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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

4Are you taking advantage?

5Think you know Denver?

6Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

7Disruptive Forces

11Journeys

13Spotlights

14Community Service Corner

15Welcome New Members

Belinda Keota, CMP, CEMMeeting & Tradeshow ManagerProduce Marketing AssociationGPPCMA President

In the previous newsletter, I asked “How do we better support each other in develop-ing/strengthening our community?” I’d like to recognize the achievements of our volun-teers who take an active part in developing our GPPCMA community.

Our membership committee, chaired by Sara McWilliams and Cheryl Gallagher, works behind the scenes to grow our membership and ensure a great experience. One of their initiatives that you might not be familiar with is to pair new members up with buddies, so they feel welcome at events. We currently have 306 professional members (56% be-ing planners) and 31 student members (from University of Delaware, Temple University, and Penn State University).

Our community services committee, lead by Myriame Dutes and Neil Schreiver, plans opportunities to help the community throughout the year. We recently raised $3,210 for the Ronald McDonald House in May, and donated business clothes to people who are struggling to make ends meet.

With the help of our sponsors, we’re able to give our members exposure to vendors, as well as provide better member experiences. Our sponsor-ship committee, led by Donna Young and Debi Maines, is always rocking and rolling! Thank you to our sponsor for the April program, Kalahari Resort and Conventions, as well as the sponsors for the June Phillies game, Visit Denver, San Francisco Travel, and Visit Seattle/Seattle Sheraton.

This quarter, our education committee, chaired by Heather Seasholtz and Brendan Morrissey, put together a very well attended panel on disrupters for Global Meetings Industry Day. In June, Erica Keagy, our Chapter Administrator, managed to get the sun to come out for the Phillies game after a month of rain! And soon we will spend a day adding fun to our events at the GPPCMA Chapter Retreat at Bally’s Atlantic City.

Our chapter awarded four emerging professionals in the industry associate member-ships to PCMA. The emerging professionals committee, chaired by Chris Keane, also held a brown bag lunch program on RFPs to BEOs at Temple University. They also planned an event for our student members at Harrah’s Atlantic City, which was unfortu-nately cancelled due to snow (in April!!).

Most of the work of our communications committee is behind the scenes. This commit-tee, chaired by Erica Keagy, is responsible for producing this wonderful newsletter, as well as sending emails to members and managing our GPPCMA social media (follow us on Facebook) and website. Thank you for keeping everyone in the know throughout the year!

I’m proud to be part of an organization that helps to develop the industry and com-munity! We each shape the industry every day through our membership to PCMA, whether you attend events, stay up on your industry knowledge through reading the communications or volunteer on one of the committees. Thank you!

“I’m proud to be part of an organization

that helps to develop the industry and

community! ”

This Issue Sponsored By:

Long Island CVB & Sports CommissionLos Angeles Tourism & Convention Board

Meet Puerto RicoPhiladelphia CVB

San Francisco TravelVisit Salt Lake

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The following members of necvbreps are proud to sponsor this issue of connections!

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Clorinda HollandDirector Convention Sales-NortheastVisit Salt LakeGPPCMA Treasurer

Many CVBs today have changed their names to Visit Salt Lake, Visit Baltimore, or Visit Nashville. Do you know why? It is because we are Destination Marketing Organizations and represent the entire destination. Our expertise is here to support whatever you need. So when was the last time you took advantage of our free services? The time for your initial contact is even before you send your RFP. It will simplify your process by narrow-ing down your choices of the suppliers that are the right fit for your convention. We continue to provide complimentary site inspections, restaurant recommen-dations, hotel and convention center negotiations and pre- and post-activities for your group, hang banners at the airports, flags at the center and decals in the stores/restaurants who are welcom-ing your group. The more information you give us to start, the better services we can provide you.

Many DMOs will work with you to provide incentives to bring your group to their destinations, especially during value seasons and when there are not many conventions booked as definite. These incentives can range based upon the size of your convention and what the economic impact of your group means to the city. So make sure the city knows what your total attendance figures are and provide history. We all know the con-tracted block doesn’t represent all the attendees. The smart cities are valuing your business based on the total number of attendees, not just what your room block contract states. Providing accurate food and beverage spend helps offset your convention center rental.

