Connecting you to theglobal meeting + event community

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

JULY
AUG
VOL 40/NUM 4

2018

STARTPLANNING.

©ADAM SHEA PHOTOGRAPHY; TOWN COUNCIL, NEENAH, WI

The Fox Cities offer
convenience, versatility
and venues for every typeof meeting. An array of
exceptional dining options,3,200+ hotel rooms
and group activities,
along with our walkable
downtown areas willcomplete your experience.
NEW in 2018 —Fox Cities Exhibition
Center (38,000 sq. ft. facility)

FoxCities.org/meeting

Plus Wisconsin’s
Best Shopping!

Contact Amy Karas at akaras@foxcities.org or 800. 236.6338

2 | July/August 2018 MPI Agenda															

			JULY/AUGUST 2018

MPI-WISCONSIN
2018 -2019
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENTTAMARA JESSWEIN, CMPHID Global
tjesswein@hidglobal.com
PRESIDENT ELECTJOELLEN GRABER
Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce
adminassist@trollway.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
CLAUDIA CABRERA
Madison Marriott West Hotel & Conference Center
claudia.cabrera@atriumhospitality.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
TRACEY BOCKHOP, CMP
Meet Meetings
tracey@meetmeetings.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
KATIE MCGINNISThe Iron Horse Hotel
kmcginnis@theironhorsehotel.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONSCHERYL OSWALD, CMP
Kohl’s Department Stores
cheryl.oswald@kohls.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATIONDANIELLE ZIEGLER, CMP, CVT
danielleaziegler@gmail.com
DIRECTOR OF AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS & RECRUITMENTCATHY CLUFF
Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
cathy@visitoshkosh.com

VOL 40/NUM 4

Feature Articles
Introducing the 2018-2019 Board of Directors

7

April Education Day Recap

8

May Education Day Event Recap

12

WEC

16

MPI Experiential Event Series: NFL Draft		

18

MPI Wisconsin Chapter - Annual Awards Gala		

22

In Every Issue
Editor’s Note

4

President’s Column

6

Board Member Profile: JoEllen Graber		

20

Volunteer Spotlight: Joy Simon		20

Who's in the News

20

Supplier Profile: Denise Humphrey

24

Planner Profile: Reggie Driscoll, CMP

24

New Members & Anniversaries

26

CalendarBC

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER CARE
AMANDA RIDOUT
Harley-Davidson Museum
aridout@levyrestaurants.com
DIRECTOR OF MONTHLY PROGRAMMING
LIZ UNRUH
Wisconsin Center District
eunruh@wcd.org
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS, ADS & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
KATHY READINGThe Scan Group, Inc.
reading@scangroup.net
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONREBECCA STAATS
rebecca.I.staats@gmail.com
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTSNICOLE ELLICKSON, CMP
AFCC
nellickson@afccnet.org
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC, ALLIANCES, SPONSORSHIPS &FUNDRAISINGMEGAN GOSSENSWPS Health Solutions
megan.gossens@wpsinc.com
DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, & PUBLIC RELATIONSSHERRY WOLFF
Kohler Hospitality
sherry.wolff@kohler.com

Experience MPI Wisconsin
Print: Agenda Magazine
6 Different Ways
Web: mpiwi.org
Facebook: facebook.com/mpiwi
Twitter: twitter.com/mpiwisconsin
LinkedIn: MPI-WI Chapter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpi_wi_chapter																	MPI Agenda
July/August 2018 | 3

MPI-WISCONSIN CHAPTER

Published bimonthly by
Meeting Professionals International –Wisconsin Chapter
CO-EDITORS
Denise Henson
Hilton Hotels
denise.henson@hilton.com
Chris Alberti, CMP
Derse
calberti@derse.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Erin Marquez
Rebecca Staats
Cheryl Oswald, CMP
Nicole Ellickson, CMPEDITOR'S NOTE
Happy New Year! What? It’s the middle of Summer!
MPI Wisconsin beckons in a New Year with a new team led by our President- Tamara Jesswein, CMP and a team of dedicated Board Members. It is also a
new beginning for the Agenda newsletter. As we thank Cheryl Oswald and Kathy
Reading for their service, Chris Alberti, CMP & I will be your new editors.
With new beginnings come reflections. I am personally grateful for the enrichment
I’ve received from MPI Wisconsin over the years. However, as we all haveexperienced, time can get in the way of the most meaningful interactions. No timefor exercise and eating right, too busy for a quick phone call to an old friend, andtoo much work to attend a MPI Wisconsin educational event - let alone volunteer
for this award winning Chapter! I say this from my personal experience. As I
reflected on this last year, I realized that I was missing the meaningful educationand enrichment that MPI Wisconsin provides. More importantly, I was missing theopportunity to serve the organization that has served me. If you are reading thisand relating — and I know many of you are — please join us at our next event.
Please consider joining a team. Whether it is a few minutes, or a few hours, yourgift of time will be rewarded personally and professionally.
When you see Chris or me at the next event, please share your ideas for elevating
the Agenda to the next level!

