Happy Holidays - Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area ...

Happy Holidays 

From Our Family to Yours 

Merry Christmas 

Happy Chanukah 

Happy 

New Year 

Happy Kwanzaa 

www.mpicac.org

CONTENTS 

4 

A message from 

Joyce Paschall, 

CMP,CAE 

MPI-CAC Board 

President 

Celebrating 

16 

Holidays 

Around the Globe 

18 

Get Ready... 

Get Set….Go! 

Winter Projects 

Made Simple 

5 

News 

& Views 

co-chairs 

Kara Gifford and 

Beth Ciampi take a 

look at the holiday 

season 

17 

The History 

and Foods 

of Chanukah 

19 

A White Hot 

Holiday Celebration 

8 

Clicks 

of the Trade 

Alisa Peters features 

the clicks of the 

season 

10 

Chicago Chatter 

Sally Magallanes 

keeps you up to date 

on what’s happening 

with your colleagues 

12 

End of Year Tips 

Leveraging Your 

Job Related Tax 

Deductions 

14 

Committee Focus 

Meet Holiday 

Party Committee 

Co-Chairs, Erin Seal 

and Jacqui Ingram 

20 

Hot or Not? Check out 

what’s hot and what’s 

not in the meeting 

industry 

29 

Industry Calendar of 

important upcoming 

events 

An Evening at Chicago Botanical Gardens, photos courtesy of Jeff Brown, All Events Photography 

30 

Sponsorship Heroes 

highlights the people 

and organizations 

that support the 

MPI Chicago Area 

Chapter 

www.mpicac.org news & views | november-december 2007 

3

Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP 

The Center for 

Association Growth 

F 

From the President 

We Are Not the World 

For those of us fortunate enough to hear Matthew Kelly speak at our chapter’s meetings 

industry luncheon in September, we have many things to continue to contemplate 

and new tools in our arsenal for making choices that get us where we claim we 

want to be. 

Personally, I still need to work on the fast food drive-through tactic he suggested. 

For those who were not there, this simply consists of asking yourself if this choice will 

help you become the best version of yourself. Rarely will a burrito supreme match 

that lofty goal, but still I struggle. 

One portion of his presentation focused on this concept: “How do you see the world? 

It’s not like the street you live on.” He then recited statistics of what the world’s population 

would look like, represented by 100 people. I’m sure many of us have heard 

versions of this comparison before, but it always startles me. A portion is included in 

Matthew’s book, The Rhythm of Life, and I found the statistics below on the Web site 

100people.org. There are slight differences within some of the numbers, but in any 

case this is incredibly thought-provoking and encourages a new perspective. 

If the world were 100 people: 

50 would be female; 50 would be male 

20 would be children; 80 would be adults 

61 Asians, 12 Europeans, 13 Africans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere 

31 are Christians, 53 follow another religion, 16 are not aligned with any religion 

1 would have a college education, 1 would own a computer, 18 would not be able 

to read and write, 8 would speak English 

25 would not have some supply of food and shelter from wind and rain, 17 would 

not have access to safe drinking water 

1 would be dying of starvation, 17 would be undernourished, 15 would be 

overweight 

Source: http://www.100people.org/statistics_100stats.php 

As we look toward a holiday season that, for many of us revolves around the Christian 

observance of Christmas, it’s a good time to reflect on our world view and realize 

that we limit our understanding of humanity by the ease with which we fall into a 

pattern of believing that the world is just like us. It is not, and now that we know, we 

must honor that knowledge. 

So, enjoy your own holiday activities in whatever way you choose (attending our holiday 

party on December 10 is a great start), while appreciating that there are more than 

six-and-a-half billion others who have a different life experience on this planet. If in 

some small way you can help just one, you are a better version of yourself already! 

4 news & views | november-december 2007 www.mpicac.org

FFrom the Committee Co-Chairs 

Happy Holiday Season 

For me, the fall & winter holidays are both the best of times and the most stressful of 

times. Whether it is the age-old dilemma of which side of the family to visit or finding 

that perfect, thoughtful gift for someone I love, it seems the commitments and 

responsibilities can be endless! Let’s break-away from all those obligations for a few 

minutes and learn about the true meaning of the global holidays that are celebrated 

during this time in Sally Magallanes and Jane Mundell’s Your Global Holiday Season. 

Sally and Jane had the difficult time of picking just a few cultures to focus on, 

but their article will tell you how Boxing Day (Canadian) got its name and where the 

poinsettia came from. 

Kara Gifford 

The Field Museum 

You’ll also be able to find all types of experiences Chicago has to offer in Beth Ciampi’s 

Fun Around Town. Make time to attend one of these memorable options 

with your family and friends like The Turkey Trot 2007 or Caroling at Cloud Gate to 

relieve some of the stress in your life! 

Want to be productive during your vacation time? Check in with Ted Miller’s Winter 

Decorations, Prep Work and Projects Made Easy for those of you who like to 

keep busy with home projects that can save you money by keeping the cold winter 

air out of your house! 

Of course, no end-of-the-year issue could be complete without a little reminder on 

the upcoming income tax season! Sally Magallanes offers tips of what not to forget 

when you sit down and start itemizing those receipts. If you moved within the last 

year or have been searching for a job, don’t miss Sally’s Job-Related Tax Deductions. 

Whatever holiday(s) you celebrate, I hope you are able to enjoy some precious time 

with friends and family and create some wonderful memories that are sure to be 

passed down to future generations. 

Beth Ciampi 

Society of Permanent 

Cosmetic Professionals 

From all of us on your News & Views team, we wish you a happy and successful 

2008! 


5

Saluting our Newest CMP’s 

Congratulations to the July 2007 CMP class, and to 

the June 2007 MPI-CAC CMP study group participants. 

This summer’s group upheld the outstanding 

pass rate for attendees of the twice-yearly intensive 

review weekend. After learning of the June group’s 

exam results, CMP Study Group co-chair Dave Irvin 

commented, “It is a nice feeling to be a part of a program 

that has been so successful. Being a co-chair 

with Will Renken all these years, I feel very honored 

to have been a part of helping others obtain their 

CMP certification.” 

“I am glad I took the study course because it gives 

you a good overview of what to study and a better 

handle going into it, along with more confidence,” 

said Trudy Baratakovics, Meeting Manager at the 

Des Plaines-based Society of Critical Care Medicine. 

“I have also made new friends in the industry 

– which is invaluable.” 

If you are planning to sit for the February 2, 2008 

CMP exam, then register today to join the next CMP 

Study Group, held November 30-December 2nd. The 

three day comprehensive session reviews all topic 

areas covered in the CMP Blueprint 

and provides attendees with invaluable 

test-taking and study tips from 

peers. Complete registration details 

can be found on the chapter 

website. 

Congratulations to the following new 

CMPs in our chapter and in Illinois: 

By 

Melissa M. 

Lipton 

Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa 

Jenny DiBenedetto, CMP, Masterplan, Inc. 

Leslye Eichinger, CMP, BCD Meetings & Incentives 

Erik Hallberg, CMP, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort 

Rebecca Hart, CMP, Aramark 

Amy Hawkins, CMP, Minding Your Business, Inc. 

Kari Hennigan, CMP, Minding Your Business, Inc. 

Kyle Hillman, CMP, NASW-IL 

Melissa Lipton, CMP, Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa 

Rachel Massey, CMP, InterContinental Chicago 

Teresa Matamoros, CMP, Mexico Tourism Board 

Kathleen O’Leary, CMP, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza 

Rebecca Olson, CMP, National PTA 

Jennifer Orzech, CMP, Hewitt Associates 

Joan Schutt, CMP, Rest Haven Christian Services 

Michael Smolinski, CMP 

Deanne Starr, CMP, Minding Your Business, Inc. 