What’s new? Today the DMO wants to help you build attendance and will be your partner in more ways than ever. Find out if the DMO you are working with can build a free Microsite for you. Here is how it works: The custom Microsite will welcome your attendees with your logo, event dates, links and custom welcome message. A unique URL/web address will be created for your group. You supply

the logo, links and custom message. The DMO creates the custom site at no charge to you. The convention microsite gives your attendees quick access to the information they need about the desti-nation without promoting hotels outside of your block. It’s yours to keep for future conventions.

Take advantage of all that the DMO Social Media Department has to offer. The larger conventions understand how important it is to give everyone a voice, build excitement, and attendance. You want to engage exhibitors, industry lead-ers, bloggers, publications, vendors, etc. as far in advance as you can. It’s all opt in and no one gets bombarded with un-wanted information. After you invite your stakeholders, their content automatically flows to the hub. The DMO builds the tool incorporating all the major social media hubs. They will show you how to use it, and you choose who to invite.

Don’t forget all DMO’s also handle small-er meetings and welcome your RFP.

2016 GPPCMA Emerging

Professionals Scholarship Recipients

Are You Taking Advantage of All That the DMO/CVB Has to Offer?

The GPPCMA Emerging Professionals Scholarship supports prospective mem-bers who are in the early stages of their career. We recognize that there are new professionals who would make a strong and positive impact on our Chapter, but do not currently have their organization’s financial support to join due to their asso-ciate or junior level status. This scholarship covers one year of Associate Membership fees, as well as registration fees to some chapter events. Congratulations to the 2016 Emerging Professionals Scholarship Recipients!

Courtney HeplerSpecial Events & Communications CoordinatorASTM Annika HuffmanMeetings CoordinatorASTM Julie DiCarloMeetings and Exhibits CoordinatorAssociation and Meeting Solutions, A Wyanoke Group Company Stephanie MoyerMeeting CoordinatorSIAM

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This ever-evolving outdoor city has expe-rienced some big changes lately that will ensure an epic experience for your attend-ees who come here for a great meeting com-bined with Denver’s famed urban adventure.

Direct rail service from Denver Internation-al Airport (DEN) to Denver Union Station launched in April 2016. For just $9, the train

will whisk your attendees into the heart of downtown Denver in no time flat, where they will be within walking distance of chef-driven restaurants, museums, theaters and nearly 10,000 hotel rooms. DEN was recently ranked the top U.S. airport by Skytrax (http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards/airport_award_win-ners_2016.html) and offers more than 1,400 daily flights to nearly 180 destinations worldwide.

Recent hotel openings include the 519-room Westin Denver International Airport Hotel and 361-room dual-branded Hyatt Place Denver/Downtown and Hyatt House Den-ver/Downtown. A 200-room Kimpton hotel is currently being built next to Union Station, and the 495-room Le Méridien Denver and AC Hotel Denver will open in 2017.

Denver is also rapidly growing to meet the needs of larger meetings and conventions. The Colorado Convention Center is set to undergo a major expansion, including the development of 80,000 square feet of new flexible meeting space and an outdoor terrace the size of a football field with unob-structed views of the Rocky Mountains.

More spectacular views can be found on the rooftop patios of Denver’s award-winning restaurants. The newest addition, Avanti Food & Beverage, is a collective eatery home to seven unique restaurant concepts. Inspired by European food markets, Avanti offers everything from Venezuelan arepas to Japanese fusion, all against a breathtaking skyline backdrop. Historic Larimer Square also boasts a wide variety of local culinary gems, including Rioja and TAG.

Other local favorites include Linger, housed in a former mortuary; Root Down, located in a restored car garage; and Little Man Ice Cream, a 28-foot-tall cream can serving imaginative ice cream creations.

For more information, please contact Gysela Fillingham, east region citywide sales manager, at gfillingham@visitdenver.com or Amanda Rodriguez, east region sales manager, at arodriguez@visitdenver.com. VISITDENVER.com/conventions

Think you know Denver?Think again!

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In today’s world, everyone is focused on the bottom line, especially when it comes to business. At Kalahari Resorts and Conven-tions, we present solutions to the unique set of challenges the meetings and conventions industry faces each day.

For those that host their event at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, negative attrition is a thing of the past. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has a proven ability to consis-tently increase meeting attendance by more than 20 percent, with an average block pickup of 108 percent, leading to higher satisfaction, at an unbelievable value.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has provided unparalleled hospitality in a vaca-tion-style setting for more than a decade. We have a passion for delivering a beyond expectations experience and our unique all-under-one-roof offerings allow guests to maximize their time on-site.