GRAPHIC DESIGNAnn Shultz, AJS Designs

PHOTOGRAPHY
Craig Augustine Photography

PUBLICATION DEADLINES
September/October 2018
Deadline: July 15, 2018
November/December 2018
Deadline: September 15, 2018
January/February 2019
Deadline: November 15, 2018

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

4 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

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MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|

5

PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Hello MPI Wisconsin Chapter! I am thrilled to be starting my year as the MPI Wisconsin
Chapter President.
Initially, I began serving on our MPI Wisconsin Board of Directors as your 2010-2012 Directorof Sponsorship and Strategic Alliance. Most recently, I had the pleasure of working under Past
Presidents Jennifer Mell, CMP and Claudia Cabrera preparing myself for this coming year.

Tamara Putney, CMP
President, MPI-WI Chapter

In 2005, I had recently moved to Oshkosh and volunteered for the largest Experimental
Aircraft Association’s fundraiser for Young Eagles®. During this event, I had the opportunity tomeet Harrison Ford (EAA Young Eagle Chairman) and Calista Flockhart. Yet, it was the event
team leader’s recommendation which had the greatest impact on me. Gloria Nelson, CSEP,
enthusiastically encouraged me to join MPI.
Upon joining MPI, I met Tami Gilbertson, CMP, whose knowledgeable guidance has been
invaluable to me for years. In 2009, I earned my CMP designation along with Alison Huber,
CMP - another enthusiastic and valued peer.
MPI has been my ROCK for networking, career advancement, supplier relationships (I buy
MPI) ... and many fabulous friendships.

We - MPI members - are leadersin our industry. We are also afamily. Let’s continue to raise eachother up, help each other succeed,
and celebrate everyone’s uniquestrengths. As new leadership rolesarise, don’t let apprehension orpreconceived notions dampen yourconfidence or enthusiasm. Create
your own path!

This organization is the largest community of event planning professionals and will change thetrajectory of your career. I am grateful proof of that!
One of my least favorite experiences occurs during an interview or professional selfevaluation, when we are asked to describe our weaknesses. I understand that we all have
weaknesses; I just don’t think we should focus on them. Instead, let’s build on our strengths.
Let’s do our best to strengthen ourselves and one another.
In each issue, you will see the list of your 2018-2019 Board of Directors. When you see themat the next event, please offer your thanks for the commitment of their time and talents
to this Chapter. We - MPI members - are leaders in our industry. We are also a family. Let’scontinue to raise each other up, help each other succeed, and celebrate everyone’s uniquestrengths. As new leadership roles arise, don’t let apprehension or preconceived notions
dampen your confidence or enthusiasm. Create your own path!
“Enthusiastic You!” is one of my favorite books on rediscovering your passion and energy. This
guides me daily. You will see me giving out copies of it throughout the year to celebrate thosethat share their enthusiastic leadership with MPI.
As president of this awe-inspiring group, I know that we are all leaders. I am simply here
to guide this chapter through our next successful year and excited and honored to do so,thank you.
Let’s get enthusiastic!

6 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																	INTRODUCING THE
2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENTTAMARA JESSWEIN, CMPHID Global
tjesswein@hidglobal.com
PRESIDENT ELECTJOELLEN GRABER
Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce
adminassist@trollway.com

VICE PRESIDENT OFCOMMUNICATIONSCHERYL OSWALD, CMP
Kohl’s Department Stores
cheryl.oswald@kohls.com

DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS, ADS &COMMUNITY OUTREACH
KATHY READINGThe Scan Group, Inc.
reading@scangroup.net

VICE PRESIDENT OF EDUCATIONDANIELLE ZIEGLER, CMP, CVT
danielleaziegler@gmail.com

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONREBECCA STAATSMetropolis Resort and Conference Center
rebecca.l.staats@gmail.com

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
CLAUDIA CABRERA
Madison Marriott West Hotel &Conference Center
claudia.cabrera@atriumhospitality.com

DIRECTOR OF AWARDS,SCHOLARSHIPS & RECRUITMENTCATHY CLUFF
Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau
cathy@visitoshkosh.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE
TRACEY BOCKHOP, CMP
Meet Meetings
tracey@meetmeetings.com

DIRECTOR OF MEMBER CARE
AMANDA RIDOUT
Harley-Davidson Museum
aridout@levyrestaurants.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
KATIE MCGINNISThe Iron Horse Hotel
kmcginnis@theironhorsehotel.com

DIRECTOR OF MONTHLY
PROGRAMMING
LIZ UNRUH
Wisconsin Center District
eunruh@wcd.org

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTSNICOLE ELLICKSON, CMP
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
nellickson@afccnet.org
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC, ALLIANCES,SPONSORSHIPS & FUNDRAISINGMEGAN GOSSENSWPS Health Solutions
megan.gossens@wpsic.com
DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE, SOCIAL MEDIA &PUBLIC RELATIONSSHERRY WOLFF
Kohler Hospitality
sherry.wolff@kohler.com

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|

7

APRIL EDUCATION DAY RECAPO

By: Erin Marquez

This was thefirst time
MPI-WI came
together withHSMAI andwill hopefully
be the first of
many faceto-face joint
collaborations.

