Article

< Back to all Articles

August 2021 NewsNet
Thursday, August 26, 2021

Did You Know?

RE: An email out of this world!
August is a month of many happenings, but did you know it claims the world record for the first email to be sent from space? On August 9, 1991, astronauts aboard the NASA space shuttle Atlantis sent the first email from outer space back to Earth using an Apple Macintosh Portable. The message read: “Hello Earth! Greetings from the STS-43 Crew. This is the first AppleLink from space. Having a GREAT time, wish you were here,...send cryo and RCS! Hasta la vista, baby,...we'll be back!”

5 Things to Know in August

1. Your colleagues are discussing COVID safety plans for upcoming meetings over on TheNetwork. Join them!
2. Are you earning your CMP? Join FICP's CMP Cohort call on Tuesday, August 31 to learn tips on how to study, which resources were the most helpful and much more. Register on TheNetwork.
3. New this year, FICP is excited to offer a pre-conference virtual day for you to connect with 2021 Annual Conference attendees before you even arrive to Phoenix! Save the date for Monday, October 25. Learn more. 
4. There is still time to participate in the Referral Program. Refer new members to FICP for a chance to win! Learn more. 
5. In the article, Event Planners' Duty of Care During the Pandemic, Dave Lutz, CMP shares four risk management questions to consider when planning for your upcoming event. 

Due Today: 2022 Board of Directors and Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee (HPAC) Applications

The 2022 Board of Directors and HPAC applications are due today, August 26. If you're ready to answer the call to lead, log in to your MyFICP account to complete an application.

2021 Silent Auction: Call for Donations

The 2021 FICP Silent Auction will benefit the Phoenix Rescue Mission, a place of hope, healing, and new beginnings for men, women, and children in our community struggling with homelessness, addiction, and trauma. Help contribute to the success of the auction by making a donation. We are currently accepting item donations online. 

Join FICP in Phoenix This November!

The 2021 FICP Annual Conference takes place November 14-17 in Phoenix, Arizona. Will we see you there? Register before October 9 for best savings! 

FICP Strategic Leaders Event: 2021 Applications Are Now Open

The 2021 FICP Strategic Leaders Event is back again in person! FICP is excited to welcome back strategic meetings professionals December 6-7 in Chicago. Learn more, and apply to attend this exclusive and collaborative event today. 

Don't Miss Tomorrow's FICP Anytime Webinar! 

Our next FICP Anytime Webinar, "Effective Leadership: It’s Your Turn," takes place tomorrow, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. CDT. Learn from a panel of industry peers on impactful experiences that set them up to lead, how collaboration and partnerships have helped them succeed in their job path, and tips for leadership skill development that can be implemented at any stage of your career. Register on TheNetwork. 

Host an Evening Event at the 2022 Annual Conference

FICP is looking for evening event hosts for the 2022 Annual Conference in Boston. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please contact Katie Karmowski at kkarmowski@ficpnet.com.

Meet FICP's August Member of the Month

This month’s Member of the Month is Kristal Cardone, Director, Rewards & Recognition Events at Liberty Mutual. Reflecting on the current challenges facing financial and insurance meetings professionals, Kristal shares, “I feel like we have an exciting and equally exhausting road ahead. With that said, I can't think of an industry that is more equipped to handle the what is to come. Back off Delta, we've got doors in 5.” This powerhouse energy is exactly what makes the FICP community so strong and successful! Learn more and say hi to Kristal on TheNetwork.

Congratulations to These New CMPs

FICP would like to recognize the following members for recently earning the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation from the Events Industry Council (EIC). The CMP program was launched in 1985 to enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, promote the status and credibility of the meeting profession and advance uniform standards of practice. These individuals join nearly one-third of FICP members who have achieved this designation. Congratulations!

• Katie Paris, CMP, NORCAL Group
• Vikki Perfield, CMP, Pacific Life Insurance Company – Life Insurance Division

Learn more about the CMP and FICP’s Preferred Provider status.

Strategic Partner Profiles

Erica Lewis, Corporate Sales Manager, Charters, Meetings & Incentives

“FICP has provided immense support and invaluable opportunities for networking with like-minded individuals with a passion for executing superior and unique events. Being a part of the FICP network has allowed us to create and cultivate meaningful connections with clients within the financial and insurance sectors and given us the opportunity to work with them to create amazing incentives and meetings at sea.”

Just a glimpse into what Norwegian Cruise Line can offer your attendees for meetings and incentives:

---

Dean Altvater, Global Sales Director, PRA Business Events

"FICP partnership for me has been so rewarding.  Having been in the industry for over 30 years, I found myself attending FICP as a “first timer” just 4 years ago.  The warm welcome I received from our meetings professional Partners and the wiliness of our hospitality partners to make introductions was so appreciated.  TheNetwork has provided untold opportunities for me to connect with customers and new industry peers.  The knowledge share is tremendous, and I feel that I have found a new group of “trusted advisors” within the FICP community.  I hope to become more involved as I continue my partnership."

PRA 40th Anniversary_Defining Moments from PRA on Vimeo.

 

FICP Welcomes New and Returning Members and Partners

Meetings Professionals:
Kelley Alexander, ASRI, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
Natasha Mahoney, EY
Hope McCorkle, Aflac
Lauren McDaniel, FLMI, ASRI, ACS, AIRC, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
Monica Mobley, CMP, Lincoln Financial Group
Kate Neuberg, Northwestern Mutual
Rekha Patel, Northwestern Mutual
Jenn Wang, CMP, EY

Hospitality Partners:
Stephanie Cheung, Dubai Business Event
Sandy Chiu, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
Delaney Costello, Ultimate Venutres
Davis Donahoo, Ethos Event Collective
Marie-Noelle Folacci, The Adolphus
Daniele Gold, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Cerelle Gooding, Cameron House on Loch Lomond
Lyndsay Greenan, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Robert Hayes, CASE, Aruba Convention Bureau
Elizabeth Henning, Swissotel Chicago
Gina Hutchinson, Lake Nona Wave Hotel
Sean Keliiholokai, West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board 
Russ Kembel, Hilton Waikoloa Village & Hilton Hawaiian Village
Alla Kosik, Nobu Eden Roc Miami Beach
Debi Madansky, Royal Caribbean International
Eunice Martinez-Sharkey, Park Lane Hotel
Laurie Poindexter, Halcyon
Jessica Ravelli, The Miami Beach EDITION
Vanessa Robinson, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota
Barbara Rodriguez, Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico
Leslie Seabolt, Island Style Innovations
Natasha Sellick, The Confidante Miami Beach
Patricia Smurro, CMP, HMCC, Discover Newport, Rhode Island
Bruce Sorenson, Marriott International
Corey Steinfast, Broadway Plus
Pamela Swentek, The Langham, Chicago 
Rebecca Valencia, The St. Regis Atlanta 
Sharon Vaughn, Hotel Effie Sandestin
Christina White, Island Partners Hawai'i
Dianne Zampino, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami
Marcella Zuniga, CIS, CITP, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

2021 FICP Strategic Partners