Did you Know?
Tacky, cheesy, ridiculous, obnoxious. What do all these words have in common? Ugly Christmas sweaters. In fact, December 12 is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day!
We know what you're thinking, and yes, there’s seriously a day for that.
While many of us will miss gathering in-person this year for our annual work and family holiday parties, there’s nothing stopping us from rocking an ugly holiday sweater on our next Zoom call! So, why not have a little fun this holiday season by joining in on the (ugly) fun?! Spread some holiday cheer amongst your teams, family, and colleagues by showing off your best, or tackiest, holiday apparel.
The more embellishments and the more things clash, the better – Happy Holidays!
5 Things to Know in December
- Have you hosted a safe in-person or hybrid event since the onset of COVID-19 protocols? Share your experience with others on the new Meet Safe platform, a resource created by Meetings Mean Business. Check it out here.
- FICP memberships and partnerships expire December 31! If you haven't already, renew for 2021 here.
- Your colleagues are discussing virtual chocolate and scotch tastings over on TheNetwork. Join them!
- FICP: Reimagined attendees can access session recordings and earn CMP through the virtual event platform until December 18.
- Get your travel forecast from U.S. Travel Association and Oxford Economic's proprietary travel forecasting model. The semi-annual domestic and international forecast allows members to review the industry's performance and consider the prospects for the coming year and through 2024. View here.
A Message from Steve Bova, CAE, FICP Executive Director
On behalf of a grateful association, thank you to all of the 594 meetings professionals, hospitality partners and sponsors who made the FICP: Reimagined virtual experience a success. This year, the number of meetings professionals was record-breaking! While the Board, staff and HPAC delivered on an event nobody ever expected at the beginning of the year, the resiliency, creativity and passion of our community is second to none, especially through the toughest of times. All of us on the “inside” are so amazed and thankful for this community, its level of engagement and support of each other. This is what makes FICP unique and truly special!
There have been many silver linings to 2020 that offer confidence our industry will come back stronger than before. If nothing else, we have grown more appreciative of the ability to meet face-to-face, demonstrate value for our businesses and develop genuine friendships that last a lifetime. Thank you for making our “reimagined” event one to add to the FICP highlights reel!
Now Available: Fall 2020 Pulse Survey Results
The FICP Fall 2020 Pulse Survey focused on the continued anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on meetings professionals and their hospitality partners through Q2 2021, and compares relevant responses to those from the Spring Pulse Survey. View highlights or the full report from this survey, which provides a point-in-time look at plans and reactions as of late October 2020.
Watch the Latest Webinar Recording: How About Networking?
Did you know it matters which eye to look into while talking to someone to come across as likeable versus authoritative and that there is a formula that can help you have an amazing conversation with just about anyone? Zoom networking has become a part of our new routines and one-on-one video conversations are happening daily; are you maximizing the online time you have with your customers, clients or partners?
Catch our latest FICP webinar recording with Myka Meier, etiquette trainer and best-selling author of “Business Etiquette Made Easy,” to learn how to network like a pro.
View the webinar recording in TheNetwork here.
FICP SIG Virtual Idea Exchange: Virtual & Hybrid Meetings
Tune in to a Virtual Idea Exchange hosted by the Event Disruptions Shared Interest Group (SIG), Tuesday, December 15 at 1:00 p.m. CST to connect with fellow meetings professionals about navigating virtual & hybrid meetings. Moderated by FICP's SIG leaders, this open discussion is an opportunity to ask your pressing questions and get tips and resources from others who are in a similar position.
This session is open to FICP meetings professional members only. Log in to TheNetwork and register here.
FICP Canadian SIG Virtual Idea Exchange Tomorrow!
Calling all Canadian meetings professionals! Join Kim Langan, CMP, and Ann LeBlanc, CMM, CMP, DES, (Canadian SIG Co-Chairs) as they welcome members to the Shared Interest Group (SIG) and host targeted conversations specific to Canadians!
Our first Canadian SIG Conversation will be hosted December 11 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. CST/1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST. Ann and Kim will facilitate a discussion around your new normal, home office space and any technology limitations you are currently facing or have faced during these times at home.
We’ll share best practices from what’s been accomplished (or overcome) throughout this pandemic and continue to hone in on topics that are top-of-mind for you! Register to attend here.
Join the New FICP CMP Cohort
Preparing for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification is time consuming and challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone! FICP CMP Cohort co-chairs Victoria De La Garza, CMP and Amanda Brennan, CMP encourage you to join them in this new community designed for FICP members pursuing their CMP. It will act as a support system for you to share thoughts, questions and best practices with your peers.
Join the CMP Cohort group on TheNetwork and plan to attend the group’s first meeting February 11, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. CST.
December Member of the Month: Wayne Robinson, CMP, CMM
This month's Member of the Month was a no-brainer. Wayne Robinson, CMP, CMM certainly went out with a bang as he ends his time serving on the FICP Board of Directors by chairing the FICP: Reimagined Event Team! Learn more about Wayne and please join us in thanking him for lending his leadership and expertise to our community over in TheNetwork.
Strategic Partner Profiles
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Caleb Rice, Director of Insurance Sales
"Our FICP Sponsorship is valuable to us because of the relationships that develop as a result of our membership and sponsorship. FICP is the premier organization for leaders in the financial and insurance industries and our ability to network through forums, summits, committee meetings and the annual meeting is invaluable."
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FICP Welcomes New Members and Partners
Meetings Professionals:
Lauren Berkowitz, TD Ameritrade
Courtney Bottorff, Cambridge Investments Research, Inc.
Andrea Boulden, TD Bank
Patti Brown, National Life Group
Skylar Cecil, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
Liz Daly, Cigna
Rachel Gookin, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
Kelly Houten, Eaton Vance Management
Chris Johnson, MFS Investment Management
Julie Kane, Cigna
Emily Lewis, Cigna
Cheryl Rybka, Valmark Financial Group
Aly Schwartz, Cigna
Kiersten Smyth, Cambridge Investment, Inc.
Michelle Starks, Cambridge Investment, Inc.
Hospitality Partners:
Jennifer Attersall, Destination Canada
Pamela Baldwin, Gurney's Newport Resort
Jeremy Brown, 2B DMC UK Ltd.
Hillary Byrne, Westin Mission Hills Resort
Miriam Clark, Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Mike Concannon, Grand Hotel
Heather Devitt, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Andrew Douglas, New York Hilton Midtown
Sherry Franklin, Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Maggie Garofalo, Renaissance Nashville Hotel
Alicia Hilinski, InterContinental New York Barclay
Dominique Holt, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
Rocio Juárez, CMM, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Emily Kresser, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa
Salima Ladha, JW Marriott Vancouver
Amanda Mitchell, Marriott Maui Sales Complex
Denise Reutinger, The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland
Karen Rudd, Wailea Beach Resort
Kate Schacht, JW Marriot Starr Pass
Hortensia Simmons, HMCC, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Derek Wood, Marriott International
2020 FICP Strategic Partners
Double Diamond
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Diamond
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Emerald
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All Other Partners
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| ACCESS Destination Services |
AZA Events, Inc. |
The Broadmoor |
DMC Network |
| Fiesta Americana Hotels |
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority |
Global DMC Partners |
Island Partners Hawai'i |
| JPDL Destination Management Canada |
Visit Newport Beach |
Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings |
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