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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings!,
The best for last . . . and so it goes.
2009 started with an unprecedented
inauguration of our first African-American President. Our economy performed in
ways that brought many of us to our knees, leaving a nation perplexed and befuddled.
We've been tested, stretched and asked to do more with less. Gone is the
promise of a strong employer, consistent benefits and unquestionable tenure. Or
so we've thought.
Alas, here we are closing a
historical year of fear, uncertainty and questions about our future. You'd
think this would immobilize us; keep us from pulling ourselves up from our boot
straps. I say, NO! We as Americans, members of NYPCMA and the cogs of the
meetings community have said NO WE WON'T. We've engaged each other as never before
with sense of human decency that is unprecedented. We've extended olive
branches, offered mutually beneficial resolutions and again said-NO WE WON'T
GIVE UP.
We have a great opportunity to
retool, redesign and make greater contributions. I challenge each of you to be
all that you can be, act with kindness in all of your affairs and keep America
meeting.
A parting note of thanks to the
2009 Board of Volunteers and all the members of NYPCMA for your support in
2009.
Warm regards,
 Dawn D. Rockas, CMP President, NYPCMA National Sales Director SDCVB-Northeast Sales Office |
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Introducing Your 2010 Chapter Board Members!
A veritable Who's Who in the Greater New York Area meetings industry. How many do you know? And in which leadership roles will they be serving you in over the next year?
   Read More ...
Read More ...
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Education Day 2009: Social Media, Life Balance
and Coping With Economic Changes Headline Event
by Anatasia (Stacey) Courtney
Convention Manager, Modern Language Association
What are some ways in which
social media and
other new technologies  can improve your work and your life? How
can you balance a fulfilling life with a successful career? Where is our
industry heading, and how are hotels, airlines, and planners coping with the
economic changes of the past year? These are some questions that were explored
at the 2009 NYPCMA Education Day that was held on September 15 at the Park
Central Hotel in New York City.
Read More ....
Hot Technologies Speaker Jim Spellos
with NYPCMA VP Karin Bagnall
Life Balance Speaker Clay Nelson (Center); Sponsor Delia Germani, Tourisme Montreal (Left) and NYPCMA VP Karin Bagnall, MLA (Right)
Industry Panel (L-R):
Steve Richard, Marriott; Anita O'Boyle, IRR; Craig Caron, Hilton; Phyllis Klasky, ASME; Mary Casey, Starwood; Chris Clarke, Continental Airlines; Moderator Gregg
Talley, Talley Management Group.
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Communicating When Strangling Isn't An Option
by Sue Hershkowitz-Coore, CSP SpeakerSue
When
planning a meeting, there is one thing you can be certain of ... someone will
be difficult to work with. Someone will have his or her own agenda, not follow
your plan, or create a situation where you don't look good, prepared or right.
With all the stress of meetings and the huge importance of successful outcomes
for multiple stake-holders, someone will get on your nerves, frustrate you and
make the entire planning process much more difficult than it should be.
What can
you do to maintain your professionalism and be heard?
Read More ...
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NYPCMA Brings A "New Level of Excellence
To New Jersey
By Lisa Boyd, CMP
Supervisor, Meeting & Conference
Management, IEEE
On behalf of the NJ members of NYPCMA, thanks to those who
crossed the Hudson and allowed us to partake in a chapter event in our own
backyard.
This effort went hand in
hand with the topic of the
day; it
was definitely a new level of excellence 
for the chapter.
Dr. Teplitz
delivered an interactive session designed to assist us all in becoming more
effective leaders using a unique tool: learning how our personal energy system
and behavioral kinesiology play a major part in our physical and mental
abilities and dramatically affect ourselves and those around us.
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2009 PCMA Achievement Award Winner
Each year, PCMA honors outstanding members
for their contributions to PCMA and the meetings and hospitality
industry. NYPCMA is proud to announce one of its own as the winner of a 2009 Achievement
Award. She will be recognized at the 54th PCMA Annual Meeting, Jan. 10-13,
2010, in Dallas.