Susan Thibodeaux, CMP, Masterplan, Inc. 

Julie Vago, CMP, InterContinental Chicago 

Michael Willson, CMP 

 

 

 

Natalie Anderson, CMP, American 

Bar Association 

Andrea Barnes, CMP, Marriott 

Trudy Baratakovics, CMP, Society of 

Critical Care Medicine 

Sherry Benzmiller, CMP, Energy 

Center of Wisconsin 

Mark Calderone, CMP, University 

Center 

Sarah Corradino, CMP, Professional 

Convention Management Association 

Bernadette Daily, CMP, American 

Express Corporate Meeting Solutions 

at Zurich North America 

Flavia da Silvia Lamoglia, Courtyard 

Chicago Downtown 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

® 

 

East Peoria Property - Hotel Identification & Convention Center 

100 Street Conference Address, Center City, Drive, State East 12345-6789 Peoria, IL 61611 

123-456-7890 

309-694-0200 

fax: 309-694-0201 

embassysuiteseastpeoria.com 

47621004 ESEP News & Views.indd 1 10/1/07 4:59:07 PM 


Business and pleasure 

have agreed to a temporary merger. 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s to great meetings. Here’s to a free reception afterwards. 

 

Just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago and O’Hare International Airport. 

Book your 2008 meeting with us and we’ll help you celebrate your event, one hour complimentary 

cocktail and beverage reception for your group. Space limited, call your sales manager for details. 

Burr Ridge... 

Somewhere between downtown Chicago’s congested 

thoroughfares and the suburban neighborhoods is the ideal 

place to gather around for your next business meeting. 

It’s called the Village of Burr Ridge. Enjoy the wide-open 

spaces, a cozy community and plenty of restaurants 

and shopping, too. Meeting planners…you’ve hit the mark! 

Located just off I-55 at County Line Road 

(½ mile south of I-294). 5 miles south of Oak Brook, 

11 miles from Midway and O’Hare Airports, just 18 miles 

southwest of downtown Chicago. 

Call our member hotels below or visit 

BurrRidgeHotels.com 

W e l c o m e t o 

The Great Southwest of Chicago 

Also Known as Bull’s Eye! 

630-323-6630 630-986-4100 630-325-2900 

630-323-7530 

4717_BURR_AdRep7.25x4.75.indd 1 

9/13/07 11:11:17 AM

A Holiday Season Full of Fun 

By Alisa 

Peters, CMP 

Chicago Indoor Racing 

Oh, my favorite Clicks of the Season… and how they limit me. Alas, I have to narrow down my selections to one tiny 

8.5 x 11” page. I have tried to provide ideas that could allow you to knock out many recipients with a smaller amount 

of “Clicks”… I have provided options for the philanthropist as well (even if your budget begins at $10). While I still 

love Tiffany, David Yurman and Nordstrom… these sites are a bit less predictable, and hopefully will help get you 

thinking about how many ways there are to give… and give back. 

DonorsChoose.org 

Want to give back to your local school as a gift to yourself this holiday season? Go to 

DonorsChoose.org and choose a classroom project to fund! You may give as little as 

$10 and see EXACTLY where your donation is going. Teachers submit proposals to 

DonorsChoose.org. You log on, pick a subject, and read proposals that interest you, giving 

to the ones that are nearest and dearest to your heart. You can also purchase gift 

certificates for DonorChoose.org and give them as gifts, letting your friends and family 

decide how they want to give back. www.DonorsChoose.org 

SeeJaneWork.com 

Looking for something fun for that office exchange coming up soon, or know someone 

who would appreciate a gift with both personal and professional uses. See Jane Work is 

full of an amazing array of sassy selections, from organizational products to stationary 

and fun notepads and accessories. Perfect options for the fun female co-worker in the 

next cubicle over! www.SeeJaneWork.com 

Wall Mounted PDA, Phone & iPod Charger 

Yes, they have finally done it! Here is a wall mounted charger, that can be placed right 

by the door closest to your way out that can charge all of your devices in one fell swoop! 

This handy tool is available in black and navy… perfect for the office or home… or both… 

as they are only $35. www.kangaroomstorage.com 

“100 Great Businesses and the Minds Behind Them” 

“A business book as a gift?” you ask. This is not just a business book, but a tool full of 

inspiration. Know someone who is facing a personal or professional challenge? While 

most business books review the successes of some of the best businesses in the world, 

this book tells the entire fairytale… including the part about the times that prototypes 

broke, plans failed or major stumbling blocks came up that were never expected. This 

book tells the entire story, from the great idea… through the trials and tribulations… into 

financing, and finally to success. It really highlights the innovative nature of the leaders 

that were behind the products and concepts, and their artful ways at meeting and clearing 

challenges; becoming some of the wealthiest individuals in the world. Pure Genius! 

www.amazon.com 

Wrapables.com 

Are you looking for one website that will provide you the ability to knock all of your shopping 

out in a few clicks of a button? One that will take care of both personal and professional 

gifts? One that allows you to shop at a multitude of price points? Here you go! This 

site has some really unique, one-of-a-kind options… and tons of gift ideas for you when 

you run out of your own… www.wrapables.com 


Book a meeting at the Drake between November 15, 2007–March 31, 2008 and 

earn additional Hilton Honors Bonus Points. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

312.943.6678 | thedrakehotel.com/meetings

Here’s the latest changes and updates on people 

we know, or should get to know, in the meetings industry! 

By Sally 

Magallanes, CMP 

Happy fall-going-into-winter! Well, 

not many of us really want the cold 

Chicago winters yet. Hopefully, everyone 

has enjoyed the autumn 

season and its many glorious color 

changes. I made it successfully 

through back surgery in late August, 

which gave me time to rest and collect 

more news to share about our 

colleagues. 

People on the Move… 

Jeff Berger is pleased to announce 

the incorporation of his new company, 

Conference Planning Resources, 

Ltd. (CPR). CPR seeks to bring 

clients’ event objectives to life for 

corporate and incentive programs, 

product launches, special events 

and much more! For more information, 

please contact Jeff at (630) 

799-1584, fax (630) 839-4007 or email 

him at jeffberger@conferenceplanningresources.com. 

The company 

is headquartered at 2020 Calamos 

Court, Suite 200, Naperville, IL 

60563. Please visit www.conferenceplanningresources.com 

to learn 

more about CPR’s services. Kudos, 

Jeff! 

Another MPI-CAC member (sharing 

the same last name) also has news! 

Susan Berger, most recently with 

the Fort Worth CVB, is now Director 

of Regional Sales-Midwest, for 

Palace Resorts. Palace Resorts has 

all-inclusive hotels in Mexico and a 

new property, Punta Cuña, Dominican 

Republic, opening in fall 2008. 

Give Susan a call at (630) 305-3204, 

fax to (630) 305-3271 or send email 

to sberger@palaceresorts.com. Her 

mailing address is 3427 Interlochen 

Lane, Naperville, IL 60564. 

More information can be found 

at www.palaceresorts.com. Yes, 

for the record Jeff and Susan are 

married. Susan’s new job is the 

second listing, as J comes before 

S! Congratulations to her! 

Our Inge (formerly Spindola) 

Campbell is in the news again! After 

many years as a successful hotel 

supplier, she has just started a career 

with Maui Jim Sunglasses! She 

accepted a position with Maui Jim 

in the corporate gifts division as its 

National Account Manager (USA) 

focusing on the insurance/ financial 

market. To reach Inge and purchase 

some of those cool shades, call her at 

(312) 624-8164, fax (312) 277-9547 or 

email icampbell@mauijim.com. Her 

mailing address is 1151 W. Washington, 

Unit #135, Chicago, IL 60607. The 

great news is Inge will be retaining 

her MPI membership, so we won’t 

lose touch with her! Best wishes on 

the new venture! 

