NOVDEC
2021
VOL 43/NUM 6

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.
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s
Club is Madison’s largest convention hotel. Social
distancing and smart crowd flow are a breeze with our
flexible and customizable space. And you can breathe
easy knowing we’re GBAC-certified.
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

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

MPI-WISCONSIN
2021-2022
BOARD OF DIRECTORSVOL 43 / NUM 6

PRESIDENTSHANNON TIMMERMAN, CMP
Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort
stimmerman@wildernessresort.com

5

PRESIDENT-ELECTREBECCA STAATS
Residence Inn & Fairfield by Marriott Eau Claire
rebecca.l.staats@gmail.com

9
11

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTALISON HUTCHINSON
Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
ahutchinson@foxcities.org

19
23

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIPMICHELLE TYO JOHNSONNorthCoast Media Groupmichelle@northcoastpro.com

4

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
WANDA GILLES
veda
wanda.gilles@yahoo.com

7
12

VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONSLIZ UNRUHEC Commercial
lizherrmann555@hotmail.com

13
14
15

VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATIONREGGIE DRISCOLL, CMP
State Bar of Wisconsin
rdriscoll@wisbar.org

17
18
24

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROJECTSBETH SCHNABEL, CMPFilene Research Institutebeths@filene.org
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTSJODY SIMON
WAMIC
wamic@wamic.org

Experience MPI Wisconsin
Print: Agenda Magazine
6 Different Ways
Web: mpiweb.org/Wisconsin

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

Facebook: facebook.com/mpiwi
Twitter: twitter.com/mpiwisconsin
LinkedIn: MPI-WI Chapter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpi_wi_chapter

DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYMARIA PEOT, CMP
maria.peot@gmail.com
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONSJESSICA RIEFLIN
Wisconsin Dells VCB
jessica@wisdells.com
DIRECTOR OF MONTHLY PROGRAMMINGJODY ROOS
Wisconsin Bankers Association
roos@wisbank.com

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

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Editor’s Note
Published bimonthly by
Meeting Professionals International –Wisconsin Chapter
CO-EDITORS
Jennifer Mell, CMP
NorthCoast Media Groupjen@northcoastpro.com
Kathy Reading
The SCAN Group, Inc.
reading@scangroup.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Tamara Jesswein, CMP, VEMM
Jennifer Mell, CMP
Kathy Reading
Maria Peot, CMP
Wanda Gilles
Shannon Timmerman, CMP
Sherry Wolff
Kortnee Carroll
Elizabeth Poh

GRAPHIC DESIGNAnn Shultz, AJS Designs

PUBLICATION DEADLINES
January/February 2022
Deadline: December 6, 2021
March/April 2022
Deadline: February 7, 2022
May/June 2022
Deadline: April 4, 2022

Looking Forward to 2022!
How did it get to be the end of 2021
already?!? This year has been awhirlwind for many of us…waiting for
furloughs to be over, looking for jobs,
starting new jobs, doing more thanjust our job due to labor shortages,
booking upcoming events, re-working
those events with COVID casesurges, the list could go on and on! But we made it. The end of the year isupon us, and it’s time to look ahead.
Start thinking now about what you’d like to bring to your life in 2022. Noneof us can know exactly what the next 12 months will bring to the events
industry, but we can always plan for our professional development. MPI
brings an array of opportunity to every member. Below is just a snapshotof some things to consider for the year ahead:
MPI membership: The obvious place to start. If you aren’t alreadya member of MPI, this is the year to join. Being a member unlocks
numerous resources and helps make your professional development
goals easier to achieve. Be an advocate, and encourage other industry
professionals.
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP): Is this your year to become a
CMP? If you’re looking to level up in your next role or show your current
employer that what you do is more than just picking menus, this is a great
way to do it! The best resource for all things CMP is through the EIC
website the EIC website; however, our chapter also provides an excellent
CMP 101 series each year in conjunction with chapter events.

  Other Certifications: CMP-ing isn’t the only way to further yourknowledge and skill set! MPI many specialized certifications, available atlower cost and time commitments. These include virtual event & meeting
meeting management, event data analysis, and anentire series of microcertifications being offered in conjunction with EventWise. Check out
the options and make a plan to learn something new or hone your skills
within an area you already work.

