Course Description:
The Meeting Professionals International Michigan Chapter presents Essential Elements of Meeting Planning.  This certificate course will provide a comprehensive educational experience for all meeting professionals ranging from the current meeting and event planning student to the senior planning executive. Designed by experienced industry professionals, this program will focus on the essential elements needed to plan and execute a successful meeting or event. From the first step of identifying the meeting’s objectives to the conclusion of post event activities, our meeting professionals will break down the basics and share real life experiences that will enhance the learning process.  The program's format is interactive, holding a high regard for the importance of networking with others in the meetings industry.  We are confident that all meeting professionals will find value in the Essential Elements of Meeting Planning course to further their overall planning knowledge.

Who Should Attend?

• New meeting professionals
• Meeting professionals desiring to broaden their knowledge of the different meeting planning functions
• Meeting professionals planning to achieve a certification or designation within the next 1-3 years
• Individuals interested in entering the meeting planning profession

Format
This course is open to members and non-members. The cost for registration is $175 and includes five three-hour sessions and MPI's Meetings and Conventions: A Planning Guide (a $59.95 value). This manual will be used as the course study text. This course provides 15 continuing education credit hours or 1.5 CEUs for participation in all five modules. Participants completing all five modules, will receive a certificate of completion for their achievement.  Successful completion of the course consists of attendance at all five of the sessions and completion of a post-session activity.

Course Modules
Essential Elements of Meeting Planning is divided into five modules:

Module 1: Program Development and Speakers
Module 2: Site Selection, Finance and Contracts
Module 3: Sponsorship, Marketing and Human Resources
Module 4: Risk Management and Logistics
Module 5: Technology, Tradeshows and Evaluation

To view a description of each module, click here.

Registration
Detroit area sessions begin September 24, 2010. For more information about program dates and registration, click here.

Lansing area sessions begin January 7, 2011. For more information about program dates and registration, click here.

Facilitators

Andrea Berry, CMP, has been active in the meeting and event planning industry for more than ten years. Berry is manager of events and hospitality services for Oakland Schools, one of 57 intermediate schools districts in Michigan providing regionalized services to K-12 school districts in Oakland County. Annually, Oakland Schools offers nearly 2,000 professional development opportunities held primarily in the 13,000 square foot conference center located at Oakland Schools’ main campus. Berry manages all activities taking place in the conference center, as well as the event management department. Prior to her employment with Oakland schools, Berry was a third party planner for a Michigan based travel agency, working primarily with automotive clients. She planned programs both domestically and internationally. She recently earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation.

JodieAnn Boyd Cady, CMP, joined the Michigan Association of REALTORS® as an events manager in 1999. She holds a bachelors degree in Communication Arts from Michigan State University (1995) and the Certified Meeting Professional designation (2005). As an active member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) she has served as the MPI Michigan Chapter (MMPI) President (2007-2008) and as a volunteer since joining the chapter in 2002. Jodie began teaching MMPI’s CMP Study Course in 2008. Jodie received the honor of the MMPI Planner of the Year in 2005 and the Rising Star award in 2003.  She has worked to educate MPI members in Michigan on the benefits of the APEX meeting toolbox and currently serves on MPI’s Community Membership Advisory Council.


Kim Corcoran, CMP, has worked in the meetings and events industry for thirteen years.  She is currently the general manager of the meetings division of VIKTOR Incentives & Meetings, and a destination management company, Destination Michigan, with offices in both Ann Arbor and Traverse City. She also started a state-wide marketing initiative with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation called “Meetings Michigan.”  Meetings Michigan bonds together CVBs, hotels and service providers throughout the state for the common cause of bringing more corporate meetings revenue to Michigan.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing/International Business, a master’s degree in Sports/Recreation Administration, and has earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation.  Kim is an honorary faculty member for Michigan State University (MSU) School of Hospitality Business and is a past president of the MPI Michigan Chapter.

Kelly Herbert, CMM, has planned meetings and events for over 14 years. Kelly earned a degree in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, which introduced her to the hospitality industry by interning as a hotel front desk agent. She was employed for 11 years as a meeting and trade show planner for Carhartt, Inc.  While working at Carhartt, she received her Certification in Meeting Management (CMM). Herbert’s extensive knowledge and employment experience includes working for an incentive planning company, a chamber of commerce, contract work for a variety of event companies and most recently as a corporate sales manager at a Marriott property. Herbert has been a member of MMPI since 1997 and has contributed to the chapter in many ways. She served on the Board of Directors as director of special events and fundraising and vice president of education from 2004-2006 and currently serves on the Henry Ford Community College Hospitality Advisory Board assisting in the development of event planning courses.

Julie Pingston, CMP, is the senior vice president for the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau.  She has been with the GLCVB for 16 years and works in conjunction with the Bureau’s President in overall organizational operations.  She also has direct oversight over convention services, sports services, membership and special events. Previously, she worked in Washington, D.C. for the United States Travel & Tourism Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce.  While there, she assisted in planning international conferences and board meetings as well as administering a disaster relief assistance grant program. Julie is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), MI Society of Association Executives (MSAE), Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), MI Travel Commission’s Committee on Communication and Collaboration, and the Tourism Industry Council of Michigan. Among many current volunteer activities, she serves as the continuing education Chair as well as on the Board of Directors for the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM).  Julie was ACOM’s member of the Year for 2004, MI Meetings and Events Magazine’s Hall of Fame Inductee/Supplier of the Year in 2008 and MSAE’s Diamond Award Winner in 2009.