APRIL 2012

Entertainment makes a big splash for less cash.

We know how things are these days. You deliver bigger results with a smaller bottom line, captivate during coffee breaks, and rally at roundtable not resorts. Nevertheless, entertainment and activities still profoundly influence attendee experience.

Centrally located, Lansing Center resides less than two blocks from 40+ dining and entertainment options. That means a walk to the capitol lawn is just as easy as a jaunt to the theatre. It’s true. Our downtown diversity presents something for everyone, from urban markets and museums to summer boat rides and swanky bars. It’s all right here in The Center of It All.

Call today and let us help you build an experience. 517-483-7400.

From all member of the MI SGMP Family, welcome to our newest members:

Jocelyn Davis with the State Department of Human Services MCSC
Mary Kramer with the Holiday Inn Gateway Centre
Jeremy Leifel with the Auburn Hills Marriott Centrepoint
Linda McLin with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights

Please welcome these new members!

Return on investment (ROI) is a phrase that gets a lot of buzz, but what does it really mean for us as MISGMP members?  At the 2012 AEC I heard the phrase used by speakers, suppliers and planners alike and thought I would share some of their comments and my own perspective on the term.

One supplier member informed me that by attending our 2012 AEC, he had three solid leads for new business and that he could easily show his boss the ROI for his attendance at the AEC through the education he received as well as the potential for business at their property.

In addition, there is the ROI that the DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City Riverfront is already experiencing from hosting our conference.  A planner stated that she had never been there before, but liked what she saw and was now negotiating with the property to hold her next meeting there. Our DoubleTree member even shared with a new supplier member some thoughts on her application for hosting the 2013 AEC and how much ROI can be realized with hosting an event full of meeting planners.

For me, the ROI from my membership is all about relationships.  I am loyal to a fault and will generally look to a property I know. That’s why my first choice is generally to look to one of the MISGMP member properties. The relationships I have built assure me that they will go out of their way to make sure my meeting is top notch.  I think many planners feel the same way when it comes to relationships and the properties they choose to hold their meetings.

What is the ROI from your SGMP membership? Is it the education from our monthly meetings or the AEC? Maybe it’s the benefit from being able to add the GMS or CGMP designations after your name. Or could it be the ability to showcase your property to all our planner members? These are all viable and often mentioned benefits. But I encourage you to maximize the ROI on your MISGMP membership. Get involved: come to meetings, join committees, run for the Board, showcase your property through sponsorship or advertising, and finally, but most importantly, develop relationships with fellow members.

Your President,

Michelle A.Milligan, MSW, LMSW
Third Circuit Court-Clinic for Child Study

Save the Date for June 25th! We are having our 1st  (hopefully annual) MI SGMP Road Rally!  . The Special Events Committee has been busy planning on where all of the stops will be in the Lansing Area.    It is going to be a FUN day out of the office and a great fundraiser for the Michigan Chapter of SGMP. 

Watch for registration information to arrive in your inbox.

April Monthly Meeting Recap

by Leslie Thompson

The April meeting was held at the Embassy Suites in Southfield.  Cynthia Wellman, CMP of the Doubletree by Hilton Bay City was our presenter and facilitated a round table discussion of top meeting planning tips.  After a fabulous lunch featuring a decadent cheesecake for dessert, we jumped into a brainstorming session with other members at our tables.  The topics ranged from food and beverage to marketing and after we solidified our “top 10” ideas, we were asked to put the best three on the flip chart at the front of the room.  Each table had a team member present the best three ideas and from there, everyone had a chance to vote on their two favorite overall ideas.  The food and beverage team won the most votes with their innovative ideas and took home a fun prize (Candy bars!! Yum!).  All ideas were collected and they will be available for the entire membership and attendees.   

Calling all MI SGMP Supplier Members!

We currently have a vacancy on the MI SGMP Board of Directors that needs to be filled by a supplier.    This position is for a two-year term on the board.  You will be responsible for maintaining the chapters financials and producing a report on a monthly basis.  To fill the board position, you must be a member in good standing for 9 months, please contact Andy Silver at silvera@michigan.gov if you have any questions regarding the position.

Amanda Toy  – We’ve Got the Scoop on You!

By Mona Murphy, sleuth reporter

ENERGETIC is the word that comes to mind when thinking about Amanda Toy, the Government and Association Sales Manager at the Greater Lansing CVB.  On the job for less than a year, Amanda says she likes ‘being a resource to my clients.   I like when my clients think of me as an extension to their staff.’

Amanda is a huge advocate of servant leadership.  “I have found the best people to work for and with are those with servant leadership mentalities. 

She is hard at work on SGMP’s Road Rally organizing committee and is excited about giving us the run around in June!  Married to husband, David, for 6 years this young mother of 2 year old twin boys and a 9 month old says her latest ‘best read’ is Goodnight iPad (a spoof on Goodnight Moon).  Her favorite ‘adult’ reads right now are the CIC Manual, International Manual and Professional Meeting Management. Yes, in her spare time she is studying for the CMP exam!

With all that going, is it any wonder that when I asked her what at SGMP’s March Annual Education Conference she found most useful, she responded, “The wine wall.”?   On a more serious note, she said the presentation about trends and ideas in A/V and technology was awesome.

Wondering what this busy mother, wife and career woman does to refuel?  “During the work week, there is nothing better than escaping to a near-by park and enjoying a nice walk with the family; away from technology and one with nature.  Fresh air, my children’s laughter and a good story are what put a smile on my face.” 

Buy a fishing tackle box and put any items you may need for while you are meeting offsite, including pens, stapler, scissors, flashlight, pins, extra name badges, etc.  Be sure to replenish the kit after you return so that it will be complete for your next meeting. 

Check out National

Make your group attendees feel like they are the most special guests on the property.  Have a special check in line for the group and have hotel executives work the check in line, greeting guests and making sure they feel special right from the time the guests arrive!

SGMP is very proud to present the National Charity for the 2012 National Education Conference in New Orleans. This year's charity is the New Orleans Family Justice Center (NOFJC). In 2007, the U. S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in partnership with U.S. Attorney Jim Letten identified a need for coordinated services for domestic violence victims in New Orleans post Katrina. The NOFJC works with the City of New Orleans, community leaders, law enforcement, criminal justice and domestic violence advocates to provide co-located services to victims of family violence and sexual assault and their children in order to increase safety, victim's access to services and enhance offender accountability.

MI SGMP will be supporting the National Charity at the NEC and has been collecting funds at the chapter level to donate to this cause. 

Mark you calendars for ORGPRO in July 2012. MISGMP has again partnered with MSAE.

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