MPI101n Thursday, April 12th the Radisson
Paper Valley Hotel in conjunction with
the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors
Bureau hosted our monthly educational
meeting. This was the first time MPI-WI came
together with HSMAI and will hopefully be the firstof many face-to-face joint collaborations.

CMP101

Appleton helped put Global Meetings Industry Day
on the map with style and excitement! The staff
impressed, starting with a delicious lunch featuring
a Boursin Crusted Sirloin and a dessert trio aimed toplease any palette, and ended with a gourmet mac
and cheese bar. There was even a GMID ice sculpturecompliments of the FCCVB.

From the beautiful brand new Fox Cities Exhibition
Center, to the Paper Valley Hotel’s flexible andprofessional Grand Ballroom, to The Clubhouse Sports
Bar and Grill, to College Avenue nightlife - downtown isa perfect and unique location for events.
This month’s community outreach partner was St.
Paul Elder Services. They appreciated everything thatwas collected to help them enhance the lives of aging
individuals in the area.

8 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																	LAURA SCHWARTZ

RECEPTION

Our speaker Laura Schwartz, now a professional keynote speaker andemcee and best-selling author of “Eat, Drink & Succeed!” was dynamic,
fascinating and relevant. It is easy to see why Laura was picked as Directorof Events at the White House to help represent the nation and inspire theworld. Laura took us on a journey through the White House teaching us
how to “lead first” through past presidents and their first ladies. We were
inspired by their past experiences and those experiences will inspire abetter future for ourselves.

MPI PANEL DISCUSSION

Laura was also the perfect facilitator for the interactive MPI-WI and
HSMAI-WI panel. We are lucky as a chapter to have peers willing toshare their insights and industry knowledge from both a supplier andplanner perspective. Together we can better ourselves and one another.

This meeting celebration day was finished with a popularraffle, reception, and a book signing by Laura. Congratulations
to our winners and thank you to everyone for continuing tosupport MPI-WI through sponsorships, donations and raffle
purchases. It is all of you who make us successful!

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|9

Unique& Charming
Locations

Pictured:Bodacious Shopsof Block 42

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Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside is theideal destination to hold your next meeting,convention or retreat! Janesville offers a variety
of meeting spaces and a wide selection of hotels,
restaurants and attractions including manyaffordable options that provide you with greatvalue. Our team will work with you every stepof the way to ensure the best experience for you
and your group. Janesville is easily accessible right off of I-39/90. Planners - call today andbe sure to ask how you can earn money backwhen you hold your meeting in Janesville!

janesvillecvb.com · (800) 487-2757 F

10 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

L A K E COU N T RY ’ S
GAT H E R I NG PL AC E
Reception

Our complete property renovations provide a
simple yet beautifully designed space for businessand leisure travelers. Featuring over 40,000 sq.
ft. of flexible banquet and meeting space, we
invite you to experience contemporary Lake
Country hospitality at its natural, vibrant best.

Formerly Country Springs Hotel2 6 2 . 5 4 7. 0 2 0 12810 Golf Road
Pewaukee, WI 53072
theinglesidehotel.com

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|11

MAY EDUCATIONEVENT RECAP
By: Rebecca Staats

Thank you toeveryone who
attended, anda special thankyou to all of oursponsors and ourhost property. We
are very excited
to share that we
had over 100
participants at
this year’s May
Education Event.

Directors, Meeting Professionals International whose
session was titled: Connecting the Dots: What DoesAll the Disruption Mean From a Strategic View? This
education session kicked off with a bang and everyone
was all in! Michael, with his expertise in the field of
hotel finance and operations, provided a look at thecurrent state of our industry (sleeping room growthwith very little meeting space additions) and what isperceived to be disrupting our industry (Airbnb). He
also provided insight as to the economic conditions
that influence the hospitality industry and meeting
professionals’ buying decisions.
Following up, the second keynote address was anything
but a gamble with Alan Kleinfeld, CMP, CMM – a
Planner with a badge! Security & Risk Management
Task Force - Meeting Professionals International, Event
Security Expert - Department of Homeland Security,
ALAN KLEINFELD, CMP, CMM

CHAIRMAN'S CHALLENGE

An upbeat and evening highlight, enjoyed by many, wasthe Welcome Reception and the Chairman’s Challengesponsored by Radisson Hotel & Conference Center,Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Casino
Events, LLC. In addition to networking and enjoying
delicious food and beverage, which included orange
chicken egg rolls, prosciutto wrapped shrimp and grilledflank steak skewers, attendees participated in the
Casino Clinic and learned how to play craps, rouletteand black jack. The $20 fee for the reception benefitted
the MPI Foundation for scholarships and grants.

