JAN
FEB
2022
VOL 44/NUM 1

C H A P T E R“MPI-WI Chapter is the bridge to knowledge, compelling ideas, andrelationships to create a voice in the meetings and events industry.”A W A R D

You can do a lot with 27,000 square feetof meeting space.
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From large conventions to small strategic planningsessions, The Madison Concourse Hotel andGovernor’s Club is perfect for your next successful
event.
Learn more at concoursehotel.com

1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703
800 356 8293 | salesinfo@concoursehotel.com

MEET WITH CONFIDENCE
With 20 private event venues, over 40,000 square
feet of indoor space, and 40 expansive, open-air
acres to gather outdoors, The Ingleside Hotel offers
a refreshing change of pace from conventional
destinations.
Why choose an ordinary venue for your event when
extraordinary is just 20 miles from Milwaukee?
The Ingleside Hotel provides an inspirational setting
unlike any other in the Milwaukee area.
Learn more at theinglesidehotel.com
2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072
800 247 6640 | salesinfo@theinglesidehotel.com

January/February 2022

MPI Agenda|

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

MPI-WISCONSIN
2021-2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORSVOL 44 / NUM 1

Feature Articles

PRESIDENTSHANNON TIMMERMAN, CMP
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort
stimmerman@wildernessresort.com
PRESIDENT-ELECTREBECCA STAATS
Residence Inn & Fairfield by Marriott Eau Claire
rebecca.l.staats@gmail.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTALISON HUTCHINSON
Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
ahutchinson@foxcities.org
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIPMICHELLE TYO JOHNSONNorthCoast Media Groupmichelle@northcoastpro.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
WANDA GILLES
veda
wanda.gilles@yahoo.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATIONREGGIE DRISCOLL, CMP
State Bar of Wisconsin
rdriscoll@wisbar.org
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROJECTSBETH SCHNABEL, CMP, CED, CUDE
Filene Research Institutebeths@filene.org
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTSJODY SIMON
WAMIC
wamic@wamic.org
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERS & SPONSORSHIPS
VICTORIA GRINWALD
The Boldt Company
victoria.grinwald@boldt.com
DIRECTOR OF MEMBER CAREJOSHUA WIMMER
Premier Choice Association Managementjoshua@premierchoiceamc.com
DIRECTOR OF AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS & RECRUITMENTSARA BEUTHIEN
WEDC
sara.beuthien@wedc,org
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYMARIA PEOT, CMP
Zywavemaria.peot@gmail.com

DIRECTOR OF MONTHLY PROGRAMMINGJODY ROOS
Wisconsin Bankers Association
roos@wisbank.com

5

From Start to Finish: Preparing for the CMP

8

Bidding for Good – Another Great Success in 2021

9

GLES Delivers a Resounding Yes!

10

Starting 2022 Off with a Bang: Dealing with Conflict!

20

CONFLICT. Somehow it is a four-letter word with eight letters!

24

Three Ways to Improve Your DEI Efforts

25

February DEI Event25

IMEX America: Back to Business!

26

In Every Issue

VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONSLIZ UNRUH
Positively Pewaukee
liz@positivelypewaukee.com

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONSJESSICA RIEFLIN
Wisconsin Dells VCB
jessica@wisdells.com

Trends to Look Out for in 2022

Editor’s Note

4

President’s Message

7

Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Cavanaugh, Ph.D.

13

Board Member Profile: Jody Roos

14

Anniversaries / New Members

15

Planner Profile: Rebecca Rogers, PMED

16

Who’s in the News

17

Supplier Profile: Diana Decker

19

Food for Thought

22

Save the Date: 2022 Chapter Events

28

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

2820 Walton Commons, Ste 103

fax: 608.204.9818

Madison, WI 53718

email: admin@mpiwi.org

tel: 608.204.9816

web: www.mpiweb.org/wisconsin

January/February 2022

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Editor’s Note
Published bimonthly by
Meeting Professionals International –Wisconsin Chapter

Strengthen Your Bonds
Greetings to all of you stellar MPI
professionals. If you’re reading this,you’ve made it to 2022. AND, you’ve
made the smart decision to be an
MPI-Wisconsin Chapter member.
Yeah, YOU!

CO-EDITORS
Kathy Reading
The SCAN Group, Inc.
reading@scangroup.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Naomi Tucker, CMP, HMCC
Jodi Goldbeck, CMP
Brooke Miller, CMP, VEMM
Kathy Reading
Tom Graybill
Alison Huber, CMP
Kimberly Wright, CMP
Jennifer Mell, CMP
Maria Peot, CMP
Michael D Rust, JD
Lisa Koenecke
Krista Emmons, CMP
Sherry Wolff

GRAPHIC DESIGNAnn Shultz, AJS Designs

PUBLICATION DEADLINESMarch/April 2022
Deadline: February 15, 2022
May/June 2022
Deadline: April 15, 2022
July/August 2022
Deadline: June 15, 2022

We’re all made better with positive
guidance. Our chapter is abottomless font of aid, expertise,and encouragement. Particularly
over the last two years, I’ve seen
our members reach out, lead
member webinars, support member
education, host virtual happy hours, share every professional opportunity,and -- most importantly -- check in with each other. You’ve built an
exponential level of support for all members.
Currently, in-person events come withextra considerations. Our members areready for these challenges. Managing theunpredictable is in our industry-DNA. A
solution (or two) is a minute away when you
tap into our members’ collective knowledge.
I haven’t seen a more rapid response to asocial media inquiry than when it begins with“MPI Peeps, can anyone tell me..?.” (Don’t
forget the all-powerful hashtag: #MPIWI.)Managing theunpredictable is in
our industry-DNA.
A solution (or two) is aminute away when you
tap into our members’
collective knowledge.

As we enter 2022, I urge you to strengthen your bond within our MPIWI chapter. Attend events for valuable education and networking that
actually works. Consider volunteering for an event, committee, or board
for an incomparable experience. The connections within our chapter
consistently lead to professional opportunities, along with friendships
and support.  
Thank you to each of you for building this chapter. Let’s strengthen our
member bonds in 2022!

Back to table of contents

Jennifer Mell, CMP
NorthCoast Media Groupjen@northcoastpro.com

PERMISSIONS
Material in this publication may not be
reproduced in any form without permission.
Statements of fact and opinion within the
Agenda are the responsibility of the author(s)and do not imply an opinion of the officers or
members of MPI or MPI-Wisconsin Chapter.