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.

Job opportunities: Who needs a job? Who needs more co-workers?
MPI can help with both of those. Both the MPI global website AND our
Wisconsin chapter can help connect those in need of work with thoselooking to fill positions. And if you’re looking for work, don’t be shy! Tell
your fellow MPI members and let us help by keeping our eyes out foropportunities we run across.

Continued on page 5
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Back to table of contents  Continued from page 4

Volunteering: One of the best ways to better yourself is
to give back! If you haven’t gotten involved in a chapter
activity yet (or lately), think about doing that in 2022.
Volunteering for the chapter is also a great way to learn
a new skill you may not use in your regular job. If you’rea chapter volunteer veteran, step up your game in 2022
and apply to work on one of the international committees.
There’s a volunteer opportunity for everyone, no matter
your location or restrictions on time.
Education events: Education is the reason I joined MPI.
I needed a place to learn real-world skills for the job I had
and the jobs I wanted to have in the future. MPI hasn’t letme down. Between Wisconsin chapter events, regional
conferences (hello, GLES is right around the corner!)and the big ones like WEC and EMEC, I have learned a ton
over the years…and had a lot of fun with other members in
the process.  
As we round out 2021, I encourage each of you to take 20
minutes to sit and think about what you’d like to accomplish
professionally in 2022 and then see how MPI can help youwith that. We’re a vast network of natural problem-solvers
and people pleasers; there’s not a better combination in theworld to help you reach your goals.
Here’s to 2022 MPI-Wisconsin!

Join Together at GLES
By: Tamara Jesswein, CMP, VEMM

As Wisconsin will be hosting next year’s event, let’s show some love to
Ft. Wayne, IN! Join us as we CONNECT, ENGAGE, and INSPIRE.

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Registration is now open for the
7th Annual Great Lakes Education
Summit, taking place Sunday,
November 14 - Tuesday, November
16, 2021. This in-person event,hosted and organized by the MPI
chapters of Indiana, Michigan
and Wisconsin, provides certified
education, networking opportunities
and personal development for event
professionals and suppliers. Our hostfor this year’s conference is the Grand
Wayne Center, located in the heart ofdowntown Fort Wayne, Indiana. You
can see our excellent speaker line-up
and register here: mpigreatlakes.com.

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© 2021 Monona Terrace

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Connect with us at MononaTerrace.com

President’s Message
As I pulled out my planner today and flipped and flipped…andflipped through the months, I could not believe how quickly this year ispassing! When I was first approached with the opportunity to run for MPIWI President, I heard from many people that it “goes by so fast”! It’s notthat I didn’t believe them, but I didn’t realize how right they really were!  
We are now approaching our last event of the year and then turning thepage (and buying a new planner) on another year! We started off 2021 in
a Virtual world, and here we are in the registering process for our SIXTH
in person event of the year! (HINT, HINT...Register!)  
The Great Lakes Education Summit (GLES) in Fort Wayne, Indiana
November 14-16th will be the first joint event of MPI-Indiana, MPIMichigan, and MPI-Wisconsin since 2019! We are very excited toreconnect and network with our Great Lakes partners. Wisconsin will behosting again in 2022, let’s show our support in Fort Wayne.

SHANNON TIMMERMAN, CMP
2021-2022 President, MPI-WI Chapter

The Great Lakes Education Summit(GLES) in Fort Wayne, Indiana
November 14-16th will be thefirst joint event of MPI Michigan,
Indiana and Wisconsin since 2019!
We are very excited to reconnect
and network with our Great Lakes
partners. Wisconsin will be hosting
again in 2022, so we are excited to

We are also rolling out a new way to raise money for our chapter doing whatmost of us already do! Online Shopping! Amazon Smile gives back .5% of
any purchases to your charity of choice, and our beloved MPI-Wisconsin
Chapter is eligible. Check out the article on page 11 with instructions on
how to set this up on your account for all of your shopping needs.
Lastly, I want to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a
Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Holiday Season! Each year my family
has a “Hallo-Thanks-Mas” before my mother goes to Florida for the
winter. Our tradition is to go around the table, each sharing what we arethankful for. This year…I’m thankful for all of you! My MPI family that I
love so much! I am beyond grateful to be serving as your President, andfor the outpouring of support I have received so far. It is far beyond any
personal and professional fulfillment I ever could have imagined.

