Roger Dow Highlights Educational Slate at FICP Annual

FICP Leadership Changes Announced

Kelli Livers Takes Over as FICP Chair

Koleen Roach, CMP, handed over the FICP Chair gavel to Kelli Livers, CMP, Forethought Financial Group. With warmth and humor, Livers talked about her first FICP meeting when she sat in the back never imagining taking on a leadership role. For those sitting in the back right then, and for all attendees, she said, “stay engaged and get involved.” She also called on members and hospitality partners to offer input in the coming year that keeps the association focused on its mission.

2012 Annual Conference Design Team Chair Todd Zint,
CMP, CMM, of NFP, and 2013 FICP Chair Kelli Livers,
CMP, CMM, Forethought Financial Group

In other leadership changes:

• Two board members completed their terms at the annual meeting: Florine Edwards, CMP, CMM, of FM Global; and Todd Zint, CMP, CMM, of NFP.

• Jana Stern of ING was named FICP Chair-Elect.

• New board members are Marla Hannigan, CMP, Mutual of Omaha; Jeff Leggett, Co-Operators; and Caryn Taylor-Lucia, CMP, SEI.

• Continuing board members are Lindsay Maloni, MetLife; Wayne Robinson, CMP, Northwestern Mutual; and Koleen Roach, CMP, Securian Financial, who will serve as the 2013 Annual Conference Design Team Chair.

On the supplier side, Coleen Brzowzski, CMP, of Grand Traverse Resort, completed her term as chair of the Hospitality Partners Advisory Council. Other HPAC moves:

• Bob Beach, CMP, of Destination Hotels & Resorts, is the 2013 Chair of the council.

• New HPAC members are Julie Holmen, Tourism Toronto; Padraic Gilligan, DMCP, Ovation Global DMC; and Isabel Mahon, Fairmont|Raffles|Swissôtels.

• Returning to the council are Diane Goodman, CMP, Goodman Speakers Bureau; and Clarence Day, CMP, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.

• Also ending their terms at the annual conference were Kathy Fort Carty, Destination Services Corp.; and Katy Gettinger, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

 

Jewel Sparkles in Closing Keynote

To close the 2012 Annual Conference, FICP booked singer/songwriter Jewel. After walking on stage and picking up her well-worn guitar, she held attendees rapt with her stylized, a cappella version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” It’s a song she wanted to start with because she feels she made it over the rainbow, she told the crowd, launching into the first of many stories about her life. The tales shifted from adventure to despair to soul-searching to success to gratitude, as she talked about her “rustic” childhood in Alaska, singing the bar circuit with her songwriter father, living in her car, being discovered, and handling “meet and greet” events. Her talent shone as brightly as expected—less expected was how funny she was. Singing many of her most well-known songs, she got high marks from attendees for her engaging and genuine manner. (Her appearance was arranged thanks to SME Entertainment.)

2015 Announced

Always a highly anticipated moment at the annual conference is the announcement of the latest site selected for the program. This year’s announcement had a special twist as it was delivered by former Boston Celtics and L.A. Lakers star Rick Fox, a native of the Bahamas. And the 2015 site is: Atlantis.

First though, FICP heads to the Sheraton Boston November 17–20, 2013; and to the Hilton Waikoloa Village, November 16–19, 2014.