A well-known chapter member and 

former president, Heidi Edinger, 

CMP, is now taking leads for the Fort 

Worth Convention 

& Visitor’s Bureau. 

Heidi is the new 

Director of Sales 

- Midwest Region 

and happy to help 

members book 

meetings in this 

Heidi Edinger, CMP 

historic town. 

Please give her a 

call at (773) 525-0313, email 

heidiedinger@fortworth.com. 

Her mailing address is 655 W. 

Irving Park Road, #5303, 

Chicago, IL 60613. Check out 

www.fortworth.com for more 

information. Congrats to you, Heidi! 

Janice Gildea recently accepted a 

new position as Sales Manager for 

Enchantment Resort & Mii amo 

Spa in Sedona, Arizona. (Mii is a 

Native American word.) Her territory 

includes the Midwest and Canada 

markets. Janice can be reached 

at (928) 204-6052 or e-mail jgildea@ 

enchantmentresort.com. She has 

been a leading sales professional 

in the meetings industry for over 20 

years, with her most recent position 

as Sales Manager for a property in 

Taos, New Mexico. Janice’s career 

also includes 

many years 

representing 

PRA Destination 

Management 

and a host 

of European 

DMCs from her 

Jancie Gildea 

hometown in 

Chicago. Take 

a moment to 

view www.enchantmentresort.com. 

Best wishes, Janice. 

Two planners in our chapter would 

like to make their announcement 

for positions at CNA. Pat Gondek, 

CMP and Carolyn Paradowski are 

now Corporate Meetings & Events 

Planners at the renowned insurance 

company. Contact information 

is (312) 822-5521 (phone) and 

(312) 817-3322 (fax); emails are 

patricia.gondek@cna.com and 

carolyn.paradowski@cna.com. 

Both members are located at CNA’s 

downtown offices, 333 South Wabash 

– 21, Chicago, IL 60604. We 

wish them much success! 


Sandy Joyce, CMP is pleased to announce 

her new 

position as Senior 

Meeting & 

Event Planner 

at Sidley Austin, 

LLP. Most 

recently with 

Hewitt & Associates, 

Sandy 

Sandy Joyce 

is now working 

at her current 

firm’s downtown offices, One South 

Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603. She 

can be reached at (312) 456-8711, 

or via email at sjoyce@sidley.com. 

Congratulations Sandy, and enjoy 

your new career move! 

There’s a change for a popular Chicago 

hotel and in one of its sales’ 

team. Dennis Mezik is now Group 

Sales Manager at the Hotel Sax (formerly, 

House of Blues Hotel). He was 

most recently with the Eaglewood 

Resort & Spa (Itasca). Give Dennis 

a call at (312) 923-2435 or email 

him at dmezik@hotelsaxchicago.com. 

The new Hotel Sax is located at 

333 N. Dearborn Street, Chicago, 

IL 60610. Please visit the website 

www.hotelsaxchicago.com to see 

this property’s makeover! Go for 

it, Dennis! 

Special Honors... 

Minding Your Business, Inc. was 

noted as a finalist for Event Company 

of the Year by Event Solutions 

Magazine in the September/ 

October Chatter column. We are 

pleased to announce the company 

was selected as the winner in 

this category! Kudos to the entire 

25-member MYB team for their 

hard work towards this special 

achievement! 

A Walk Down the Aisle.. 

Cynthia Balcer, Sales Manager 

with Swank Audio Visuals (located 

at the Four Seasons Hotel) married 

Jason Minarovic in Muskegon, MI 

on June 30, 2007. Her new name is 

Cynthia Minarovic. Jason is a fifth 

grade teacher. Cynthia Minarovic 

can be reached at (312) 649-2326, or 

email cminarovic@swankav.com. 

The photo is 

of the couple 

celebrating on 

their special 

day. We wish 

them much 

Cynthia Balcer 

happiness! 

Etcetera... 

If you like movie songs that have 

won Academy Awards, you may 

want to get tickets for “And the Winner 

is” on February 9, 2008, at Centre 

East in Skokie. Lee Lessack, son 

of Edina (Meetings & Events USA) 

and Alan Lessack, will be performing 

with Joanne O’Brien and the 

Hollywood Hills Orchestra. 

Keep the chatter coming! Send your 

news to semagallanes@hotmail.com 

or sallymagallanes@sbcglobal.net. 

Photos are always welcome in jpg 

or bmp format. 

 

 

DOMOrE. 

at PHEASANT RUN RESORT 

Pheasant Run Resort now offers a 22,000 

square foot IACC-Certified Advanced 

Center for Training for all your training 

and education needs. And with two golf 

courses, indulgent spa and fine dining, 

business is truly mixed with pleasure on the 

300 acre Pheasant Run Resort campus. 

PHEASANT RUN RESORT’S NEW 

ADVANCED CENTER FOR TRAINING 

800-4-PHEASANT (474-3272) 

Receive your choice of up to $4,000 Entertainment 

Credits or up to a $2,500 American Express Gift Card 

when you book your next event at the Advanced Center 

for Training at Pheasant Run Resort. 

*Restrictions apply. Based on availability. Call for details. 

 


11

How to Leverage Job-Related 

Tax Deductions for 2007 

The end of the calendar year is a critical period for organizing 

documents, receipts and other records for 

filing income taxes. Yes, the task we most love, especially 

near mid-April! Some key areas of importance 

(for those people that itemize) are non reimbursed 

expenses related to job hunting (in the same field of 

work), products, dues, business-related education, 

relocation and independent contractor costs/payments. 

In most cases, the total expenses are subject 

to the amount of deduction left after subtracting 2% 

of adjusted gross income (AGI). 

Detailed record keeping (and retaining backup) is 

essential for documenting any itemizations. An Excel 

spreadsheet is a simple and efficient way to track 

costs (list them even if you are not positive it’s a deduction, 

at least it will be in your hard-drive memory). 

Expenses Incurred While Looking for a New Job 

Mileage, office supplies, postage, parking fees, phone/ 

fax charges, tolls, taxi or train fares, and meals and 

lodging are some of the main areas to consider. For 

2007, the maximum IRS allowable mileage rate is 

$.485/mile. (Use an Internet map program to obtain 

mileage between home and the location.) Think 

broadly when it comes to places you went in your job 

search: networking activities, job fairs, resume-writing 

seminars and of course, interviews. However, if 

the job search is in a new trade or business, first-time 

employment or a substantial period of time passed 

between unemployment and the initial job search, no 

deductions are allowed. 

Education/Training, Dues, Etc. (in current field) 

This category refers to expenses that have not been 

reimbursed by an employer or scholarship program. 

Deductible educational expenses include tuition, fees, 

books/supplies, dues (union or for a trade organization 

related to your line of work), uniforms, parking 

and mileage. For formal education in one’s field (college 

or grad school), refer to IRS Publication 970 and 

Tax Topic 513. Form 2106 or 2106-EZ also may need to 

be completed. MPI is all about educating meeting colleagues 

in this field. If a member attended a chapter 

event, all-day educational meeting or the WEC/PEC, 

and he or she paid for the costs, then it’s eligible for 

deduction. The education must maintain or improve 

skills, serve a business purpose and/or be required 

by one’s employer; education obtained during a temporary 

absence from work is deductible. Membership 

dues, trade publications (not included in the dues), 

uniforms or special shoes/other clothing required are 

eligible expenses, again subject to 2% of the AGI. 

By Sally 


Relocation/Moving Expenses 

More and more job postings note “no RELO” at the 

end. This simply means the company will not pay for 

the cost of relocation for the position. However, moving 

expenses are deductible if it is closely related, 

both in time and place, to the start of a new job. IRS 

definitions for “closely related in time” to begin a new 

position are generally within one year from the start 

(not hire) date. An exception to the one-year time 

frame is if a family waited 18 months, for example, 

to allow a child to finish high school before moving. 