Thursday morning, May 17, began with a buffet
breakfast fit for The King - Elvis of course! It featured
fluffy scrambled eggs, country style breakfast potatoes,
bacon, sausage, fresh fruit and hot coffee. The firstmorning keynote began with Michael Dominguez, SeniorVice President and Chief Sales Officer, MGM Resorts
International, Past Chairman, International Board of
MICHAEL DOMINGUEZL

ong live meetings and long live MPI Wisconsin!
All who joined us won big at our Vegas themed2018 Spring Education Day. Our event kicked
off on Wednesday, May 16, at the Radisson
Hotel & Conference Center located in Green Bay where
attendees were invited to participate in fast-paced,high-energy networking and educational events. The
beautiful Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, with
the Oneida Casino conveniently attached, is a modern
conference center located across from Austin Straubel
International Airport (GRB). Showcasing recent
updates and award-winning catering services, thevenue set the stage for a class act event. Wednesday
was comprised of Board Meetings and a Welcome
Reception, while Thursday offered a full day of
networking complete with meals, breaks, community
outreach and educational sessions.

12 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																	The morning keynotes were followed by the MPI Wisconsin 20182019 Board Installation. Please see the list of your new Board of
Directors on page 7.

Event Project Manager. She presented: Bite Me! The Law ofFood and Beverage. Tyra was beyond all limits and was smart,funny and knowledgeable. She shared industry trends for foodand beverage and shed a light on how both planners can donate
leftovers to non-profits all while demonstrating an incredible legal
understanding for meetings and events.
ATTENDEES PARTICIPATED IN THE CASINO CLINIC AND LEARNED HOW TO PLAY CRAPS, ROULETTE AND BLACK JACK.

Adjunct Professor - College of Charleston. He presented: Band-Aids
to Bad Guys. Turning Perils Into Protection. Alan presented a uniqueperspective as both a meeting planner and police officer and kept
the group engaged with his knowledge of safety and security issues
for the meetings industry.

The Chapter donated their winnings and participated in thecommunity outreach event benefitting Big Brothers, Big Sistersof Green Bay and Fox Cities. Special appreciation goes to thesponsors of the community outreach event: Meetings & Incentives
Worldwide, VF and Corporate Event Interactive. Attendees
connected and competed in teams in education subjects which,after completion of each subject, allowed the team to collect theitems needed to stuff their backpacks before donating them. In
total, approximately 70 backpacks were stuffed with school supplies
for children. It was an interactive, competitive and a memorable
community outreach activity enjoyed by all of our high rollers.
The group enjoyed a delightful three course plated lunch that
included a spring green salad with watermelon and blueberries,
pecan stuffed chicken breast served with golden rice pilaf,
vegetables and we finished the meal off with a Vegas style, sinfully
delicious chocolate lava cake. Yum!

BREAKOUT SESSIONSCOMMUNITY OUTREACH: BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS OF GREEN BAY AND FOX CITIES

After lunch, attendees chose one of two breakout sessions toattend, the options were: Leadership Today - Are You Playing
Checkers or Chess with Michael Dominguez and The Lawyer is (Real)In Tyra Hilliard. Our education day concluded with Keynote speaker
Tyra Hilliard, PhD, Esq, CMP, Hospitality Legal Expert, Author, and

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|

13

BREAKOUT SESSIONS
CLOSING SESSION

We hope everyone enjoyed the show! Each session was approvedfor one CE each, so if you attended every keynote and a breakout
session, you are eligible to claim four CEs in total. After an actionpacked day of over-the-top amazing Vegas style education, the day
ended on a high note with raffle winners being posted at registration
following the last keynote. Thank you to everyone who attended,
and a special thank you to all of our sponsors and our host property.
We are very excited to share that we had over 100 participants at
this year’s May Education Event.

14 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

DOES YOUR TEAMHAVE HIDDEN TALENTS?

FIND OUT AT GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA
You know that colleague at work who’s super crafty? What if they secretly had
a competitive side?
And the one who can’t bear to lose? Perhaps they can dial down the intensity
and kick up the creativity every now and then.
But you might not find out unless you experience one of the many teambuilding activities at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. It’s one of the Midwest’sfavorite destinations for group events, due in large part to the imaginative
programs designed to engage, challenge and inspire.
Check out a few of the featured options this summer:

IMAGE COLLABORATION

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and artists will find this to betrue firsthand. Each participant will create an individual work that, when put
together with the others, makes one coherent piece. Groups often choose theircompany logo and/or tagline as the final product, but may collaborate on any
image that piques their interest.

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

HOLLYWOOD GAME SHOW

If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that!” while watching your favorite gameshow, this is your chance to prove it. Compete against co-workers in a variety
of fun challenges that will test your song recognition, trivia knowledge, andability to solve riddles while blindfolded.

