SPIN News

Issue #10
May 2011

In This Issue

Think Tanks

  • Long Beach, CA - June 16 at 9:30 - 11:45 am - Long Beach Convention Center in conjunction with the Affordable Meetings event
  • Washington DC - June 23 from 9:00 am - 11:30 am - Willard InterContinental  (Registration opens soon)

Webinars

Poll Question

Visit All of our Preferred Suppliers

Quick Links

Events
Join SPIN
Preferred Suppliers
Members Forum

Hosted Buyer Programs

SPIN is participating in Hosted Buyer Programs all across the U.S. and overseas: click here to be notified when we head to cities of interest to you.

SPINCon Organizers Speak Out!

Haven't registered yet for SPINCon?  If you're still undecided whether to go to the same old industry show(s) this year or try something new, view the videos below to see why this conference is not to be missed. It's the first conference where ALL of the content is created for senior-level planners, plus earn CEUs toward your CMP.
Picture
The SPINCon Chair, Tracey Smith, has released more information about the sessions being presented at this year’s SPINCon North America, June 2-4. To learn more about the unique hybrid session experiment, tackling new technology in a safe environment, and why you should check your preconceived ideas at the door, watch Tracey's video above or on YouTube!

For an overall snapshot of SPINCon and why it’s like no other industry conference you’ve ever seen, check out the YouTube video from Shawna Suckow, SPIN Founder.

Interested in the new technology being showcased at SPINCon?  Check out Sara Vanderbilt’s video.
Registration & Hotel
You can still get in on the discounted registration rate of $300, with discounted lodging at $75/night.  

SPINCon Attendance - spincon.spinplanners.com/registration.html 
Lodging - spincon.spinplanners.com/hotel.html   

Agenda & Speakers
What do Hybrid/Virtual Meetings, Geeky Gadgets, Peer Conferencing, Brain Food, a Boothless Floating Trade Show and Electronic Business Cards all have in common?  They'll all be featured at SPINCon!

See the Whole Agenda - spincon.spinplanners.com/agenda.html

CSR
Here are 2 of the wonderful CSR Projects happening at SPINCon:
  • School "Shopping" for the United Way - United Way funds 27 nonprofit early care & education programs that serve families living at 200% of poverty or below in the Twin Cities, and they're in need of school supplies for new kindergarteners.  Planners will visit exhibitors at the Trade Show and earn different supplies to fill a student's backpack.
  • Greatest Baby Shower Ever!  A local shelter for battered women and their children is in need of lots of baby basics - so we're dedicating an evening to helping them out, thanks to the generosity of the Bloomington, MN CVB! 

Read more about the CSR Projects - spincon.spinplanners.com/csr.html

Michael Vennerstrom, Equinox Creative, Minneapolis, MN

Picture
Michael Vennerstrom
by Shawna Suckow, SPIN Founder

I just witnessed an amazing act of kindness between two SPIN members, and couldn’t keep it to myself.   Michael Vennerstrom is not only a keen event strategist and a wise industry mentor, it turns out he’s a really nice guy, too.  Michael had registered to attend SPINCon, and then he submitted two presentation proposals.  He was one of only two speakers selected to present more than one topic at SPINCon.  As a speaker, he receives complimentary registration for the event, but he had already paid. 

When contacted about his refund, without a second thought, Michael immediately offered to pass it along to another SPIN member as a form of scholarship to attend SPINCon.  The gesture was especially poignant because Michael didn’t know the recipient, just that she was a fantastic SPIN supporter, and there was no way she’d be able to attend without help toward her airfare. 

I was so fortunate to be the bearer of good news – the recipient was moved to tears.  She’d just been hit with a $500 auto-repair bill and was having a bad day.  Michael’s act of generosity impacted two of us today, and both of us will walk a little lighter and feel a little better about the world today as a result. 

"I’m glad I could make someone’s day brighter.  I can’t change the world but if I can help change one person’s world, it’s a good day," said Michael.  If this act of selflessness inspired you, please send Michael a note: mvennerstrom@equinoxcreative dot com


I’d like to feature a Selfless SPIN Member each month.  Please email me confidentially to nominate yourself (or someone else).  Don’t be modest! Your act of selflessness will inspire others, and all nominations will be kept confidential. shawna@spinplanners.com.

Mozella Brown, Dallas, Texas

Picture
Mozella Brown
Interviewed by Shawna Suckow, SPIN Founder

SS: I regret that this idea didn’t come to me sooner.  Each month, SPIN now will be showcasing a different member who is in transition, in the hopes that fellow SPIN members might know of opportunities and be willing to share them with a colleague in need.  For the first interview, I have a great SPIN member to feature: Mozella Brown.  She is vibrant, smart, funny and giving.  She’s been the volunteer Ambassador for Dallas SPIN Think Tanks multiple times over the past two years.  (If you’re coming to SPINCon, you can meet her in person).

SS: Mozella, tell me about your planner background, and how you ended up in transition.
MB:  I have been a planner for 15 years. I realized that I loved putting events together, even back to high school when we put together the first high school dance in over 10 years and the high school prom. College was no different. After college, I became very involved in my local church with planning conferences, workshops and retreats. So I took a few classes at the local community college and did a public relations internship...and the rest is history. I began my event planning career with a non-profit organization (The Urban Alternative) where I served for six and a half years. From there, I spent 9 years with Thomas Nelson Live Events who host Women of Faith Conference, The Revolve Tour, 3:16 Live & God's Leading Ladies. I progressed from Conference Coordinator to Event Manager, Contracts Administrator and Booking and Scheduling Manager. This organization broadened the scope of my experience. In addition to handling the nitty gritty details of the events, I handled site selection, routing, contract negotiations and management, facility budget development and management and worked with a terrific team of individuals in customer service, registration, sales and marketing, public relations and sponsorship.  As a result of the economic downturn that began in 2008, I was laid off and my position eliminated. I was with this organization for almost 9 years.