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TRENDS

to Look Out forin 2022
By: Naomi Tucker, CMP, HMCC

If there is anything that we have learned over the last two years, is that plans can change in a blink. So, as you arelooking towards 2022, there are some key industry trends to look out for and consider as you plan your upcoming events.

These safety measures can include physical distancing
practices, rapid testing, health screenings, and vaccine
card checks. Using services like In-house Physicians,
Healthshield or Eventscan can be notable resources forplanners and suppliers as you guide their customers inensuring all attendees are safe.
Evolution of Hybrid Events
Two years ago, hybrid events were likened to a foreign
concept. We never really considered hybrid as a type of
event, until we were faced with needing to consider it. In
the past, adding virtual elements to an in-person event
was simple, but a far grasp for meeting owners. Yet now
planners find themselves considering engaging hybrid
elements in every event.
As we lean into the new year, planners and suppliers
will continue to see events literally shape shift to the
dynamics of safety. Expect to have multiple unique
options of integrating engaging virtual elements into yourin-person events. Hybrid events are here to stay, so
learning how to leverage hybrid for your scenario of anevent experience is a must.
Signage Guiding the Way
Placing signage in an event space is trending towards
transparency as it relates to safety and security.
Attendees upon entering an event should understandthe safety expectations that are required. Signs willcontinue to encourage people to wear masks, wash
hands, showcase sanitizers, and even help with physicaldistancing.

January/February 2022

Sustainable Practices
For the last couple of years, lockdowns around theglobe have pushed through environmental changes
that the world needed. Carbon emissions were reduced
dramatically, and the air was a little clearer. This gavesustainability experts encouragement to keep on moving
forward in their sustainability efforts. There is a growing
importance to prioritize how we meet in an effort to reducethe carbon footprint around the world. Planners will alsofind more opportunities to source locally for food, gifts,
entertainment and much more. These are just a couple ofways that sustainability will play a larger role in the future.
Enhanced Communication and Data Collection
There can never be too much communication
when it comes to managing events. The number ofcommunications that are sent per program are increasing,and this will continue to be of importance in the new year.
With ever-shifting event dynamics, global travel pressures,and constant medical updates, it is important to stayconnected with attendees. Mobile applications, email,and social media has been used more now than ever tocommunicate with attendees about an upcoming event.
Expect it to continue and take new shape.
These are just a few trending areas that we will see
expand in 2022. The wonderful thing about the event
industry is that we will take chances to incorporate what istrending into our events thus continuing to push innovationand encourage development of new trends. It will be
exciting to see what the new year brings.

Naomi Tucker, CMP, HMCC isa Global Event Professional of
25+ Years, Past President of
Meeting Professionals International
Wisconsin Chapter, AccountDirector at Meetings & Incentives
Worldwide, Inc and Founder ofPlanners on Purpose. Naomi
loves to share her accumulated
knowledge of events and learning in the industry, and thrives
on event strategy, and reducing burnout for event planners andorganizations.

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Practicing Safety
The health and safety of the global population is at thecenter of this pandemic and will continue to be a large
focus heading into the new year. With that said, there is a
growing trend to keep attendees safe by communicating
safety protocols prior to the event and ensuring that the
protocols are met during the event.

Imagine your meeting in the wide-open
spaces of our Exhibition Hall and its adjacent
Lakeside Commons — with immersive, engaging
presentations experienced in-person or
remotely. Yes, times have changed. But they’ve

Achieving the global gold
standard for prevention is
one of the many ways we’rekeeping you safe.

only fortified our attention to ever y last detail.
So go ahead, keep dreaming big.

GBAC accredited
cleaning protocol

Open spaces
for distancing

Upgraded air
filtration system

Let us orchestrate your incredible.

Madison, WI© 2022 Monona Terrace

25452-MT-MPI WI_Meetings_Ad_8.5x11.indd 1

12/29/21 11:51 AM

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Connect with us at MononaTerrace.com

President’s Message

remotely close to earth shattering. I
have to not feel disappointment about
what I didn’t do, but feel proud about
what I DID accomplish.

2021-2022 President, MPI-WI Chapter
I don’t know about anyone else, but
ringing in the New Year has always
been a mix of emotions for me. I
take time to reflect on the year goneby, which brings an overwhelming
amount of gratitude, and admittedly
some sadness. I feel relief thatthe year is over, sad about loved
ones lost, resolutions that didn’t
make it to February, upset that I’m
not 50 pounds lighter like I had
planned, and (most importantly!)
feel excitement for the new year thatlies ahead! Too often, I will makethe same resolutions and set similar
unrealistic goals, which sets us up fordisappointment.
Why do we (or maybe it’s just me) put
so much pressure on ourselves to be
the best of the best, and then feel sodisappointed when we didn’t change
the world in a given year? The older I
get, I realize that I may NOT go downin history for making world changing
discoveries, curing cancer, or anything

As I reflect on 2021, I am focusing
my thoughts on gratitude. I’m
thankful that I had another year withno personal family loss. I’m thankfulthat I didn’t have to lay anyone off,
and that my department actually
made money for the company somemonths! I am thankful that I achieved
my goal of becoming President of
MPI-WI, and didn’t pass out or tripup the stairs delivering my opening
speech at Gala! I am thankful that wehave a full Board of Directors slatewith outstanding volunteers, and that
we have pulled off several successful
in-person events in 2021. We evenset a record with our Bidding forGood program this year with theamount raised vs. the value of the
donated items!

I encourage everyone to focus on
the positive things coming into 2022.
I am going to do my best to be more
realistic in my goal setting and any“resolutions” that I make. I don’t want
to stress out about the pandemic
anymore, and how it affects myprofessional life. It is out of myhands, and no matter how hard I try,
I am not going to make it go away,
nor can I control what it does for mycareer. I can’t take on that guilt of
another group lost, or low attendanceat one of our MPI events.
I am going to feel grateful for every
person that does show up, and every
in-person event we have! I am going
to be my best self, which is certainly
not perfect, but I am going to focus
on the good stuff. I will continue to
do my best for our MPI-WI Chapter,and as always, be eternally gratefulfor this experience and this family. I
hope you all join me in this year ofgratitude and positive energy!

I am beyond excited to see what
2022 brings for me personally andprofessionally and with our MPI-WI
Chapter.
Kicking off the year at a pretty
amazing destination resort in the
Wisconsin Dells is a good start
in my opinion! Wilderness Hoteland Golf Resort…maybe you
have heard of it? I hear it’s a coolplace! Then we are heading to thebrand-new DoubleTree by Hilton

January/February 2022

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2022, the year of YOU!!