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed.  
Happy Holidays!!
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be promoting that in Fort Wayne.

As we move into December and the Holiday season, our Finance teamhas been working hard putting together some great opportunities forholiday shopping, and raising funds for our chapter all in one spot.
Bidding For Good will be going live with some awesome items to bid on.
Be sure to check it out, bid, and bid often!  

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Wisconsin Dells CVB
Full Page

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When it comes to what you need for a convention, we’ve got the numbers
you’re looking for like 5,600 meetings a year, 500,000 square feet of meeting
space and 8,000 guest rooms. But more importantly, we have what you want.
Shopping, golf, waterparks, restaurants, family fun and so much more – all in
19+ square miles. Because we’re in the business of having fun.
MeetInTheDells.com | sales@wisdells.com | (888) 339-3822

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A Couple Great Days
In Green Bay!

, CM
man
P

After delicious appetizers and cocktails, we ventured
across the Titletown district to The Turn Restaurant
Lounge. Discover Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers
hosted some more fabulous apps and drinks, and somefun in the Topgolf Swing Suites. Simulated golf and even
Zombie Dodgeball made for a fun night had by all!  
On Thursday, the Board of Directors met at TitletownTech
in a gorgeous football-themed boardroom including
football leather chairs. Our first CMP 101 of the year washeld on the Monumental Staircase. This space offers
such unique meeting options and breathtaking views! Just
walking through Titletown park was an experience to beremembered!
For those arriving in the morning, a tour of the new ReschExpo was sponsored by Discover Green Bay. This group
was able to walk through and experience the 125,000
square foot column-free exposition center, hear about theother event spaces within the complex and learn about
their banquet/catering abilities.
To kick off our education event, we had a great lunch
at Ariens Hill and Rockwood Terrace, followed by ourcommunity outreach project of preparing care bags for
our friends at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center inGreen Bay.  
Continued on page 10

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Back to table of contentsmern T imCommunity Outreach project of preparing care bags for our friends at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay

anno

h
By: S

ednesday evening started with an amazing welcome
reception at the Taverne in the Sky rooftop bar at Lodge
Kohler. Our host, Jeff Overgaard, facilitated tours of theproperty and its beautiful lodging suites. For anyone that
didn’t get a chance to see this venue, or experience the
KOHLER bathrooms, put it on your list! I promise you will
not be sorry!

Speaker Jan Spence

Jan Spence was the perfect speaker
for the day, tying into our Titletown
experience being a former professional
full-tackle football player herself! She kept
everyone captivated in her first session“Dare to be Different! 3 Keys to Goalsetting Success” with a lot of laughs,
great take-aways, and with some of us
even ending up in tears.

Between her sessions, we were ever sograteful to have our friends at Made Ya
Look sponsoring free headshots for our
entire group! Jen Mell, CMP and Luke
Mekuly worked their magic and took
some amazing shots...even after a latenight for some!  
The day ended with a “Harmony ThroughTeamwork” where we had some roleplaying, and once again a LOT of laughs,
and some more tears. I wasn’t crying, youwere crying! Jan Spence knocked it out ofthe park!

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And then Ed won everything in the raffle,
and we all pouted and left! :)November/December 2021

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10Fundraise a New Way
for MPI-WI
By: Wanda Gilles

Did you know that for every purchase you make on Amazon you could be giving a little back to your MPIWisconsin chapter?
Yes! Your shopping can help support our steller education featuring our great speakers for our meetings.
AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. To shop
at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com on your web browser or activate AmazonSmile on your Amazon
Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone (found under settings on your app).

1.
2.
3.
4.

Visit Smile.amazon.com
Sign in with the same account you use forAmazon.com
You will then see the above logo on this page
Select your Charity, which for MPI –Wisconsin you will type into the search bar –Meeting Professionals International and thenlook through the list to find the Madison WIline and click on Select.