SS: What are your special skills?  What are you best at?  C’mon, brag a little! 
MB:  My special skills are negotiation, budget development and management, and dealing with difficult people or situations. I think I am best at problem-solving and handling last minute difficulties. I understand how the small details affect the big picture and vice-versa. I obtained my CMP designation in 2003. That was one of the highlights of my career.

SS: What parts of meeting planning appeal to you most?
MB: I like it all. There are two things I can pinpoint that I like the most:  one, seeing the successful execution of an event or meeting or workshop after working hard to put it together, and two, I have a split personality. I love people and I love details. Meeting planning marries both of those and I just love that.

SS: If you could create the perfect opportunity for your next job, what would it look like?
MB: My ideal position would be in a management role for an organization that produces different types of events. I'd like to travel up to 50%. I can work with a team in office or telecommute. My ideal work environment would be one where excellence is expected, where each team member is valued, appreciated, and respected, and where employees are empowered to do their jobs and make great events happen.

SS: Are you willing to freelance? Serve as a Trip Director for others?  Relocate? 
MB: I am willing to freelance and have been doing so for the past year and a half. I am also willing to relocate.

By Tracey Smith, CMP, CMM
Click here to see more photos

Picture
Getting to Europe isn’t easy, but for this FAM to Brussels, it was well worth it. 

Brussels is an exciting city with both historic and modern buildings all around. The downtown area is contained and walkable for the most part. This is the home to the European Union, NATO and other governing entities, but the people of Belgium are very laid back. They welcome you in French, Dutch or English and invite you to try the local beers, mussels and, of course, chocolate. 

Our tour of the city included the Palace for the beloved King and Queen, Auto World where you can hold receptions among antique cars (and get a Belgian waffle on the street outside), the Atomium where you can hold receptions and dinners inside one of the nine gigantic stainless steel spheres that make up this icon of the city, and the Grand Place or center square made up of intricately ornate 3- and 4-story homes/offices/stores/restaurants. Of course, we had to visit the Mannekin Pis, the little boy doing his business in the fountain. 

Dinner of mussels and frites (fries) at Chez Leon, one block off the square and one of the city’s favorite restaurants.

The next day was hotel and meeting space day! Here’s a quick recap:
  • Radisson Blu, the format that Radisson is now rolling out in the U.S.  The meeting space had a nice flow and would be good for a smaller-sized meeting (<400 people).
  • Square Meeting Centre, which has 140,000 square feet of meeting space. They have three different auditoriums equipped with very comfortable seats, complete audio/visual options as well as translation booths. Lots of options for breakouts and special events, with spectacular views from every angle. 
  • Le Meridien Hotel, a Starwood property. This hotel was very elegant and the staff was eager to please. With the modern Square so close, I would choose their meeting space for any high-tech meetings and use the Meridien’s space for traditional meetings and food functions. 
  • The Royal Windsor Hotel, which spoke of Old World style and elegance, has meeting space that is well equipped and cozy (lower ceilings). 
  • The Brussels Marriott Hotel mixed European style with American tastes. The meeting space curves around the circular foyer, which you can use for a common break area. 
  • La Plaza Brussels is very elegant and refined. The meeting space is ornate and regal, including its theater room where movies were shown during World War II. 
  • The Crowne Plaza Brussels had the most meeting space of the hotels. They want you to feel very at home with their Balanced Senses area and zen-themed meeting rooms. Their main ballroom has pesky pillars, but the hotel added extra screens so everyone can see what’s happening. 
  • The Hotel Amigo, which is a repurposed police station and prison behind the Grand Place, has fabulous suites and guest rooms. The meeting space is small, but elegant. 
  • Tour & Taxis Center: This is a very large building designed for a World’s Fair that can be used for large trade shows and expositions. 
  • At the Conrad Hotel, you got a sense of grace and charm. The guest rooms are spacious and well appointed. The meeting space is sleek and modern, with options in the courtyard and lobby. 

I noticed most of the hotels boasted about having “natural daylight” in their meeting space. Maybe it’s a green thing!

After lunch, several of us went to the Magritte Museum, the famous artist from Belgium. Other activities included the comic strip center, the Musical Instruments Museum, Coudenberg (former palace of Brussels) and, of course, the Belgian Master Chocolatiers.
A 90-minute train ride took us to Bruges, a walled city on a series of canals, which is how it got its nickname, the Venice of Belgium. We took the water taxi tour that displayed many of buildings from the 12th and 13th centuries. In the center of the city amid some of the most ornate buildings I’ve ever seen we had lunch at an outdoor café and with yards of beer and local delicacies “in Flemish style.”  
Picture
Brussels has everything one might look for in a European location: history with all the modern amenities and no language barrier. For attendees who want to see more, there’s Antwerp, Paris, Copenhagen and London within a short distance by train. The perfect spot!

Contact Veronique Boyens at The Brussels Convention Bureau - veronique@visitbelgium.com or (212) 758-8130 for more information.

Note: Tracey Smith received no monetary compensation from this article, but participated in a hosted FAM.
If you have a success story that you would like to share in the SPIN News, please send a summary of your story to Shawna at shawna@spinplanners.com.

If you have suggestions on how to make this newsletter more beneficial, please let us know. 

Sincerely,
The SPIN Staff