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SHANNON TIMMERMAN, CMP

Madison East in February, and the
La Crosse Center in April. We haveextraordinary speakers lined up.
We’re all looking forward to getting
together with our MPI family again,
and hopefully seeing many faces that
we haven’t seen in a while.

FROM START TO FINISH:
PREPARING FOR THE
CMP EXAM#4: What to Expect
on Exam Day
In a previous issue of the AGENDA Magazine, I reviewed
Jodi Goldbeck, CMP

the topic of studying for the CMP Exam. In this issue, I am
describing what you should expect on exam day.

After your application is approved, you will pay your $475, non-refundable exam fee to the Events Industry Council (EIC).
Once that fee is paid, the EIC will send you instructions about how to schedule your exam with Prometric, a testing center
that has hundreds of locations throughout the country.

•
•
•
•
•
•

•

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled
appointment to allow time for check-in.
If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you may
be turned away.
You will be provided with an on-screen calculator,
two erasable note boards, and dry erase markers.
Bring a jacket or sweater for personal comfort.
Bring your test confirmation number.
Bring one form of valid, government-issued ID witha signature (driver’s license, passport, national ID
or military ID). The name on the ID must match thename on your exam registration.
Items such as dictionaries, books, rulers, food,beverages, and personal items are not allowed
into the testing room. You will be given a locker tostore all your items.

After you check-in, you will be taken to a personal testingstation and an onscreen tutorial will orient you to thefeatures of the computer testing equipment. You will haveup to 15 minutes to view the tutorial. During the exam, try torelax (easier said than done, right?!), work at a comfortablepace by not rushing or going too slowly, follow all
directions, read all the options before choosing an answer,
skip difficult questions, and come back to them later.
Additionally, due to the pandemic, the EIC offers the option
to take the CMP exam at home, utilizing Prometric’s remoteassessment delivery solution. If you are interested in thisoption and how to prepare for it, please go to this link:
https://eventscouncil.org/CMP/Future-CMPs/On-Exam-DayRemote-Proctoring
As soon as you complete the exam, you will receive ascore. The score will indicate whether you have passed
or failed the exam, and it is final. If you fail the exam,
your results will include your numeric score and how you
performed on each of the nine domains. Certificates aremailed to candidates who passed the exam four weeks
after the testing window closes.
This completes my series on preparing for the CMP exam.
I wish you the best of luck as you start, or continue, yourjourney of becoming a Certified Meeting Professional. If
you would like more information about the exam or CMP
101, please reach out to me…I am always happy to answer
any questions you may have!

Jodi Goldbeck, CMP, is the Program Director for the Event Management Program at Madison Area Technical College.
If you would like more information on the CMP, please contact her at jgoldbeck@madisoncollege.edu.

January/February 2022

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The EIC suggests the following best practices on exam day:

BIDDING FOR GOOD Another Great Success in 2021!
By: Brooke Miller, CMP, VEMM

A

s we continue to experience changes caused by the global pandemic, it has forced all of us to live, work, andplay differently. Yet, many MPI-WI suppliers, planners, family, and friends didn’t skip a beat donating and/or
bidding at this year’s MPI-WI Bidding for Good (BFG) 2021 fundraiser.

Bidding for Good is a live online auction website that helps raise money for MPI-WI. This fundraiser reaches thousandsof supporters and promotes companies/organizations with their donations. The fundraiser not only reaches our WI
membership, but captures other non-MPI-WI member bidders throughout the world as well.
We are super-excited to thank everyone that participated in the auction through bidding or making donations! Because of thegenerous support, we are able to announce that our 2021 BFG final tally raised a total of $4,365 in donations. That was anamazing amount for 23 items auctioned and a new record of 73% raised of the stated item values!

“Unity is strength. . . when there is teamwork andcollaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”—Author Mattie Stepanek

Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel - Neenah
CMI AV, Audio Visual Services
Destination Kohler
Doubletree by Hilton - Neenah
Embassy Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Brookfield
Fairfield by Marriott Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls
Fromagination
Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown
Harbor Athletic Club - Middleton
Hotel Don Fernando de Taos, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Hotel Julien Dubuque
Hyatt Place Madison
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee

Kalahari WI Dells
Marcus Hotels - Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Marcus Hotels - Saint Kate
Omni Hotels
Pampered Chef
PC/Nametag
Pfister Hotel
Residence Inn by Marriott Eau Claire
SentryWorldThe Peabody Hotel Memphis
Visit Baltimore
Visit Fort Worth CVB
Wilderness Resort
Wisconsin Dells VCBYour continued support is invaluable to us, and we thank you all again for your great generosity!

January/February 2022

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A special shout out this year to all our wonderful 2021 BFG donors:GLES

delivers aresounding yes!

By Kathy Reading, Tom Graybill,
Alison Huber, CMP, Kimberly Wright, CMP

100 MPI members came together in Fort Wayne, Indiana for this tri-state regional event. We all enjoyed the camaraderie andexceptional speakers. Thanks to the Grand Wayne Convention Center, and all sponsors who allowed this event to succeed. Special
kudos to the tri-state team of (Katherine Headington, MPI-IN; Lindsay Kirchinger, MPI-MI; Tamara Jesswein, CMP, VEMM, MPI-WI.)
We’ve talked to a few attendees from our group to recap this special event:
Tom Graybill, Vice President, Sales, Tri-Marq Communications, Inc.
Alison Huber, CMP, Manager, Travel and Events, Baker Tilly US, LLP
Kimberly Wright, CMP, Director of Sales, Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau

How many GLES events
have you attended over theyears?
(Tom): I have attended every GLES
except for the one in Traverse City.

Atrium entrance at theGrand Wayne Convention Center(Alison): I believe this was myfourth. I was in the very first meetingwith the other chapter PEs to discuss
the prospect of this tri-chapter event.
It’s exciting to see the partnershipgoing strong!
(Kimberly): All of them.
What led you to decide toattend this event?
(Tom): I enjoy networking with thefolks from Indiana and Michigan,
as well as my fellow Wisconsin
members. I also wanted to support
the Wisconsin chapter.

Back to table of contents(Alison): I haven’t been able toattend many chapter events due toschedule conflicts lately. Plus, there
was a really strong speaker lineup!
(Kimberly): I wanted to reachmeeting planners in our surrounding
states.

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10Josh Evans, Monday opening keynote

People were buzzing about
the speakers. Can you
share a speaker takeawaythat really connected with you?
(Tom): Mike Dominguez is always agreat speaker, sharing data on theindustry and where we are during
these trying times. I will never forgetlearning about the different dietary
philosophies from Tracy Stuckrath,including my new favorite, VB6(Vegan before 6 pm).