Another quick way to do this is to use this link thatwill take you directly to our MPI – WI donationaccount:
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/31-1011262

November/December 2021

If you are using Amazon on
your phone as an app, then
all you have to do is…
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Open the Amazon Shopping App
Navigate to the Main Menu (=)
Tap on Settings and then Select“AmazonSmile”
Select Meeting Professionals International– Madison WI and then follow the on-screen
instructions to turn ON Amazon Smile in themobile app
Once AmazonSmile has been activated inyour app, future eligible app purchases will
generate a donation for our MPI-WI chapter.

Please note that the tablet app is not yet
supported so you will need to visit smile.amazon.
com/onthego to learn more.

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If you are using yourcomputer, all you haveto do is…

MPI WISCONSIN
ANNIVERSARIESCongratulations to these members who will be celebrating
milestone anniversaries in November + December.

Congratulations!

5 YEAR

10 YEAR

TINA JACOBSON, CMPThe Edgewater Hotel

MAUREEN DEVALKENAERE
FAITH ELFORD
Wisconsin Municipal Clerks
Association

LAURA LUTTER COLE
VISIT Milwaukee
LESLIE ROTTER, CMP
Hyatt Regency

NEW MEMBERS

DIANA DECKER
Serendipity Labs
Supplier

DAVID NOEL
Serendipity Labs
Supplier

HEATHER HUDAK
Planner

KATHY RAAB
Metropolitan Builders
Association
Planner

PAM LOHNES
Metropolitan Builders
Association
PlannerNovember/December 2021

KIM WELLHOEFER, CMP
VonagePlanner

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Welcome to our new members!

SHERRY WOLFF

In this issue of the AGENDA Magazine, we’d like to highlight volunteer Sherry Wolff!
Sherry is the Senior Sales Executive at Kohler Co. and extremely active in our Chapter.
After fulfilling her board terms, she generously jumped back into her previous role of
Director – Digital Communications to fill in while new mom Jessica Rieflin was homesnuggling her new baby, Bea!
Sherry didn’t hesitate to fill the role, and with her experience, was the perfect fit. Thankyou for all you do for our chapter, Sherry!

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

Senior Sales Executive
Kohler Co.

13

JODY SIMON
Director of Special Events 2021-2022

Tell us about the company you work for and/or
your position: We are a non-profit association ofsmall mutual insurance companies within the stateof Wisconsin and have been in operation for over
100 years.
As the only employee, I assist the President by
providing logistical and administrative support for all
conferences, seminars, meetings, and webinars.
How long have you been in the meetingsindustry?: I have been with the association forabout 11 years. It started out as just the admin role
but eventually changed to include the meetingsplanning so I have been in the meeting industry forabout seven years.
Tell us a few things about your role on our Chapter Board: I will be helping to plan/put together
our Chapter’s annual Gala and Trivia Night and gathering donations for Bidding for Good.
What drew you to serve on our Chapter Board? I was asked. I was strongly encouraged by myemployer to step out of my comfort zone and accept the position….so I did.
What are your hobbies and interests? I enjoy reading, shopping, watching movies, andspending time with my kids and besties.
Tell us about your family: My son, Austin, is 26 and my daughter, Emily, is 22. I have been ina relationship with my boyfriend, Alan, for 18 years. We adopted an 18 lb cat three years ago
named Korky who is truly the King of the Castle!!
Favorite song/band/artist/movie/book: I am very eclectic when it comes to music and movies.
I listen and watch almost anything (except horror movies, I just CAN’T watch those!). But rightnow, I am into the K-Pop group BTS and my favorite movie is any of the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles movies (not the animated ones!). They make me smile.
Person you admire and why: I admire my daughter. She came into this world too soon and has
overcome so MANY medical obstacles. She has cheated death numerous times and continues tokeep fighting back. She is the strongest person I know.
I admire my son for his go-getter attitude. Nothing really holds him back. If there is something hewants to do – he’ll find a way to do it. He is such an extrovert (unlike his Momma). He’s moving to
Denver in a few weeks – Me: “Why Denver?” Him: “I’m young. I can. Why not?”What is something that is still on your bucket list? Disney World! I want to go to Disney World!!
Tell us your words to live by or share a favorite quote: It’s all good, no worries, and It is what it is.

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Board Member
ProfileExecutive Assistant
Wisconsin Association of Mutual
Insurance Companies (WAMIC)

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

Sarah Banach served
as a volunteer forthe 2021 United Wayof Greater Milwaukee and
Waukesha County Golf Outing.
Marcus Hotels hosted thisevent, which raised funding andcelebrated the great work of
United Way.

Beth Schnabel, CMP,
CED, CUDE is promoted
to Senior Manager,
Events and Experience for Filene
Research Institute. In this wellearned role, Beth will continue
to help Filene bring together thebest and brightest to meet andshare issues vital to the future of
consumer finance.

4

1

Thanks for always stepping up to help, Sarah!

Melissa Falendysz, CMP, Meeting and Event
Planner at National Association of Tax Professionals,
was recently named as one of Connect Association’s
40 Under 40 class in 2021. bit.ly/40Falendysz  

2Melissa, you’re a powerhouse!

It’s good to see greatness rewarded, Beth!

Michelle Tyo-Johnson
has purchased NorthCoast
Productions and Made
Ya Look under the umbrellaof NorthCoast Media Group. As
owner and president, Michelle willlead this woman-owned businessand talented team. They willcontinue to offer high-quality,
professional video production,
3D animation, audio, andcreative services, including event
production, content creation, andmarketing services.

5

Keep blazing new trails, Michelle!

Sherry Wolf and the teamat Destination Kohler earned an epic
success with the 43rd Ryder Cup.
Destination Kohler was the proud host of thelargest event in Wisconsin this year. Media,
athletes, spectators, and digital audiences fromaround the globe were resoundingly impressed.
Bringing in a projected $100 million revenue tothe area while winning back the cup, make this aconsiderable triumph. bit.ly/KohlerRyderCupWin
Sherry, we love to see you continue to raise the bar for all of us!

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

Meetings & Incentives Worldwide (M&IW),
the third-largest Woman-owned business in
Wisconsin, has launched Flow—a new division
positioned to elevate event experiences throughsophisticated, integrated marketing solutions, creative
services, event design, and engagement strategies.
bit.ly/miwwflow

North Central Group broke ground on The Trade,a new 205-room Marriott Autograph Collection
hotel in Milwaukee’s beloved Deer District. The
nine-story hotel will include restaurants, commercial space,and an 8,700-square-foot event and meeting space on thesecond floor with an outdoor terrace.

NorthCoast Productions and Made Ya Look Inc
were awarded the 2021 Cherish the Child Award at
the 33rd Annual Green & Gold Gala. These sistercompanies offer their creativity to inspire and help area
nonprofits share their work’s impact on children, families,
and individuals in our communities.

Travel+Leisure readers have chosen the American
Club at Destination Kohler and The Osthoff
Resort as Top 10 Resort Hotels in the Midwest.
Readers determine this elite list based on ratings of theirfacilities, location, service, food, and overall value.

6

7

9

10

Let’s Meet There, the national initiative torestore professional meetings and events (PME)across the United States, has released a dataand science-based fact sheet supporting PMEs.
bit.ly/travelfactsheet2

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8Note: if you have any news to share in this column,
please contact Maria Peot, Director - Publications &Community Outreach, maria.peot@gmail.com.

November/December 2021

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Chery Oswald, CMM, CMP

Project Manager
Store Operations & Events
Kohl’sTell us about your company and/or
position: I work for Kohl’s Department
Stores and project manage events related
to the stores as well as our bi-annual
corporate & stores event. I also project
manage various projects related to ourstores operations.
How long have you been in themeetings industry? 12 years
What drew you to become a planner? I
loved fitting all the puzzle pieces together
to make an event come to life.
What do you like most about being amember of MPI? I love all the networking
and getting to connect with all everyone.
What was your favorite team or project you have worked on for MPI?
Communications!
Tell us about your family: David and I have been together for almost 10 years. Between
the two of us we have 10 nieces and nephews that we love to spoil!
What are your hobbies and interests? I am an avid sports fan – the Brewers are
typically on the TV most nights and love to travel!
Favorite song//band/artist/movie/book: Britney Spears - #freebritney and love anythingby Kristin Hannah
Tell us about the person you admire most and why: My dad – he always taught me astrong work ethic and to always get up and do what you love.
What is something that is still on your bucket list? Australia
Tell us the words you live by or share a favorite quote: “Everything is possible,
even the impossible” – Mary Poppins

