Connecting you to theglobal meeting + event community

MPI-WISCONSIN CHAPTER“MPI-WI Chapter is the bridge to knowledge, compelling ideas, and relationships tocreate a voice in the meetings and events industry.”

SEPT
OCT
VOL 39/NUM 5

2017

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September/October 2017

GET SOCIAL!

MPI Agenda																

		

September/October 2017
VOL 39/NUM 5

MPI-WISCONSIN
2017 -2018
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT
CLAUDIA CABRERA
Madison Marriott West Hotel & Conference Center
claudia.cabrera@atriumhospitality.com
PRESIDENT-ELECTTAMARA JESSWEIN, CMPHID Global
tjesswein@hidglobal.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTJEN MELL, CMP
Travel Leaders
jmell@tlcorporate.com
VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE
SARA KERN
Blue Harbor Resort & Spaskern@blueharborresort.com
VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP
JOELLEN GRABER
Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce
adminassist@trollway.com
VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONSMARIA PEOT, CMP
First Business Financial Services
maria.peot@gmail.com
VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION
KATIE MCGINNISThe Iron Horse Hotel
kmcginnis@theironhorsehotel.com
DIRECTOR-AWARDS ANDSCHOLARSHIPS, & RECRUITMENTALISON HUTCHINSON
Fox Cities Convention & Visitor Bureau
ahutchinson@foxcities.org
DIRECTOR-MEMBER CARE
AMANDA RIDOUT
Harley-Davidson Museum
aridout@levyrestaurants.com
DIRECTOR-SPECIAL EVENTSJANE KINCHELOE
Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
jane@minocqua.org
DIRECTOR- SPECIAL EDUCATION, PROJECTSDANIELLE ZIEGLER, CMP, CVT
Greater Madison Convention & Visitor's Bureau
ziegler@visitmadison.com

Feature Articles
MPI Experiential Event Series:
My Voyage into Experience & Discovery		

8

MPI-WI Chapter Gala: An Evening in Paris

11

The Business of YOU: Reflecting On Your Personal Brand

12

Don’t Miss the 4th Annual Great Lakes Education Summit
in Indianapolis!						

14Media Focus: Unique Meetings // Making It Easier To Exchange

16

What I Learned at WEC 2017		

18

June Golf Event			

22

October Meeting Preview				

28

In Every Issue
From the Editor’s Desk

4

President’s Column

6

Board Member Profile: Jane Kincheloe		

7

Food for Thought: Executive Chef Brian Jurkowski		10

In the News

17

Who's Being Social

19

New Members & Anniversaries

20

Supplier Member Profile: Dona Geracie Curran		

26

Food for Thought: Executive Chef Timothy Burk

28

Planner Profile: Jodi Roos30

CalendarBC

DIRECTOR-MONTHLY PROGRAMMINGTRACEY BOCKHOP, CMP
Meet Meetings
tracey@meetmeetings.com
DIRECTOR-PUBLICATIONS & COMMUNITY OUTREACHSARAH BANACH
Marcus Hotels & Resorts
sarahbanach@hiltonmilwaukee.com
DIRECTOR-STRATEGIC ALLIANCES, SPONSORSHIPS &FUNDRAISING
LIZ UNRUH
Wisconsin Center District
eunruh@wcd.org
DIRECTOR-WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, & PUBLIC RELATIONSCATHY KREITERVISIT Milwaukee
CKreiter@milwaukee.org

Experience MPI Wisconsin
6 Different Ways
Print: Agenda Magazine
Web: mpiwi.org
Facebook: facebook.com/mpiwi
Twitter: twitter.com/mpiwisconsin
LinkedIn: MPI-WI Chapter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpi_wi_chapter																	MPI Agenda September/October 2017 | 3

MPI-WISCONSIN CHAPTEREDITOR'S NOTE

Published bimonthly by
Meeting Professionals International –Wisconsin Chapter

With the focus of this issue
being unconventional
meetings, I challenged myself
to think of the events I planand how many of them areunconventional. After taking
a few minutes, I struggled
to come up with anything.
Needless to say, my eventsare pretty conventional andseem to be a cookie cutter of
each past year’s event with a
few tweaks here and there.

CO-EDITORSCheryl Oswald, CMP
Events Project Manager
Kohls
cheryl.oswald@kohls.com
Kathy Reading
Account Executive
The Scan Group, Inc.
reading@scangroup.net
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alison Huber, CMP
Michele Wierzgac, MSEd
Danielle Ziegler, CMP, CVT
Bonnie Hansen, CMP
Maria Peot, CMP
Carrie Stollenwerk

My challenge to all of you is to think outside the box when it comes toyour meetings. Are you used to having your group in a ballroom? Why
not mix it up and take that meeting outside? How about the traditionalclassroom setup? Change it up and add some lounge seating for an
unconventional seating arrangement.

GRAPHIC DESIGNAnn Shultz, AJS Designs

It doesn’t have to stop there! When you are starting to source a newevent, take a look at venues you might never have thought of before.
That museum, university or theater might be the perfect spot and canspark new energy, collaboration, and inspiration for your next event.

PUBLICATION DEADLINES
November/December 2017
Deadline: September 15, 2017

The challenge is out there for all of you to start thinking of yourmeetings in new, unconventional ways!

January/February 2018
Deadline: November 15, 2017
March/April 2018
Deadline: January 15, 2018

Cheryl Oswald, CMP
Co-Editor
PERMISSIONS
Material in this publication may not be reproduced inany form without permission. Statements of fact andopinion within Agenda are the responsibility of theauthor(s) and do not imply an opinion of the officers or
members of MPI or MPI-Wisconsin Chapter.