Tracy Stuckrath, Monday lunch keynote(Alison): I’m looking forward toresearching some of the resourcesfrom Tracie Stuckrath for donating
food post-program.
(Kimberly): I loved Tracie Stuckrath’s
take on the importance of food andbeverage at events. I agree it can beas significant as the venue, location,etc. Everyone talks about “the food”
when they return from an event. It’s
important to recognize everyone’s
food needs.
Three chapters coming
together provides a bigger
audience, but can also be
more approachable. Did you like thesize of the group? Why or why not?

Our Wisconsin chapter
is known to be friendly
and welcoming. Can
you tell us how you experienced
networking at GLES?

(Tom): I thought attendance was
excellent, considering this is the first
GLES since COVID started. Hopefully,
the event can grow even larger next
year in Lake Geneva.

(Tom): Networking was a little morechallenging this year than in past
GLES’s. I think this is partially due
to in-person events still just startingup for the individual Chapters, so
perhaps they were seeing eachother in person for the first time. I
think more emphasis on mixing theChapters would be good, perhaps
with an activity like the pairs matchingdone at the GLES in Madison.

(Alison): It was a good size
considering the current state ofcompanies limiting travel and comfort
level of the attendees.
(Kimberly): The size is perfect!

What was your favorite
non-education aspectof this event (venue,
welcome reception, tour, Monday
reception, camaraderie, dancing,auctions, etc.?)(Tom): The Grand Wayne Convention
Center was an admirable surprise.
Nice facilities, easy to navigate, andconvenient to the hosting hotels.
And pretty good food! The Monday
reception was also great fun.
(Alison): Time with our chapter
attendees at the receptions,dinners... and the road trip!
(Kimberly): I like the opportunity to
network and connect with everyone
during downtime.

(Alison): I had to duck out quite a bitfor calls, etc. I ended up with my WI
peeps who I haven’t seen in a longtime. Valuable time!

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Fabulous auction items
from every region(Kimberly): Everyone was very
welcoming. I could be the “outsider”
because I’m from Illinois. The
Wisconsin “peeps” always make me
feel included.
MPI scholarship attendee,
Delaney Slattery and Emcee, Jess Pettitt
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11Please share your favorite WOW
moments.
(Tom): After a hard 20 months, it was great tosee our Michigan and Indiana friends again. The
optimism and determination in the room for ourindustry were inspiring.
(Alison): The general session speakers werevery engaging. Good reminders and some newtakeaways as well.
(Kimberly): Michael Dominguez’s presentation
excellent and timely. I’ve heard him speak acouple of times, and I like how he keeps his
presentation current and interesting.
Overall, was this event worthwhile andwhy?
(Tom): This was definitely a worthwhile event.
I’m recharged and made new connections while
reconnecting with some old friends.
(Alison): Yes! Networking is always key. This joint
partnership allows our members to hear from ahigher level of speaker than our individual chapters
can typically secure individually. It is great to get out
and support our industry as it comes back to life!

Warm welcome reception and tour of The Bradley, brimming withmidwestern charm and modern design(Kimberly): Yes – I enjoy the opportunity to
network with meeting planners in a productive way.
The educational components of the event are adraw to planners. The exhibiting aspect is an added
opportunity that goes along with the education.

Michael Dominquez,
Tuesday closing keynote
MPI-Wisconsin’s own Tom Graybill and Reggie Driscoll agreed to specialized
entertainment which raised over $400 for MPI

January/February 2022

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CJ McClanahan,
Tuesday opening keynote

PAT CAVANAUGH, PH.D.
Event Sales and Service Manager
Green Bay Packers

We are excited to spotlight our outstanding
volunteer for this issue, Pat Cavanaugh,
Ph.D., Event Sales and Service Manager for
the Green Bay Packers. This 2020 MPI-WI Rising Star
winner didn’t let a shiny trophy stop him from sharing histime and talent to the chapter. Pat adds incredible value
to the Education Team with his background in educationand is working hard behind the scenes to bring top talent
to our speaker line-up for 2022.

Please join us in thanking Pat
for all he brings to the Wisconsin Chapter!

Interested in being featured here? Consider
volunteering for our amazing chapter! Contact
our Vice President of Membership: Michelle Tyo
Johnson at michelle@northcoastpro.com- or contact any board member to learn whatcurrent opportunities are available within theirteam. Visit https://www.mpi.org/chapters/
wisconsin/about-our-chapter/board-of-directors
for a list of our Board Members and their roles.

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VolunteerSpotlight

By Beth Schnabel, CMP, CED, CUDEJODY ROOS

DIRECTOR MONTHLY PROGRAMMING
Association Meeting Planner/
Engagement Center Manager
Wisconsin Bankers Association

As the Association Meeting Planner for WBA, my
responsibilities range from site selection, contract negotiations/signing with hotels and other venues. I’m the point person
for submitting the logistical details and signing the banquet
event orders with the venues for all the in-person events WBA
offers (100+) events a year ranging from 20-600 people. Other
responsibilities include budget management, creative design,vendor management, vendor/member relationships, and onsite execution/management. Nearly all meetings are held in
Wisconsin with just a few that are not. As the Engagement Center Manager, I oversee the
newly created engagement center area -- approving the bookings of the meeting rooms,
ordering catered food, troubleshooting audio visual needs, and providing general on-sitemanagement of all programs at the WBA office.
I also manage our company’s relationship with the auto rental company and local area hotels
in our office park.
How long have you been in the meetings industry? 30+ Years
Tell us a few things about your role on our Chapter Board:• Recruitment of volunteers to lead and assist on monthly chapter meetings.
• Oversee educational teams that coordinate all logistics for monthly educational
programs, including menu selection, audiovisual needs, room set up requirements,
registration, and hotel arrangements.
• Facilitate registration process for monthly educational programs• Assist VP Education with speaker selection and contracting for monthly education
programs.
What drew you to serve on our Chapter Board? I’ve been fortunate to be a member of
MPI-Wisconsin Chapter since 2003. I’ve acquired so many long-term relationships over the
many years and proud to call them my friends, while making new relationships all the time.
It was truly an honor to be asked to serve on the board of directors. It’s a way for me tovolunteer and “give back” to an industry I’m so passionate about.

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Board Member
ProfileTell us about the company you work for and/or yourposition: Founded in 1892, WBA is the state’s largest
financial industry trade association, representing more than
200 commercial banks and savings institutions, their branches,and over 21,000 employees. The Association representsbanks of all sizes in Wisconsin, and nearly 98 percent of banks
in the state are WBA members.