Distinguished
Member of the Year:
Deborah L. Richardt, CMP
American Thoracic Society
Deborah L.
Richardt, CMP is completely and unabashedly committed to everything in her
life. Industry peers will tell you
that Debbie walks the walk and talks the talk; always questing for excellence
and accountability in an industry that does not accept mediocrity. Co-workers will tell you that Debbie
stretches them to be all they can be; always leading by example and rolling up
her sleeves to ensure that a job gets done. Subordinates will tell you that they earned their chops
under Debbie's tutelage; always leaving Debbie's employ with more than they
came in with and always with a hug of encouragement and advice to keep "paying
it forward" in all their affairs.
Students will tell you that they want to be Debbie; smart, articulate and a consummate mentor and
professional. The two (2) most
important men in Debbie's life; husband Bob and Penn State son, Tim, will tell
you that they love Debbie's passion and enthusiasm for everything she shares. Debbie's mom will tell you that Debbie
is selfless and caring and the best daughter a mother could want. Charlie, Debbie's four (4) legged "son,"
will tell you that he misses his mommy while she's out positively affecting so
many people in the world. He's
proud to know that his mommy has contributed so much to PCMA, particularly
NYPCMA, as one of the founding members. She has contributed to the meetings
industry through 31 years of local and national involvement, including her 23
years of service to the American Lung Association & American Thoracic
Society; her relentless dedication to students (our future).
Debbie has
been passionate in her quest for fitness (physical and spiritual), as well as
in her private and humble contribution to her community of Oradell, New Jersey.
She has truly demonstrated commitment to excellence in all her affairs.
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President's Volunteer of the Quarter
There's a sentiment out in the
world; it's always the quiet ones who surprise! NYPCMA has one such quiet
volunteer. This individual submitted an essay for the 2008 NYPCMA chapter
annual meeting scholarship. A corporate trade-show marketing guru by day, Diana
Brady yearned to immerse herself in meeting planning. Her scholarship essay
spoke to a passion which we usually hear only from students. Diana's humility
was inspiring and her commitment to "Pay It Forward" convinced the scholarship
committee to award her a full scholarship to Seattle.
The NYPCMA Board knew
that we could count on Diana to live up to her commitment: an article in the
newsletter and perhaps a volunteer on a committee. What we weren't prepared for
was Diana throwing her hat into the ring to volunteer as the 2009 Director of
Programs-the hardest role on the Board. Diana began her role in October 2008
during the annual Board Retreat. The typical succession hand-off was not to be
as our 2008 Director of Programs relocated to Texas. Diana was not deterred.
She learned the ropes; developed SOP's and produced a fabulous year of
programming. Diana was a "Member's Advocate" on the Board, consistently pushing
us to keep NYPCMA programs relevant. Diana was instrumental in developing the
"Pay What You Can Program," which received much national industry press and the
thanks of all attendees at the NYPCMA June program. For the reasons mentioned
above; for  executing the November program in New Jersey and for giving 150% to
NYPCMA, Diana is unquestionably the Volunteer of the Quarter.
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In Memorium: Samantha Cohn, CMP
 The meetings industry lost a warm, caring and dedicated member who will
be deeply missed. Samantha Cohn died suddenly Saturday,
September 19th, 2009. She was
recently the senior meeting planner at the Risk & Insurance Management
Society and over the years, she devoted much of her time to the MPIGNY
chapter through her work on the Golf Committee, Community Outreach, and Annual
Fundraising auction. In 2008 Samantha was awarded the Rising Star Award from
MPIGNY.
In June 2009, the MPIGNY Fundraising committee, which Samantha co-chaired,
received the Board of Director's Award for an outstanding job with its Annual
Fundraising Auction. In July 2009, Samantha started her role on the Board of
Directors and over a few months organized a strong committee to lead the
chapter into another year of successful fundraising. Samantha
shall be deeply missed as a colleague, industry
professional, and most of all, a friend.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
THEY SUPPORT YOU
Education Day Sponsored By:
LUNCHEON SPONSOR:
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Thank You To Our Gold
EDUCATION DAY SPONSOR
Hawai'i Convention Center
(Left, clockwise): Christian Jacoby, Charlene Nakamura, Lee Conching,
Michael Scherbert, Linda Kadohiro,
Epooni Perkins.
