One + May 2011 - (Page 91)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE He’s the Big Deal Last year at the World Education Congress in Vancouver, Kevin Hinton had the nuts. And he walked away from the card table with a free (US$10,000) seat to the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event—all thanks to the MPI Foundation’s newest fundraising event, The Big Deal, which is free to planners and offers everything from a real poker tourney to fun card play—all in a casino atmosphere. Hinton, who recently sold event business hinton+grusich to current employer Associated Luxury Hotels International, will play with the masters on July 7, just before he defends his championship at WEC 2011. So what exactly is he doing to prepare? One+: What is the oddest outcome of winning? KH: My brothers-in-law think this means I’m a poker superstar. One+: You’re not? KH: I could be on my way! I am one of those guys who annoy their wives by watching poker on TV all the time. One+: Are you training, by watching TV? KH: I never watched poker on TV before; I never really understood why anyone did it. Now I’m trying to learn better strategies and forms. One+: What are you working on right now? KH: My outfit. I think I should wear some MPI Foundation apparel, like a hat or a shirt. I also have to decide whether to wear sunglasses or not. Go Kevin! Cheer him on at www.mpiweb.org/wec/thebigdeal. Your Brand Needs WEC Increase your exposure and give back to the industry you love with these sponsorship opportunities at the 2011 World Education Congress, July 23-26 in Orlando. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you have made a major contribution to industry research, education and scholarships. Contact Tony at tfundaro@ mpiweb.org. The Players Golf Tourney The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, Grande Lakes Boost your brand on the green, at the clubhouse and beyond at this prestigious tournament. Here’s your chance to play, develop alliances and enhance your standing with customers and prospects. The Big Deal Hilton Orlando Planners get in free, so there’s really “no limit” to how much visibility your brand will receive. And while there’s so much more to the evening than cards, one lucky player will win a seat to the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event. >> Training in the Emirates The MPI Foundation has announced the launch of new research that will investigate any meeting industry training needs in Abu Dhabi. Under a three-year deal with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, the foundation will conduct a “Needs Analysis Survey” on the region’s expanding meeting industry to determine the most essential training requirements, training gaps that need to be addressed and a future strategy to benefit the area’s meeting industry stakeholders. One+: Are you ready for this? KH: Well, some MPI members have approached me and asked if they can buy my ticket, but I turned them down. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience—unless of course you go every year. One+: Do you think winning The Big Deal helped solidify your new position as executive vice president at ALHI? KH: It didn’t hurt. One+: Was poker the best part of The Big Deal? KH: Not at all. I met six people at the table that night who I keep up with on a regular basis, and two with whom I have since done business. That’s what the event is truly about—making real life connections with your peers. That’s where the true value is. One+: Any last words? KH: I’ll see you at The Big Deal in Orlando. I dare you to sit at my table. “The meeting industry is vital to any sustainable tourism strategy, delivering a number of financial and socio-economic below-the-line benefits, including in-market and in-business product development, knowledge-transfer and often leading to inward investment,” said Dayne Lim, product development director for the tourism authority. “We are looking to foster a vibrant and professional local meetings community through the provision of innovative training for the highperformance meeting professional.” MPI hails the move as a method of evaluating the emerging market’s strengths and opportunities to deliver what is most needed for meeting and event professionals. Initial research and interviews from meeting professionals and suppliers will focus heavily on the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and international organizations. CONTRIBUTORS The MPI Foundation thanks the following organizations and individuals for their generous support. THOUGHT LEADER AIBTM IHG Jumeirah Omni Hotels PSAV INNOVATOR Hyatt Hotels Las Vegas Sands Corp. Rosen Hotels and Resorts Wyndham Hotels ADVOCATE Carlson Hotels Dallas CVB Detroit Metro CVB Fairmont Hotels & Resorts IMEX SWANK Audio Visual Universal Orlando Resorts GATEKEEPER AT&T Park AVW-Telav Audio Visual Solutions Caesars Windsor Loews Maritz Travel MaxVantage ASSOCIATE Aimbridge Hospitality Atlanta CVB CONTRIBUTOR Benchmark Hospitality International Best Meetings Inc Cantrav Services Conference Direct CHAPTERS Arizona Sunbelt Atlantic Canada British Columbia Carolinas Chicago Area Dallas/Fort Worth Georgia Greater Calgary Greater Edmonton Greater New York Gulf States Heartland Houston Indiana Japan Kansas City Kentucky Bluegrass Manitoba Minnesota Montreal New Jersey Northeast New York Ohio Oregon Ottawa Philadelphia Potomac Rocky Mountain Southern California Tennessee Texas Hill Country Toronto Virginia Washington Westﬁeld Wisconsin Rendezvous Cuba Libre, Orlando Demonstrate your leadership role while you network and dance at the hottest party in Orlando. Maximize your brand exposure and find direct marketing opportunities to the beats of salsa, bachata and merengue. MPI Foundation Silent Auction Shine in front of your target market by donating a fabulous item or experience package to the MPI Foundation Silent Auction. You’ll contribute to a great cause while generating exposure for your brand online, in print and on signage. mpiweb.org 91 http://www.mpiweb.org/wec/thebigdeal http://www.mpiweb.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of One + May 2011

One + May 2011
Contents
Energy of Many
Impressions
Meeting Design Goes Mobile
Picking Brains
Agenda
Ask the Experts
Thoughts+Leaders
Overheard
Art of Travel
Web Watch
Radical Co-creation
Engagement + Innovation = Wunderbar
Top Spots
Connections
Irrelevant
The Business of Being Social
Safety in Numbers
Ads, Sponsors and Patrons
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
It’s Getting Better All the Time
Blame It on Rio
Ride Free
Learning How the Brain Learns
Just Face It
Becoming Mindful with Your Meetings
Group Think
The Mesh Meeting
Your Community
Making a Difference
Until We Meet Again

One + May 2011