MPI WISCONSIN

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
Continued from page 14

What do you enjoy about your board
service, and what are you learning?
I’m just beginning my term so looking
forward to learning a lot in the next year,
while building relationships with board
members.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with family and friends,
traveling, and relaxing at our place up
north.
Tell us about your family: I’ve beenmarried to my husband John for 26 years.
We have two sons Michael (22) and Tyler(17), which I’m incredibly proud of.

ANNIVERSARIESCongratulations to those members celebrating a milestone
anniversary in January + February!

Congratulations!

5 YEAR

10 YEARJENELLE THURBAUER
Trek Bicycle

BRANDON SMITH
Brookfield Conference Center

25 YEAR

Favorite song/band/artist/movie/book:
I love music in general from Country, 80’s
rock, to my “chill” music.

RENATA PRELLWITZ, CMP
Chula Vista

Person you admire and why: My
husband and sons for so many reasons.

NEW MEMBERS

What is something that is still on yourbucket list? Travel in general! I havea long bucket list of places I want to go
again and new places I would like toexperience.
Tell us your words to live by or sharea favorite quote: “Surround yourself withpeople who make you hungry for life,
touch your heart, and nourish your soul.”

MICHELLE ANGELL
Heidel House
Supplier

KATIE MULHANEY
Ariens Co.
Supplier

JODI FISHER
Impact Association Management
Planner

KATIE RAGAN
Wisconsin Center District
Supplier
PARKER RIJOS
Milwaukee Bucks
Supplier

January/February 2022

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Welcome to our new members!

Employer: Sentry Insurance
Job Title: Director of Meetings and Events
Tell us about your company and/or position: I work for Sentry Insurance, one of
the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the U.S. We’reheadquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, employing more than 4,000 associates
across 41 states. We’re a company built on relationships, many of which are forgedduring meetings, at golf events, or through special events organized by my team.
My role leads the planning and execution of over 100 internal and external events for
Sentry Insurance. Our group also manages our sponsorship of and hospitality program
for the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui each January. As a corporate partnerof the USGA, we participate in the U.S. Open each year as well. We are excited thatour golf course, SentryWorld, will host the U.S. Senior Open in 2023.
How long have you been in the meetings industry? 27 years

What do you like most about being a member of MPI? Many of the people I have met
through MPI have become lifelong friends. Events such as WEC, IMEX and the Experiential
Series, specifically the 2019 CMA’s, gave me the opportunity to meet some incredibly
talented and passionate people in our industry.
What was your favorite team or project you have worked on for MPI, or what area of
the Chapter do you hope to become involved with? I would love to become more involvedin educational initiatives. The pandemic has changed the way we plan and execute events
and we need to make sure we have the knowledge and skills to navigate in this new world,
keeping the health and safety of our guests at the forefront. I recently got my Pandemic
Meeting and Event Design certification and have a few more related trainings I look forward
to taking.
Also, we have a new boutique hotel, The Inn at SentryWorld, opening soon. I would love tohost a chapter meeting at our event space at SentryWorld, and at The Inn.
What are your hobbies and interests? Traveling is my passion. I feel it is the best way tolearn about other cultures, yourself, life and helps to put things in perspective. As the saying
goes, "travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer".
I also enjoy mentoring and supporting others in their career journey. I feel it is important todevelop and nurture young talent to ensure our industry thrives for years to come.
Favorite artist: I am a huge fan of Pink, She is an incredible performer and if I had a second
dream job, it would be to perform as one of her backup dancers!
What is something that is still on your bucket list? My bucket list mainly involves
traveling to several cities on each continent. I am looking forward to many future adventures.
Tell us the words you live by or share a favorite quote: I have learned that people will
forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you
made them feel. – Maya Angelou
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Rebecca Rogers, PMED

Planner Profile:

What drew you to become a planner? I interned for the Celebrity Golf Associationin high school and knew from that experience that I wanted to work at theintersection of sports and events. Later in college I had the opportunity to live at the
Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for a summer as an intern, helping
to prepare for the 1998 games in Nagano. The connections I made during thisinternship helped propel my career in this space and solidified my desire to work in
the events industry.

Compiled by Jennifer Mell, CMP, Maria Peot, CMP & Kathy Reading

1

While completing her
studies at MATC in the
Event Management
Program, Grace
Donlin has joined
EDI as their Meetings
Manager.

2

Keep moving
forward, Grace!

Maria Peot, CMP has
joined Zywave, theleader in the insurance
tech industry, as an
Event Coordinator.
She is excited to
be working for thisfast-paced, rapidly
growing company
with headquarters in
Milwaukee.
They are so lucky to have you on their team, Maria!

Liz Unruh is the
new Special Events
Director with
Positively Pewaukee.
Liz will add her
personal creative
touch to current andnew events.

4

You were made forthis role, Liz!

5

Check outthat new office!
Congratulations toMorgan Data
Solutions on theirpurchase andmove to new
office space.

We can’t wait to see the transformationof the barn!

Congratulations to Destination Madison for being honored with a Trailblazer Award, presented by Destinations
Wisconsin at the 2021 Wisconsin Fall Tourism Conference held at the La Crosse Center.

Continued On Page 18

January/February 2022

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Back to table of contents3Compiled by Jennifer Mell, CMP, Maria Peot, CMP & Kathy Reading

6

After many
months ofmeeting, planning,
designing,and building,
Fox Cities
Convention &Visitors Bureau
has officially
moved to its
new, permanent
location at 213 S. Nicolet Road in Appleton.

7

Marcus Hotels & Resorts added the Hotel
Monaco in Pittsburgh to their ever-growing portfolio
of properties. Welcome to the Marcus family,
Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh!

8

The Scan Group,
Inc. has doubled
their wide-format
capacity withnew cuttingedge equipment
and another
13,500-squarefoot production
facility in
Waukesha, WI.

9

Kudos to the following member organizations
for having an employee recognized as a “PowerBroker” by the Milwaukee Business Journal:

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Marcus Hotels & Resorts - Greg Marcus (President &CEO)
Wisconsin Center District - Marty Brooks (President& CEO)
Visit Milwaukee - Peggy Williams-Smith (CEO)Milwaukee Bucks - Peter Feigin (President),
Arvind Gopalratnam (Vice President of Corporate
Responsibility)
Medical College of Wisconsin - Greg Wesley (SeniorVice President), Dr. John Raymond Sr. (President &CEO), Dr. Malika Siker (Associate Dean)
Milwaukee Area Technical College - Vicki Martin(President)
Northwestern Mutual - John Schlifske (Chairman &CEO)
Associated Bank - John Utz (Milwaukee Market
President)

NOTE: if you have any news to share in this column,
please contact Maria Peot, Director - Publications & Community Outreach, maria.peot@gmail.com.