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MPI Agenda																

		

		

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MPI Agenda

September/October 2017|5

President's Column
Hola MPI-WI Members!
We haven’t held a formal chapter education meeting thesepast months, but we have enjoyed other MPI events,
starting with the annual MPI World Education Congressat the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Twenty-Three
Wisconsin chapter members, including six board members,
attended this event from June 17th-19th. We had a chance
to meet and talk with MPI Global leaders and learn about
what they have in store for us. At educational sessions held
throughout the event, we learned about what is new in our
industry and the latest trends for meetings. The board of
directors attended the Chapter Leaders Forum, where wewere able to network and share best practices with otherchapter leaders from across the globe.
Our members also had the chance to participate in multiple
networking receptions and set up one on one appointmentswith potential clients and vendors through the MPI Global
Hosted Buyer program.
Upon my return to Madison, someone asked me what I
enjoyed the most about WEC this year. As I look back at mytime spent there, I realized how important and meaningful
I found my interactions with other people as I spent time
networking with them. Asking genuine questions beyond“What do you do?” or “Where do you work?” can makepeople open up to you and feel at ease in a room full of
strangers. They will share things and once you find a thing or
two you have in common, it makes it easier to connect withpeople that will help you grow professionally, discuss new
ideas, add value to your career or create new friendships.
As the MPI Global slogan says: “When we meet we change
the World.” That’s exactly what this industry is all about:meeting and connecting people that have the same vision,
goals and objectives.
So let’s try and set a goal for this new year and try to focus
on gaining new connections.
I challenge each one of you to make at least two meaningfulconnections at each of our monthly meetings.

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September/October 2017

Claudia Cabrera
President, MPI-WI Chapter

Besides WEC, our Chapter also hosted our annual Summer
Socials in Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton, where we
provided a free and fun networking opportunity for ourmembers, colleagues and friends.

A big thank you to our host sponsors:
Greater Madison Convention and
Visitors Bureau, Visit Milwaukee, The
Pfister Hotel, Fox Cities Convention and
Visitors Bureau and the Radisson Paper
Valley. Your continued support to ourchapter is greatly appreciated.

MPI-WI AWARDS GALA
Following our Summer Socials is our Awards Gala on
September 21st. Our Gala team is working hard to provide
you with a day full of education, surprises, networking
opportunities, awards, and an amazing Parisian theme.
We will start the day with an education session fromMPI Agenda																

				

Derek Deprey as he presents: “Live Well, Lead Well: 5
Practices to Feel Better in Work and Life.” Then we willkick off the evening with a reception before we handout awards to the individuals who have impacted ourindustry in the past year.

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

I hope to see all of you at the Madison Marriott West
Hotel! Please mark your calendars as you don’t want tomiss this unforgettable night.
OCTOBER EDUCATION DAY
After our Awards Gala, we will start our monthly
education meetings. Please join me and your fellow MPI
members, at the Holiday Inn in Fond Du Lac on October
15th to hear Michele Wierzgac talk about “Reflecting on
your Brand Champions.”
GREAT LAKES EDUCATION SUMMIT
Also, don’t forget about our Great Lakes Education
Summit event in Indianapolis Minnesota on November
20th – 23rd 2017. If you haven’t registered for any of these
events, please make sure to register today!
As always, I want to leave by saying THANK YOU to all of
our volunteers, sponsors and Strategic Alliance partners.
Without your continued support, we would not be
where we are right now. Your time and dedication to our
Chapter is always valued.
Thank you for a great start of the new quarter! I will see
you all at our Awards Gala!

Jane Kincheloe
Place of employment: Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
Where do you currently live? Minocqua, WI
How long in the meeting/event industry? 10 years
Tell us 2-3 things you are responsible for on the board:Special Events (Golf Outing, Gala, Bidding for Good)
What is the best part of being on the board? Camaraderiewith fellow members
What have you learned most from being on the board? To beappreciative for volunteers and to be accommodating!
What is the best advice you can give to someone who isthinking about getting more involved in MPI? Step up and get
involved! It opens the door to so many more relationships andnetworking opportunities…which is what it is all about!
Favorite hobbies or pastimes? Hiking, golf, travel
Favorite musical artist or band? (Only one?!) Jennifer Nettles

MPI Agenda

September/October
MPI Agenda July/August
2017 2017| |7

MPI Experiential Event Series
MY VOYAGE INTO EXPERIENCE & DISCOVERY
By: Alison Huber, CMP
At World Education Congress (WEC) in San Francisco inAugust 2015, MPI formally introduced the MPI Academy.
The entity “encompasses and connects all of the educationand learning experiences MPI delivers within the meetingand event industry and beyond.” The Experiential Event
Series was introduced as a part of the MPI Academy,
with the first events taking place in November 2015. This
program was the first event aboard a cruise ship.
The promo email from MPI in March piqued my interest,
having just started my new position at Fox World Travel in
December 2016. The education would certainly help me inlearning more about the cruise industry and be able to be abetter resource to our clients. The program offered 30 clock
hours towards the CMP designation for what promised
to be an amazing experience. I was fortunate to receive ascholarship to offset registration and travel costs sponsoredby Royal Caribbean through the MPI Foundation.
The Agenda
The program was jam packed from arrival in Fort
Lauderdale on Friday afternoon through the early morning
departure with the ship the following Thursday. The front
end included a wonderful tour and reception at Royal
Caribbean’s Entertainment Studios, interesting hotel andevent facility tours in Fort Lauderdale and a jaw-dropping
afternoon at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.
On Sunday morning, we began the cruise ship experience.
Following the customary baggage drop, security andcheck-in process, we boarded the Allure of the Seas for atour of various suites that are part of the 2,700+ onboard
staterooms and a general tour of some of the ships 18
decks. The remainder of the week was very education
focused, with time spent in the meeting room learningfrom different departments' representatives, "behindthe-scenes" tours of the bridge, control rooms, kitchens,
employee areas, etc., and meeting many of the executive
staff members. There was a bit of free time built in toexperience St. Maarten Wednesday afternoon before thefarewell reception and dinner.
About half of our group disembarked Thursday morning in
San Juan. The others chose to stay on through the end of

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September/October 2017

Welcome Reception in Dazzles.
the cruise on Sunday to enjoy the ship at their leisure. This
option allowed the attendees to learn more about what theship would offer to their event attendees.
Education
The program boasted 30 clock hours towards the CMP
designation, a great way to get credits if you need themfor recertification. In advance of the onsite program,participants were required to complete an additional
four hours of online work, earning the Meetings at Sea
Certification for completion. The program was thorough,including interactive webinars with participant workbooks.
I learned a lot about holding a meeting at sea and how theydiffer from traditional meetings.

MPI Agenda																

				Takeaways
Like many of you, I have attended
a lot of education programs ofvarious levels and sizes throughthe year. I am a huge fan of MPI’s
Experiential Event Series. With only
20 participants, I really got to know
the other attendees. The program size
also facilitated hands-on, personalized
learning. We could ask questions
specific to our needs, experience,clients, etc. The access to the behindthe scenes portions was invaluable.
There is no way an online or evenface-to-face education program could
match what I took away from thisexperience.

Prepping for dinner!

