Northeast chapter meeting attendees

The FICP 2009 West Coast chapter meeting kicked off at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, January 4-6 in Hollywood, Calif. Co-chairs Todd Zint, CMP, CMM, and Briget Nelson, CMP, CMM (both with NFP Insurance Services Inc.), worked diligently with the design team to strike the perfect balance between delivering educational content and facilitating networking opportunities.

The agenda included association updates and presentations by guest speakers. Steve Bova, CAE, FICP executive director, began by talking about the strength of the association and its strategic direction. Barbara Dunn, Esq., Howe & Associates, spoke about best practices and provided insight into contract clauses that can minimize costly opportunities related to force majeure, attrition, and indemnification. Speaker and author Anthony Galie engaged attendees with his reflection on “The Power of the Subconscious.” Among other highlights: a “speed-networking” exercise, facilitated by Daphene Stout, Marriott global account manager; and a hard--at tour of the Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes (opening this summer), followed by a culinary treat at Trump National Golf Club. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Roger Rickard, SVP, Don Anderson Inc., on contingency planning.

Meeting a few days later at the freshly renovated Westin Copley Place in Boston January 8-10, nearly 80 attendees participated in a packed, day-and-a-half agenda at the FICP Northeast Chapter meeting. Topics included overcoming perception challenges and identifying strategies on surviving and thriving in the recession. Among the highlights was a two-hour, interactive, best-practices session, moderated by Dianne Devitt, CMP, DND Group. “We have to ask ourselves: Where are we going in the near future? Who will the planner be in 2011?” said Devitt.

In a different kind of interactive session, attendees donned aprons and sanitary gloves to prepare batches of lasagna and grind peanuts for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for The Greater Boston Food Bank. The three-hour “Teambuilding to Give Back” event was sponsored by Teambonding and The Westin Copley Place.

Sessions also included a presentation by business strategist and author Chuck Martin on innate cognitive characteristics; an association update; and a panel discussion on “The Outcome of Doing Meetings Differently.” Panel participants were Chris Gasbarro, C3: Creative Community Connections; Richard Carbotti, Perfect Surroundings; and Devitt. Evening networking events sponsored by The Westin; The Ritz-Carlton, Boston Common; and The Mandarin Oriental Hotel showcased lovely venues and tasty menus.

FICP's six regional chapters host meetings throughout the year, and nonmember planners are welcome. Visit ficpnet.com for more details.

Sidebar #1: FICP’s 2009 Education Forum

June 21-23, in Colorado Springs, Colo., at The Broadmoor, will focus on topics FICP members have indicated are top-of-mind and meet their current educational goals. The theme is Changemakers: Moving Mountains. Visit ficpnet.com for information on the program, housing, and registration.

Sidebar #2: Members and Nonmembers: Renew or Join Today!

Start networking now! To join FICP as a new member, go to ficpnet.com and complete an online application, or e-mail membership@ficpnet.com. Already a member? Log on to your online profile to renew your membership.