📰Welcome to the SPIN June 2026 Newsletter📰
June News & Updates
📢 SPIN Business Update - Big News for SPIN 📢
Shape What's Next. Share Your Voice.
SPIN Insight Survey Request
📢 SPIN Business Update - Big News for SPIN 📢
Shape What's Next. Share Your Voice.
SPIN Insight Survey Request
Monthly Contents
SPIN Events and Programs
AMA, Gary Murakami, Teneo, June 18
Strategic Alliance Partners and Sponsors
Talkadot, Innovia, Wildly Different & Soulbare
Newsletter Guest Writers Wanted!
Share your Experience and Insight on anything
SPIN Events and Programs
AMA, Gary Murakami, Teneo, June 18
Strategic Alliance Partners and Sponsors
Talkadot, Innovia, Wildly Different & Soulbare
Newsletter Guest Writers Wanted!
Share your Experience and Insight on anything
📢 SPIN Business Update - Big News for SPIN 📢
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Recruitment for SPIN's inaugural Board of Directors has officially closed, and we are thrilled by the response from our membership.
The candidate pool reflects the strength and diversity of our community, representing a broad range of professional backgrounds, perspectives, leadership experiences, and years of involvement with SPIN. The depth of expertise and passion for serving the senior planner community has been both impressive and inspiring. Candidates are currently participating in the interview process, and following final selections, the inaugural Board of Directors will be announced on July 1, 2026. This marks an important milestone in SPIN's evolution as an organization. The Board will be formally installed at an upcoming SPIN event, where we will celebrate the leaders who will help guide the next chapter of our community's growth and impact. |
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Important Favor Needed From Our SPIN Community.
⬇️ See Below. ⬇️
SPINners - Where in the World is SPIN?
Help Us Map What's Next.
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We need YOU to help us shape our evolution. With new leadership about to be installed, we have a data initiative underway. We are 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 are committed to keeping that strong—and to making it even more relevant to our members. Our Facebook "Members Only Group" has 1393 members. Please be one of those members to share your insight and your updates to help shape what’s next. Tell us where you are—so we can meet you there. The team has a goal of 200 planners sharing information and ideas for the community. Our stretch goal is 250 planners. If we reach either of those goals, one planner will win a $100 donation to a local non-profit of their choice, in addition to the prizes listed below. Complete our survey and be entered into a drawing for one of our $10 Starbuck gift cards - five lucky winners, and one lucky winner will receive a registration for SPINCon 2026. Share your input here! |
SPIN Events
SPINCon Regional: Think Tank - Boston - In-person
Monday, June 15, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Eastern
Join Carolynn Santos, Executive Director, SPIN for an afternoon of connection, conversation and a little SPIN fun.
What is keeping you up at night? If you had a 'magic wand' what is the one thing you would fix?
Register here!
What is keeping you up at night? If you had a 'magic wand' what is the one thing you would fix?
Register here!
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ASK ME ANYTHING Session
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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
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.
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.
Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP-Fellow, CMM, DES
Vice President of Global Sales and Industry Relations | Teneo Hospitality Group
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.
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.
The Above and Beyond Foundation
ASK ME ANYTHING Session
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In 2017 Mary Jo founded The Above and Beyond Foundation, recruiting fellow industry professionals to embrace her vision of creating a charity that recognizes and rewards outstanding front line workers in the hospitality industry, Mary Jo was recognized by Northstar Meetings Group magazine as a Top 25 Influencer in the Hospitality Industry for her work in the foundation's Helping Hospitality program, providing one millions dollars in grants since inception.
Their mission is to recognize, reward, and support the “unsung heroes” of hospitality ... those exceptional front-line team members who go above and beyond to create memorable guest experiences every day. The impact of their Hero and Heart of Hospitality grants has truly been life-changing for many recipients, making each confidential “reveal” presentation especially meaningful for everyone. |
Mary Jo founded Masterplan, Inc. in 1991 and leads a team of professionals that have produced over 3000 bespoke meeting and event experiences globally for a roster of discerning corporate clientele. As a specialist in the luxury sector of the meeting and events industry, Mary Jo served on the Advisory Board of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (also a client of Masterplan’s) providing insight and expertise on luxury client needs and expectations.
Mary Jo serves on several industry boards, mentored numerous young professionals and won awards such as MPI-CAC Meeting Planner of the Year and Illinois Meetings and Events Hall of Fame Award. |
Strategic Alliances Program
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Need a speaker?
On a budget? Have a specific topic? Check-in with our Alliance Partner: 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. |
NOTE: READY TO BOOK? IF YOU BOOK THROUGH TALKADOT, PLEASE USE 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. |
New Sponsor Alert
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]. |
June - Summer Fun
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SPIN SUPPORTERS
Strategic Alliance Partner
In-Kind Sponsors
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Silver Partners