Learn More
There are a number of other experiences available to go
behind the scenes of some of the world’s largest events. To
find out more about the details of this program, send me
a message at ahuber@foxworldtravel.com. If you want tolearn more about MPI’s upcoming programs, visit http://
academy.mpiweb.org/mpi/ and look under Certificate
Programs for the Experiential Event Series.
________________________________________________
Alison Huber, CMP manages
meetings, events andincentives as a Program
Manager for Fox World Travel.
She has been an active MPI-WI
member since 2004 and is apast chapter president.

Ms. Bea tells us all about Royal Caribbean’s costumes.
She’s worked for the company since 1969, just one year
after the company started!

Controlling the ship

MPI Agenda

September/October 2017|

9

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Executive Chef
Brian Jurkowski
His culinary journey of over twenty years has
now taken Brian full circle back to the Marriott
Madison West, where he was named Executive
Chef overseeing all aspects of food operations
for the full service convention property that
includes a restaurant, lounge and over 60,000
square feet of meeting and banquet space.
A native of the area, Executive Chef Brian Jurkowski grew up in
Madison, Wisconsin, where he began his career in high school
as a busser at the Tiffany Grill at the Marriott Madison West.
Following graduation, Brian set off for college in Colorado topursue a degree in biology. His passion for cooking quickly led
him back to restaurants and food venues. His path allowed
him to work in fourteen different establishments acquiring astrong culinary background, rich in technique, expertise anddiversity. In Colorado, Brian had the great fortune to work forthe renowned Club Med at Copper Mountain.
Closer to home, Brian worked for some of the most notable
restaurants in the Greater Madison, Wisconsin area, including
Bishops Bay Country Club and Liliana’s. In addition, Brian
opened the popular Fresco Rooftop Restaurant and Lounge
in downtown Madison; and subsequently added the role of
Executive Chef at Morel’s to his resume.
His culinary journey of over twenty years has now taken Brianfull circle back to the Marriott Madison West, where he wasnamed Executive Chef overseeing all aspects of food operations
for the full service convention property that includes a
restaurant, lounge and over 60,000 square feet of meeting andbanquet space.

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September/October 2017

MPI Agenda																

				

We hope you enjoy one of Brian’s favorite recipes:

Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri“Versatile and Delicious!”

Evening in Paris
MPI-Wisconsin Chapter Gala

CHIMICHURRI• 2 cups tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems• 1 cup tightly packed fresh Italian parsley leaves andtender stems• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes• ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds Skirt steak
Salt & Black Pepper

1. In a food processor combine the garlic, cilantro, parsley,vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper
flakes and pulse until finely chopped. Gradually add theoil in a steady stream through the feed tube and processuntil well blended but some texture still remains, about
1 minute. Transfer the chimichurri to a small bowl forserving. Cover and refrigerate. Allow the chimichurri tostand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
2. Allow the steaks to stand at room temperature for 15 to
30 minutes before grilling.
3. Prepare the grill for direct cooking over high heat (450° to
550°F).
4. Season the steaks evenly with salt and pepper. Brushthe cooking grates clean. Grill the steaks over direct
high heat, until cooked to your desired doneness, 4 to 6
minutes for medium rare, turning once or twice. Remove
from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Cut the meat
across the grain into thin slices and serve warm with thechimichurri.

It’s that time of the year to all come together andcelebrate our members, volunteers, and chapter
accomplishments.
Join us Thursday, September 21, 2017 at the Madison MarriottWest Hotel for the 2017 MPI-Wisconsin Awards Gala. The
afternoon will start with education from Derek Deprey as hepresents Live Well, Lead Well: 5 Practices to Feel Better in Work& Life. Derek is a director of training and development as well
as a general manager for the Wisconsin Athletic club where
he teaches his staff the core principles of leadership, training,and personal development. He will teach us how to dial up
brainpower, productivity and energy levels by managing stress,
sleep, food, exercise, and water. Together, we can build lives
where we can work hard and stay healthy at the same time.
In the evening, get your formal attire ready as we enjoy dazzling
Parisian-styled entertainment and sample traditional French
Cuisine along with a silent auction, golden ticket drawing, live
auction, and awards program to help celebrate those who
contribute to our chapter and industry. This year we will begiving back to our local community by donating 10% of all
monies earned from the Silent and Live Auction to the Gilda’s
Club Madison. Gilda’s Club Madison creates a community of freeemotional support, cancer education, and hope for children andadults with any cancer diagnosis and those who care for them.
We will close out the evening by celebrating our chapter’s
40th birthday with a trip back to the 70s and a disco themed
afterglow hosted by the Madison Marriott West!

Location:

Madison Marriott West1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton, WI
Room Rate: $121
Room Block Cut Off: September 14, 2017
Reservations: 608-831-2000
Black Tie Optional
For more information and to register, visit www.mpiwi.org.

MPI Agenda

September/October 2017|11

The Business of YOU:
Reflecting On Your Personal Brand
By: Michele Wierzgac, MSEd
My mom used to say to my five siblings and me: “Be
careful with what you say and what you do, for whatever
you choose reflects on our family name and reputation.”
Looking back, I realize she provided us with early training
on the natural personal branding process—such wisdom!
Personal branding is about building up and maintaining
your name and reputation so that people will do businesswith you.
As a child, I clearly understood that positive words andactions would protect my reputation—and please myparents—while negative choices would hurt my image
and that of my family. It was also very clear that it was

my duty and responsibility to my family to help preserve
its reputation. A core value was instilled to support selfbranding, the core value of representing a group first—
your family or your company—followed by your individual
or personal brand.
Why is your reputation important in your industry? Most
people agree that there is a direct correlation between
a person’s reputation and his or her professional success
and, ultimately, a company’s bottom line. How effectively
you represent yourself in public often determines what
you will accomplish in your career—and your life. Your
name can open—and close—doors for you, and guarding
your self-brand should be a priority.

