza; and Matt Dunlap, Chef at Crowne
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Hilton Branson Convention Center hosted a familiarization (FAM) tour on May 8-10, 2009 From left to right are Branson Convention Center staff Mary Luz, Catering Manager; Cydney White, Sales Manager; Melanie Pilgram, Sales Manager; Chef Nathan Read, Executive Chef; Sherilou Tokvam, Assistant
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The Saint Louis Zoo held its bi-annual black tie fundraiser, Zoofari, on June 1, 2009. Zoofari offers an evening of entertainment, a silent auction and a variety of food and beverage vendors for guests to enjoy. From left to right are Rob Schaefer, Vice President of Catering and Design Development
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Staff and guests of Missouri Meetings & Events participated in TEAM Works, a newly developed program offered by the YMCA of the Ozarks, on April 29, 2009, in Forest Park. Front Row: Vikki Matthews, MM&E; Glenn Frei, Saint Louis Zoo. Back Row: Joe Clote, MM&E; Luis Blanco; Terri Williams, MC
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Joe Clote visits with Sarah Boland at the Butterfly Palace in Branson, Mo. For information, visit www.TheButterflyPalace.com
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| Special |
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A new professional association taking shape in Missouri will keep a finger on the pulse of the medical meeting planning industry.
Planners will get a formal introduction to the International Medical Meeting Professionals Association (IMMPA) when it launches at this year’s Missouri
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| Destination Spotlight |
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If you haven’t been to Branson in a while, you might be in for a surprise. The vacation destination of southwest Missouri, located about 40 miles south of Springfield, has undergone some recent changes.
TOURISM TAKES FLIGHT
“The thing that stands out the most about changes
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| ME TRENDS |
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As the weather turns crisp, parties with a touch of devilish fun prevail. Those looking for a creative twist for their fall fête sneed look no further than Belle of the Ball’s Freak Show Revue. This exciting cadre of side show fun includes sword swallowing, breaking and eating glass light bulbs,
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