Generally, the “closely related in place” means the 

distance from the new home to new job is not in excess 

of the distance from the former home to the new 

job. Exceptions are when an employee is required (by 

the employer) to live in the new “home” (apartment, 

condominium, house trailer, etc.) for the new job or 

spends less time/money commuting by relocating. 

Independent Contractor Payments & Expenses 

An independent contractor is someone that is performing 

services as a “non-employee” for a company 

or individual. By definition, the hiring party has the 

right to control how, when and where these services 

are performed, and normal withholding for federal, 

state and social security taxes are not deducted from 

the pay. Independent contractors do not need to 

have their own business. In most cases, especially if 

the job pays $600 or more, the client or paying party 

will have the contractor complete a W-4 form 

and also file a 1099 with the government. 

It is advised that independent contractors 

complete Form 1040, Schedule 

SE for self-employment tax on net 

earnings, ensuring that payment will 

be made to social security (FICA) and 

Medicare trust funds. Business travel 

expenses for contract work (consid- 

ered a “temporary work assignment”) 

are deductible. Mileage, parking, tolls, 

taxi/train fares and meals (subject to 

standard meal allowance) are typical 

costs. The work assignment must be 

one year or less to be considered “temporary” 

by the IRS. If the expectation 

is that the assignment will be for more 

than one year, and a contractor works 

short of that time period, travel expenses are 

not deductible. 

In conclusion, when in doubt, talk to a qualified tax accountant 

or IRS employee. This article was not meant 

to be comprehensive in scope, but provide solid tips 

to readers. Source: www.irs.gov 


You are the center of attention. 

Experience 250,000 square feet of technology-rich meeting space at 

Qwest Center Omaha, located just blocks from signature hotels. 

Savor the flavor of world-class dining, indulge in unique shopping and 

rich nightlife all in the city’s exciting Old Market district. 

Request your meeting planner’s guide at visitomaha.com. 

visitomaha.com | 866-937-6624 | 1001 Farnam Street | Omaha, NE 68102 

OMAHA CONVENTION 

& VISITORS BUREAU 

Omaha now proudly represented by the Hyland Group. 

Meet outside the box. 

New ideas flourish in new surroundings. Book your 

next event at The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, 

where transformation is always on the agenda. Opening 

summer 2008. 

• Bury your toes into the white sand of Punta Cana 

• Navigate each heart-pounding hole on our 

magnificent Nick Faldo-designed course 

• Relax in our exclusive Jungle Luxe® guestrooms 

For more information or to make a reservation, 

please call 800.723.5680 or visit westin.com/rocoki. 

©2007 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

07WRO055-MPI_CHICAGO.indd 1 

9/26/07 10:23:02 AM

Committee Focus 

Holiday Party Committee 

As the holiday party season quickly approaches, take a moment to meet the hard-working pair that 

heads the planning for one of MPI-CAC’s signature events each year. Introducing Holiday Party committee 

co-chairs Erin Seal and Jacqui Ingram. 

A nine-year industry veteran, Erin started her meetings and events career with Odyssey & Mystic 

Blue Cruises, moved over to The Talbott Hotel and started a new position with ZED451 in Downers 

Grove in September. Her first MPI-CAC event was the holiday party aboard Mystic Blue Cruises and 

she has been a committee member ever since. Jacqui, a chapter member since 2005, started in the 

meetings industry one and a half years ago as a program coordinator with Total Event Resources, 

where she is now a program manager. 

By 

Melissa M. 

Lipton 

Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa 

N&V: Share with us a special holiday memory or 

tradition that you have with your family or “family 

of friends.” 

Erin: My birthday is actually on Christmas. My 

family teases me - I’m the “only gift my parents 

could not exchange!” So Christmas is always a fun 

one for everyone in our family – we still have cake 

& ice cream and sing happy birthday after dinner. 

It’s always fun to have your family together 

on your birthday! 

Jacqui: On Christmas, right after dinner, my 

grandfather would load us all up in his car and 

take us to look at the decorated houses. We would 

drive around for two hours looking at all the lights 

and decorations. 

N&V: All you want for the holidays is … 

Erin: Continued health and happiness for those 

near and dear to me! 

Jacqui: A personal trainer, followed by a shopping 

spree on Michigan Avenue in March! 

N&V: What is one fact that most people do not 

know about you? 

Erin: I’ve graced the stages of various theatres in 

Illinois. 

Jacqui: I skipped 2nd grade! 

N&V: What would we find in your fridge? On your 

coffee table? 

Erin: Hmm…am I ever home to eat?! There’s always 

milk and some sort of fruit in the fridge. On 

my coffee table you’ll find a strategically placed 

candle arrangement, since everything ‘has its 

place’ in my home and probably a Crate & Barrel, 

IKEA or Pottery Barn catalogue. 

Jacqui: Pepsi & water in my fridge. Vogue and 

News & Views on my coffee table! (Ed note: best 

answer so far this year!) 

N&V: 2007...naughty or nice? Any special highlights 

of the past year you’d like to recap? 

Erin: I will definitely continue to be nice, even 

into 2008…I promise. As for 2007 highlights, I’ve 

started a new fantastic job at ZED451, I received 

the MPI-CAC Tomorrow’s Leader Award in which 

I was honored to be a recipient of and my family 

and friends have generally been in good health 

and happy. 

Jacqui: Nice!! Winning the Tomorrow’s Leader 

Award was a big highlight! 

N&V: What celebrity or sports figure (living or 

dead) would you like to take as your guest to a holiday 

party? 

Erin: Either Jim Henson or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ 

Johnson, I’d have to flip a coin. 

Jacqui: Oprah Winfrey or Diane Sawyer. 

N&V: Can you give us a “sneak peek” of this year’s 

holiday party? 

Erin: The “taste of Levy restaurants” at this 

event will NOT disappoint but instead leave you 

hungry for more! . 

Jacqui: It’s going to be a “white hot holiday!” 


LET YOUR ATTENDEES CHECK IN TO HYATT REGENCY TAMPA 

AND CHECK OUT THE NEWLY RENOVATED GUESTROOMS. 

Host your next meeting at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency Tampa, offering everything you want 

to have a successful event for your group. Redesigned guestrooms feature the Hyatt Grand Bed, 

32” flat-screen TVs and bathrooms complete with sleek granite countertops and marble flooring. 

Hyatt Regency Tampa offers over 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a 24-hour business 

center and T-Mobile ® HotSpot ® wireless Internet access. After a day of meetings, attendees will 

delight in unparalleled amenities, including a new Einstein Bros. ® Bagels inside the hotel, a heated 

outdoor pool with sundeck, jogging paths and more. And should they venture beyond the comfort 

of the hotel, Tampa’s best attractions are just minutes away. Feel the Hyatt Touch. ® To book your 

next meeting, call 813 222 4970 or visit tamparegency.hyatt.com. 

T-Mobile and HotSpot are federally registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. ©2007 T-Mobile USA, Inc. HYATT name, design and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. ©2007 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.


D 

Your Global Holiday Season 

December is steeped with sights, sounds, tastes, 

aromas and traditions gathered over the years by 

our ancestors. From home to home, neighborhood 

to neighborhood, we all celebrate in a unique fashion. 

However, whether it is Christmas, Chanukah, 

Kwanzaa, Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe or Omisaka 

– just to name a few – no other month presents 

the multicultural events found at this time of the 

year. And yet, when we take a walk down Michigan 

Avenue and experience the seasonal inclusion 

of brightly colored lights, bells ringing in harmony, 

and warm roasted chestnuts, we get it – our holiday 

season has arrived. 