Managing Behavior

Consider how you behave at industry events. How doyou handle yourself at conventions and meetings? Are
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September/October 2017

you attentive to your alcohol consumption? Do you respect
the dress codes? Are you so hung-over in the mornings
that you can’t attend workshops? Also keep in mind thatyour actions aren’t the only things that can harm yourreputation. Inappropriate or careless remarks can also havea negative impact. I was attending an industry function
where a colleague left his coat behind and returned later
to retrieve it. Another colleague said to him in a derogatory
tone, “I saw you return to the party. What, you couldn’t getenough to drink before?”
The speaker’s comment led those around him to believe
he was insensitive and a gossip. Incidents like this may
seem harmless enough, but what if you were trying todecide whether or not to do business with this person?
Because he’s shown himself to be insensitive, rude anduntrustworthy, his credibility as a business associate
is questionable; a salesperson forgot to hang up thetelephone after leaving a message on my voice mail. He
was not pleased that I was unavailable to take his call. Hiscomments gave me great insight into his reputation and leftme with the perception that the company tolerates such
behavior. I refuse to do business with this person and thecompany.
We know there is a direct correlation to the bottom
line when employees sense inconsistency between
what the boss says and what the boss does, as recently
noted in Harvard Business Review by Tony Simons, anassociate professor at Cornell University’s School of Hotel
Administration. The results were stunning: a hotel’s
profitability increased by 2.5 percent annually when the

MPI Agenda																

				employees worked for a manager they trusted. More andmore companies are looking for any hints about a person’s
reputation before hiring. Although employers still complete
reference checks, increased weight and influence arebeing placed on informal conversations. Why? Because acompany’s good brand could disappear in a second.

Earn credibility, don’t expect it

What people say about you really matters. It is very
difficult to achieve your goals with a tarnished reputation.
How many of your colleagues will do business with you
if they don’t trust you? How often will your employer
send you on a business trip before he or she realizes you
are not bringing back valuable information. The bottom
line is perception. What we think about each other is thefoundation of any personal or business relationship.
You must work hard at building credibility so others are
confident about doing business with you. One way toearn credibility is to keep your promises. Did you send thereport? Did you return the telephone call?
Another way to earn credibility is honesty. Do you have avalid credential after your name or do you claim continuing
education units for workshops you did not attend? Do you
attend all the events for which you have sent a positive
RSVP? Actions speak louder than words.
Decisions you make will reflect on many brands. These
brands include your family name, your reputation, yourcompany and your industry. Your personal brand will sell
naturally, so make your brand work for you. Be careful
about what you say and what you do, for whatever you
choose reflects on your personal brand. I am thankful to mymom for that life lesson."Michele Wierzgac, MSEd,
speaker and author, promisesthat you will leave her solutiondriven keynotes and workshopswith at least one passionate, lifetransforming, leadership tool
– something that will change
the way you seek out a solution
and practically apply it without
getting stuck.
Email Michele at michele@
micheleandco.com or give her acall at (708) 710-7055!

Meet inWisconsin!

search these properties & more at WisconsinLodging.org

APPLETON
Radisson Paper Valley Hotel
333 W. College Avenue, Appleton, WI
920/733-8000 | radissonpapervalley.com
Meeting rooms: 26; Sleeping rooms: 388; F&B: Yes
We’re building something more... Fox Cities Exhibition
Center connected to our existing 38,000 sq. ft. of
flexible function space. www.fcexhibitioncenter.com
BIRCHWOOD

Stout’s Island Lodge
2799 27th Street, Birchwood, WI
715/354-3646 | stoutsislandlodge.com
Meeting rooms: 4; Sleeping rooms: 43; F&B: Yes
Built in 1903 by Frank D. Stout as a summer estate,
Stout’s Island Lodge is an unparalleled haven forrecharging, unwinding & team building.
DOOR COUNTY
Landmark Resort
4929 Landmark Drive, Egg Harbor, WI
920/868-3205 | thelandmarkresort.com
Meeting rooms: 10; Sleeping rooms: 260; F&B: Yes
Simplify your meeting planning.
Beautiful Door County venue with eight of ten
meeting rooms featuring a water view. All suites.
EAU CLAIRE
Metropolis Resort & Conference Center
5150 Fairview Drive, Eau Claire, WI
715/852-6000 | conferences.metropolisresort.com
Meeting rooms: 10; Sleeping rooms: 107; F&B: Yes
Located just off Interstate 94. Groups up to 300 and
9,200 sq. ft. meeting space. We create Fun and memorable
events with unique offerings & convenient meeting space.
LAKE GENEVAThe Mill Creek Hotel
123 Center Street, Lake Geneva, WI
877/624-5494 | MillCreekHotel.com
Meeting rooms: 1; Sleeping rooms: 33; F&B: Yes
One bedroom suites.Whirlpools, fireplaces, kitchens, indoor
pool, hot tub, fitness center, complimentary wifi &continental breakfast. Downtown Lake Geneva.
PEWAUKEE
Country Springs Hotel, Water Park &Conference Center
2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI
262/547-0201 | countryspringshotel.com
Meeting rooms: 20; Sleeping rooms: 187; F&B: Yes
40,000 sq. ft. meeting and banquet space,
45,000 sq. ft. indoor water park.
SHEBOYGANBlue Harbor Resort & Spa
725 Blue Harbor Drive, Sheboygan, WI
920/452-2900 | BlueHarborResort.com
Meeting rooms: 10; Sleeping rooms: 180; F&B: Yes
Blue Harbor on Lake Michigan offers scenic meetings
spaces for groups of 10 to 1000. Just one houraway from Milwaukee and Green Bay.

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September/October 2017|13

Don’t Miss the 4th Annual Great Lakes
Education Summit in Indianapolis!
By Danielle Ziegler, CMP, CVT
The 4th Annual Great Lakes Education Summit inIndianapolis is right around the corner! Hosted by MPI
Chapters in Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin, the summit
offers a variety of educational programs along with funfilled networking opportunities for all attendees. With thecollaboration between the three dedicated chapters, it is
one conference you do not want to miss.
The summit occurs Sunday, November 12 - Tuesday,
November 14 at the Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre.
Day one begins in the afternoon with a Chapter Leaders
Session, followed by an Emerging Leaders Forum and a
Welcome Reception hosted by the Sheraton Indianapolis
City Centre Hotel.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Monday is our only full day and it starts with breakfast
and our opening keynote, Sarah Michel, on Conference
Connexity – where community and connecting combine.
After a break to view our exhibitors, attendees will have theoption to attend one of the two morning breakouts – Sales
for the Event Professional with Mitch Taylor or Surviving
Clientzilla with Breeda Miller. Both breakouts are sure toappeal to planners and suppliers. For lunch, we have Glenn
Thayer presenting his keynote session on The Changing
Face of Meetings: Ditch the Status Quo and Design Sessions
that Rock! This session is a 2-part session and will continue
in the afternoon breakout. The other breakout offered in
the afternoon is Developing Radical Hospitality by Sarah
Michel, another great session to enhance our customer
service skills. The day will end with more exhibit viewing,
an optional tour of the Sheraton, and finally a unique andfun reception at Punch Bowl Social – an upscale adultplayground with vintage arcade, karaoke, table games,
bowling, and more. There we will participate in a variety ofactivities along with cocktails and appetizers…all sponsored
by Visit Indy! The reception will end with plenty of timeto enjoy dinner at any of the fantastic restaurants in
downtown Indianapolis.