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Get involved .... become a
chapter volunteer. Click on
the button above and a chapter
representative will contact you.
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Education Day Drawing Benefits
A warm thanks to all the Education Day attendees who gave
to our NFTN charity for the quarter- the PCMA Education Foundation. Our
students from the University of New Haven solicited donations and you all gave
generously! A special thanks to Cathy Dien from Buena Vista Palace, Orlando for
contributing.
The NYPCMA chapter board voted to award additional funds to
raise our total contribution to $400. The PCMA Education Foundation has been
funding and advancing research and education in the meetings and convention
industry since 1985. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused on uniting
people and organizations involved in the convention industry, providing grants
for sustainable and innovative programs, awarding scholarships to the next
generation of meeting professionals, and raising funds for professional
development and community well-being.
We
appreciate all the contributions our members and attendees have made over the
year to our Network for the Needy charities.
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Being a supporter of the NYPCMA Chapter creates
goodwill between your organization and the membership.
NYPCMA offers opportunities for you to demonstrate your commitment to
the professionalism and development of the meetings and hospitality
industry ... as well as access to a targeted
audience, to showcase your products and/or services.
No sponsorship is
considered too small and there are many ways to co-partner with other
suppliers, or even planners, to make your contribution go even
further.
For More Information Contact:
Rocco La Forgia
NYPCMA Sponsorship Committee Chair
Phone: 212-820-1715
Email: rocco.laforgia@hilton.com
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Join PCMA's Official LinkedIn Group, become a fan on
Facebook, follow PCMA on Twitter, read Chairman John Folks' Blog
(un)Conventional, and view the latest photos and videos from PCMA events.
Join PCMA Social Media
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STILL TIME TO REGISTER!
Kick off your year with top notch education that will forecast where the
industry is headed in 2010 and beyond.
Program & Registration Information...
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ADOPT A PLANNER
Thank you to our Supplier community for supporting the 'Adopt A Planner' program this past year enabling meeting professionals to attend our chapter programs.
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NEW MEMBERS
Join in welcoming over 40 new chapter members in the last few months. Click here to see who they are.
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Chapter Volunteers' Gift of Giving at the Bowery Mission
By Ken Letavish
Regional Conference Manager
for International Baccalaureate
NA
New York Area Chapter member volunteers, continuing our
annual Service In SyncŪ (SIS) tradition of service within our community,
partnered with The Bowery Mission on Tuesday evening, November 3rd to
serve over 300 meals to homeless men, women and children in the New York City
area caught in the cycles of poverty, hopelessness and dependencies of many
kinds. "The people that came through the dinner line were genuinely
grateful for the free meal, " noted Ken Letavish, of International
Baccalaureate and incoming NYPCMA director of programs. "Volunteering at The
Bowery Mission reminds me again just how fortunate I am," said Andy
Anastasi of Conference Direct. Volunteer Margaret Victor of Vail Resorts said,
"It was not only rewarding but fun! I am very glad to have been part of it;"
and Ruztique Toscano of Millennium
Hotels thanks The Bowery Mission for a extremely rewarding experience!
Service In SyncŪ is a program in which a period of time is
designated for PCMA members all over the country to come together and give back
to their local communities on behalf of the meetings industry. These efforts
allow PCMA chapters to participate in community service projects on an
individual basis. If you missed getting involved this year, mark your calendar
for the first week of November 2010. Pictured (Left to right): Kenneth Letavish, International
Baccalaureate, Margaret Victor/Vail Resorts, Herb Carruthers, Chef at The Bowery Mission, Andy Anastasi/Conference Direct, and Ruztique
Toscano/Millennium Hotels. Back To Top |
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: NORMA TAYLOR
By Leslie DiLeoDirector of Conferences, American Montessori Society  Chicago native and resident Norma Taylor doesn't let a
little thing like geography stand between her
and her clients. A regional sales
director for Tourisme Montreal, Norma has also worked from Chicago
for both the
Charlotte and Baltimore CVBs.
