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| C O N T E N T S |
Summer_2009 |
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COVER STORY
Sensitivity
Many years ago, when I first debuted as an industry speaker, I spoke on the five human senses and how I consider their impact on my event guests. Sight, sound, taste, touch and smell are more than textbook phrases; they can be critical elements for party success. Pleasing or painful, a smart planner understands human sensitivity. It can be overwhelming to try and consider every sensory element for a room full of diverse people. The key for me is to always associate “sensory” with “seasonal.” Ask yourself, “What makes sense right now?” If it is summer, then lighting is naturally brighter. If...
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| FEATURES |
| Features |
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The firestorm over monetary bonuses at AIG revealed not only the landmines that come with governments bailing out corporations, it uncovered a more basic truth: in tough times, rewarding with money seems foolhardy. Not that a hefty bonus doesn’t feel good, but wouldn’t you trade in that check for
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So many elements add up to make a meeting or event successful. The best meeting planners understand that the details matter, that someone notices everything and any one thing could affect the overall perception.
But the best planners also know there are some “stars” of the show – location,
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| IN THIS ISSUE |
| Facility Focus |
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In Hannibal, Mo., Garth Woodside Mansion Bed & Breakfast, as well as the Woodside Restaurant, once enjoyed the company of American legend, Mark Twain. A century later, you too can be seduced by the Victorian Charm and quiet privacy of this estate, nestled on 39 acres of rolling meadows, tall
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Chesterfield has a new event-space option that is proving to be a very big player on campus.
It’s the William Purser DC Center, newly built at Logan University, the St. Louis region’s long-standing chiropractic college. With the construction of the Purser Center in 2007, Logan added more than
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The guestrooms are sparkling. The sunny restaurant overlooking the Country Club Plaza has a fresh new décor. Improvements to technology can be found everywhere ,from the high-definition televisions to WiFi access from any point in the hotel.
These are only a few of the changes the
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| Meet Over Eats |
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Chef Gregory Mosberger has come a long way since his days as a dishwasher at Jefferson Avenue Boarding House in the 1970s. He earned his chops with an apprenticeship and position as a chef for St. Louis restaurateur Richard Perry. He now owns and operates Gregory’s Creative Cuisine, a catering
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The proprietors of Gallery Bistro had a vision for a different kind of restaurant and catering business. They didn’t want to do the usual American fare in their cozy restaurant in downtown Springfield, or provide the same old catering services. They wanted to create fresh, inventive cuisine that
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| People Update |
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Ambassador Hospitality has named Jim Ossola the new General Manager of the Parkway Hotel-St Louis. Ossola brings more than 20 years hotel management experience as well as a new positive and upbeat management philosophy. Most recently a general manager for the Courtyard by Marriott, Ossola has also
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CMP Designation Tricia Clement, Event Production Manager for AGENDA: Kansas City, has received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. Clement is an active member of the Kansas City Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (KCMPI), where she was recently elected to the Board of
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J. Buck’s proudly recognizes Chasity Murray for nearly 10 years of service. A Southeastern Missouri State University graduate, Murray began working for J. Buck’s as a bartender in 1999. Murray was the general manager for J. Buck’s O’Fallon location, however upon it’s closing, she transferred to
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Kristen Mefford, an Edwardsville, Il., native, graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. She began working at Fifteen before the doors opened in September of 2007 and was thrilled when given the opportunity to leap into the world of event planning. Since filling the role of event
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Brian Morris Named Director of Sales and Marketing of The Hyatt Regency St. Louis Riverfront St. Louis’. Morris most recently served as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Hyatt Regency Wichita, Kansas. A seasoned veteran in the hospitality business, Morris joined Hyatt in 1989, taking on a
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Experient, the source for integrated meeting and event solutions, recognized its top supplier partners on March 4, 2009 at the Experient EnVision Annual Conference in Kansas City. Serena Melancon, Director of National Accounts for USA Hosts, was awarded Supplier of the Year. The supplier of the
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The Greater Springfield Area Sports Commission has hired an executive director to replace John Citron who resigned in January. Bobbi Box, who serves as the Sports Sales Manager for the Convention & Visitors Bureau, will keep her current responsibilities along with taking over responsibility for
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One of Fortune Magazine’s 2009 “World’s Most Admired Companies”, Philadelphia-based ARAMARK has recruited local executive Beth Hamilton to spearhead the sales and marketing efforts of their Sports and Entertainment Division housed in the Kansas City Convention and Entertainment Hamilton brings more
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Olga Strauss an Account Manager at Missouri Meetings & Events is planning to graduate this May from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Over the years she has gained experience from working at different publications. She has experience in photography, graphic
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New Account Manager, Katie LoRusso is a 2007 Graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is currently working toward a masters degree in non-profit management at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. In addition to working as an account manager for Missouri Meetings & Events, she is
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New Account manager for Missouri Meetings & Events, Jennifer Johnston is a sales and marketing professional with more than 10 years experience. She has extensive experience with sales and marketing for the print graphics industry and event promotions. “I look forward to helping suppliers in the
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| Industry Update |
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The Welk Resort in Branson has announced the opening of the Splash-A-Torium, a new 10,000-sq.-ft. indoor/outdoor water attraction, located in the heart of the award-winning resort. The Splash-A-Torium features a 117-ft. waterslide, indoor/outdoor pool and hot tubs, locker rooms, waterfalls, a dump
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Fun Services has provided entertainment for more than 20,000 events and millions of people for 35 years! Fun Services is now the oldest entertainment company of it’s kind in the Midwest – and one of the oldest in the country. In 2008, Fun Services provided rentals for more than 3,500 events. Fun
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The Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau launched its first mobile text-messaging campaign nationwide this spring. It invites mobile users to text WOWBRANSON to 74700 for a chance to win one of 10 family vacations. Then lucky winners who enter between now and June 5, 2009 will
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The AAA Four-Diamond Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center in Branson, Missouri, just announced a very enticing incentive: it will literally pay groups to hold meetings or programs at the resort in 2009 or early 2010.