January/February 2022

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Back to table of contents•

Place of Employment:
Serendipity Labs Madison
Job Title:
General Manager

Tell a bit about your company and/or current
position:
Serendipity Labs is a National (soon to be
International) company that has 30 locations
throughout the country with more in development.
We are an upscale coworking and flex officespace on Madison’s west side providing shortterm & long-term membership options designed
for remote work, including coworking, private
offices and team suites. We also provide unique,secure meeting space that includes threeboardrooms (accomodating up to 10 people)
and one conference room (accommodating up
to 60 people) with state-of-the-art technology
for successful off-site meetings, conferences,trainings, and events.
Tell us about your family:
I am the oldest of four “biological” girls. My parents also did Foster Care since I was in
the sixth grade. One Christmas, we had 10 kids around the tree! During that time, myparents also adopted four more children through Foster Care. I currently live with myhusband and his two kids (ages 13 & 11), along with our black labrador, Radar.
Where were you born? Freeport, IL
Where do you currently live? Madison, WI
What are your hobbies?
Huge Badger & Packer fan. I love the outdoors (camping, bonfires, hiking) taking my
dog on long walks, listening to music (anything but today’s Country)
Favorite musical group/book/movie:
Beastie Boys / Outlander series / Beautiful Girls
Person you admire and why:
I admire my mother. She is my best friend. She has been through so much and has thebiggest heart of anyone I know. She is so courageous and strong. I can tell her anything
without judgement. She gives the best advice.
Dream vacation: Being a tourist in Europe.
If I won the lottery I would: Build my dream home!
Words to live by: “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed”

January/February 2022

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Diana Decker

Supplier Profile:

How long in the meetings industry?
15+ years

January Event
Starting 2022 Off
With a Bang:
Dealing with Conflict!

on’t miss the2022 calendar
kick-off at theWilderness
Resort and the Glacier Canyon Conference Center on
Thursday, January 20th!
Conflict is a normal part ofhuman existence, so why
are some people not goodat dealing with it? Maybe thevenue is understaffed for yourevent, the client changes theirmind on theme at the lastminute, the event volunteers
are sure that they “know how
to do it” better than you, theco-worker isn’t pulling theirweight around the office, or
who knows what else! Michael
Rust from the Winnebago
Conflict Resolution Center will
dig into many of the common
causes of workplace andevent conflicts and give you
strategies so you can “Stop Conflict C.O.L.D.” He will
also take us on a deeper dive into that question with his
program Conference Conflicts, Meeting Mayhem, andOffice Opposition: A Guide Towards Resolution. We
will engage in lively discussion on working with specificcategories of people in conflict, such as clients, coworkers, and even volunteers. Participants will also havean opportunity to test out some new communication tools

January/February 2022

to help in resolving future conflicts. All this and havesome fun too!  
And you won’t want to miss the Team Building SneakPeek following the reception! Stick around and see how

you can use the various opportunities on property at The
Wilderness Resort to enhance or be the focal point of
your team building experience and group activities.  
We’ll see you at the Wilderness ready to tackle theconflict in our lives!
Don’t miss the article on conflict byMichael D. Rust, J.D., on page 24!

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D

By: Jennifer Mell, CMP

WISCONSIN DELLS, WI

UNPARALLELED MEETINGS WITHUNIQUE OPTIONS FOR ALL
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is the perfect place to hold yourmeeting. Big or small, we’ll make sure your attendees are taken careof. Our talented culinary team is ready to create a tailored dining
experience to delight. With a full-service spa, a new piano bar andworld-class dining options, Kalahari has everything you need toensure your event is successful.

› 212,000 square feet of flexible event space› Two hours or less from major cities› Diverse team-building options available on-site› Eight food & beverage options› 794 guest rooms & suites| ©2021 Kalahari Management Co. LLC
Back to table of contents

KalahariMeetings.com | Call 855-411-4605 to learn more | Follow Us:

January/February 2022

MPI Agenda|

21

FOOD for thought: january event
Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

CHEF CHRISTOPHER R. STRIKE
Head Banquet Chef
Wilderness Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI

Head Banquet Chef Christopher Strike oversees all of thefood production at the Glacier Canyon Conference Centerat the Wilderness Resort. Raised in Wisconsin most of his
life, he decided to pursue a career in the culinary field.

He moved back from Chicago to work as a sous chef fora few years in a hotel chain located in central Wisconsin,
and eventually landed in the Wisconsin Dells area. Chef
Strike found work in local bakeries and worked in a local
casino as a banquet sous chef where he really came into

his own element. He decided after some time to join theteam at the Wilderness Resort when they introduced the
Glacier Canyon Conference Center facility, knowing thiswould be an opportunity to provide quality service andsuperb cuisine at a beautiful new venue in the area.
Chef Strike has catered many high profile events andhundreds of group events from 5 to 800 attendees. He
has been able to broaden his ideas of how to operate
not just as one entity but as a close circuit of operations
that function as a team to give the customer a great
experience. He believes that although this business isalways changing, it still relies on the old concepts ofsimple customer service.

Don’t miss Chef Strike’s Bacon Wrapped Crab Stuffed
Shrimp with Lemon Basil Cream recipe
January/February 2022

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Chef Strike enrolled in the FVTC culinary program inAppleton, Wisconsin back in the late 1980s, as he felt that
this was a career with a lot of potential and wide spread
opportunities. After school he moved on to work in Chicago
where he learned the skills of fine dining and was able toelaborate on the skills that he had acquired in school. He
studied under many certified chefs while in Chicago andknew that he had made the right decision.

