“TABLE OF EIGHT” – SEPTEMBER 2008 HSMAI MEETING

Once, again, our column name, assigned to tell you about our last meeting on September 17th, is a bit of a misnomer as it was a completely different set up for our joint meeting with MPI. Held at the Broward Convention Center, we had more than a hundred people attend in the late afternoon. Starting with coffee and sodas, an enthusiastic crowd from three counties came early for registration and networking. Michael Cohen and staff from Imperial Majesty manned a table top display with sponsorship monies going to aid our community event in November for the children of the Broward Outreach Center.

Stacie Faulds, President-Elect, HSMAI welcomed the group, talked about our Chapter’s mission, upcoming events, including the Broward Outreach Center’s Wannado City outing in November, and highlighted new members, including the new collegiate chapter at FIU. Special thank you was given to Nicki Grossman and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau for sponsoring the event and her year-round support of HSMAI. And Stacie welcomed MPI members to the event, acknowledging that together – GFLCVB, MPI and HSMAI – had a common desire to see South Florida shine in the world of meetings and conventions.

The meeting planners’ panel was moderated by Christine Tascione, Director of Convention & Group Sales, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, and member of HSMAI-South Florida as well as on the Board of the South Florida MPI chapter. Members of the panel included: Steven Pollock, Dahlton Bennington, Paget Kirkland and Mike Garcia. Discussion points included the change in economy and how it affects event planning and dealing with clients; the importance of building relationships and how to make your business stand out from the clutter; the green movement – everything from hosting green meetings to developing green standards to corporate social responsibility. A lively question and answer period held the group captive.

Following the program, we proceeded to enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and continued networking. Suffice it to say, a good time (and an educational one, too) was had by all.

Hope to see you at our next meeting on Wednesday, October 15th at the Bimini Boatyard Restaurant on SE 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale. Lee Knapp tells us how to be more effective in our marketing efforts: “Closing the Sale Begins at Hello.”