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September/October 2017

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
The final day of the summit will be Tuesday, where
attendees have one last morning to bid on the Silent
Auction items and visit the exhibitors. Our morning keynote
will focus around healthy dining demands from clientsand attendees. Our presenter, Franceen Friefeld, will workwith the Sheraton catering department to design a healthy
breakfast to go along with her session. Mitch Taylor andBreeda Miller make another appearance to finish up ourbreakouts. Their sessions include interactive engagement
tips and shoestring budget fundraising. To conclude theconference, Tim O’Shea, celebrity speaker, will present
our last keynote. Tim uses comedy to connect with others,
and a way to deal with the stress of a constantly changing
work environment. His session, Change is a Funny Thing– Navigating the Meetings Industry through Times ofTransition, will help you manage your emotions whenchanges occur.
As you can see, we have a lot of exciting sessions andnetworking opportunities for this year’s summit. For more
information and to register for the Great Lakes Education
Summit, visit www.mpigreatlakes.com.
We hope to see everyone in Indianapolis this November!

EVENT

4th Annual Great Lakes
Education Summit

WHEN

Sunday, Nov 12 - Tuesday, Nov 14

WHERE

Sheraton Indianapolis
City Centre Hotel, Indianapolis, IN

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MPI Agenda

September/October 2017|15

engaged way beyond the event itself? Is our plan todrive people to a website or encourage sharing on social
media? If we are smart, each meeting or event builds
something for the future.
Set the stage
Sure, a unique venue is always nice. But what else can we
do? Shake it up. Forget the standard meeting set-up. It canbe as simple as using small tables or a lounge setting in a
meeting. Or try flipping the atmosphere by doing a standing— Mocktail Reception — in the morning to jumpstart
your meeting and get the creative juices flowing. Perhaps
incorporate theater-style but set chairs facing each other. If
you have a larger meeting, put your speaker in the round sothey can be immersed into your audience. Anything of thisnature helps to break down barriers. It sets the stage for anattendee to be an active participant as opposed to a passive
place holder.

MEDIA FOCUS: UNIQUEMEETINGS
MAKING IT EASIER TOEXCHANGE
By: Bonnie Hansen, CMP
Director, Events at mg

Gone are the days when walking by a meeting room ofquiet people on the verge of a nap is a good thing! We
want people enthused, energized, excited and engaged. We
know that people can get information almost anywhere—
but the personal and professional connections made at alive event remain unique.
As not only logistical experts but experience marketers,
today’s meeting planners should aim to merge education,
hospitality, entertainment and exchange to create themost powerful programs that have impact way beyond theevent itself.
So…what are the keys to creating a unique meeting
experience that cultivates thought leadership and productawareness while also building relationships between all
involved?
Devise an interactive platform that drives content
First and foremost, every live event is a precious
opportunity. This should be strategized and considered interms of communications pre-event, at and post. Prepare
and excite people in advance. Delight and engage people
on-site. And plan to extend your conversation beyond
the meeting. Content should be the driver for all of yourplanning. What is being created that can drive interestand deeper learning? What will keep these attendees

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September/October 2017

For a recent corporate client, we created a “Hopscotch
Lunch” where people were led to change their lunch tablewith each course, so they had to move twice during themeal. They were also provided with “table talk” challenges
that related to the afternoon meeting content. All of thisgreatly encouraged people to get outside their comfort
zones, share information and break the ice for an afternoonof deeper interaction.
Remove the talking head
It may be hard to take away all of the PowerPoint content.
But think of it this way—we can provide an environment
where we are learning from one person at a time—or aplace to share the knowledge, opinions and expertise of
everyone present. The latter is way more impactful. If there
is a lot of information or technical material to be delivered,
think about breaking this up. Can you create an interactive(game, survey, small group activity) that will deliver better
results and get you more actual input? Forget about
focusing on telling your story...and think of ways to makeyour attendees a part of it. Give voice to an attendee’s ideas
and questions about your product or initiative and you havean engaged learner.
It’s not about quantity---but quality
We have been taught to think that getting more attendees
is better. The more we have, the better job we have done inmarketing a relevant idea.

MPI Agenda																

				

Today, we need to encourage a “qualified” audience—theright attendees. For the attendee, put them with people
they want to be with. Who do they want to learn from orshare with? What opportunities are you creating for themthat they might not otherwise have?
For a recent organization event, we devised a “C-Suite
Coffee Camp” which targeted top CEOs to attend an earlymorning exchange. It was a lighthearted approach thatencouraged heavy hitters to share some of their valuable
time and participate in a group of their peers.
In the end, meeting and event planners orchestrateoutcomes and influence behavior. If we create uniqueformats that guide attendees in better exchange, wewill deliver the most desired results to both meetingstakeholders and attendees.

JULIE WILLS graduated in May from Madison Collegewith her Associate Degree in Meeting & EventManagement. In addition, she has a new position with
the State Bar of Wisconsin as a Program Assistant in
the Member Services Department where she will bescheduling and planning many meetings - congratulations
on your accomplishments, Julie!"Congratulations to JOELLEN GRABER on starting her new
position as the Marketing and Tourism Coordinator atMount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce!
Congratulations to the HILTON MILWAUKEE CITY CENTER
and THE PFISTER HOTEL for being awarded the AAA4 Diamond Award, one of the hotel industry’s mostprestigious awards!

SAVORY
A unique meeting approach, the “Natural Colors Xchange”
was devised as a series platform for global ingredients
manufacturer, Chr Hansen, to promote their thought
leadership to large restaurant chains. Events included urban
kitchen environments with vibrant colors and interactive
chef-stations to illustrate their color story in practice.
Attendees were broken into smaller discussion groups todeliver information in a more interactive and conversationalsetting. Content that spoke to marketing studies andconsumer reports was designed prior to the event and video
content was created at the event in order to drive people totheir website for further discovery.

www . alliantenergycenter . com
MADISON, WISCONSIN • 608-267-1549

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What I Learned at WEC 2017
By: Maria Peot, CMP

I attended many education sessions while at WEC 2017 in
Las Vegas at the MGM Grand, but by far, the one that I got
the most out of, the most practical takeaways, was Organized
Audrey’s session on Life Hacks: Taking time to simplify.
Audrey started out her session describing the story of her
and her husband downsizing from their family home to asmaller, fixer-upper house after their children had grown
and moved out. Audrey described the massive task of going
through a house full of 20+ years of STUFF, and, looking
back, what she would have done differently over the years
to simplify.