More simply put, your meeting is our meetingOur expertise and in-depth knowledge of what it takes to host the perfect event has resulted in more than 22,000 groups select-

ing Kalahari Resorts and Conventions as their venue of choice (resulting in more than 1.4 million group rooms) since opening.

The appeal of mixing work and play is only increasing. We’ve found that when a meet-ing is held at Kalahari Resorts and Conven-tions, it transforms from an obligation one family member has to attend to one the entire family gets to attend. With top-notch meeting space, delicious dining options, award-winning indoor/outdoor attractions, retail shopping, Spa Kalahari and more there is something for each member of the family.

Pocono Mountains, PA Ideally located for the tri-state area just 1.75 hours from New York and two hours from Philadelphia, is the newest Kalahari Re-sorts and Conventions. The resort features Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ signature authentic African design and will be com-pleted in three phases.

Phase one includes 457 guest rooms and suites, over 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, with 15 separate function rooms featuring the latest in technology and business amenities. The resort offers

a wide range of recreational and enter-tainment activities, providing business guests and their families with a truly unique experience.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ unique differentiator is that the resorts are inspired by the culture, the art and the natural beauty of Africa; this is evident the moment you step foot into our resort and conven-tion center. In November 2014, the Nelson family and team returned to Africa to once again be inspired. Traveling 24,752 miles, in six countries over 23 days, their journey and inspiration of art, culture and beauty is shared with you and your guests now and every time you visit Kalahari Resorts and Conventions.

For more information or to inquire about holding an event at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, please call 855-411-4605 or visit KalahariMeetings.com.

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Brendan MorrisseyAssociate Director of SalesHilton Inn at PennGPPCMA Past PresidentGPPCMA Program Committee Co-Chair

On Thursday April 14, 2016 our industry celebrated “Global Meetings Industry Day.” GPPCMA contributed to this unique day by holding our April Chapter Meeting where we invited a few friends and held a panel discussion based around some of the “disruptors” that we are currently facing in our industry. Today’s space is filled with many new factors from mergers to global pandemics that are re-shaping the meeting world. Jack Ferguson helped lead our industry panel through a conversation that tried to touch on some of the pressing issues that we now face. Special thanks to our panelists:

Thomas Hutchinson, Director of Produc-tions Services, SMG/PACC

Anne Madden, CMP, HMCC, Operations Manager, Maritz Travel Company

Bob O’Connell, Senior Sales Manager, GES

Julie Romanetti, Director, Housing Services, Showcare Event Solutions

Paul Wong, Associate Director, Annual Meeting & Design, DIA

We very much appreciate them takingtime out of their busy schedules to share their expertise and add valued insight tothe conversation, which helped shed light

on some of today’s new challenges.

Paul was able to share with us that indus-try knowledge is no longer exclusive to a specific organization. It is almost every-where today, easily accessible and practi-cally free. Today, organizations are faced with the challenge of developing content that is not only relevant but will also provide a stimulus for their attendees to interact with each other and enhance networking opportunities throughout the entire meeting.

Julie was able to provide us with some valuable insight into the housing envi-ronment. She dismissed the notion that Airbnb is crippling hotel room block integrity, noting that the impact on group blocks was minimal. Instead she shed light on the real challenge today, which are aggressive tour operators circumvent-ing official room blocks by contracting with hotels directly. This ultimately leaves the association or organization with the potential of additional costs, diminished revenues of unsold rooms, and their at-tendees exposed to fraudulent operators.

As the conversation moved toward facili-ties and venues, Anne helped to provide clarity to some of the challenges they are now facing in sourcing meetings. The combination of a stronger demand, a limited increase in supply, and a shift to-wards shorter meetings with undesirable patterns are forcing sourcing managers to divert their time and efforts into re-edu-cating their clients on this current industry trend. This is very challenging but so vital in order to find the right venue for their client’s meetings. In order to be success-ful in today’s environment they must find the right balance between their client’s wants and the hotel’s business needs.