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Planner Profile

Chery Oswald, CMM, CMP

Jennifer Mell, CMP

How long in the meetings industry?
21 years
Tell a bit about your company and/or current position: NorthCoastMedia Group (comprised of NorthCoast
Productions and Made Ya Look) is
located in Green Bay, specializing invideo production, creative marketing,audio and event production. My role
is to develop new business for bothcompanies in all areas but my firstyear’s focus has been partnering withclients on their event production needs,
helping determine whether an inperson, virtual, or hybrid event is bestfor them, and then ensuring each event
is executed for optimal success.
Tell us about your family: My previous little crew of three is growing! With girlfriends,
girlfriend’s dogs, and a toddler in the mix, this new chapter of our family’s life is excitingright now.
Where were you born? Kenosha, WI, right on the Illinois border
Where do you currently live? Grafton, WI, about 25 minutes north of downtown
Milwaukee.
What are your hobbies? Yoga, finding new music to blast while driving on office-days
and my COVID-driven “therapy” is watching every dog rescue video I can find!
Favorite musical group/book/movie: Fave book – “The Shack” by William P. Young;
Fave movie – “Ocean’s Eleven” (the re-make); Fave musical group – I can’t possibly
pick one! I love everything from Aerosmith to Rascal Flatts to the cast of Les Misérables!
Person you admire and why: I admire my Aunt very much. She made several life-decisions
viewed as unconventional for our family and wasn’t afraid to forge unchartered territory andstand on her own. She doesn’t shy away from a challenge and maintains our family’s traditionof a strong work ethic. She’s pretty awesome…plus I love her laugh!
Dream vacation: Italy! There are so many areas of Italy I want to experience, I’d need agood three weeks to enjoy it all.
If I won the lottery I would: Pay off debt, sponsor several “Empty the Shelter” events for
Humane Societies throughout the state, build my next house, buy a brand-new truck, andinvest the rest wisely so I can afford to work for a non-profit, organizing events for them!
Words to live by: “Life takes you unexpected places, Love brings you home.”

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Supplier Profile

Jennifer Mell, CMP

Director
Business Development
NorthCoast Media GroupWe Needed That!
By: Sherry Wolff, as interviewed by Kathy Reading

The 43rd Ryder Cup was one of the most significant sporting events ever hosted in
Wisconsin. In September 2021, Whistling Straits and Destination Kohler delivered an epic
experience for attendees and an outstanding exhibition for global spectators.
We thought our readers would be interested in hearing about Sherry Wolff's experience as
Senior Sales Executive at Kohler Co. Sherry (past MPI-WI board member) kindly agreed to
an interview.

Q: For how long was this event in the works?
Sherry: By the time I joined Kohler Co. eight years ago,
we knew we would host the 2020 Ryder Cup. This wasa long-term goal for Mr. Kohler, and everyone was so
excited to win this honor. The course crew, facilities
team, banquet team, and hospitality team, spent years
preparing for this event.

Q: What was your role during the Ryder Cup?
Sherry: Our sales and events team members helped
plan each evening's affairs, private functions, teamexperiences, client functions, and more. During theextended event, I acted as host to our clients at the
Kohler Chalet. We also jumped in to support catering,
the front desk, and anywhere we were needed!

Q: Favorite celebrity encounter?
Sherry: It's certainly an event that attracts celebrities. I
was particularly thrilled to meet football legend, Jim Brown.
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Q: What moment will you most remember?
Sherry: I will never forget witnessing Mr. Kohler enjoying
this event with his grandson. The happiness on his face
was priceless as he experienced his dream and visionbrought to life.

Q: Other than rescheduling to 2021, what effect did
COVID19 have on this event?
Sherry: Honestly, not much. PGA had its specific rules,
which we followed, particularly concerning the players.
Masks were required for all while indoors. Those whopurchased chalets were given control over any mask
requirements. (We required masks in our Kohler chalet,but others chose not to do so.)

Q: How did you first relax upon finishing this event?
Sherry: Ha! It's a little difficult to pinpoint a "finish." We
did all sleep in a bit on Monday morning and came backwith energy. We're immediately moving into our 20th
annual (except for 2020) Kohler Food & Wine 2021,
followed quickly by the 2021 Historic Hotels Annual
Awards Ceremony.