THE GRAND CHALLENGE

If there’s a jack-of-all-trades on your team, they’ll enjoy this mixed bag ofevents in the style of Amazing Race. From a list of over 20 different challenges,
resort staff will hand-select a custom itinerary that will best test the skills ofyour group. Tasks range from mixing cocktails to scaling a rock wall, all withthe encouragement — and opposition — from your fellow contestants. Whenit’s all said and done, medals are awarded for bragging rights and eternal glory.

These are just a few of the opportunities available, and new ones pop up every
season. Check out the full list of team-building adventures at Grand Geneva
Resort & Spa. You might just learn something new about a colleague — or
yourself.
Learn more at GrandGeneva.com/Meetings/Team-Building

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|15

MPI-WI
Student
Winner!
WEC in Indy Delivered
for MPI-WI
A chapter record of 34 MPI WI
members attended WEC18 inIndianapolis. The city, speakers andvenues kept us engaged, intrigued
and entertained. Along witheducation and inspiration, we weretreated to a variety of spectacular,
uniquely-Indy experiences. (See next
Agenda for a full recap.)
MAGGIE HOUTS
Maggie demonstrated her creativity in event
planning with her winning presentation at
IMEX’s Future Leaders Forum during WEC. She
will be advancing on to compete in the finalsof the International University Challenge inFrankfurt. Way to go, Maggie!

Share Your
SmartsIf you have an interesting experience, idea,
or perspective you’d like to either share orhear about, please let us know. Our MPI-WI
Agenda is an excellent venue for spreading
knowledge. Please contact Kathy Reading:reading@scangroup.net or Cheryl Oswald:
cheryl.oswald@kohls.com.

16 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

Metropolis Resort
and Conference CenterW

hether people come to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, fora wedding, a meeting, a music festival or to tour the
Leinenkugel’s brewery, they return for the people
and community. Metropolis Resort is a microcosmof that experience in one property. With a staff ofover 300 people, they are still consistently reviewed
as a customer experience that feels like coming
home and a property large enough to host big
events without losing that small-town feel.
Eau
Claire has all the benefits of much larger cities, but
none of the deterrents. Rush hour is getting stuckbehind a school bus at 3p.m. Yet, the city boasts ahuge number of unique restaurants, parks, andexperiences available only in the Chippewa Valley.
In that same manner, Metropolis sits across the street
from the beautiful Lowe’s Creek County Park but isstill located within a few miles of UW-Eau Claire,
Menard’s Corporate Headquarters, shopping
districts, and all types of fun, including Metropolis’
very own, Action City, a family fun center withgo-karts, laser tag, and a trampoline park as well as
their own indoor waterpark, Chaos. Whatever yourstaff enjoys in their downtime, it can be found in Eau
Claire, and your meeting will transition from an
obligation to a benefit.
With over a decade of experience in meetings,
company picnics and conferences, their two
banquet spaces and multiple breakout rooms
provide a multitude of setup options, all thetechnological wonders of the A/V world, and adining experience that your guests will rave about.
It is hard to believe, but their biggest asset is theirstaff. With two dedicated meeting planners, Lauren
Kircher and Sam Holtz, Metropolis helps you plan all
aspects of your meeting, while their enthusiastic
staff handles all the details, eliminating a lot of timeand stress so you can focus on what’s mostimportant: your event and your guests! Lauren and
Sam instill in their staff the belief that sales shouldn’t
be about getting as much money as possible fromone event, but to build relationships with companies
and experiences for their guests that will bring them“home” for years to come. That means a bill with anote expressing gratitude for your business insteadof a surprise charge for an extension cord.
When it comes to the event itself, you’re the driver!
If you’re not able to visit the resort prior for a tour
and planning session, Lauren or Sam can provide a
3-D layout of your room detailed enough to show
the color of the linen and the space between thetables. Whether it’s Prime Rib from a carving station,a Mashed Potato Bar served in a martini glass, or BBQ
ribs and corn on the cob on a paper plate in theoutdoor pavilion, they can fine tune your dining
experience from upscale and fancy to the backyard
picnic without sacrificing taste. On your breaks, quick
snacks don’t have to be just bags of chips, bottled
soda, and chocolate chip cookies. It’s Wisconsin!
There’s meat, cheese, and of course, the infamous
Beer Break, where you reward your guests for theirattention, cooperation and attendance with a nicecold Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy from right up theroad to finish the last session of the meeting with.
The most unique ability the Metropolis has to offer istheir skill to create events that foster team building andcompany culture. The best icebreaking activity fortwo people to get to know each other quickly is two
minutes on their 135-foot tall zipline. Have somecompetitive departments? Put them in laser tag or on
the dodgeball court in a tournament organized bytheir staff and watch how the trophy is displayed in theoffice! For those companies that want to mix businessand pleasure, invite your attendees’ families. Nothingbuilds company culture more than two coworkers
watching their kids play together, or their spouses
enjoying a trip together while they work. Give Lauren
or Sam a call today and they’ll be happy to welcome
you home for your first event.