The overall meeting experience from

content to the actual meeting environ-ment was a central theme throughout the conversation. Bob mentioned that today planners are faced with the challenge to create a more engaging experience while having to take on more responsibility in order to be successful. They are trying to achieve these lofty goals while being forced to manage a shift in show revenue as the exhibitor floor continues to reduce in size. As this meeting evolution contin-ues, Tom sees another need to furthereducate planners as the trend becomes smaller meetings moving from hotels toconvention centers. They must now focus their attention on explaining the complexities of working within a conven-tion center, educating the center on the process and helping to navigate through the contracting process.

It became very evident that we were only scratching the surface of this complex subject. One member of the audience asked, “What do you foresee as the next major disruptor?” We learned that the answer is simply “we just don’t know.” There are new factors just now starting to bubble to the surface and what their im-pact will be is just not that clear. The only thing we do know is that sooner or later we will all be talking about what they are and how we are dealing with them.

Finally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our event sponsor, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. Thank you to our hosts, the Independence Seaport Museum and Brulee Catering, for providing a great setting and menu for this meeting. Thanks to PSAV, the Hilton Penn’s Landing, and Phlash for supporting this meeting, too.

EventsSummaries

Disruptive Forces in the Hospitality Industry

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EventsSummaries

Thank you to those of you who came out to the Phillies event on June 2. We had great networking and amazing weather. Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support!

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Gysela S. Fillingham, CMP Citywide Sales Manager, East RegionVisit Denver

My journey to the hospitality and convention busi-ness started when I was young. I was born in Colorado, but when I was nine-years-old, my parents decided to return to their British roots. They found the cheapest way to move a whole family “across the pond” was to book a cross-ing on the QE2. Seven days on a luxury cruise ship was enough to really give me the “hotel bug.”

Life in a new country where their con-cept of speaking and spelling English, and of going to school, was so different

from ours was a real challenge, at best. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. LOL.

A steady progression to where I am now started when, at age fourteen, I began working at a small inn as the weekend room attendant (I made a lot of beds!) in Canterbury. My college studies in Hospi-tality Management, with an emphasis in Culinary Arts, led me to a job in London with the Crest Hotels. I then decided to try coming “home” for a while. I was ac-cepted as intern chef at The Century Pla-za in Los Angeles. There I was first able to work with ingredients like real truffles and caviar. I eventually became a sous chef at the Garden Pavilions Restaurant. Our team cooked for President Reagan and his wife, as well as a lot of Hollywood celebrities. I even had an interview to be Stephen Spielberg’s personal chef (That’s another fun story for another time).

All that back-of-the house experience gave me a firm foundation for moving with my husband, to Denver, and to the front-of-the-house at the Westin Denver Downtown. There I was a restaurant, room service manager and convention services manager. I learned a lot, met some co-workers that I count among my good friends and was encouraged by them to take another step on my journey. I now work as a Citywide Sales Manager East Region with Visit Denver. I love my job, I love our customer’s and the hos-pitality community with whom I work, and I love enjoying my great city with my delightful ten-year-old daughter and my cantankerous husband of 27 years.

I don’t know where this journey will take me next, but it’s been a good trip and I am enjoying where I am now.

How did I get here?

Sponsor a planner and have lunch, breakfast or cocktails at a Philadelphia PCMA event. It’s a great way to get to know you’re client better, especially if they have not attended a program before.  There are many planners whose companies do not pay for their attendance especially to our social events.  The next time you are coming to a Philadelphia Chapter event, invite a planner to be your guest. What a great way to show your appreciation and solidify your relationship.

Clorinda HollandDirector Convention Sales-NortheastVisit Salt LakeGPPCMA Treasurer

ATTENTION SUPPLIERS:

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T H E 2 0 1 6 G P P C M A B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S A N D C O M M I T T E E C H A I R S

NOMINATING Theresa Barrett, PhD, CMP, CAENJ Academy of Family Physicians

PROGRAM Brendan MorrisseyHilton Inn at Penn

Heather Seasholtz, CMPTalley Management Group

SPONSORSHIPDebi Maines, CMP-HCA. Fassano & Company

Donna Young, CMPAmerican College of Physicians

PRESIDENTBelinda Keota, CMP, CEMProduce Marketing Association

PRESIDENT ELECT Robin Geary, CMP Association Headquarters

SECRETARYPat Kraft HilplPhiladelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau

TREASURERClorinda HollandSalt Lake CVB

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTTheresa Barrett, PhD, CMP, CAENJ Academy of Family Physicians

