When you receive this issue of ICP magazine, the Annual Meeting lottery draw (I still don't like the phrase, but we have not come up with a better one) will have taken place. I know that there will be many relieved hospitality partners who were successful in the draw and also some who were disappointed. I also recognize that some planners will be relieved because their close HP associates were successful in the draw, and some who will be disappointed because their HP friends were not so lucky.
Our association has come a long way from its beginning almost 44 years ago, when several ambitious meeting planning professionals assembled in New York City to discuss common issues, problems, and opportunities. ICPA has grown to nearly 500 meeting planning professionals and about 530 hospitality partners and now encompasses a wide range of opportunities available to all.
Growth brings new challenges as well as new opportunities. One of the recurring major issues we as an association face every year is the ratio of planners to hospitality partners in attendance at the Annual Meeting. In keeping with the desires of the majority of both planners and hospitality partners, we try to limit the planner/supplier ratio to not exceed one on one. How to maintain this ratio in a fair and equitable manner has been a dilemma for a number of years. In reality, through sponsorships and membership recruiting, there are actually a few more hospitality partners than planners at the meeting. We still, however, offer the most value for attendance of any association I know of.
Although it may sound like a gamble when the term “lottery” is used, it is really more fair than the old system of overnighting registration forms. I would much rather have my acceptance be determined by a computer (the IS folks in my company would flip if they heard me say this!) than by the courier who may be eating a doughnut at the local coffee shop while the courier chosen by another hospitality partner gets to ICPA headquarters first.
In a joint session of the Board and Hospitality Committee, we set aside time at each board meeting to discuss enhancing the lottery system to better serve our constituency. We have toyed with developing a “weighting factor” to take into account those who have been long-time supporters of ICPA and give them a better chance of being selected in the lottery. We have even discussed using this same process to give those who have tried the lottery many times, but have been unsuccessful, to gain a slot at the Annual Meeting. We have also looked at representation from overseas. To quote an old advertising slogan, “There are no simple solutions, only intelligent choices.”
We do hear from our members regarding the lottery, and encourage you to contact us. We are very receptive to any suggestions and possible solutions you may have.
If there are any proposed enhancements to the lottery system, they will be presented at the next Annual Meeting for possible implementation in 2003.
Best regards and enjoy the summer!
Brett Barrowman
American Fidelity Group
Planners can go to www.e-ventcentral.com/events/2002Forum to get information on and register for ICPA's summer Education Forum, July 18 to 20 at the Fairmont San Francisco. Registration is limited to meeting planners involved in the insurance or financial services industry and will be capped at 60 people. The fee is $250 for ICPA members and $375 for nonmembers. A special room rate of $149 is being offered by ICPA as well. For a special fare of $250 on American Airlines, call (800) 433-1790 and reference site 153.
This is a meeting not to be missed. Educational highlights include roundtable discussions on motivation and recognition for your field force, industry ethics, contract trends, and budget reduction case studies. There will also be presentations on travel safety and security, economic trends, and virtual meetings.
Don't miss this year's Annual Meeting in scenic Seattle, November 3 to 6. The theme: Get Wired, Be Inspired, Explore Seattle 2002. Be prepared to participate, learn, and network. Among the program highlights will be breakouts with a choice of topics from three tracks: technology, personal development, and tricks of the meeting planning trade.
Annual Meeting registration is $375 U.S. for ICPA meeting planner members. The Westin Seattle is offering a special rate of $145. Special zone fares are available with American Airlines: Call (800) 433-1790 and quote number A74H2AD. Online registration will be available at the ICPA Web site (www.icpanet.com). For more information and housing information, call (604) 988-2054 or e-mail icpa_Karen@telus.net or icpa_Helen@telus.net.
The Great-Lakes Regional Chapter meeting is always a great event, and it is shaping up to be the best ever this year. The program for this event, to be held August 18 to 20 at The Renaissance Chicago, was still being finalized when we went to press in April. Highlights likely will include:
CVB panel — A number of convention and visitors bureau representatives will discuss how CVBs can work with and support both the planners and the hotels in the areas they represent. Las Vegas, Chicago, Canada, and Hawaii are online; Seattle is tentative.
Planner panel — Seasoned planners and newcomers reveal how their responsibilities have changed in the current buyer's marketplace.
Scavenger hunt — The entire group, broken into teams, will get out on the streets of Chicago to track down street musicians who are part of the Chicago summer scene and capture their music on video or audiotape. Special awards will be given at breakfast the next day.
An Odyssey evening — Participants will board the Charter Vessel Odyssey at Navy Pier and wine and dine as the sun sets on the Chicago skyline. A private portion of the boat will be designated for the sail, sponsored by Fairmont Hotels and other Canadian suppliers. The Canadian colors will be rolled out during the evening to salute ICPA's neighbors to the north, who will be holding their regional event the following week.
In addition, official carrier American Airlines will again be on site to update all participants on its great services. Opening night will be hosted by The Renaissance Chicago in the hotel's signature restaurant, and lunch the following day will be hosted at the House of Blues at Loew's Hotel Chicago, located directly across the river from The Renaissance.
For registration and other information, contact Jerry Schmidt, CMP, Trustmark Insurance, (847) 283-4126, jschmidt@trustmarkins.com.
Canadian members shouldn't miss the opportunity to learn and network with their peers at the Canadian Regional Chapter meeting, to be held August 23 to 25 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. Details were still tentative as we went to press in April, but there will be two motivational speakers, roundtable discussions on hot topics, and additional sessions on such topics as how September 11 changed supplier contracts and on-site security. An afternoon at the new Hilton Lac Leamy and fabulous social evenings at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier and the Westin Ottawa will round out the program. For registration and more information contact Barb Giesbrecht, Great-West Life; (204)946-7465, bibi@gwl.ca.
A warm welcome to new ICPA members: Doug Adam, Empire General Life; Kathleen Conley, Frank F. Haack & Assoc./Zywave Inc.; Robert Cosentino, State Farm Insurance Cos.; Barbara Crane, Mutual of America; Stephane Dery, Industrial Alliance Pacific Insurance & Financial; Kim DeVillers, Countrywide; Claude Durand, Combined Insurance Company of America; Jim Ferrier, State Farm Insurance; Edward Fox Jr., NAPAA; Christine Freas, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co.; Anita Glasmeier, Premier Lease & Loan Services; Patricia Hansen, FOJP Service Corp.; Janie Kinder, Aid Association for Lutherans; Nancie Ligon, Legacy Marketing Group; Brooke Long, FIC Insurance Group; Steven McManis, Jefferson Pilot Financial; Linda Mills, London Life Insurance Co.; Sandy Morgan, ING Life of Georgia; Barbara Nisbet, Fidelity Investments Institutional Brokerage Group; Jill Roth, Conseco Travel & Event Services; Amy Sandy, General Casualty Insurance Cos.; Laura Schutz, Allstate; Cheri Selva, Allianz Insurance Co.; Lucy Solomon, Canada Life; Alison Spencer, Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield; Kelly Spencer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.; Lisa Stille, Western Reserve Life; Lynn Squires, CNA Insurance; Lester Sudduth, State Farm Insurance Cos.; Matthew Taibi, The Mony Group. Congratulations to new CMPs: Brian Bartlow, CMP, Allstate Insurance Co.; Deane Drury, CMP, State Farm Insurance; Joan A. Orentlicher, CMP, LOMA, and Elaine M. Vannatta, CMP, Allstate Insurance Co.