One of the ideas that she discussed that I can’t wait to try
is the “Six-Month Challenge.” Audrey challenged each of
us to take an empty box, fill it with household items that
we don’t use often (or ever!) or that we have duplicates of(who needs six spatulas? Two cheese graters? Seven setsof bath towels?), and then seal the box shut. Then, put thebox in the basement, garage or closet (out of sight, out ofmind) and set a reminder on your calendar for six months
from that day. Six months later, if you haven’t had to openthat box to use one of those items, you’re supposed to takethe box directly to Goodwill (or another donation facility)
without opening it or looking at the items in the box. The
idea is, if you don’t use an item in six months, you do NOT
need it in your house. If you don’t SEE the item for six

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September/October 2017

months, you won’t feel the need to KEEP the item. This is agreat way to minimize clutter and eliminate extra stuff fromyour house and your life.
Audrey also shared hacks for your wardrobe, email, travel,
home and passwords. She shared a tool called the First
Fifteen which I hope to implement in my daily work routine,where you chunk your tasks together and prioritize themat the same time. The idea is that your first fifteen minutes
each day should be spent thinking about the top priorities
for the day, the top people you need to connect withthroughout the day, “tier 2” projects, random thoughts that
pop in your head throughout the day and all of the personal
things you need to get done in the day (errands, kid stuff,
exercise, dinner plans, evening activities, etc.); by focusing
on this list first thing in the day, you will have a moreproductive day and be less distracted throughout the day
trying to figure out what to do next.
Audrey’s session was my favorite because I was able tocome away with practical ideas that I can implement
in both my personal life and my professional life. I lookforward to sharing the email and password hacks with mycoworkers and implementing the household hacks in mypersonal life. Thank you to Organized Audrey for a great,easy to follow and listen to, breakout session!

MPI Agenda																

				

Who's Being Social

MPI Agenda

September/October 2017|19

MPI WISCONSIN MEMBERSHIP
New Members

Anniversaries
5 YEARSKELLY BOOTH
Hotel Marshfield
General Manager

CLAUDIA CABRERA
Madison Marriott West Hotel and Conference Center
Corporate Sales Manager

ARIANNA DAVISHoliday Inn
Sales Executive

ALISON HUTCHINSON
Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
Convention Sales & Marketing Representative

MIKAYLA DHEIN
River Club of Mequon
Director of Events Sales and Marketing
MONICA EGLI
Marriott International
Events Manager

1 YEAR
KATHRYN HENNING
Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau
Sales Associate
CRYSTAL HOLTZ
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay
Sales Manager

SONJA HARRIS
Hotel Julien Dubuque
Sales Manager

JOHN VERMEERN
Creative Group, Inc.
Account Coordinator

ELIANA KEY
Rose Hotels and Resorts
Sales Manager

ELIZABETH SCHROEDERWECCMarketing Events Coordinator

ETHAN ROSE
Hotel Metro
Sales Manager

JEFF HARDEMAN
Agenda USA

KATHY SCHULTZ
Lodge Kohler
Sales Executive

JENNIFER ZALEWSKI
Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley Company
Event Coordinator/Administrative Supervisor

KILEY TIMM
Madison College
Student

AMY GUZMANUW Health
BETHANY BABCOCK
Madison College
Babcock Event Management

ADAM VANOUWERKERKHyatt Regency Milwaukee
Sales Manager

JASON RING
Manitowoc Area Visitor & Convention Bureau
President
MEGAN GOSSENSWPS Health Solutions
Manager, Corporate Events
TARA MARKO
Hampton Inn and Suites Madison-Downtown
Sales Manager

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September/October 2017

MPI Agenda																

				

Trim: 7.5" W x 9.5" H • Live: 7.25" W x 9.25" H • Bleed: 7.75" W x 9.75" H

g
in
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o
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all under one
In September 2019, we’re adding 125,000 square feet of meeting andconvention space, including a 56,000-square-foot ballroom, to ourConvention Center, for a grand total of 230,000 square feet. All this, plus:
first-class service, teams with over 400 years of combined experience,customizable meeting spaces, free Wi-Fi, 756 guest rooms and premium
dining – all under under one roof. Not to mention, being just under twohours away from major cities, we offer a short commute but enoughseparation for guests to completely focus on your beyond-expectations
convention experience. Welcome to Kalahari.

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI©2017 Kalahari Development LLC

KalahariMeetings.com

Call 855-411-4605 to learn more

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8/2/17 2:55 PM

MPI Agenda

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JUNE GOLF EVENT

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September/October 2017

MPI Agenda																				

WE ARE BUSINESS MEETS PLEASURE
THIS IS WHO WE ARE. Conferences and meetings, celebrations and beginnings. We are galasand dinners, speakers and conversations. We are the meeting place of business and pleasure.

800.867.9453
WildernessResort.com

56,000 SQ. FT. • 1,055 LODGING UNITS • FREE PARKINGGRAND BALLROOMS • BREAKOUT ROOMS • ON-SITE CATERING

Part of Wilderness Resort...America’s Largest Waterpark Resort!
Wilderness Hotel | Glacier Canyon Lodge | Wilderness on the Lake | Wild Rock Golf Club | Sundara Spa

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September/October 2017

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MILWAUKEE, WI

LOCAL ISN’T A BUZZWORD IN MILWAUKEE, IT’S JUST HOW WE LIVE.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS, LOCAL COFFEE, LOCAL RADIO – YOUR ATTENDEESCAN ENJOY A TRULY AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE,
THE MOMENT THEY STEP INTO OUR CITY.
300,000 Sq. Ft. Convention Center | 16,000 Hotel Rooms | 150 Locally-Owned Downtown Restaurants

GET TO KNOW MILWAUKEE

VISITMILWAUKEE.ORG/MEETMPI Agenda

September/October 2017|25

SUPPLIER PROFILEDONA GERACIE CURRANMARCUS HOTELS & RESORTS
REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

How long in themeetings industry?
36 yearsFavorite Role that you’ve had while volunteering with
MPI?: I loved being on the golf committee with Jerry Brandt(the good ole’ days). He and I had a blast planning the event.