Q: What was a particular challenge?
Sherry: The staffing for food and beverage wasprobably the biggest challenge. But we made it work
because everyone pitched in. (I think I remember seeing
our Director of Golf Operations grilling brats!) Early on
when looking for volunteers, we put a call to all Kohler
Company employees and filled the positions within 30
minutes. We were all so proud to help.

Continued on page 21
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Q: Global media, attendees, participants, the PGA,
and social media have declared your Ryder Cup
hosting a resounding triumph. To what do you
attribute the success of this extraordinary event?
Sherry: This is such a special event for the players,
the attendees, and the guests. We made surethat every guest enjoyed every moment of theirexperience. Without exception, our team members
came together filled with enthusiastic energy.
Throughout the entire event, we worked together,switching "hats" on the fly.

Q: Looking back, what is your biggest takeaway?
Sherry: We all know how tough the last nearly two years
have been for our industry. This event's live days were
the best-ever days of my work-life (so far). For event,meeting, and hospitality pros, it's the type of experiencethat keeps us motivated for the next big challenge. Our
team universally declared: "We needed that!"

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We spy Christopher Dyer from MDS in the stands!

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In August 2019, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions expanded the venue
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EXCEPTIONAL EVENTS.
NOW ON A GIANT SCALE.

› EXPANDED IN 2019

October Education
Event Recap
By: Kortnee Carroll and Elizabeth Poh

Our MPI Wisconsin Chapter President, Shannon
Timmerman, welcomed the group and went over
updates for the chapter. Kortnee Carroll introduced ourspeaker, Roger Wolkoff. Roger is a Wisconsin native
who is a (recovering) planner and project manager.
Roger spoke on two great topics, Emotional Intelligenceand How to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Both topics
were perfect for the times that we are currently in. Roger
had an interactive poll during his presentations that kept
the whole room involved and created quite a few laughs
when we saw others’ answers.

“Emotions are not problems to be solved.
They are signals to be interpreted.”(Vironika Tugaleva)
That’s how Roger Wolkoff
began his program Planning for
Emotional Intelligence at ourOctober chapter meeting. We
learned that emotional intelligenceis our ability to identify emotions,recognize the powerful effectsof those emotions, and use that
information to guide our behavior.
We learned strategies in fourareas: self-awareness, selfmanagement, social awareness, and relationshipmanagement. Strategies included knowing who pushes
your buttons, putting a mental recharge into yourschedule, and taking feedback well.

Continued on page 24

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On October 21st we had our October Education
Meeting, hosted at the recently renovated Madison
Marriott West. Members enjoyed networking when theyfirst arrived to the venue with a beautiful wall waterfeature behind us. Once we were all in the room and sat
for lunch the Director of Sales for the venue, Jim Strom,
got up on stage to welcome our group. Lunch was adelicious mixed green salad, steak with carrots, baby red
potatoes, and a delectable cheesecake.

Continued from page 23

We participated in several interactive on screen polls during the program. We
observed that fourteen of us report that we are emotionally triggered ten or
more times in a day!
Lessons from the first program set the stage for the following program, How
to Thrive in Times of Uncertainty. Roger introduced us to his C.A.R.E. model-- change, adapting, resilience, and empathy. When it comes to adapting, hesuggests that you be curious and understand your reactions to change. He also
introduced us to the concept of radical acceptance, the idea of letting go of the
struggle with reality and allowing reality to be just as it is.

Continued on page 25

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The programs gave us the space to talk about the struggles we’re facingin our industry. We also walked away with ideas and strategies to meet thechallenges ahead.

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Continued from page 24

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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 12
Education Event
Hyatt Regency Green Bay

SEPTEMBER 22
Education Event
The Ingleside Hotel, Waukesha
A chapter event will also be held in October, exact date and location to be determined soon. 		
In November we will once again partner with the Michigan and Indiana Chapters for the joint Great Lakes
Education Summit. Stay tuned for more information about the Fall 2022 events coming down the road!
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AUGUST 11
Awards Gala
Hilton Appleton Paper Valley (formerly Red Lion)