Conferences.MetropolisResort.com | 877.538.8440

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|17

MPI Experiential Event Series: NFL Draft
By: Cheryl Oswald, CMP
In November 2015, MPI announced the Experiential Series throughthe MPI Academy. Over the years, MPI Academy has offered a series ofdifferent experiential events, all behind the scenes events for planners
to see what it takes to produce these large scale events. Previous
events have included SXSW, the Miss America beauty pageant, theDemocratic National Convention, a variety of cruises, and most recently
the NFL Draft.
I’m a sports fan, so when I saw the email that the next experiential
event was going to take place at the NFL Draft, I had to look into thisopportunity more. Once approved by my boss (the draft was three days
before a work event), I looked into the pricing to participate. The cost
may seem high at $850, but it included hotel stay and a certificate uponcompletion in meeting and event design, and ten continuing educationcredits. This helps for those up for CMP renewal.

THURSDAY:●●NFL Experience
Tour of AT&T Stadium, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Cowboys
Cheerleader locker rooms

FUN FACT: The only other team that has beenin the Cowboys locker room was the Green Bay
Packers for Super Bowl XLV●

Tickets to the NFL Draft which included the Red Carpet Experience

I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship that covered myregistration and airfare costs, which definitely helped. I highly
encourage anyone that’s thinking of taking part in any of theseexperiential series events or anything offered through the MPI
Academy to look into a scholarship...it’s worth it!
From the moment I got off the plane in Dallas, we were on the go forthree action packed days.
WEDNESDAY:● Tour of The Star, the Cowboy’s Headquarters and Practice Facility

FUN FACT: We may have gotten to peekinto the Cowboy’s war room!
● Dinner at The Quarterback Club at The Star

18 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

FRIDAY:●●

Tour of Globe Life Park - home of the Texas Rangers / Previewof Texas Live!
Behind the scenes tour of NFL Draft

This is just a snippet of our agenda, it was action packed, and we wereconstantly on the move. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything! I
was able to build new planner friendships, tour and experience venues
I would otherwise never had the chance to experience.
If I had to pick one highlight of the trip, it was definitely the Red Carpet
Experience prior to the NFL Draft. All the top picks walked the red
carpet with their friends and family and I had a bird’s eye view!

If you have the chance, I highly recommend taking part in one ofthese experiential events...do it AND look into a scholarship throughthe MPI Academy!
MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|19

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE

JoEllen GraberPlace of employment: Mount Horeb Chamber ofCommerce
Where do you currently live? Verona, Wisconsin
How long in the meeting/event industry? 15 years
Tell us 2-3 things you are responsible for on theboard: Recruiting members, awards & scholarships,
and making sure members are happy with theirmembership.
What is the best part of being on the board? Seeing our chapter grow and knowing I
had a part in helping the chapter grow.
What have you learned most from being on the board? All that goes into making
our chapter successful and realizing how amazing our chapter is compared to otherchapters when I attend global events. I don’t think our membership realizes how far
ahead of other chapters we are!
What is the best advice you can give to someone who is thinking about getting
more involved in MPI? Do it, you won’t regret it. Not only do you make great industry
connections, but also lifelong friends.
Favorite hobbies or pastimes? Boating, going to concerts, and tailgating (notice I did
not say going to sporting events).
Favorite musical artist or band? Right now I would say, Chris Stapleton or Lady Gaga.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to Cathy Kreiter with VISIT
Milwaukee who passed the CMP exam in May
and received her Certified Meeting Planner
credentials! Cathy can also tell you about VISIT
Milwaukee’s new website, capturing the spiritof Milwaukee’s people, neighborhoods, events,
and attractions at visitmilwaukee.org.
***
HotelRED is adding three floors with rooms
and meeting space to its current four story, 48room building, located across the street fromCamp Randall Stadium on the UW-Madison
campus. Construction is scheduled to begin thissummer.
***The 221-room InterContinental Milwaukee,
owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels &Resorts, will be reinvented into an immersivearts-focused hotel. Architecture and interior
design firm Stonehill Taylor, based in New
York City, and branding agency One Design
Company, based in Chicago, will work with
Marcus Hotels & Resorts to blend Milwaukee’s
renowned arts scene and cultural heritage.
Opening in mid-2019, the redesigned hotel will
be nestled within a dynamic, urban arts scenefeaturing:

Jody Simon• Art installations, exhibits and broadly-ranged
programming• Original, art-piece furniture and amenities• Locally-procured products celebrating

MPI-WI volunteer, Jody Simon, planner with
Wisconsin Association of Mutual Insurance
Companies, had fun selling raffle tickets at our April
event. Volunteering at MPI can take many forms:
short-term or long-term, behind-the-scenes orin-person. Contact Katie McGinnis, kmcginnis@
theironhorsehotel.com, 414-831-4619 to hear how
you can help.