BOARD OF DIRECTORS(1 YEAR REMAINING)Warren AbrahamPSAV

Allen AndersonSales and Leadership Consultant

Diane RehielASTM International

COMMUNITY SERVICESMyriame Dutes Fernley & Fernley

Neil R. SchrieverStarwood Hotels & ResortsEMERGING LEADERS Chris Keane, CMPOmni Hotels & ResortsSamantha RegoschSociety of Hospital Medicine

MEMBERSHIPCheryl Gallagher, CMPTalley Management Group

Sara McWilliamsHelmsBriscoe

BOARD OF DIRECTORS(2 YEAR TERM)Shelby AsenSIAM

Sharon GoodspeedCaesars Entertainment National Meetings & Events

Greg KamprathIMS Technology Services

GPPCMA COMMITTEE CHAIRSCOMMUNICATIONS Erica A. KeagyGPPCMA

One of our most popular events of the year, the GPPCMA Retreat will be held July 18-19, 2016 at Bally’s in Atlantic City, NJ. This event will kick off on July 18th with a community service activity and then a welcome reception. On July 19th, join us for education and networking with industry col-leagues from 8:30am to 3:30pm.

Hotel Information For those GPPCMA members who wish to stay overnight, Bally’s Atlantic City will extend discount-ed room accommodations.

Planners – The hotel is offering a limited number of complimentary guest rooms for planner mem-bers. Please call 1-888-516-2215 (8:00am-2:00am EST seven days a week) and mention the group code, SB07PC6 and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA. At the time of making your reserva-tions, planners will be quoted an $89.00 group rate, and credit card information will be required. One week prior to the Retreat, the first 21 rooms booked and verified as GPPCMA planner members will be adjusted to a complimentary

status. One complimentary room per planner is offered.

Suppliers – The hotel is offering a discounted rate of $89.00 plus tax and fee for suppliers. Please call 1-888-516-2215 (8:00am-2:00am EST seven days a week) and men-tion the group code, SB07PC6 and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA.

A daily resort fee of $20.00 per room per night plus room tax of 14% (tax is subject to change), will be charged in addition to

the room rates. This includes unlimited local phone calls, a $5.00 voucher towards self-park-ing, and basic Wi-Fi to include two devices per room per day. The room reservation cut-off date is Wednesday, July 13. Book your rooms soon, since they always sell out!

Registration for the GPPCMA Retreat at https://www.regonline.com/Retreat16. This event is open exclusively to members of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA.

Chapter Retreat July 18-19, 2016

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SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT PLANNER SPOTLIGHT

David M. Jackson, CMPVice President of SalesPocono Mountains Conven-tion & Visitors Bureau

While I have known David Jack-son for many years, I recently had the pleasure of speaking with him for this article and learned a few new things about David. David was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Newtown. He lived in Penn-sylvania his entire life, except during college at Virginia’s

Hampton University, earning a BS in Marketing. David started in the hospitality business as a busboy working to pay for college. He then became a waiter, shift supervisor, and eventually restaurant manager.

After college, he moved back to Pennsylvania and worked in restau-rants for many years, eventually joining Aramark. He was part of the opening Aramark team at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 1993, hiring staff and getting things up and running. After 2 years, he went back into restaurant management, but realized the long hours took him away from his family.

David was offered a job as corporate sales manager at the Bucks County CVB, where he worked for 10 years. He then moved to the Pocono Mountains CVB, where he has been for 9 years and is currently the VP of Sales. David said the best thing about his job is getting to work with so many people from various locations and organizations; his great team at the CVB, and leaders in the Pocono mountain area. His goal is to make sure the next generation of Pocono mountain residents has work in the hospitality business.

David lives in Doylestown, working from home when not traveling to promote the CVB. He is married and has 2 children. Naomi is 20 and starts her junior year at Delaware Valley University in the fall. Joshua is almost 14 and starts high school in the fall at Central Bucks West.

When he is not working, David is busy with his family and church ac-tivities. He is an ordained Baptist minister and pastor at the Mt. Gilead Community Church. The church dates back to 1822 and has historical significance as a station on the Underground Railroad. David is a fan of all Philadelphia sports, with football being #1. One of his favorite childhood memories is attending his first Phillies game. He won the 6th grade spelling bee and won a trip to a Phillies game.