Christmas, the major holiday of the Christian community, 

has become a different kind of celebration 

for many cultures. If for instance, you were to ask 

if they celebrate Christmas in China, the answer 

would be “yes and no.” While not many Chinese people 

are Christians, signs of Christmas have become 

a common sight over the past twenty years. On the 

Avenue of Eternal Peace in Beijing, Christmas displays 

might rival our own Michigan Avenue! Trees 

of Light are adorned with paper flowers, and brightly 

colored lanterns; muslin stockings hold small gifts 

for children, and bowls of oranges and tangerines 

are symbols of wealth and good fortune. 

Japan has also adopted many of the Western customs 

surrounding Christmas. With only one percent 

of the population being Christians, Christmas 

is not a national holiday in Japan. However, it is an 

enjoyable day spent exchanging gifts and sharing 

Christmas Cake with family and friends. 

Chanukah, the “Festival of Lights”, begins on the 

25th day of the month of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, 

and lasts for eight days. This year, Chanukah 

will begin at sundown on December 4. While Chanukah 

is a relatively minor holiday for the Jewish 

community, it has brought greater attention due to 

By Sally 


Jane 

Mundell, CMP 

its proximity to Christmas. A 

celebration of military and religious 

triumphs, Chanukah fittingly tells the story 

of the Jewish culture surviving in a non-Jewish world. 

Symbolism abounds with the lighting of the Menorah 

and the spinning of the dreidel. 

The preparation of unique foods 

like latkes make Chanukah a 

special celebration. 

Throughout the African American 

community of the United 

States, Kwanzaa has seen 

rapid growth as 

a commemoration 

of family 

and culture. 

Celebrated 

during the week 

between Christmas and 

New Years, Kwanzaa begins 

on December 26 and ends 

on January 1. This holiday 

delivers a cultural message 

of what it means to 

be African American with its 

accounts of concepts, values, symbols and practice. 

Visit a home where Kwanzaa is observed and you 

will experience the lighting of candles, gift giving 

and the feast meal known as karamu. 

You will hear “Feliz Navidad” (translates to “Happy 

Nativity”) from the Mexican and Latin American 

communities. Celebrating the Fiesta of Our Lady of 

Guadalupe on December 12, this is one of the most 

important dates on the Mexican calendar. A highly 

religious time of the year, our neighbors in Mexico 

begin celebrating the Christmas season with las 

posadas, or processions that re-enact the journey 

continued on page 28 


LCelebrating Chanukah 

Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian 

king, Antiochus. The King ordered the Jewish people 

to reject their God, their religion, their customs and 

their beliefs, and to worship the Greek gods. There 

were some who did as they were told, but many refused. 

One who refused was Judah Maccabee. 

Judah and his four brothers formed an army and 

chose as their name the word “Maccabee”, which 

means hammer. After three years of fighting, the 

Maccabees were finally successful in driving the 

Syrians out of Israel and reclaiming the Temple in 

Jerusalem. They began to clean the building and to 

remove the Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th 

day of the month of Kislev (in the lunar calendar it 

occurs some time in December), the job was finished 

and the Temple was rededicated. 


By Edina 

Lessack, CMP 

Meetings & Events, USA 

Chanukah Foods 

There are three foods most often associated with 

Chanukah and recipes for each: 

Latkes (potato pancakes) 

Gelt (chocolate candy in the shape of coins) 

Sufganiot (jelly doughnuts) 

Latkes (Potato Pancakes) for Chanukah 

6 large potatoes, scrubbed clean 

1 large onion 

3 eggs 

1/2 c matzah meal (found in supermarkets) 

2 teaspoons salt 

1 teaspoon pepper dried parsley 

1 teaspoon pepper garlic powder 

1/2 teaspoon peppers 

canola oil 


When Judah and his followers finished 

cleaning the temple, they 

wanted to light the eternal light, 

known as the N’er Tamid. Once lit, 

the oil lamp should never be extinguished. 

A tiny jug of oil was found 

with only enough for a single day. 

The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then 

a miracle occurred as the tiny 

amount of oil stayed lit not for one 

day, but for eight days. 

Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark 

the victory over the Syrians and 

the rededication of the Jerusalem 

Temple. The Festival of Lights lasts 

for eight days to commemorate 

the miracle of the oil. The word 

Chanukah means “rededication”. 

Families get together during the 

eight days to exchange gifts, sing 

songs, play the Dreidel game and 

eat certain foods. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Embassy Suites O’Hare 

5500 North River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018 

(847) 678-4000 

www.embassyohare.com 

 

 


17


Winter Decorations, Prep Work 

and Projects Made Easy 

By Ted 

Miller, CHME, CHSP 

Starwood Hotels and Resorts 

Some of the easiest tasks can appear to be rather 

daunting until you actually start to tackle them. Here 

are some tips for your winter projects. 

Hanging Your Holiday Lights 

Many people enjoy having lights on the outside of 

their home, but it is important to understand the load 

limit on your outdoor circuit. It would be rather embarrassing 

to hang all your lighting and then find you 

have overloaded the circuit! 

First understand that most houses have outdoor circuits 

with two plugs. Each plug allows the draw on the 

circuit to be evenly distributed, but there is a limit to 

the capacity the circuit will handle. Imagine that it is 

night time and you want to turn on the outside lights. 

You will of course have lights on inside the house and 

most people are not aware of how their home is wired 

or what is wired where. 

Simply turn on the lights in your house as if it was 

dark. Then take the lights you are planning to hang 

on the outside of your home and plug each strand in 

one at a time. You need to use both outdoor plugs 

evenly and usually you will find that you can put up 

to six or perhaps up to nine strands of lights 

on that circuit. 

It is also 

important to know that you can use either the miniature 

lights or the traditional C-9 lights. Both pull 

the same amount on the circuit. It is important to 

let all the lights run for half an hour as it takes that 

long for a slightly overloaded circuit to pop. If that 

happens unplug the lights and reset the circuit. 

Then remove one strand of lights and start the process 

again. If you pop again in half an hour then 

remove one more strand. Also be aware that you 

need to use plastic hooks if you are suspending the 

lights from a metal object such as gutters or railings. 

Make sure lights that you place on bushes are 

securely clipped to the bush. 

Dealing With Drafts 

Drafts are always a problem and they are the worst 

in winter. There are some very easy ways to detect 

drafts and also to deal with them. First, use the 

sunlight to help you spot a draft. Go in your garage 

when the sunlight is the brightest on the door. If you 

have any gaps they will be quite obvious because the 

sunlight will shine through. Drafts in a garage are a 

source of major heat loss and can drive your heating 

bill up 35% if they are not properly dealt with early. 

Depending on where you see the light, there are some 

easy solutions. First if the gaps are from the door 

meeting the floor, do two things first. Clean the bottom 

of the door and see if there are screws or hard 

debris on the bottom. Then inspect the floor to see if 

it is level. If the floor is not level there are some simple 

solutions. I suggest you visit your local hardware 

or home improvement store to receive guidance on 

dealing with this specific problem. 

Also windows are a large source of drafts from either 

around the outer edge of the frame or from the inside 

of frame where the windows raise and lower. An easy 

way to check if you have a draft is to use a candle and 

see if the flame flickers. You do not need to do this on 

a windy day; just on a day when it is cold outside and 

you have the heat on. 



MPI-CAC “White Hot Holiday” 

Celebration 


Love hot temperatures? Love the holiday lights? Love to be where the action is? Well this year’s MPI-CAC 

“White Hot Holiday” celebration will offer you all the things you love in one location on December 10, 2007. 

Your taste-buds will sizzle from the cuisine of all six local Levy Restaurants, while the music will make your 

body jive to the beats of the evening. 

The interactive performers, giving 

tree, silent auction, raffle and the 

never-ending networking will make this 

the “hottest happening’ in Chi-town. 