Milwaukee’s roots• Working studio(s) where guests can share in
the evolution of each artist’s work

You can also look for this board
at our education events, andadd your name to our winningteam of volunteers.

***
Majic Productions has been named as one of
Milwaukee’s Coolest Offices by the Milwaukee
Business Journal. The sound, video and lighting
production company’s unique space offers amovie lounge, a full game room and lounge.
All of these perks are approved by Winston,
their canine vice president of morale. The
hours can be long when working on projects
such as the US Open and the Super Bowl, Majic
Productions aims to offer a work space thatfeels like home.

20 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

FIND SUCCESS IN THE SUMMER
TREAT YOUR TEAM TO AN INSPIRING ESCAPE

When bold ideas bloom, success is sure to follow. Voted a Top Resort in the Midwest by Condé Nast
Readers’ Choice Awards, Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers unique indoor and outdoor spaces fit for thechanging weather, alongside seasonal dining and team-building adventures.
Make it Grand at GrandGeneva.com/Meetings

GrandGeneva.com
Lake Geneva, WI | (800) 558-3417

THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER MEETINGS DESTINATIONMPI Agenda

July/August 2018|21

MPI Wisconsin
Chapter - Annual
Awards Gala
Join us as we celebrate our members, volunteers,and Chapter accomplishments
By: Nicole Ellickson, CMP
Pull out your flapper dresses and fedoras and step back in time to
the roaring ‘20s on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at the Miller HighLife Theatre, inside the Hilton Milwaukee City Center.
Date and Time: Thursday, September 20 from 6:00pm-Midnight
Location: Miller High Life Theatre
500 W. Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI

Room Block Location: Hilton Milwaukee City Center Hotel
Room Block Rate: $99
Reservations: 414-935-5940
For more information and to register, visit www.mpiwi.org.

Begin the evening’s festivities with a reception while perusing thesilent auction tables. As the evening progresses, there will be agolden ticket drawing and live auction – you don’t want to miss out
on these spectacular items from our generous sponsors!
Matt Powers, Levy’s Executive Chef, will impress us with his culinary
skills creating a dinner that will certainly be memorable. We will thenswing into the awards program to celebrate those members thathave made an exceptional difference to our Chapter, and industry,
this past year. This year we celebrate Laura MacIsaac, CMP as theHall of Fame recipient. The evening won’t end there - join us as the
Hilton Milwaukee City Center hosts the afterglow party.

22 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																		

MEET

1 W. Dayton St. Madison WI 53703 | 608 257 6000 | concoursehotel.com

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|23

SUPPLIER PROFILE

DeniseHumphrey
Place of Employment:
Greater Green Bay
Convention & Visitors
BureauJob Title: Convention SalesManager
How long in the meetingsindustry? Nine years
Tell a bit about yourcompany and/or current position: I’m so fortunate to sellGreater Green Bay, known around the world as the homeof the Green Bay Packers! We are actively developing great
tourism attractions and facilities, recently expanding our
KI Convention Center to offer 80,000 square feet of space,and continuing to update and renovate our meeting spaces.
We have a variety of options to meet the needs for many
meetings and events.
Tell us about your family: I’m mommy to two handsome
little boys, Wyatt, four years old, and Preston, one year old,
and wife to Jonathan. They keep me busy!
Where were you born? Born and raised in Green Bay.
Go Pack Go!
Where do you currently live? Green Bay
Favorite Pastimes: I love traveling, wine tasting andshopping, and spending time with my family. Bonus points
if I can do it all at the same time!
Favorite Musical Group: I love all kinds of music, I can’t pickjust one.
Person you admire and why: All the working moms! It’s
hard to keep that work-life balance, but somehow, we
figure it out.
Dream Vacation: I can’t wait to tour the vineyards and eat
all the pasta while in Italy!
If I won the lottery I would: Travel, travel and travel some
more.
Words to live by: “Everything will be fine” is our mantra
around work and it’s useful for life too. Everything always
works out in the end, take it one step at a time.

PLANNER PROFILE

Reggie Driscoll, CMP
Place of Employment: State Bar of Wisconsin
Job Title: Senior Meeting Professional
How long in the meetings industry? 16 years
How long in MPI? 10+ years
Tell us about your company and/or position: The
State Bar of Wisconsin provides educational, careerdevelopment, and other services to the 26,000
attorneys licensed in the state. I contract and plan
all meetings outside of our office around the state.
Teams or projects that you have worked on for MPI or would like to be involved
with: I really enjoy being on the “Red Carpet Team.” It is great to be able tomeet the new members and help them feel comfortable when they first attend ameeting.
Tell us about your family: I live with my partner, Joe Parsons. I am the fifthof six kids. We are all currently living near the west side of Madison. We arealmost all together at least once a week. I love being involved in my nieces’ andnephews’ lives.
Where were you born? Fairfax County Hospital, right outside of Washington D.C.
Where do you currently live? I’ve lived in Madison for over 40 years.
Favorite Pastimes: Attending any of the many events that happen in Madison
throughout the year. Spending time with family and attending the nieces’ andnephews’ events.
Favorite Musical Group: I listen to a wide variety of music depending on mymood, energy level, and environment.
Person you admire most and why: My mother Carole. Talk about a planner! She
has raised six kids who love and respect her. Imagine having five teenagers, all ayear apart. She is very level headed, compassionate, and still manages to have agreat sense of humor.
Dream Vacation: I would love to take a Mediterranean Cruise, visiting all of thecities along the way.
If I won the lottery I would: Relax…after that, I’d make sure my extended family istaken care of then start researching where I could donate my time and dollars tomake the most impact.
Words to live by: Onward and upward. No matter where you are in life, there isalways an opportunity to learn and grow.
Special personal accomplishments: Looking for a career change, I went back toschool in my late 30’s to get my degree in Meeting and Event Management. Oneof the greatest highlights this year is receiving the Meeting Industry AdvocateAward at the MPI Gala. I also earned my CMP in 2012 which was a proud
moment for me.

24 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

MILWAUKEE, WI

WE DON'T NEED AN EXCUSE
TO THROW A PARTY.

OUR FESTIVALS ARE SO EPIC THEY SET WORLD RECORDS.
WE'RE A CITY THAT KNOWS HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.
WHEN YOUR SESSIONS END, MILWAUKEE'S READY TO TAKE OVER.
300,000 SQ. FT. CONVENTION CENTER | 16,000 HOTEL ROOMS | 40+ SUMMER FESTIVALSMEET IN MILWAUKEE

VISITMILWAUKEE.ORG/MEETMPI Agenda

July/August 2018|

25

MPI WISCONSIN

New Members
STEPHANIE BRILL
Events PlannerSargento Foods

HOUA MOUA, CMP
Event Coordinator
UW - Madison

NICK BURKE
Director Of Sales
Omnipress

ELLA NELSON
Sales
Valley Expo Displays

MICHELLE FERRAROSales Manager
Dolce

MARY RODDY
Sales Manager
The Abbey Resort

SUSAN IRIZARRY
Director of Sales
Hotel Retlaw

JENNY SEFFROOD
Event Planner
Association of State Floodplain
Managers

ANGELA JELLUMGroup Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Green Bay / 		KI Convention Center
DANIEL MCCLUSKEY
Marketing Services Specialist
National Guardian Life Insurance
Company

QUENTIN SERSTAD-WATSON
Group Sales Manager
Erin Hills Golf Course
KATHY STRONG LANGOLF
Special Events Coordinator
UW - Fond Du Lac
CALEB SUDA
Student

Anniversaries
35 YEARS

5 YEARSNICK TOPITZES, CMP
Retired CEO
PC Nametag

MELISSA KADLEC
Rockwell Automation
Allen Bradley

1 YEAR
MORGAN DAVISCHRISTIE GRAVESEN
Conference & Event Coordinator
Forte Research
CAROLINA HENAO
Sales Administration & 		
Incentives Manager
Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC

JAYME PAQUETTE
Event Coordinator
Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC
EMILY RAUBER
Corporate Sales Manager
Madison Concourse Hotel andGovernor's ClubKELLY KAEPPLINGER, CMM
Event Services Sales Associate
Overture Center

CAROL SCHWICKRATH, CMP
Director of Professional 		
Education & Events
American Academy of 		
Cosmetic Dentistry

TERRI MCCLAIRE
Sales Manager
Lake Lawn Resort

D'ETTA WALDOCH SNYDER, CMP
Director, International Programs
Ultimate Meetings, LLC

Please help us thank our hostand sponsors for the June
Summer Spectacular.

Look for full event photos and a recap in our September/October edition of the Agenda.

26 |July/August 2018 MPI Agenda																

		

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EXPANDING THE IDEALMEETING & EVENT EXPERIENCE
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and more first-class service means thatyour event will be even more incredible.
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KalahariMeetings.com

Call 855-411-4605
to learn more©2018 Kalahari Development LLC

MPI Agenda

July/August 2018|27

WISCONSIN
CHAPTER

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

JULY

18

Summer Social - Madison
Concerts on the Square

AUG

7

Summer Social - Fox Cities
Oshkosh, WI

TBD
SEPT

Connecting you to theglobal meeting + event community

2018

20

OCT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

18

NOV

Datebook:

4-6

Summer Social - Milwaukee
Location TBD

Awards Gala
Miller High Life Theater
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Milwaukee, WI

October Education Day
The Ridge Hotel
Lake Geneva, WI

Great Lakes Education Summit
Monona Terrace Community &Convention Center
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace Hotel
Madison, WI