Originally, Norma planned to be a lawyer. As happens so often in this industry,
though, the need for a part-time job led her to a stint as switchboard operator
at one of Chicago's boutique hotels.
Her expertise on the phone and her curiosity to learn what the many
different hotel positions entailed got her noticed. She was tapped to make a
few sales calls of her own, thus beginning her long career as a sales
professional. A position as conference manager at McCormick Place during the
height of renovations offered the challenges and "backstage" insights that
sharpens a salesperson's skills and provides her with perspective.
A brand new member of NYPCMA, Norma is eager to take an
active role in the chapter's business.
"I believe you should never put your feet under the table of someone you
don't like," Norma comments. "I
also believe that if you do business in an area, you should give back in some
way. That's why I joined the chapter,
and plan my trips to NY around chapter events."
Like many wise people in an industry that is both
stimulating and stressful, Norma spends her free time at Spin Class in her
gym. "It took me a while to drop
the baggy pants for biker shorts, but I finally got there," she says.
About the general challenges in work and life she says this,
"I was very lucky to have both a grandmother and a great-grandmother in my
life. Whenever things got tough,
they were of the opinion that you pulled your socks back up and moved on. I've always remembered that."
We welcome Norma Taylor to NYPCMA!
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Student Gathers New Ideas, New Contacts at NYPCMA Education Day
By
Chelsea Dlubac
University of New Haven Student Member
This year I transferred to the
University of New Haven in West Haven CT as a sophomore. Right away I knew that
the school was for me. I arrived hoping that I could learn a lot of valuable
information that could jump start my career in the hospitality industry. During
the first week of school I heard about the opportunity to join the New York
student chapter of The Professional Convention Management Association. I
decided to join so I could learn more about the meeting and convention side of
the industry and get more involved with others in my major.
The first PCMA
event that I attended was NYPCMA Education day held at Park Central Hotel New
York. This was really my first exposure to actual professionals in the
hospitality field. The morning started off with an excellent speaker James
Spellos. He discussed hot technologies that are emerging in the industry, with
emphasis on innovation and creativity. It was very interesting learning about
all the latest advancements and changes in technology and how they are going to
affect the industry.
The second speaker of the day was Clay Nelson. His
presentation was called "Your Work, Your Life: Taking
the Struggle Out of the Balancing Act." He discussed how to be successful in
both your work and your personal life and explained how to balance the two. He
focused on how to help companies and people maximize their potential while
creating happier families and incorporating fun in personal lives. Overall,
going to my first PCMA event allowed me to network with professionals in the
industry and gave me an introduction into what the meeting and conventions
industry is like. In addition to being introduced to new technologies and
learning how to manage my time effectively, I got a closer look into the real
world of careers in the hospitality industry and got the opportunity to talk
with experienced people who have worked in the field for years.
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MISSION STATEMENT
PCMA New York Area Chapter's main purpose is to represent PCMA on a local level by offering quality educational seminars, along with the opportunity for members to contribute their time, knowledge, and experience through networking and committee involvement to further the professionalism of the meetings industry.
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NYPCMA Communications / Newsletter Committee
Director, Marketing/Communications: Hannah Wai, CASE, New York Marriott Eastside
Production Editor: Lynne Nordone, CMP, LAN Events
Copy Editor: Leslie Di Leo, CMP, American Montessori Society
Contributing Writers: Stacey Courtney, Modern Language Association;
Emily Nichols, Metroplitan Exposition Services
JOIN OUR EDITORIAL TEAM ...
Contribute an article and earn CMP application and re-certification points.
Contact Lynne Nordone atnypcma.news@gmail.com. |
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