Did you Know?
All jokes aside, nobody really knows the origin of April Fools Day. Historians speculate that it kicked off in 1582, when France switched from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. People who were slow to get the news or failed to recognize that the start of the new year had moved to January 1, and continued to celebrate it during the last week of March through April 1 became the butt of jokes and hoaxes. Another theory is that the holiday came from the Greco-Roman festival called Hilaria which utilized jokes and masquerades to celebrate the first day of the vernal equinox. Regardless of the origin of this tricky holiday, we won't pass up the opportunity to play a practical joke. Which theory is the most believable to you? Learn more here.
5 Things to Know in April
-
Check out this interactive calendar for an overview of upcoming events in 2018.
-
The April digital edition of MeetingsNet is now available.
-
Calling all meetings professionals: Education Forum registration is now open!
-
FICP will have three, memorable new opportunities for attendees to build or strengthen relationships with peers and partners at the 2018 Annual Conference. Learn more here.
-
From Social: How to Make Your In-House Team More Valuable To Your Clients. Read the full article here.
Q1 2018 Pulse Survey Results Now Available
Meetings professionals and hospitality partners were invited to take the Q1 survey in December 2017 to share their experiences on trends and conditions with an anticipated impact on their work. Here are some highlights from the survey:
- 28% of meetings professionals indicated the size of meetings being planned and 35% indicated the number of meetings being planned has increased, as compared to 15% and 29%, respectively, in Q3/Q4.
- Within the financial services and insurance industry specifically, more hospitality professionals were experiencing stability in cycle times for event planning and customer budgets for food & beverage or off-site events, however, 27% were experiencing an increase in bookings of luxury hotels & resorts.
View the full report here.
Calling all Strategic Leaders: You're Invited to a New FICP Event
Strategic meetings professional members are invited to a brand-new FICP event. The Strategic Leaders Event will be an opportunity for senior professionals to network and learn from one another in a unique roundtable discussion format. If you are an FICP member with at least 10 years of meetings management experience and currently oversee meeting planning functions along with staffing budget and policy responsibilities, you are invited to attend this event! There is a limit of one attendee per company. Applications will be available on April 23.
Plan to Join us in Toronto
Canadian meetings professionals, save the date for the 2018 FICP Canadian Seminar. This new event will focus on trends and challenges unique to the Canadian meetings and events industry and offer opportunities to connect with fellow Canadian meetings professionals and hospitality partners. Join us at the brand new Hotel X Toronto on August 16. Registration will open May 17. Learn more.
Register Now for the 2018 Education Forum
Registration for the 2018 Education Forum, taking place June 11-13 at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver in Vancouver, B.C, is open for meetings professionals. Register now and plan to join FICP for an event filled with timely, relevant industry education along with opportunities to connect with peers and colleagues during unique networking events. Experience this "city of natural brilliance" while enhancing your education and broadening your professional network. Register now!
Learn More About FICP's New Website
On Wednesday, April 25 at 12 PM CST, FICP Headquarters will be hosting a live webinar on the most frequently asked questions in regards to navigating FICP’s website. Join the conversation here or dial in using your phone at +1 (872) 240-3212, access code: 785-209-493. If you're unable to join the live webinar, you can access a recording on TheNetwork. Click here to add this webinar to your calendar.
How Did You Celebrate Global Meetings Industry Day?
Yesterday was Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID)! Intended to shine a light on the real impact meetings and events have on businesses, economies and communities, GMID encouraged meeting and event industry association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners and more to hold events in destinations all around the world to support this day of advocacy. How did you celebrate this important day? Let us know on social with #GMID18.
Strategic Partner Profiles
Sterena Strickland, Regional Vice President of Sales
"In an age so dominated by social media, personal and professional networks are quintessential in maintaining a vibrant presence with one’s audience. Our Strategic Partnership with FICP furthers that cause beyond the typical online channels and facilitates our ability to keep our finger on the pulse of such a dynamic industry. Our relationship with FICP is a tremendous resource that helps keep us on the leading edge of trends within the market, preparing us to meet any challenge and rise to the occasion when called upon to do so."
Check out some of what we've recently done with FICP
Katina Athanasiou, Vice President of Charters, Meetings & Incentives
"Our FICP Strategic Partnership is priceless. Having the ability to build long lasting relationships with so many thought leaders across our industry is by far the most rewarding. I have been fortunate enough to bounce ideas and share best practices with like-minded professionals who all want the best for our industry and this association.
The pool deck on all of our ships is the perfect spot for attendees to lounge their day away under the warm sun and for you to host a breathtaking cocktail reception or deck dinner in the evening.
FICP Welcomes New & Returning Members and Hospitality Partners
Meetings Professionals:
-
Marie Ahlers, Gradient Financial Group
-
Alison Birchler, Loring Ward
-
Rachelle Blaschko, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
-
Patti Brown, National Life Group
-
Nicholas Churus, MetLife
-
Sarah Ferreira, Silicon Valley Bank
-
Michelle Konnath, Liberty Mutual
-
Kristen McCann, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
-
Mallory Mullane, Rabobank
-
Gerard Nardelli, New York Life Insurance Company
-
Meredith Nolan, Principal
-
Malaika Palmer, Scotiabank
-
Melissa Poor, American National Insurance Company
-
Julie Robinson, Principal
-
Emma Urbahn, CMP, National Life Group
-
Angie Wilkinson, Americo Financial Life and Anniuty Insurance Company
Hospitality Partners:
-
Dean Altvater, AlliedPRA
-
Jeff Bergmann, ARIA Resort & Casino
-
Xavier Bordedebat, Lafayette Travel
-
Jessica Cannon, Streamsong Resort
-
Angie Day, Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
-
Erin Dunn, Wolfgang Films, Inc.
-
Kimberly Dunnegan, Visit Newport Beach
-
Jeff German, LIVE! Technologies, LLC
-
Shannon Groff, Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau
-
Patricia Herrera, NYC & Company
-
Janice Ishihara, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
-
Anne Janis, The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
-
Amanda Lewin, Bellagio Hotel & Casino
-
Jen Matthews, Q Center
-
Tammy McCormick. CMP, ACCESS Destination Services
-
Suzan Pfeifer, Wolfgang Films, Inc.
-
Tony Polito, Millennium Hotels and Resorts
-
Joe Schmelz, Wolfgang Films, Inc.
-
Courtney Stewart, Effetto Italy
-
Victoria Valenti, Hilton Denver Inverness
-
Nancy Wilkerson, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
-
Katherine Zimmerman, Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa