📰 Welcome to the SPIN May 2026 Newsletter 📰
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May News & Updates
🫐 SPIN Regional miniCon Recap 🫐 Carolynn Santos, SPIN, Executive Director 📢 SPIN Business Update - Big News for SPIN 📢 What I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now Planner Anedotes on Lessons Learned the Hard Way |
Monthly Contents
SPIN Events and Programs AMA, Gary Murakami, Teneo, June 18 Shape What's Next. Share Your Voice. SPIN Insight Survey Request Strategic Alliance Partners and Sponsors Talkadot, Innovia, Wildly Different & Soulbare Newsletter Guest Writers Wanted! Share your Experience and Insight on anything |
🫐SPIN Regional miniCon - Debrief 🫐
Ethical Leadership, National Blueberry Pie Day and National Poetry Day
Written by Carolynn Santos
SPIN, Executive Director
SPIN, Executive Director
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If you were not with us for SPIN's first Regional miniCon, I hope as you read this you feel a little bit of what you missed that day…. It was a special afternoon.
We gathered in three locations simultaneously: St Helena, CA, Dallas, TX, and virtually, connecting senior meeting planners from across North America for an afternoon of laughter, honest conversation, and a thought-provoking session I have experienced in a while. The energy in the room, and across the screen, reminded me exactly why I love this job and this community. Our speaker was Ann Skeet, Senior Director of Leadership Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, co-author of "Ethics in the Age of Disruptive Technologies," and a member of the AI Research Group at the Vatican. In other words, she is the real deal. Ann walked us through a framework for ethical decision-making that was both academically grounded and immediately practical, the kind of session that stays with you long after the blueberry cocktails are gone. Ann opened by reframing what ethics actually is, and what it is not. It is not the same as compliance, or following the rules, or simply doing what your boss says. It is, at its core, a process of making decisions based on moral principles such as honesty, compassion, and care, and it is most essential when situations are unclear and the stakes are high. She framed it beautifully: ethics is about human flourishing, for ourselves and for others. For a room full of senior planners who spend their careers creating conditions for other people to connect and thrive, that landed. She then walked us through six ethical lenses developed by the Markkula Center, tools that help leaders examine a dilemma from multiple angles before making a call:
Ann was clear that the goal is not to pick one lens and run with it. The most effective ethical leaders apply all six, and they do it conversationally, because other people will surface what you missed. As she put it, "You want to be able to show your moral math." |
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The Case Study: Where It Got Real
Ann brought it home with a case study she called Murphy's Law, and every planner in the room recognized themselves in it immediately. The scenario: a lead planner, Mariana, is days out from a 350-person annual conference when her title sponsor backs out. A replacement sponsor emerges, but carries the shadow of a federal investigation. Her staffing agency is quietly shortchanging workers. And she has just exceeded fire marshal capacity because the association is accepting last-minute registrations to cover the budget gap.
We broke into groups to work through it, and the conversation was electric. Patty Olejnik put it simply and perfectly: "Mariana first needs a stiff drink, and then she needs to address all three of these." The group prioritized the fire safety issue above all else, applying the common good and care ethics lenses. They weighed the sponsorship question through the virtue lens, asking what acceptance of a tainted sponsor would signal about the association's own standards. And they applied justice and fairness thinking to the staffing agency situation, noting that workers being shortchanged are stakeholders too, and they deserve what they are due.
Mark, a 25-year independent planner and former MPI chapter president, offered a takeaway that stopped the room: "She should take meticulous notes and keep a very, very detailed record of everything that goes on." Ann affirmed it, adding that Mariana's supervisor should be part of the conversation, not surprised by it, and that documentation protects both the planner and the organization.
What This Means for Us
The conversation did not stop with Ann's session. Our members had things to say, and I was not about to cut them off. We talked about the devaluation of the CMP, the squeeze independent planners are feeling from post-COVID contract terms, and the power of senior-level peer relationships when something goes wrong on-site. Linda Hoff put it in terms I will be thinking about for a while: "When something does go wrong, what's the first thing you do? You call that relationship that you have, and you solve the problem."
That is SPIN. That is what we are building here.
If you missed this one, watch for the next Regional MiniCon announcement. And if you were with us, thank you for showing up with your full selves, your questions, your candor, and yes, your haikus. You made the afternoon exactly what SPIN is supposed to be.
Ann brought it home with a case study she called Murphy's Law, and every planner in the room recognized themselves in it immediately. The scenario: a lead planner, Mariana, is days out from a 350-person annual conference when her title sponsor backs out. A replacement sponsor emerges, but carries the shadow of a federal investigation. Her staffing agency is quietly shortchanging workers. And she has just exceeded fire marshal capacity because the association is accepting last-minute registrations to cover the budget gap.
We broke into groups to work through it, and the conversation was electric. Patty Olejnik put it simply and perfectly: "Mariana first needs a stiff drink, and then she needs to address all three of these." The group prioritized the fire safety issue above all else, applying the common good and care ethics lenses. They weighed the sponsorship question through the virtue lens, asking what acceptance of a tainted sponsor would signal about the association's own standards. And they applied justice and fairness thinking to the staffing agency situation, noting that workers being shortchanged are stakeholders too, and they deserve what they are due.
Mark, a 25-year independent planner and former MPI chapter president, offered a takeaway that stopped the room: "She should take meticulous notes and keep a very, very detailed record of everything that goes on." Ann affirmed it, adding that Mariana's supervisor should be part of the conversation, not surprised by it, and that documentation protects both the planner and the organization.
What This Means for Us
The conversation did not stop with Ann's session. Our members had things to say, and I was not about to cut them off. We talked about the devaluation of the CMP, the squeeze independent planners are feeling from post-COVID contract terms, and the power of senior-level peer relationships when something goes wrong on-site. Linda Hoff put it in terms I will be thinking about for a while: "When something does go wrong, what's the first thing you do? You call that relationship that you have, and you solve the problem."
That is SPIN. That is what we are building here.
If you missed this one, watch for the next Regional MiniCon announcement. And if you were with us, thank you for showing up with your full selves, your questions, your candor, and yes, your haikus. You made the afternoon exactly what SPIN is supposed to be.
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The Blueberry Games
Before we got anywhere near ethical frameworks and case studies, moderator Monica Graves Garcia made sure we warmed up the right muscles first. Enter: The First Ever, First Annual, Officially Unofficial Regional miniCon SPIN Blueberry Games. (Yes, that is the full name. No, she could not repeat it twice the same way.) Three rounds. No prizes. Bragging rights only. Round one tested your blueberry trivia. Did you know Michigan, not Maine, produces the most blueberries in the U.S.? Or that a blueberry bush can produce fruit for 40-plus years? Our attendees had opinions, and most of them were wrong in the best possible way. Round two was Would You Rather, which revealed, among other things, that this community would absolutely tell you about the pie crust on your face during a networking conversation. Ride or dies, all of us. Round three invited everyone to identify which part of a blueberry pie they are: the crust, the filling, the sugar, the oven, or the spice. The answers were as revealing as any personality assessment we have ever taken, and considerably more delicious. The real point? A great event, like a great pie, only works when every part plays its role. Structure. Creativity. Energy. Pressure. And just enough spice to keep things interesting. Sound familiar? |
We Ended With Haiku (Obviously)
Because this is SPIN, and because it happened to be National Poetry Day, we closed the afternoon the only way that made sense: with haiku. Monica gave everyone sixty seconds. No overthinking. Just 5-7-5 and whatever was sitting at the top of your mind after two-plus hours of blueberry trivia, ethics frameworks, and the most relatable case study our profession has ever seen. The results did not disappoint. Attendee Patty Olejnik, a Chicago-based planner and newly crowned Blueberry Trivia runner-up, captured the whole afternoon in three lines: *Spin rocks blueberries* *Spin knows the importance of* *Ethics and snacking* Imperfect syllables and all, we could not have said it better ourselves. If you were there and wrote one, send it our way. We are collecting them for the SPIN community, and we want yours. Learned so much I have
Blueberry martinis call SPIN's future shines bright Carolynn Santos, SPIN Executive Director |
A huge THANK YOU to the Alila Napa Valley (quiet luxury - amazing), innoVia (Global production partner - saves $$), and Napa Valley Media (amazing local AV support, impeccable service) as our sponsors for SPIN Regional miniCon.
More to come on these amazing partners for SPIN Regional miniCon.
More to come on these amazing partners for SPIN Regional miniCon.
📢 SPIN Business Update - Big News for SPIN 📢
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SPIN has taken a HUGE step forward in our journey.
SPIN is now a 501.c.6. A non-profit Association in the hospitality industry. Have you ever considered serving on a Board of Directors? Have you ever thought about what it would look and feel like to help shape the future of a community you care deeply about? SPIN is now recruiting for its first-ever Board of Directors.
This is more than a seat at the table — it’s an opportunity to help guide the next chapter of SPIN, contribute to our strategic growth, and represent a community that is built by and for senior meeting and event planners.
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⬇️ Which is Why We Need Your Help. See Below. ⬇️
SPINners - Where in the World is SPIN?
Help Us Map What's Next.
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The Senior Planners Industry Network Association has moved into the next step of its journey.
And we want YOU to help us shape that evolution. With new leadership in place and a data initiative underway, we’re refreshing our member information to better understand where you are, what’s changed, and how we can serve you in more meaningful ways. SPIN has always been more than a network—it’s a trusted space for senior planners to share insights, ask for help, exchange ideas, and connect with peers who truly understand the work. We’re committed to keeping that strong—and making it even more relevant to you. Our Facebook "Members Only Group" has 1396 members. Please be one of those members to share your insight and your updates to help shape what’s next: Share your input here! Tell us where you are—so we can meet you there. Complete our survey and be entered into a drawing for one of our $10 Starbuck gift cards, and one lucky winner will receive a registration for SPINCon 2026. |
SPIN Events
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ASK ME ANYTHING Series
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SPIN Ask Me Anything: Chatting with An Industry Legend
In the meetings and events industry, leadership rarely happens under perfect conditions. We’re constantly navigating shifting priorities, tight timelines, stakeholder expectations, and decisions that come without a clear roadmap. And when uncertainty is part of the job, the question becomes: how do planners stay clear, grounded, and confident enough to guide others through it? |
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Join us for a SPIN Ask Me Anything | Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP-Fellow, CMM, DES Vice President of Global Sales and Industry Relations | Teneo Hospitality Group
There are people who have worked in hospitality sales, and then there are people who have worked in sales at MGM Resorts International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, AND Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Gary Murakami is the latter -- and he brings that breadth of experience to every conversation.
Today, Gary leads Global Sales and Industry Relations at Teneo Hospitality Group, where he represents a curated collection of more than 350 independent and branded hotels, resorts, and DMCs worldwide. His work spans the corporate, association, and intermediary/third-party segments, with a focus on building the kind of strategic client partnerships that actually hold up over time.
If his resume sounds like a credential salad, it is -- and every letter is earned. Gary holds the CMP (Events Industry Council), GTP and GLP (GBTA), CMM (MPI), and DES (PCMA). In 2022, he was recognized as part of the inaugural class of CMP-Fellows. He currently serves on the MPI Foundation as a Global Board of Trustee, chairs the CEMA Advisory Board, and is Past Board Chair for LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. On the chapter level, Gary founded and served as President of the SITE Northern CA Chapter, which grew to 200-plus members in its first few years and earned SITE's "Rising Star" award in 2025 and "Membership Excellence" in 2026.
This is your chance to get direct access to someone who sits on the sales side of the table and genuinely understands ours. Come ready with your questions on hotel negotiations, the current market for senior planners, or whatever is top of mind for you right now.
This session is open exclusively to SPIN members.
As always with SPIN conversations, this will be candid, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Come curious. Bring your questions.
There are people who have worked in hospitality sales, and then there are people who have worked in sales at MGM Resorts International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, AND Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Gary Murakami is the latter -- and he brings that breadth of experience to every conversation.
Today, Gary leads Global Sales and Industry Relations at Teneo Hospitality Group, where he represents a curated collection of more than 350 independent and branded hotels, resorts, and DMCs worldwide. His work spans the corporate, association, and intermediary/third-party segments, with a focus on building the kind of strategic client partnerships that actually hold up over time.
If his resume sounds like a credential salad, it is -- and every letter is earned. Gary holds the CMP (Events Industry Council), GTP and GLP (GBTA), CMM (MPI), and DES (PCMA). In 2022, he was recognized as part of the inaugural class of CMP-Fellows. He currently serves on the MPI Foundation as a Global Board of Trustee, chairs the CEMA Advisory Board, and is Past Board Chair for LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. On the chapter level, Gary founded and served as President of the SITE Northern CA Chapter, which grew to 200-plus members in its first few years and earned SITE's "Rising Star" award in 2025 and "Membership Excellence" in 2026.
This is your chance to get direct access to someone who sits on the sales side of the table and genuinely understands ours. Come ready with your questions on hotel negotiations, the current market for senior planners, or whatever is top of mind for you right now.
This session is open exclusively to SPIN members.
As always with SPIN conversations, this will be candid, thoughtful, and grounded in real experience. Come curious. Bring your questions.
Planner Anecdotes on Lessons Learned the Hard Way
🤦What I Wish I Knew Then...
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🤦What I Wish I Knew Then...
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Strategic Alliances Program
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We are excited to announce our first alliance is with Talkadot!
Find the Right Speaker Every Time Talkadot makes it easy to discover your perfect speaker match by using feedback from over 11,000 speakers and over a million data points. Our tool leverages our unique database and AI to match you to the perfect speaker for any topic, budget, or audience size, Talkadot helps you book with confidence. Best of all, there’s no cost or obligation, just smarter, data-driven matches. EARN A COMMISSION! SPIN receives a small commission for each speaker a SPIN member books through our link with Talkadot. YOU receive $100 commission that can be sent directly to you, your organization, or you can donate your referral fee back to SPIN. NOTE: TO GET YOUR REBATE, YOU MUST BOOK THROUGH SPIN's referral link!! Please reach out to Carolynn with any questions. Note: Please let us know when you book a speaker with Talkadot. We are recruiting senior-planners who have used the service for an upcoming white paper. Please let us know if you are interested. |
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Recommend Sponsors & Receive a Referral Fee!!!
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SPIN is actively doing outreach for our 2026 Annual SPIN Sponsors.
The sponsorship program has been completely revamped and includes many new and exciting opportunities for Sponsor to engage with the SPIN community. If you know a supplier company that would be a great partner for SPIN, please send contact information to Carolynn. If the Sponsor signs on the dotted line, the SPINner will receive a $100 referral bonus that goes right into your pocket (or your company's, or you can gift it back to SPIN). Winner-winner chicken dinner! Send contact details to [email protected]. |
May Flowers
SPIN SUPPORTERS
Strategic Alliance Partner
In-Kind Sponsors
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