Celebrating Over 30 Years of Professional Meeting & Association Management
May 2021 news & updates
MCI In The News
On May 24th, MCI's Vice President, Marcy Dwyer, will be a presenter at the MSAE's (Michigan Society of Association Executives) Academy of Association Management speaking on the role and importance that membership plays in many non-profit associations. Please click HERE for more information.
As Seen on TV
Marcy Dwyer has been working with the Detroit District Dental Society on coordinating dentist volunteers for vaccine distribution locations to support COVID vaccinations.TV20 Detroit's morning news program ran a piece about the effort. The Detroit District Dental Society also contributed refreshment breaks to vaccine locations. To view, please click HERE.
Spotlight on Our New Employee
Janefa James
MCI Intern
I want to take the time to introduce one of Meeting Coordinators, Inc.'s interns, Janefa James. Janefa will be working on marketing and social media promotion for several of MCI's clients.
Janefa was born in South Sudan, Africa and grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where her family moved when she was three. She attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, "Home of the Peacocks." Janefa obtained her bachelor's degree in communications, with minors in art and psychology. Her career goal and the reason she moved to Michigan was to become an event coordinator.
Janefa’s favorite thing about Detroit is the murals that you can find at almost every corner. In her free time she enjoys drawing and checking out the different galleries the town has to offer.
MSED (Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit) is offering a two-part webinar series on Identity Theft and Data Security. "Identity Theft Awareness" will be offered on Tuesday, May 11th at 1PM (click HERE for more information) and "Business Security Awareness" will be offered on Tuesday, May 18th at 1PM (click HERE for more information).
Event MBis offering a free webinar on Thursday, May 13th at 12N, "The Secret to Successful Attendee Retention: Year-Round Engagement." For more information, please click HERE.
Detroit SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) is offering the webinar "Round Table: Navigating the COVID Vaccine Issue and Return to Work in Your Organization" on Friday, May 21st at 10AM. For more information, or to register, please click HERE.
"Meetings Today" offers a long list of free on-demand and live webinars for meeting and event planners. On Wednesday, May 26th at 1PM they will be offering: "The State of the Industry Summit." Webinars are free. Check them out HERE.
THE CHALLENGER SALE: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson
The formula for successful selling has been constant for as long as we can remember, and it is predicated on the establishment of a strong relationship with the potential customer, along with the presentation of features and benefits.
To read all of Laura's book review, please click HERE.
It's True...
Everything I Learned, I Learned in Kindergarten
What are the rules for Chutes and Ladders?
If the player lands at the bottom of a ladder, they immediately climb to the top. If the player lands at the top of a chute, they immediately slide to the bottom. The game is over when the player lands exactly on square 100.(Does this sound like the hospitality industry over the last year? Do you feel like you will never land on square 100?)
What are the rules to the game Sorry?
One player is selected to play first. Each player, in turn, draws one card from the deck and follows its instructions. To begin the game, all of a player's four pawns are restricted to Start; a player can only move them out onto the rest of the board if he or she draws a 1 or 2 card.(Do you find yourself saying “sorry” over and over to your clients because we just can’t hold that type of event?)
Did you know there is a game called Pandemic? Pandemic is a cooperative board game in which players work as a team to treat infections around the world while gathering resources for cures. As skilled members of a disease-fighting team, you and the other players work together to keep the world safe from outbreaks and epidemics. Only through teamwork will you have a chance to find a cure. (With teamwork and cooperation from all, we are slowly beating this pandemic. Vaccination is our frontline "cure.")
For the last year with the business restrictions, I can relate to the above games...we move forward and then we are thrown backwards. We are playing a real life game of Pandemic. Or, as Michigan is calling it “MI Vacc to Normal" Challenge. Every Monday and Thursday the Small Business Association of Michigan holds a live update on the current status of business operational requirements. (These updates are open to members and non-members at www.sbam.org.) Recent reports indicate that Michigan is currently at the top of the scale for U.S. cases of COVID-19. OUCH! Our State just released the “MI Vacc to Normal" Challenge.
Achieving:
55% of Michiganders (4,453,304 residents) fully vaccinated, plus two weeks – Allows in-person work for all sectors of business.
60% of Michiganders (4,858,150 residents), plus two weeks – Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%. Increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%. Increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%. Lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents), plus two weeks - Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties. Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents), plus two weeks - Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.
There is actually good news in these numbers. According to SBAM, Michigan is currently at 50% vaccinated with at least one dose. The “hope” is that Michigan may achieve the 60% by the end of May.
Again…giving good news…Meeting Coordinators, Inc. completed our first live event last week with people meeting outside at a sports facility. The attendees were conscientious on following the distancing rules and wore masks unless eating. This successful event is the first with more to come this summer! Hope to see you at our next outdoor event! Golf anyone? If yes, see our upcoming list of charity golf outings.
In every great association or company there comes a time when a conference, seminar, sales meeting or special event must be arranged. Utilizing the services of Meeting Coordinators, Inc. will not burden your employees or volunteers with countless overwhelming logistical tasks. Meeting Coordinators, Inc. has a staff of experts to manage the day-to-day operations of your organization and also create professional events to exceed your every expectation.