ROUX:
1 cup all-purpose flour
8 T butter
LEMON BASIL CREAM:
1 T olive oil
2 T butter
1 tsp minced onion
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream
3 T pesto (see recipe above)
1 tsp roux (see recipe above)

Preheat the oven for 350 degrees F.
To make the crab stuffing: Combine the crab, crackers, scallions,pepper, mayonnaise, egg, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, lemon, andgarlic. Season the stuffing with salt and pepper and mix well. Set the
stuffing aside.
Using a paring knife, slice the shrimp down the backs and remove
and discard the ‘veins’. Deepen the incisions if necessary, then spoon
stuffing into each shrimp. Wrap each stuffed shrimp with bacon andarrange them in a large baking dish.
To make the pesto: pulse the basil, walnuts, cheese, and garlic
together in a food processor, then gradually incorporate the oil. Adjust
the seasoning with lemon juice and set aside.
To make the roux: Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the flour and cook, stirring, until the mixture, although still pale,
looks dryer and no longer smells raw, about five minutes. Remove theroux from the heat.
Transfer the shrimp to the oven and roast until the bacon begins torender and brown, about ten minutes. Flip the shrimp and roast on thesecond side until the shrimp are opaque, five to ten minutes more.
Meanwhile make the lemon basil cream: Heat the oil and butter in asmall skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook,stirring frequently, until the mixture is fragrant and golden, about sevenminutes. Add the wine and simmer for 5 minutes. then add the cream.
Simmer until the sauce has reduced by half. Add the lemon juice andpesto, then whisk in the roux a tablespoon at a time (use just enough tothicken the sauce). Keep the sauce warm over very low heat.
Arrange the shrimp on four warm plates and serve with lemon basil
cream sauce on the side.

January/February 2022

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PESTO:
2 lightly packed cups fresh basil
1 cup walnuts
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 T minced fresh garlic
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Bacon-Wrapped Crab Stuffed Shrimp

SHRIMP:
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked clean
1/2 butter crackers, crushed(recommended: Ritz)
3 scallions, tops and whites finely
chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp table salt
Pinch cayenne pepper
16 large shrimp, peeled
16 slices bacon

CONFLICT.

Somehow it is a four-letter word with eight letters!
By: Michael D Rust, JD

W

e do have to know that conflict is a normal part of the human condition. Humans are social creatures andwhenever we have more than one person with us, there is natural conflict. Even when we don’t believe weare in conflict with the other person, there is still a natural conflict over space and resources. (Two people
can’t stand in the exact same space.)So, if conflict is natural and it happens all the time, then why is it so hard?
A little more than a decade ago I left the private practice of law for a career focused on conflict resolution. So, I went froma career where I was constantly embroiled in conflict to a career constantly embroiled in conflict! Perhaps the biggest
difference was whether I was causing the conflict or helping to resolve it. (Lawyers can tell lawyer jokes too!)
Having mediated more than 3,000 disputes over my career, I am frequently told by participants, “I wish we didn’t need touse your services.” I have spent some time thinking about this desire and have developed a method that people can use
to Stop Conflict C.O.L.D.

C

COST OF CONTINUING THE CONFLICTWhen we are thinking about a conflict that we are
involved in, it is really helpful to think about the cost ofcontinuing the conflict. This could be financial – contract
termination clauses, attorneys fees, or other financial
aspects. The costs don’t have to be financial. There
could be a reputational cost to the conflict or even atoll on relationships. Even just walking the long way
around the office so you don’t have to walk past “thatperson” in the office costs you time every day. Once weunderstand the Cost of Continuing the Conflict we
can move forward to the O.

OOPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIONSWhat opportunities exist to find a resolution to theconflict? What are the things that you need to resolve to
move forward? Not what do you want, but what are theopportunities that exist and the many different options
that exist to resolve the issues. We can’t be focused on
only our own wants and that brings us to the L.

L

LISTEN AND LEARN

We are really bad listeners. There are many reasonsfor this, but we need to do a better job of listening tothose who we are in conflict with. If we don’t listen, we
cannot learn. Listening to learn allows us to see otheropportunities and better options to resolve things to cut
down the costs of continuing the conflict. Once we listen
and learn we can finally get to D.

D

DECIDE TO DO THE DEAL

Resolving the conflict and moving forward in a morepositive manner will help everyone involved if we havetruly followed the Stop Conflict C.O.L.D. process. If wearen’t sure if we should do the deal, we may need to go
back to listen more so we can learn about other options
and opportunities.

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I hope you have seen that there is a lot of good communication that is necessary to Stop
Conflict C.O.L.D. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has
taken place.” Communication is sending and receiving information and making sure that
we are talking in a way that the listener is listening – ultimately communicating “withthem” and not just “to them.”
I hope you will join me on January 20th to communicate more about Conference
Conflicts, Meeting Mayhem, and Office Opposition: A Guide Towards Resolution.
January/February 2022

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Michael D Rust, JD

Three Ways to ImproveYour DEI Efforts

FEBRUARY
DEI EVENT

By: Lisa Koenecke

By: Jennifer Mell, CMP

From the MPI website: MPI’s aim is to embrace and foster an inclusive
business climate of respect for all peoples regardless of national origin, race,
religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, color, sexual orientation
or disability. Bravo for your commitment to diversity!

Join us on Thursday, February
10th, 2022 at the newly
renovated Doubletree Madison
East for a timely education
event on the topic of diversity,
equity and inclusion, also
known as DEI. See below
for an article from February’s
presenter, Lisa Koenecke.
Keep your eyes peeled to thechapter website and Facebook
page for more information about
February’s event.

The aforementioned paragraph enumerates the federally protected classes,
and is a great place to start, so, what else can we do? Let’s explore three ways
to improve your diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, shall we?
First, how do you SHOW your commitment to these efforts? Are your marketing
materials in more than one language? Are your images inclusive of body sizes,
abilities, cultures? Stock photos are fine, but how about representing yourcommunity? SHOWing also goes beyond visuals. A second way to improveyour DEI efforts is by SHIFTing mindsets and behaviors.
If leadership is unwilling to SHIFT how things are done, is it worth theeffort? That is a question only you, dear reader, can answer. I hope the answer
is yes, here are a couple of ideas to help SHIFT your efforts. Might you beable to SHIFT some resources to allow for an affinity or employee resourcegroup or special interest group? How about SHIFTing from a big box supplier
to a locally-owned and operated business? These SHIFTs might also help to
SHAPE some policies and procedures to foster an inclusive business climate.

Be sure to check the chapter’s
Facebook page for updates
and use this link to find more
information about this event:Let’s SHAPE policies to embrace and respect ALL people, ALL identities, andeven different ideas we might encounter. MPI is committed to lead and empower
the meeting and event community to change the world. This can start with visionstatements, mission statements, and even strategic plans. Yes, these are what
we SHOW to our stakeholder to SHIFT to SHAPING inclusive policies.

https://www.mpi.org/chapters/
wisconsin/education-events/
event-pages/2022/2022february)

Three ways to improve diversity, equity and inclusion efforts involve SHOWing
your true colors, SHIFTing mindsets and behaviors in order to SHAPE policies
creating a culture of belonging. Thanks for making the world a better placethrough your MPI efforts!