He enjoys gospel music and R&B, and despite being in the restaurant business for so many years, said when it comes to food he is a “meat and potatoes” guy. And last, I asked if he had a favorite movie. With-out hesitation, he said the Wizard of Oz. Something David and I have in common because it’s my favorite too!

By Karen Lennert, CASESenior Account ExecutivePSAV, Premier Global Events

Nikki Shubra Event and Education CoordinatorProduce Marketing Association

I had the pleasure to interview Nikki Shubra from Produce Marketing Association. Nikki has been with PMA for a year and a half. She is the Event and Educa-tion Coordinator, which pretty much means her daily work life can include any number of proj-ects. She works with sponsors, speakers and plans receptions within their larger programs. An

example would be their “Fresh Summit,” Nikki is in charge of the infor-mation booth, the mobile app and running the retail tours.

In case you didn’t know, PMA is a trade organization representing companies from every segment of the global fresh produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales/consumption.

Nikki is very happy with her role at PMA, which keeps expanding and keeping her daily life busy. She looks forward to developing new skills and advancing within the industry.

She grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and has one older sister, one older brother and a twin sister. Yes, Nikki is the baby by 6 minutes! She graduated from Dickinson High School, went to University of Delaware and then onto Delaware Tech where she graduated with a degree in event management.

Nikki loves to travel and her favorite vacation was on her 21st birthday. She and her family went to Key West (which is one of her favorite places to go). She also tries to tie in vacation time around meetings that PMA hosts. This year she will be exploring the city of San Francisco for the first time.

Nikki is a homeowner and is presently living in Newark, Delaware with her American Eskimo dog named Aspen. When researching dogs on line and what breed would be best, she discovered that the American Eskimo fit her life style. Both she and her Mom drove 17 hours to pick up her new addition and found out that even puppies can get car sick.

Everyone has a bucket list and Nikki has crossed off a few from her list already. She has been sky diving twice and the most interesting thing on her list is to Blow Hole Dive!

Thanks so much Nikki for sharing a little bit about yourself. We look for-ward to your participation in the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA. See you at an event soon.

By Sharon GoodspeedNational Sales Manager Caesars Entertainment National Meetings & EventsGPPCMA Board Member

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COMMUNITY SERVICE CORNER

Myriame DutesMeeting CoordinatorFernley & FernleyGPPCMA Community Service Committee Co-Chair

The Community Service committee has been active in bringing awareness to many of the great organizations that are located right outside our backdoor. One of these organizations is Our Closet, which the committee selected to partner with at this past April’s Chapter Meeting & Reception. Kim Cadwell, Senior Sales Executive of Orlando World Center Marriott, gives more insight into this organization and how your donations at the chapter meeting made an impact. Another organization that the committee was excited to support again this year is the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House at their 8th Annual Plane Pull. LaShanna Mackay, CMP, Meetings and Exhibits Associate with the AACR, gives a recap of her experience participating in the fun-filled event.

8th Annual Plane PullLaShanna Mackey, CMP Meetings & Events Associate American Association for Cancer Research

On Saturday, May 14, 2016, GPPCMA participated in the 8th Annual Plane Pull in support of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (PRMH). The PRMH supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope. Their programs include two Ron-ald McDonald Houses, two Ronald Mc-Donald Family Rooms at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a Hospitality Kiosk at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, and a Ronald McDonald Camp.

The plane pull event gives organizations from across the area the chance to see if they can, in fact, pull an airplane in the fastest time. We weren’t the fastest group, coming in at 15.62 seconds; how-ever, the GPPCMA Meeting Mavericks did raise an impressive $3,185! The proceeds will help support the families whose chil-dren are receiving medical care at local Philly hospitals.

It was definitely a fun, unique, team building activity that I would encour-age all of my friends, family, and peers to experience. I already can’t wait until next year. I mean, come on…how many people can actually say they pulled a plane? I can!

Our Closet Kim CadwellSenior Sales Executive Orlando World Center Marriott

Our Closet recognizes that many vulner-able community members are struggling to make ends meet. By providing free, quality clothing to community members in need, Our Closet hopes to meet a basic need for our customers so they can better focus on handling other stressors in their lives. Through strategic partnerships with like-minded agencies, they hope to create a powerful network to provide their custom-ers with the wraparound supports they need.