Available to groups booking and holding a new program
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The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau recently launched its spring 2009 advertising campaign, targeting leisure travelers. The $1,040,000 campaign is the largest in the bureau’s history, thanks to an additional $240,000 available this year from the Missouri Division of Tourism’s
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The City of O’Fallon received a 2009 “Best of Rural Missouri” award for the 17th annual Celebration of Lights display, which was held November 28 – December 30, 2008, in Fort Zumwalt Park. The event, a fundraiser for local charities, features a one-mile route decorated with holiday lights and
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Carlson Marketing is a global marketing services agency specializing in meetings, events and brand loyalty programs. The agency employs 2,500 marketing professionals in 44 cities across 15 countries. It has its roots in the Gold Bond Stamp Company, launched in 1938 by company founder and industry
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Adams Affiliates, Inc, an oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has formed a start-up conference planning venture in Salida, Colo. called Treadlite Group, with the purpose to launch conferences in the renewable energy industry and to offer professional
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How green is your office space or building? Would it meet the current Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria? A large group of association professionals participated in a March 5th Focus Forum. held by the Convene Green Alliance (CGA) at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in
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Meeting Professionals International (MPI) has announced two new educational programs that will help guide industry professionals through this challenging economic time to create powerful opportunities for the meeting planning profession. An unprecedented amount of high level, critical information
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Harrah’s St. Louis Casino and Hotel, in partnership with the Red Rocker himself, Sammy Hagar, is proud to bring Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill to St. Louis. Sammy’s can be best described as a casual, island-style cafe with a nod to rock and roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s memorabilia is
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| Organizations & Associations |
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The Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) is an opportunity for those in convention services management, the meeting industry and their supporting vendors to connect and grow through education and networking. ACOM members hold many vital roles in Convention & Visitors Bureaus,
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| Rob's Rules |
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Many years ago, when I first debuted as an industry speaker, I spoke on the five human senses and how I consider their impact on my event guests. Sight, sound, taste, touch and smell are more than textbook phrases; they can be critical elements for party success. Pleasing or painful, a smart
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| Faces & Places Captions |
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On Friday, March 27, 2009, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) hosted the Three Rivers Council Professional Development Conference at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel. Pictured are Patty Thompson, the Three Rivers Council Vendor Coordinator and Three Rivers
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Julie Hoover (middle), with Thermadyne Holdings Corporation, was the winner of a raffle prize given away by Missouri Meetings & Events interns, Katherine Stone (left) and Bijuma Faiza Khatib, at the IAAP Three Rivers Council Professional Development Conference.
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The conference included exhibitors, educational seminars, a silent auction and a networking lunch. Missouri Meetings & Events Interns, Katherine Stone and Bijuma Faiza Khatib, networked with various administrative professionals while working the MM&E exhibit space at the Three Rivers
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Anita Dixon and Missouri Meetings & Events’ Joe Clote, pictured at Our Lady of Freedom in Kansas City on March 18, 2009.
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Missouri Meetings & Events’ Joe Clote with Debbie Philpot of the Branson CVB at the Branson FAM tour held on March 12, 2009 at St. Charles Convention Center –
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The 2008 Hospitality Professional Awards Ceremony, co-hosted by the St. Louis Area Hotel Association and the HSMAI Missouri Chapter, took place on February 19, 2009, at the Hilton at the Ballpark in downtown St. Louis. For a complete list of awards and recipients, see page 62.
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| Special |
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A city does not become known for specific industries by committee, not usually anyway. It is the vision of individuals and companies that shape the business landscape.
Kansas City has had its share of such shapers. When Ewing Kauffman started a pharmaceutical company in 1950, first based in
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The St. Louis Fundraising Summit, held March 10-11 at St. Louis University, brought together 120 development directors, executive directors, and board members from nonprofits in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Nonprofit leaders gathered to network and discuss effective fundraising techniques.
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| Exhibiting 101 |
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Although the face-to-face contact and personal connections made at a trade show can play an important role in generating sales, attending these events can be expensive.
The 2009 Exhibit Management Survey, recently published by the Trade Show Exhibitors Association, found that budgets for
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| Speaker Spotlight |
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Your challenge is scheduling a speaker that creates an unforgettable meeting experience. Your solution is John O’Leary.
John’s life is proof of the power of the human spirit. As a nine-year-old boy, he was burned on 100% of his body and given less than one percent chance of surviving the
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| Destination Spotlight |
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While budgets are important and delicious food can add a special something, what makes or breaks an event for guests is whether it was truly amusing and unforgettable. Not unforgettable as in “I will never forget about the fire alarm and sprinklers going off.” No, more along the lines of “wasn’t it
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| ME TRENDS |
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Is it human or is it a table? Alive tables are bringing new life to cocktail hours, dessert stations and event registration. These unique strolling tables that mix
entertainment with function have been much talked about in New York City, thanks to Screaming Queens Entertainment Group (www.
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