Lisa Koenecke earned her Diversity & Inclusion
Certification from Cornell University. She has
given a TEDx Talk and authored a best-seller,“Be an Inclusion Ally: ABCs of LGBTQ+” andhas presented in 43 states and in 6 countries.
Her passion is inclusion, counteracting
unconscious bias and creating safe spaces
for ALL. Whether she is giving a keynote oremceeing an event, her professional dedication
shines through in her authentic engaging
personality.
January/February 2022

MPIJanuary/February
Agenda| 252022

Continued on page 24

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Lisa Koenecke Bio

IMEX AMERICA:
Back to Business!

IMEX was back in person this past November 9th – 11th. Thousands of attendees from 200 countries descended upon
Las Vegas (at Mandalay Bay Convention Center) for this 10th edition of the largest tradeshow in North America for the
meeting and events industry.
Keep reading below for a personal recap from Planner member, Krista Emmons, CMP from Travel Leaders Corporate
and Supplier member, Sherry Wolff from Kohler Hospitality.

SHERRY WOLFF – Supplier Recap
It’s all about people!
When I found out that IMEX 2021 was actually
happening, I wasn’t sure what to expect. So manyquestions swirled in my mind about how this experiencewould look post-pandemic. How different would it befrom the IMEX’s of the past? Would we be masked?
What about vaccinations? Will attendance be down?

have known for years and the ones I connected with forthe first time. It was the collective group of all attendeesthat became the heartbeat of the entire experience. It
reminded me of why I love this industry so much and leftme with new energy and renewed appreciation for thehuman experience.     I kept my fingers crossed as the appointment portal
opened and I was stunned at the volume of unsolicited
appointments that had booked. And before I knew it, thecalendar was full… even on Thursday!
As it turned out, vaccinations were required to attend
the conference. Which, in hindsight seemed to makeeveryone feel much more comfortable. It also madeit possible for the showroom floor to offer a “masks
optional” policy.

In reflecting on the experience, it was not the same as
the IMEX’s of the past…it had a new pulse. Not becauseof the venue change or the tradeshow format, it was
because of the people. ALL of the people, the ones I

January/February 2022

SHERRY WOLFF
Senior Sales Executive
Kohler Hospitality

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The American Club exhibited with HB Hospitality, alongwith a group of ten other independent golf properties
from across the nation. All of us were very busy withback-to-back appointments each day. It was hectic,
exhausting, and absolutely spectacular. Hands down,
this was the most successful IMEX for our properties.  

KRISTA EMMONS, CMP – Planner Recap
Busy as ever, but with more comfy shoes!

dinner with Teneo at Hell’s Kitchen, which led
to drinks at Rosina’s Cocktail Lounge and met
some fantastic people that night over customized
crafted cocktails.

Walking through the doors of the Mandalay Bay
Convention Center on Day 1 of IMEX America brought
an exhilarating feeling I wasn’t prepared for! Being
surrounded by thousands of other event professionals,
hearing the buzz of conversations, and walking down
endless rows of creative booth displays felt like nothing
had changed from pre-Covid days. But we all know
everything has changed.

2. The Fashion – Working from home has done

In the weeks leading up to IMEX, attendees wereasked to register for the CLEAR app to prove
vaccination status – all attendees had to be vaccinated
to attend this year. There were two checkpoints before
getting onto the show floor. We first had to show our
CLEAR identification and were given a bright green
woven bracelet, which had to be worn at all times.
While great in theory, the ties that dangled off mywrist got into everything and felt very unsanitary.
The second checkpoint was at the entrance to thetradeshow floor, this time by QR code scanners.
Because of the protocols, masks weren’t required on
the tradeshow floor; this left me feeling a bit exposed
after being covered for so long, but quickly got overthat feeling!

Overall, I was thrilled to attend, appreciative of the timewith the suppliers who were there and looking forward
to next year!

nothing good for my wardrobe, and I wasn’t the
only one nervous about wearing real clothes all
week. I was pleasantly surprised to see people
dressed more for comfort this year – sneakers andbackpacks replaced heels and heavy handbags formany people on the tradeshow floor. There werestill many people dressed to impress (it’s always
the hoteliers, lol) and there were some people who
took casual too far and showed up in hoodies.

For me, attending the show was all about rekindling
relationships because so many of our contacts havechanged. I also spent a good amount of time meetingwith CVBs at locations I’ve never been. A fun part ofthe day was seeing how creative teams got designing
their booths. Puerto Rico had a cozy espresso bar
situated under a palm-thatched tiki roof. Visit Colorado’s
booth came straight out of a glamping village. Quick
tip for new attendees to save your feet – schedule
your appointments by booth location so you aren’t
crisscrossing the tradeshow floor all day.
There were a few surprising differences this year:

1. Supplier Events – There were fewer invitations

January/February 2022

KRISTA EMMONS, CMP
Operations Manager, Meetings & Events
Travel Leaders Corporate
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to evening events this year and instead of blowout parties, the events I attended were smaller
and more intimate. Each of my three days was
packed with appointments, so instead of loading
my evenings with multiple activities, I used
mealtimes to connect one-on-one and saved theevenings for work and downtime. I had a great

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Enhance your meeting
planning career with the

MPI ACADEMYWith hundreds of hours of free education for MPI members, the MPI Academy is your one-stop shop for
meeting planning and event industry skills training, CE credits and certificate courses. Featuring online andin-person classes and webinars, it's the perfect resource for the job you have - or the job you want.
CERTIFICATE COURSES: https://www.mpi.org/education

SAVE THE DATE
2022 CHAPTER EVENTSTime to get excited for 2022 and all of our MPI-WI Chapter events!
Many of these events have already been contracted, so we can officially share the dates and locations with you.
See below and mark your calendars now so that you can join us in 2022!
JANUARY 20
EDUCATION EVENT — Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in the Wisconsin Dells
FEBRUARY 10
EDUCATION EVENT — DoubleTree by Hilton Madison East, a new North Central Group property
APRIL 6 & 7
TRIVIA NIGHT & SPRING EDUCATION DAY — La Crosse Center
MAY 12EDUCATION EVENT — Hyatt Regency Green Bay
AUGUST 11
AWARDS GALA — Hilton Appleton Paper Valley (formerly Red Lion)SEPTEMBER 22
EDUCATION EVENT — The Ingleside Hotel, Waukesha

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OCTOBER
Event date, location, and details coming soon!
NOVEMBER 13 – 15
GREAT LAKES EDUCATION SUMMIT — Grand Geneva

January/February 2022

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