Every week, Our Closet sets up a pop-up

clothing store that simulates a true shop-ping experience with tables, hanging racks, mirrors and a checkout counter. The store is volunteer-run, and individuals throughout the Greater Philadelphia region have gen-erously donated the clothing they provide. There is no eligibility and customers are en-titled to select up to 5 items free of charge. The store currently operates in partnership with community-based organizations throughout Philadelphia.

With the help of our PCMA chapter, Our Closet was able to secure enough donations to ‘fund’ one entire pop-up store! We look forward to many more collaborations with Our Closet so that we can continue to part-ner and ‘clothe’ men, women & children in Philadelphia’s underserved communities.

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WISCONSIN DELLS, WISANDUSKY, OH

POCONO MOUNTAINS, PA

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Call 855-411-4605 to learn more

The spirit of Africa is brought to life in expansive, flexible meeting spaces and ample breakout rooms that can accommodate parties of every size. Complemented by premium catering, state-of-the-art technology, diverse resort offerings and a dedicated team with over 400 years of combined experience, your beyond-expectations convention will be like nothing else out there.

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Lori Ann BlochStudent

Northampton Community College

Michelle Brown Volunteer Programs SpecialistProject Management Institute

Donna DeClementiDirector of Sales and Marketing

Hunt Valley Inn

Erin GilbertMeeting Manager

Association Headquarters, Inc.

Stephen Love, Jr.Event Planning Consultant

Hartford Funds

Bharet MalhotraVice President of Sales

Cvent

Richard McCaddenSales Manager

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

Brooke MorrisStudent

Temple University

Julia O’Brien, CTAConvention Sales Director, Eastern Region

Visit Anaheim

Jennifer Schlag-DonawaySenior Sales Manager

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa

Edward Vigliano, Jr.Director of Northeast Association Sales

Sheraton NY Times Square Hotel

Eboni WallVP, Events & Education

Produce Marketing Association

Alice WestStudent

Temple University

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!through 5/16/16

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GPPCMA NEEDS YOU – VOLUNTEER TODAY!Communications CommitteeChair: Erica Keagy (gppcma@comcast.net)The Communications Committee is responsible for ensuring chapter news, activities, and important event information is communicated to members on a timely basis.

Some of the things we do: Design and deliver a quarterly newsletter devoted to content relevant to the profession and GPPCMA; Develop chapter specific communications when necessary for the good of the organization; Plan and execute a social media strategy

What can you do? Volunteer to write for the newsletter, help with proofing and ed-iting content, join the social media team and keep our Facebook and Twitter accounts active.

Community Service CommitteeChairs: Myriame Dutes (mdutes@fernley.com) and Neil Schriever (neil.schriever@starwoodhotels.com)The Community Service Committee exists to build the connection between the Chapter, its members, and the local community, through participation in service activities, donation drives, and fundraising efforts for Greater Philadelphia based charities, non-profits, and community outreach organizations. Some of the things we do: Design Community Service Activi-ties; organize and promote charitable donation drives; promote member wellness by educating our members about community and public health issues that affect us all and provide members information and tools they can use to address these issues.

What can you do?Brainstorm ideas for CS activities; Research and suggest orga-nizations to partner with; Participate in CS activities, and arrive early to assist in facilitation; Attend functions as representative of the committee; Act as a “cheerleader” to boost participation in CS Activities

Education Committee Brendan Morrissey (brendan.morrissey@hilton.com) and Heather Seasholtz (hseasholtz@talley.com)The Education Committee is responsible for planning and exe-cuting high-quality networking, social and educational events that create opportunities for the local industry partners and promote professional development.

Some of the things we do: Develop themes for chapter events; secure presenters; create and promote educational activities

What can you do?Brainstorm ideas for educational events; help find presenters; help find venues

Emerging Professionals CommitteeChairs: Chris Keane (christopher.keane@omnihotels.com) and Samantha Regosch (sregosch@hospitalmedicine.org)The Emerging Professionals Committee of the GPPCMA exists to provide education and networking opportunities to students and professionals who have been in the industry for less than 10 years. Some of the things we do: Create inexpensive networking opportunities for new/emerging professionals; Provide small education opportunities for students and emerging profession-als; Visit student chapters What can you do?Help organize happy hours by contacting potential host loca-tions; Promote the committee to new professionals; Speak at student functions

Finance CommitteeChairs: Clorinda Holland (cholland@visitsaltlake.com) The Finance Committee establishes monetary objectives and limitations for the financial operation of the organization and monitors all accounts

Some of the things we do: If there is money involved we are involved

What can you do?Serve as member-at-large on the committee

Membership CommitteeChairs: Cheryl Gallagher (cgallagher@TALLEY.com) andSara McWilliams (smcwilliams@helmsbriscoe.com)The GPPCMA Membership Committee facilitates continued growth of the chapter and ensures that members have an ex-cellent experience so that they achieve maximum benefit from their membership.