How many years with
MPI?: Celebrating 30
years this October.

Favorite Musical Group: I am very adventurous in music—

What is your favorite
memory from an MPI
Event?: I think my very
favorite memory from
MPI is the lifelong
friendships that I havemade. There is no way to measure the value on this!
Favorite Pastimes: Shocker---golf!! I love to refinish old
furniture too and cocktails with my gal pals.

I like just about everything (no heavy metal please)….although
I did win an air guitar contest in the late 80’s.
Person you admire and why: Besides my late parents thatremain my guiding lights; it would definitely my late husband
Gary. His devine insight, his personal strength and guidance
during the most difficult times has changed me for the better.
If I won the lottery I would: Take my sister Linda, that lives
with cerebral palsy, on her very own airplane ride, it would be
her first.
Words to live by: For You, I Shall Live

Janesville
PLAN TO MEET IN

Ask
about
a $200rebate!

WISCONSIN’S PARK PLACEOur expert staff
will make planning
your next meeting
a walk in the park.
Call us today!

Variety of conference& meeting venues

Outdoor sites &botanical garden

Unique& historic spaces

800.48.PARKS (7-2757)  janesvillecvb.com  

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September/October 2017

MPI Agenda																

				

FIND SUCCESS IN EVERY SEASON
There’s a reason all year round to book your group at
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
It’s time to escape the confines of the fiscal year.
At Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, time is measured not by quarters, but by
seasons. And each one has a unique way of inspiring your team.
Of course, some things never change — no matter what the calendar says.
365 days a year, Grand Geneva is a AAA Four Diamond resort. The property’s
1,300 scenic acres reflect the unwavering Wisconsin beauty in any weather.
And its modern accommodations — including 29 newly opened Villas —set the Lake Geneva standard for around-the-clock comfort.

MEET THE SEASONS
Meet Summer: Sunshine is a catalyst for creativity. Boost your morale bymeeting outdoors, then post up by the pool before a s’mores roast andcocktails at the fire pit. Focus can also be found on the fairway when yourteam tees off on our two premier championship golf courses — The Bruteand The Highlands.

RESORT OVERVIEW• AAA Four Diamond rating• 1,300 acres• 609 total guest rooms• 62,000 sq. ft. of indoor
meeting space• 15,000 sq. ft. of outdoor
meeting space• 6 executive boardrooms• 35 breakout meeting rooms• 3 full-service restaurants• 2 championship golf courses

Meet Fall: Harvest the great ideas you’ve been growing all year long. Thechanging colors will shed some light on your autumn aspirations, fromthe morning meetings to the magnificent dining. Meanwhile, recharge at
the WELL Spa + Salon with soothing massages and body treatments using
seasonal ingredients.
Meet Winter: Get ahead while everyone else is hibernating. Winter is a time
for winning, and your group will discover how to keep the momentum goingwith cozy spaces and creative team-building opportunities. Hit the slopes forsolidarity at The Mountain Top, which offers group skiing and snowboarding
for all skill levels.
Meet Spring: Success springs eternal as warm-weather entertainment
re-emerges. Your group can get together for hiking, mountain biking, discgolf, sand volleyball and other team activities at The Adventure Center. Bold
ideas and inspiration are sure to bloom.

MAKE IT GRAND
No matter when your event takes place, the personnel at Grand Geneva will
make sure the season suits your style with the finest in Lake Geneva hospitality.
Learn more or submit an RFP today at GrandGeneva.com/Meetings

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September/October 2017|27

October Meeting Preview
By: Carrie Stollenwerk | Director of Sales
Fond du Lac Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Fond du Lac Area Convention & Visitors Bureau andthe WISCO Hotel Group will be co-hosting the October
19 MPI Chapter meeting at the Holiday Inn Fond du Lac& Lake Winnebago Conference Center offering an easy toreach venue located just off of I-41.
During the reception, you can indulge in some classic
Wisconsin eats and you will have the opportunity tobuild your own specialty libation to include what manyreference as the state cocktail, the Old Fashioned.
All attendees are invited to participate in some
additional pre-and post- meeting activities with a brief
tour of Fond du Lac’s additional meeting venues This
will include a sneak peek at the landmark Hotel Retlaw,
Fond du Lac’s downtown luxury boutique property
undergoing a $25 million renovation and slated to openin spring of 2018. If time permits after the reception,
you can also check out a new indoor golf facility
offering a simulator or the outdoor sports complex forsome member to member competition. More details on
the tour schedule will be provided by the Fond du Lac
Visitors Bureau or you can also contact Carrie at 920923-3010 for more information.

The meeting will kick off with lunch and then go into our
Education in which we will have Michele Wierzgac as
our speaker. Michele promises that you will all leave hersolution-driven presentation with at least one passionate, lifetransforming leadership tool or something that will change
the way you seek out solutions and practically apply themwithout getting stuck.
We are privileged to have our community outreach partner as
Fondy Food Pantry.

Fondy Food Pantry offers food assistance to residents of Fonddu Lac County. Our volunteers are working to alleviate hunger
by reaching out to those in need. We will be providing more
information on our website to see how you can help.
Room reservations can be made by calling the Holiday Inn
at 920-923-1440 and request the MPI group rate of $99 by
October 12. Each guest receives one complimentary drink
ticket at Benvenuto’s and a full hot breakfast. C’mon in andsee you in Fond du Lac!

Organizing food
donations at the
Fondy Food Pantry

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September/October 2017

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Executive Chef
Timothy Burk
Tim has been in the food industry since he was
15 year old, 23 years later he is the Executive
Chef at Holiday Inn/Benvenuto’s in Fond duLac. He started as a cashier at McDonalds andafter two weeks he was put in the kitchen
where he found his passion and eagerness tolearn. From there he went to several different
area restaurants to absorb everything he could
about the culinary industry. He even went to abutcher to learn all he could about the processfrom farm to table.
All of Tim’s efforts paid off when he became
the Sous Chef at the Heidel House in Green
Lake, Wisconsin. In 2015 Tim joined theHoliday Inn team in Fond du Lac, where hebecame the Executive Chef for the Holiday
Inn Lake Winnebago Conference Center andBenvenuto’s Italian Grill. Tim oversees all
aspects of the BOH. The restaurant and bar
serves hotel guests as well as the generalpublic. The Lake Winnebago ConferenceCenter features 24,000 sq. ft. of event space,seven break out rooms and can accommodate
up to 2,000 guests!
He loves to get his creative juices going by
showcasing special menus for weddings,
conferences and other special events. He
creates delicious four course meals for wine
tastings, special events, holiday buffets
and hors d’ oeuvre receptions. His passion,
hard work and commitment has made him
successful in the culinary and hospitality
industry.