Get out your calendar and mark it 

down, Monday, December 10th from 

4:30pm to 7:30pm at Fulton’s on the 

River, 315 North LaSalle Street in 

Chicago. Now email or call a few of 

your local and out of town friends 

and let them know when this smokin’ 

party takes place, they won’t want 

to miss it. 

The silent auction, giving tree, and 

raffle will offer extra hot and exciting 

gifts for you to finish up your holiday 

shopping list or to take home and 

enjoy yourself. If you would like to 

donate an item, please contact Steve 

Schmidt at steve@dmihotels.com. 

A portion of the proceeds raised 

at the event will be donated to Help 

Ease Local Poverty (HELP). HELP 

works to educate local businesses 

and residents as to how they can 

help ease the plight of the homeless 

and disadvantaged and improve 

their well being, self-esteem and 

productivity by providing access to 

food, health services, shelter and 

employment. For more information, 

visit www.help-chicago.org. 

You won’t want to miss this year’s 

hottest industry event. Get your 

ticket today! 

Special Thanks to our Sponsors 

(as of October 19th): Grand Hotel, 

Mackinac Island, MI and Fulton’s on 

the River. 

By Marcia 

Buchs, CMP 

American Express 

Corporate Meeting Solutions 


19

what’s hot what’s not 

Here Today...and Here to Stay... 

Do’s and Don’ts in the world of multicultural gift giving 

By Alisa 

Peters, CMP 

Chicago Indoor Racing 

What to Remember in Chinese Cultures 

Business gifts are always reciprocated, and not returning 

one gift with another is considered bad etiquette. 

It is custom in the Chinese culture to repeatedly refuse a gift, 

but persist… the recipient will eventually accept. 

Give gifts in pairs as that equates to good luck! 

Remember to exchange a gift for a celebration or as thanks 

for assistance. 

What to Remember in Latin American Cultures 

It is important to present the hostess with a small gift of 

flowers, chocolate or wine when attending a party or dinner. 

What to Remember with the Japanese Culture 

Be sure to give higher quality gifts to those with more senior 

rank in a company. Expensive gifts are common in all ranks. 

Downplay the importance of the gift as it is meant to convey 

that the relationship is far more important than the gift. 

Always present a gift with two hands... this goes for your 

business card as well! 

Gifts are given at the end of a visit instead of the beginning. 

Business gifts are given on July 15th and January 1st 

(midyear/ year end) 

What to Remember with Thai Cultures 

Wrap gifts in bright colors with brightly colored ribbons. 

What to Remember with Middle Eastern Cultures 

Arabs like to be the first to present a gift and you should 

reciprocate with a gift of similar quality and value. 

Present gift of the highest quality including silver, precious 

stones, the finest cashmere, crystal or porcelain. 

Always give & receive gifts with the right hand. 

What’s Taboo in Chinese Cultures 

Don’t give clocks as gifts as the Chinese word for “clock” is 

similar to that for the word “death”. It is regarded as a gift 

giving faux pas. 

The colors of black, blue and white are associated with funerals 

so avoid wrapping gifts in those colors. Do not write cards 

in red ink as it symbolizes the severing of a relationship, as 

do gifts such as knives, letter openers or scissors which imply 

the symbolism of the severing of a relationship. 

It is important not to give gifts in the absence of a good reason 

or a witness so as to avoid any perceived impropriety. 

What’s Taboo in Latin American Cultures 

Avoid leather gifts as some of the finest comes from South 

America and your selection may not look good in comparison. 

What’s Taboo with the Japanese Culture 

Avoid white and brightly colored wrapping paper. White 

symbolizes death and bright colors are deemed flashy. 

Never surprise a Japanese recipient with a gift. Let them 

know if you are presenting them with a memento. Never give 

the gift of money. 

It is considered extremely rude to present a gift to one person 

in a group without giving gifts to the rest of the group. 

Avoid giving gifts in sets of four as the word for “four” in 

Japanese is “shi” that also is a word associated with death. 

What’s Taboo with Thai Cultures 

Ripping open wrapping paper is extremely offensive. 

What’s Taboo with Middle Eastern Cultures 

Avoid alcohol and leather products made with pigskin which 

is highly offensive to Muslims. 

Never give a gift to the wife of an Arab colleague and never 

inquire about her. 

Never buy gold or silk as a present for men. 


Our oyster appetizer goes through more scrutiny than most business proposals. 

Expect the same for your next meeting. 

www.gardencityhotel.com 

Pampering you by cracking open the fresh oysters only minutes before serving is just one of the 

ways in which we are committed to serving you. The Garden City Hotel—the luxury business 

setting with cuisine that’s been rated as the best on Long Island by Zagat. Expect lots of pampering. 

For more information or to plan your next meeting, please contact our sales office at 

516.747.3000, x331. 

On Long Island just 35 minutes from NYC Zagat’s top-rated dining Luxury business setting 

MARK IT DOWN! 

It is that time of the year again to start thinking about the 

MPI-CAC Educational Conference 

February 22, 2008 

Drake Hotel 

140 East Walton Place 

Chicago, Il 60611 

312-787-2200 or 800-55-Drake 

www.thedrakehotel.com 

Please stay tuned; registration will be opening soon…….

Matthew Kelly A Big Hit at 

The Motivation Show ( T&ME) 

The Motivation Show (IT&ME) took over Chicago, 

once again, leaving attendees well-informed and 

most of all, inspired. 

September 25th marked the first of three days for 

eager exhibitors to man their booths at McCormick 

Place and await the herd of industry buyers 

looking for 2007’s newest and brightest ideas to 

bring back to their companies. Attendees could 

walk the floor, attend seminars, or take advantage 

of the many networking opportunities. 

Separated by products and destinations, planners 

were able to decide which side they wanted 

to conquer first. Agendas varied from looking 

for high-end products to reward attendees, to 

finding companies to market their events, all the 

way to discovering that unique destination that 

will motivate sales teams to go 

above and beyond. 

One of the highlights of the show 

was the keynote speech by New 

York Times best-selling author 

Matthew Kelly at the MPI-CAC 

Meetings Industry Lunch. With 

a great sense of humor, and a 

wonderful accent, Matthew focused 

on what it means to create 

your dreams and go after 

them. He recommended making 

a list of those dreams and 

writing them down, whether or 

not you pursue them. He talked 

about looking at your life and 

seeing if what you are doing is 

getting you where you want to 

go, and how to create the best 

version of yourself. 

NBH16591 MPI Chicago Ad 10/5/07 5:09 PM Page Event 1 Photos on page 26 

They come for 

the event. 

They come back 

for the experience. 

At Naples’ only 

beachfront resort with 

onsite golf, tennis and 

spa, we know your 

productivity is a measure 

of our success. 

• 34,000 sq. ft. of 

function space 

• 318 guest rooms 

• Award-winning 

conference services 

800-866-1946 

By Katie 

Ortiz 

NHS 

available throughout the show including how to 

generate excitement for meetings or driving performance 

and retention in the workplace. The 

show provided a long list of seminars which were 

put on by some of the best in the business. 

Hotels and organizations took advantage of having 

everyone under one roof by inviting clients 

and/or members to luncheons or breakfasts for 

industry and company updates. 

After all the events that whirled by in three days, 

it is safe to say that no matter what agenda someone 

was working on, the goal to motivate was accomplished. 

Make us 

your tradition. 

In addition to Kelly’s presentation, 

a variety of topics were 

Start your tradition at 

NaplesMeetings.com 


11844_MPICAC_GreenAd_2.25x9.5_BW1 1 5/25/07 2: 

Chanukah.. continued from page 16 

Chop onion finely in food processor or by hand. Grate potatoes in food 

processor or by hand. (You can leave the potato skins on if you like, 

as long as you scrub the potatoes well.) Combine all ingredients in a 

large bowl. Heat canola oil in a frying pan. Form potato pancakes with 

your hands, keeping them thin and approximately 3”-4” in diameter. Fry 

latkes at medium-high heat until each side is golden brown. Drain on 

layers of newspaper covered with paper towel. Serve with applesauce 

and sour cream! Enjoy! 

Gelt 

You can purchase gelt in stores. Small chocolate “coins” are wrapped 

in silver or gold foil. 

Sufganiot (Jelly Doughnuts) 

Most of us lack the fortitude and patience for making our own doughnuts 

and take the Dunkin’ Donuts route to enjoying this tradition. However, 

if you are especially ambitious, here’s a recipe for making your 

own doughnuts. We learned the age-old secret of how one gets the jelly 

into sufganiot from our cousins in Netanya, who make them every year 

for Chanukah: The jelly is injected into the doughnuts after they are 

cooked. 

1-1/2 cups flour 

2-1/2 teaspoons dry yeast 

1/2 cup warm water 

1 egg, beaten 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 cups sugar 

2 tablespoons oil 

oil for frying (3 inches deep in pan) 

confectioner’s sugar 

THERE’S NO 

PLACE QUITE 

LIKE IT 

Q Center 

The Premier Destination for 

Meetings, Conferences and 

Executive Learning. 

GROUPS OF 2 TO 2000 

STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY 

EXQUISITE CATERING 

1,042 GUEST ROOMS 

Mix together half the water with yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar. Allow to sit 

so yeast activates. Add the rest of the sugar, salt, egg, and 2 tablespoons 

oil. Put flour in a large bowl, pour the yeast mixture into the flour and 

combine. Add remainder of the water and mix well. Cover bowl with a 

damp dish towel and allow to rise in a warm place for one hour. Heat oil 

in a deep frying pan or pot until small bubbles rise to the surface. 

Scoop a tablespoon of dough and carefully lower it into the oil. (Don’t 

drop the dough into the oil or it will splatter into your face!) The doughnuts 

will puff up and eventually float to the top of the pan. Turn them 

with a slotted spoon several times and cook until they are golden brown 

on all sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on several layers of 

paper towel with newspaper underneath. Sprinkle with confectioner’s 

sugar. When sufganiot are cool, inject with jelly. (The syringes used for 

administering medicine to young children can be used, but better ones 

are available at cooking supply stores.) 

QCENTER.COM 

CHICAGO 

877 774 THEQ 


Be Surrounded By 

Natural Inspiration 

Information and Inspiration are two important aspects 

to any successful meeting. Heidel House Resort offers 

a variety of meeting space where you can provide your 

information, as well as a natural setting that can help 

provide inspiration. We also offer a wide range of teambuilding 

activities including pontoon scavenger hunts, 

company Olympics, 99 holes of golf, cruises aboard 

the Escapade Yacht, themed dinners, team-building 

challenges and relaxing visits to Evensong Spa just to 

name a few. Heidel House Resort has 199 guest rooms 

nestled on the shores of Green Lake. Conference space 

for up to 600 guests will allow you the f lexibility and 

creativity to meet all your group needs. We specialize in 

making every getaway unique. 

For more information on our meeting and 

retreat facilities, contact our sales department 

at 800.444.2812 or visit us on-line at 

www.heidelhouse.com. 

Where getting away means getting together 

643 Illinois Avenue • Green Lake, WI 54941 

800.444.2812 • www.heidelhouse.com

The Motivation Show.. continued from page 22 

Chapter president Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP 

welcomes the crowd 

Andrew Kalchik, CMP from Abbott on the left, 

Catherine McKenna, CMP from Visit Charlotte 

and Steven Yankula from Abbott. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter president Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP 

with luncheon speaker Matthew Kelly and 

Educational Programs committee co-chair 

Mari Heavey, CMM 

Past chapter presidents Heidi Edinger, CMP 

and Bill O’Donnell with current members of the 

MPI-CAC Board of Directors, Sonal Sullivan, CMP 

and Kevin Boland. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group enjoys the luncheon. 

Event Sponsor Laura Estrada of Zel-Ha 

in Cancun enjoys the fun! 

The Motivation Show photos courtesy of Jeff Brown at All Events Photography 

 

 


You are 

blazing new trails on historic groundshere 

Loews Philadelphia Hotel, pennsylvania 

loewshotels.com 215.627.1200

Winter ... continued from page 18 

If you have a leak on the outer edge of the window 

there are two simple solutions. Either use spackle 

and seal around the outer edge of the frame, or use 

rope caulk or felt and run it between the frame of the 

window and the wall. 

If you have a draft from the window’s opening, check 

two things. First open the window at the top and bottom 

and then close them. Make sure the window lock 

between the two units shuts tightly. If it does not then 

you need to identify why it will not close. The other 

way to check is if the windows do close completely 

and lock, the fault is in the joint between the window 

and the frame. Just use some felt between the window 

and the frame and that should take care of most 

if not all the leak. 

Painting in the Winter – A Good Idea 

Many people take time off in late December and 

many times their thoughts turn to painting. The advantage 

of painting in the winter is that the cold air 

lessens the smell of the paint as you do need to have 

ventilation when using paint. If a window or door 

stays open for an hour after you have finished painting, 

the smell should all be gone. 

Winter is a great time to tackle projects. If you need 

further assistance, feel free to e-mail me at ted.miller@ 

starwoodhotels.com. I am not going to do the work 

for you, but I can talk you through some simple 

solutions. 

Global Holiday... continued from page 16 

to Bethlehem. It is during this time that there is 

great rejoicing. Traditional prayer is spoken and 

parties abound. In this country, we can thank the 

Mexican culture for the presence of the poinsettia 

plant delivered to countless homes and offices during 

the month of December. 

North of our border, the Canadians celebrate Boxing 

Day on December 26. The caroling, the gifts, 

the feast and the wishing of good cheer to all – these 

ingredients come together to create that special 

Christmas atmosphere. Time-honored tradition 

dates back to Victorian times when people would 

go from house to house giving boxes of gifts (and so 

we have “Boxing Day”) in honor of the Christ child. 

While we could continue this travel around the 

globe in search of holiday traditions, it is impossible 

to share them all. It is exciting, however, to 

understand the origins of these holidays, why they 

are so important in each community, and to ultimately 

embrace the wonderful season that is upon 

us. So, as you stroll down Michigan Avenue, take 

a look around and see how many cultural gifts you 

can find. 

News & Views is the official publication of Meeting Professionals International, Chicago Area Chapter, a professional 

association of meeting planners and suppliers to the meetings industry. 

To reach MPI-CAC headquarters or for advertising rates, call (847) 457-2040 or e-mail info@mpicac.org. 

2007-2008 Board of Directors 

President 

Joyce Paschall, CMP, CAE . The Center for Association 

Growth 

President-Elect 

Laurel Rhoads McCarthy, CMP . Krisam Group 

Vice President-Communications 

Jane Matteson Mundell, CMP 

Vice President-Education 

Char Shada, CMP . Experient, Inc. 

Vice President-Finance 

Chrissy Ward, CAE . Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 

Vice President-Leadership Development 

Peggy Pissarreck, CMP . American Bar Association. 

Vice President-Membership 

Alisa Peters, CMP . Chicago Indoor Racing 

Immediate Past President 

Kevin Hinton . hinton+grusich 

Directors 

Kevin Boland . The Westin Michigan Avenue 

Jeff Gassaway . Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg Clearwater CVB 

Jon Hixon, CMP . Tourism Toronto 

Cherai Lewis . Projection Presentation Technology 

Frances Maxwell . BI, The Business Improvement Company 

Barb Quigley, CMP . The CVB Source, Inc. 

Jamie Shamhart . Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 

Sonal Sullivan, CMP . HIMSS 

Tanya Tarnoff, CMP . Minding Your Business, Inc. 

MPI-CAC Headquarters 

Mollie Mercado, CMP . Executive Director 

2007-08 News & Views Committee 

Co-Chair: 

Kara Gifford . The Field Museum 

Co-Chair: 

Beth Ciampi . Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals 

Board Liaison: 

Jeff Gassaway . Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg Clearwater CVB 

Managing Editor: 

Michele Snyder . Raceworks 

Portrait Photography: 

Edward Fox Photography 

Layout and Design: 

Misty Lichter . Chicago Indoor Racing 

Contributors: 

Sally Magallanes, CMP 


Industry Calendar 

NOVEMBER 

November 11-15, 2007 

Financial & Insurance 

Conference Planners 

Location: Scottsdale, AZ 

Contact: Financial and Insurance 

Conference Planners 

(312) 245-1023 

www.ficpnet.com 

November 13, 2007 

Women’s Leadership Conference 

Location: Hyatt Regency O’Hare 

Rosemont, IL 

Contact: MPI-CAC 

(847) 459-2040 

www.mpicac.org 


CMP Exam Weekend Study Review 

Location: Embassy Suites 

Chicago Northshore Deerfield 

Deerfield, IL 


(847) 457-2040 


DECEMBER 

December 6-9, 2007 

SITE International Conference 

Location: Monterey, CA 

Contact: Society of Incentive & 

Travel Executives 

(312) 321-5148 

www.site-intl.org 

JANUARY 

January 11-13, 2008 

Association for Convention 

Operations Management 

Annual Meeting 

Location: Seattle, WA 

Contact: Association for 

Convention Operations 

Management 

(609) 799-3712 

www.acomonline.org 

January 12-15, 2008 

ISES Leadership Meetings 

Location: Atlanta, GA 

Contact: International Special 

Events Society 

(312) 321-6853 

www.ises.com 


GMC-PCMA 

Quarterly Education Meeting 

Location: Palmer House Hilton 

Chicago, IL 

Contact: GMC-PCMA 

(630) 323-7413 

www.pcma.org 

December 10, 2007 

MPI-CAC Holiday Party 

Location: Fulton’s on the River 



(847) 457-2040 


January 13-16, 2008 

PCMA Annual Meeting 

Location: Seattle, WA 

Contact: Professional Convention 

Management Association 

(312) 423 -7262 

www.pcma.org 


GMC-PCMA; Charity Bowl-A-Thon 

Location: Lucky Strike Lanes 


Contact: GMC-PCMA 

(630) 323-7413 

www.pcma.org 

December 11, 2007 

Holiday Showcase 

Location: Hyatt Regency 


Contact: Association Forum 

(312) 924-7022 

www.holidayshowcase.org 


29

SPONSORSHIP HEROES 

The generosity of industry suppliers through sponsorship is a vital component of MPI -CAC being able 

to provide timely, cost-effective professional development, educational and networking programs. 

The chapter recognizes and appreciates the following companies that have supported chapter programs 

and activities in July, August and September 2007. Remember – Buy MPI! Thank you to… 

Gold Partner 

($5,000-$9,999) 

Cancun Convention & Visitors 

Bureau 

Fernando Cervantes 

(998) 881-2752 

fcervantes@cancunovc.com 

McCormick Place/ 

Levy Restaurants 

Sarah Stille 

(312) 791-6359 

sstille@mpea.com 

Mexico Tourism Board 

Teresa Matalmoros 

(312) 228-0517 

tmatamoros@visitmexico.com 

The Chicago Botanic Gardens 

Harriet Resnick 

(847) 835-8380 

hresnick@chciagobotanicgardens.org 

Silver Partners 

($2,500-$4,999) 

Aramark 

Alice Del Valle 

(847) 835-6960 

delvalle-alice@aramark.com 

Navy Pier 

Kim Augustyn 

(312) 595-5075 

kaugustyn@mpea.com 

Odyssey & Mystic Blue Cruises 

Jennifer Jaynes 

(312) 321-7621 

jjaynes@pyi.com 

Bronze Partner 

($1,000-$2,499) 

BBJ Linen 

Lanie Hartman 

(847) 933-4635 

lhartman@bbjlinen.com 

Chicago History Museum 

Barbara Siska 

(312) 799-2250 

siska@chicagohistory.org 

Chicago’s North Shore 

Convention & Visitors Bureau 

Kimberly Wright 

(847) 763-011 x23 

kwright@cnscvb.com 

Midwest Business 

Travel Association 

Beth Truax 

(312) 787-4030 

Stitely Entertainment 

Jeff Stitely 

(847) 866-8002 

jeff@stitely.com 

The DoubleTree Hotel Chicago 

Oak Brook 

Daniel McMahon 

(630) 573-6000 

Friends of the Chapter 

(Under $1,000) 

Catalyst Ranch 

Bobbie Soeder 

(312) 207-1710 

bobbie@catalystranch.com 

Hall’s Rental Service 

Jack Luft 

(847) 581-3002 

j.luft@hallsrental.com 

Swank Audio Visual 

Cynthia Balcer 

(312) 649-2326 

cbalcer@swankav.com 

The Windy City Fieldhouse 

Murrel Karsh 

(773) 486-7300 

murrel@windycityfieldhouse.com 

W Chicago City Center 

Megan Goodson 

(312) 917-5642 

megan.goodson@whotels.com 

Wolfgang Puck Catering & 

Events 

Renee Nassif 

(312) 925-0329 

renee.nassif@wolfgangpuck.com 

Want to see your name on this list? Consider the Partnership Development Opportunities that the chapter offers to 

connect with professionals from the Chicago-area meetings and hospitality industry. To learn more, visit the 

Sponsorship section at www.mpicac.org or contact the headquarters office at info@mpicac.org or (847) 457-2040. 

Volunteers Make a Difference! 

MPI-CAC’s Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and thank the following volunteers for their outstanding work: 

This Program 

Sponsored by: 

LETTUCE PLANET 

Out-of-this-World Events 

August 

Beth Ciampi 

Society of Permanent 

Cosmetic Professionals 

News & Views Committee 

August 

Jennifer Manthei 

American College of 

Healthcare Executives 

Diversity Committee 

September 

LETTUCE PLANET Rebecca Hart 

Out-of-this-World Events 

Aramark 

Special Events Committee 

September 

Pam Formento, CMP 

Association Society of 

Plumbing Engineers 

Awards Selection Committee 


ow, her only order of business 

was how to celebrate. 

take advantage of special 

year-end rates starting at 

$149 * 

Live in the Moment. 

The Ambassador East offers convenience and charm with the 

goods to produce effective meetings. Located in Chicago’s Gold 

Coast, Ambassador East provides world-class accommodations 

in an intimate setting for your small group, all within walking 

distance to all Chicago has to offer. 

Visit our website to book, or contact Mandy Peace at 312.640.5593 

or mpeace@theambassadoreasthotel.com. 

1301 N. State Parkway, Chicago | 312.787.7200 | theambassadoreasthotel.com 

*Black out dates may apply. Based on availability. Must be consumed by December 30, 2007. Mention code “Year-end promotion.”

You don’t come here for your typical boring, old corporate meetings. Loosen a few 

buttons, re-charge and get ready to do business Lake Lawn style. When you’re here, 

business gets done all over the place — on the course, around the bar, at dinner — 

and yes, even in meeting rooms. Business today requires a whole new way of thinking, 

and partnering with Lake Lawn is a great start. 

736 N. Western Avenue #389 . Lake Forest, Illnois 60045-1820

Happy Holidays - Meeting Professionals International Chicago Area ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?