Some of the things we do: Foster a welcoming environment for all attendees at GPPCMA events; Recruit and retain members

What can you do? Become a GPPCMA Ambassador; Mentor prospective new members; Send welcome letters, birthday cards, and notes

Sponsorship CommitteeChairs: Donna Young (dyoung@acponline.org) and Debi Maines (debimaines63@gmail.com)The Sponsorship Committee solicits support dollars for all chap-ter meetings and events scheduled throughout the year, as well as for the quarterly newsletter.

Some of the things we do: Connect with potential sponsors; promote the organization to sponsors; Build relationships

What can you do?Help find new sponsors; Network with existing sponsors

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As of June 28, 2016Austin CVB

Bally’s Atlantic CityBrulee Catering

Caesars EntertainmentCitizens Bank Park

DoubleTree Philadelphia AirportField House Philly

Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s LandingIndependence Seaport Museum

Kalahari Resort & ConventionsLong Beach CVB

Lord Baltimore Hotel Meet AC

Philadelphia CVBPHL Life

Pinnacle Hotel Vancouver HarbourfrontPSAV

San Francisco TravelSignature Boston 3-2-1 Connect

Sheraton Seattle HotelStarwoods of Seattle

Top of the TowerTourism Australia 

Tourism VancouverTravel AlbertaVisit DenverVisit Seattle

THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 SPONSORS AND HOSTS!

For more information, contact one of our Sponsorship CommitteeCo-Chairs, Donna Young at dyoung@acp.org or

Debi Maines, debimaines63@gmail.com.

REACH OVER 300 INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS! ADVERTISE IN:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

2016 EVENTS

MONDAY/TUESDAY, JULY 18-19, 2016Chapter Retreat

Bally’s Atlantic CityJuly 18 - 3:00pm-4:30pm - Community Service Activity

July 18 – 6:00pm-8:00pm - Welcome Reception July 19 - 9:00am-4:15pm - Chapter Retreat

https://www.regonline.com/Retreat16

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016Education Day

Harrah’s Philadelphia8:00am-2:30pm

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016Emerging Leaders Student Education Event

The Chemical Heritage FoundationTime TBD

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 Chapter Fundraiser

The Field House Philly5:00pm-8:00pm

FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBERService In Sync Day

Date TBD

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016Holiday Party/Board and Officer Induction

Top of the Tower5:00pm-8:00pm

MEMBER NEWSFernley & Fernley, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Kate Ho to Director of Meetings and Conventions and Astrid Schrier to Senior Manager for Premier Meetings by Fernley. Kate has been a Meeting Manager with Fernley & Fernley for three years. Astrid has been a Meeting Manager with Fernley & Fernley for two years. Both will continue to work with various clients.

Kate Ho Astrid Schrier

Executive Editor & GPPCMA Chapter AdministratorErica A. Keagy

Senior EditorTheresa J. Barrett, PhD, CMP, CAE

EditorsBelinda Keota, CMP, CEM

Pat Kraft-HilplSally O’Shea, CEM

Kathy Smith, CMP, CHCP

Art Direction, Design & ProductionSimmer Creative

Contributing WritersSharon Goodspeed

Clorinda HollandBelinda Keota, CMP, CEM

Karen Lennert, CASEBrendan Morrissey

Connections Advertising610-220-1232

gppcma@comcast.netConnections is a quarterly publication of GPPCMA.

The views, opinions, and advertisements in this publication do not neces-sarily reflect the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, members, or

staff of the Greater Philadelphia PCMA unless otherwise stated.

Thank you to the volunteers who contributed articles to this issue of Connections. The deadline for articles and ads for the next issue is

Friday, August 12.© 2016 Greater Philadelphia Chapter Professional Convention Management Association

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