S H I I TA K E M U S H R O O M S A U C E“steak topper”

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

2 Tbsp butter
2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
pinch of cracked black pepper
1 Tbsp roasted red pepper
3 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp finely chopped cilantro
1 tsp minced garlic
1/8 tsp minced ginger
1/8 red pepper flakes
2 tsp slurry
2 tbsp chopped scallion

Instructions
Saute the mushrooms in butter over medium high heat, season withblack pepper and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in remaining
ingredients except the last two (corn starch and 2 Tbsp water) andsimmer for 1 minute. Whisk the water and corn starch together to form aslurry. Stir into the mushroom mix and simmer, stirring occasionally until
the sauce thickens. Keep warm and serve on top of sliced steak.

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29

PLANNER PROFILEJODY ROOS

Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA)Association Meeting Planner

How long in the meetingsindustry? 25+ years
How long in MPI?
Since 2003
Tell us about your company
and/or position:
WBA represents 98% of
the banks in the stateof Wisconsin. I’m the
Association Meeting Planner
for WBA and responsible forthe logistical planning for100+ in-person meetings andevents a year, ranging in size
from 30 to 600 people. Most all of the meetings are held in
Wisconsin with a few being held in other states. In addition, I
manage our company relationship with Enterprise Car Rental
and local area hotels in our office park.
My responsibilities range from site selection, contract
negotiations and signing with regional/national hotels,
conference centers, destination companies, golf courses,
ball park venues, rental car agencies, entertainment
companies and any other venues that I work withfor a program. Other responsibilities include budget
management, creative design, entertainment bookings,
vendor management, trade show setup and onsite
execution, vendor relationships, member relations, on-site
execution of programs and oversee on-site managementof the logistics while on-site at programs. As you all know,
being a Meeting Planner is an extremely stressful career,
but one that I truly love and have found it incredibly
rewarding over all these years. Prior to being with WBA, I
worked my way up to be a Corporate Meeting Planner, so I
have a broad knowledge in my career.
Tell us about your family: Married to my best friend andhusband John for 22 years. We have two wonderful sonsMichael and Tyler. Michael is 18 and will be going to UWPlatteville this fall for Engineering. Tyler is 13 and in 8th
grade and keeps us busy with sports.

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September/October 2017

If I won the lottery I would: Help family so they too felt likethey won the lottery. Traveling and doing all the things I’ve
only dreamed of being able to do.
Where were you born? I was born and raised in Oregon, WI
Dream Vacation: I have a bucket list of dream vacations!
Where do you currently live? Oregon, WI
Teams or projects that you have worked on for MPI or
would like to be involved with:
MPI – INTERNATIONALMPI Institute 1 - MPI’s Full Immersion Institute2004 - Tampa, FL
MPI – WISCONSIN
October Team Member - 2007-2008
Awards & Scholarships Team Member - 2007-2008
January Team Member - 2007-2008
Awards & Scholarships Team member - 2006-2007
Awards & Scholarships Team Member - 2008-2009
Awards & Scholarships Team - 2009-2010
Awards & Scholarship Gala Event - 2009-2010
Speaker Advisory Committee - 2012-2013
Finance – Sponsorship, Donations & Raffles Bidding for Good
Committee - 2016-2017
Favorite Pastimes: Spending time with family and friends,
traveling and spending time at our place up north.
Favorite Musical Group: Too many to choose from
Person you admire most and why: My husband and sons forso many reasons.
Words to live by: “Surround yourself with people who makeyou hungry for life, touch your heart and nourish your soul”
Unknown
Special personal accomplishments: I’ve been able to movethrough many obstacles and set-backs in my life. As I lookback, I feel as though it’s made me enjoy life that much more.

MPI Agenda																

				Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
ExpandingKalahari Resorts & Conventions in the
Wisconsin Dells has everything you needto make event planning effortless, and now
there are even more reasons to plan yourmeeting with us: In late 2019, we will open
an additional 125,000 square feet of flexible
meeting space, bringing the total size of theconvention facility to 230,000 square feet. The
expansion boasts a brand-new, 56,000-squarefoot ballroom, which will join the facility’s
existing 20,560-square-foot and 17,200-squarefoot ballrooms, all with 1 GB of bandwidth.

All that plus everything you need — first-class service,teams with over 400 years of combined experience,customizable meeting spaces, free Wi-Fi, 756 guest
rooms of various styles and premium dining — all under
one roof. Our state-of-the-art technology, top-notch
audiovisual quality and highly personalized services arecomplemented by a 27-hole golf course and a signature
steakhouse and bar, great for enhancing the meeting
experience.
And to top it off, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in
the Wisconsin Dells is a short drive from Madison,
Milwaukee and Chicago, offering an easy commute but
enough separation for guests to completely focus on
your beyond-expectations convention experience.
In late 2019, the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
will open an additional 125,000 square feet offlexible meeting space, bringing the total size ofthe convention facility to 230,000 square feet.

With all that space, technology and amenity fun housedin one venue, it’s no wonder hosting an event at
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is a meeting planner’s
dream. And your dedicated team will cover everythingfrom catering and team-building ideas to room layout
and media needs to ensure an immersive, unique andunforgettable event.

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September/October 2017|31

WISCONSIN
CHAPTER

2820 Walton Commons, Ste 103
Madison, WI 53718
tel: 608.204.9816
fax: 608.204.9818
email: admin@mpiwi.org
web: www.mpiwi.org

2017

Datebook:

SEP
OCT

19
12-14

Awards Gala
Marriott Madison West
Middleton, WI

Education Event
Holiday Inn Fond du Lac & Lake Winnebago
Conference Center
Fond du Lac, WI

2017 Great Lakes Education Summit (GLES)
Sheraton Indianapolis City Center
Indianapolis, IN

JAN

2018
11

Education Event
Edgewater Hotel
Madison, WI

FEB

Connecting you to theglobal meeting + event community

21

NOV

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

15

Education Event
Westin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI