BOD Slate 2012-2013
PRESIDENT
Larissa Schultz, CMP – LJS Meeting Strategies
I am honored to be nominated as President of MPISCC. I have been a member of MPISCC for 13 years, and a MPI Member for 16 years. I have served on the MPISCC Board for the past five years in the roles of Director of Professional Development, VP of Education, VP of Leadership Development, VP of Finance and most recently President-Elect. Prior to my Board commitment I served on various chapter committees. In 2007, I received a MPI Women’s Initiative Scholarship to assist in the completion of my Master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After 13 years of working as a meeting planner for associations and corporations, I founded and created LJS Meeting Strategies in June, 2008; providing meeting management training, event management and consulting services to a variety of clients. I look forward to continuing my work on the board for the members of MPISCC, in this leadership role, and being able to work with the talented and dedicated individuals who serve and volunteer their time for the chapter. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Judi Froehlich, CMM – BCD Meetings and Incentives
It has been such an honor serving in the role of President over the past 12 months. I was fortunate to collaborate daily with such an amazing group of professionals and dedicated volunteers on the Board of Directors. We made several tough but impactful changes in the areas of communications, education content and delivery, special event offerings, and other member services. Although challenging, ultimately our goal was to re-address the changing needs of our members and our industry, and I am very proud of the board’s strategic efforts and amazing creativity. The many years that I have served on the board in a variety of roles has allowed me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, and has been invaluable to me in my position with BCD M&I, a company dedicated to energizing and streamlining the business of meetings, incentives and events. I have also had the privilege of interacting and getting to know many of you and built lasting and meaningful relationships that will continue long after my time on the board is completed. It is important to share that outside of our roles on the board, we are first and foremost all members of this premier global association and community for meeting and event professionals and proud to give back to an organization that provides so much value to each of us in unique ways. Not only have I gleaned amazing knowledge, leadership skills and relationships in my 16 years with MPISCC, I was afforded a scholarship opportunity two years ago through the MPI Foundation which allowed me to obtain my CMM designation. What a valuable member benefit! Although my year as President will be coming to an end, I will assume the role of Immediate Past President with the MPISCC board. I look forward to supporting the incoming board to continue to build upon a great foundation and encourage ongoing innovative thinking to best serve our membership!
PRESIDENT ELECT
David A. Anderson, CMP – Eventive Group
What an amazing honor to be chosen to serve as next year’s President-Elect. After serving on the board for the past five years on the Membership, Finance and Education Teams, I am excited to take on an overall leadership role in the chapter. It is my goal to work very closely with the entire board and membership to ensure MPI and our industry stays out in front of the constant changes in the way we plan meetings and bring people together to learn, network and engage. At last year’s MPISCC Installation event I was awarded “Chapter Leader of the Year” and hope my efforts with the Southern California Chapter will continue to exemplify the merits of this award. My company, Eventive Group, Inc., celebrating 11 years of meeting and event planning, has a solid reputation for our work in this industry. MPI is hands-down the best business investment our company has made. I am happy to give back to the organization that enhances my personal and professional skills every day. Thank you for your support.
VICE PRESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS
Joe Marcy
Thank you for the nomination to serve as the 2012-2013 Vice President of Communications. I am honored and privileged to work with such talented and inspiring meeting professionals. My focus is to deliver quality content through our redesigned website and our award-winning publications. We will continue to expand our offerings and explore different approaches to reach our audience. I am thrilled to serve our members. My work with the chapter includes: Director of Fundraising and Strategic Sponsorship, Director of Marketing, Publications and Advertising, Fundraising Committee, Education Committee, Major Grant Committee, Weekend Educational Summit (WES) Committee, Review Committee, and Coffee with MPI Host. I also received a nomination for Supplier of the Year in 2011. I was introduced to the event and meeting industry as a student at California State University, Fullerton. During that time I was invited to help coordinate and execute the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) International POW WOW. That landed me a sales position with a local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). MPI contributed to my success in that position. My average sales production was 100.4% over the past three years. However, the 2011 MPISCC Fundraiser was one of my fondest accomplishments where we doubled attendance and exceeded budgetary goals. I am grateful for the opportunity and I appreciate your support.
VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION / PROGRAMS
Robert Hatfield – Hotel Zoso
It is a thrill to once again to be nominated for the board of directors for MPI Southern California Chapter for the 2012-2013 board year. I have been an active member of the MPISCC chapter since 2005 and have sat on numerous committees before finally taking the plunge and serving on the Board of Directors for the last two years in the position of Director of Special Education. In my new position of Vice President of Education I will be able to continue the growth we have seen this past year not only in the content that is covered but also in the locations we have chosen. You will continue to see new education content relevant to the growth of you and other members of the chapter not only professionally, but also personally. In my current role as Director of Sales & Marketing at the wonderful Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs, California, I deal with many different groups and education has been a driving factor. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the chapter for the next board year.
VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE
Beverly Ann Laing, CMP, CTC – JNR Incorporated
I am pleased and honored to be nominated as Vice President of Finance for the 2012-2013 MPISCC Board of Directors. I joined MPI Greater New York Chapter in 1998 and relocated to Los Angeles in 2004, transferring my membership to the Southern California Chapter. My previous roles for our chapter have been: Vice President of Education, Director of Professional Development, Director of Awards and Recognition, Committee Chair for WES Sponsorships 2011, Chair for the Annual Board Retreat 2011 and 2012, and currently Committee Co-Chair for the 2012-2013 Installation and Awards Dinner. In addition, I was the proud recipient of two chapter awards, in 2008 “Planner of the Year” and in 2010 “Chapter Leader of the Year”. My meeting career began twenty years ago working for the USGA managing national and international golf championships. I am currently employed by JNR Incorporated as a Senior Account Manager in Operations. JNR is a Human Performance agency. We work with companies to drive desired behaviors in order to achieve specific results by learning our clients’ objectives; and then develop a strategic plan which is delivered through recognition and reward. I look forward to serving our Chapter and working with our members.
VICE PRESIDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Mariles Krok, CMP – LA INC., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
It is with great pleasure and an honor to be nominated as Vice President of Leadership Development for MPISCC. I have been a member of our chapter for six years now, and have served on the Board of Directors for the past four years as Director of Fundraising, Director of Awards and Recognition, Director of Fundraising and Strategic Sponsorships, and currently as the Vice President of Membership. Prior to that, I was the Annual Fundraiser Chair and served on the Weekend Educational Summit and Tradeshow Committees. I have also helped with the Installation Committee, Proofing Committee and am a regular “Coffee with MPI” Host. I am a Regional Director for LA Inc., The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, representing the LAX/Beach Cities area. Prior to my current position, I was with Marriott International, in both operations and sales disciplines for 14 years; with over 16 years in the hospitality industry. I believe that my leadership experience, as well as my experience from volunteering on several different committees, in different capacities, will lend well to Leadership Development and succession planning for the chapter. I look forward to continued personal and professional growth through my involvement with MPISCC and I am thankful for this opportunity to serve our chapter and our members.
VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP
Nicole Newman – SearchWide
I am thrilled and honored to be nominated to the 2012-2013 MPISCC Board of Directors as the Vice President of Membership. After 16 years working in hotels, I now have the distinct honor and privilege of working as an Executive Recruiter for SearchWide, a hospitality recruitment firm headquartered in Stillwater, MN. Prior to joining SearchWide, I held the positions of Director of Sales and Senior Sales Manager at the Marriott Riverside from 2009-2011. From 2001-2009, I worked at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, starting as a Catering Sales Manager, then promoted to the Associate Director of Catering, crossing over to group sales as a Senior Sales Manager, then promoted to the Director of Group Sales and finally crossing back to events as the Director of Catering & Convention Services. Prior to moving to Riverside in 2001, I spent six years working for Marriott International in several full-service hotels throughout Southern California, working in various operations departments. During my tenure in the industry, I’ve held various management positions, crossing disciplines from operations to event management to catering and finally into group sales. The experience I’ve gained working for both corporate and independent hotels has proven to be invaluable, giving me the great opportunity to grow professionally. I have been an active member of MPISCC since August 2006, volunteering on the monthly meetings committee for three years, where I held the position of committee chair from 2008-2009. I’ve co-chaired the inaugural Coffee with MPI committee and chaired the Weekend Educational Summit Food & Beverage committee in 2010 and 2011. In my second term on the MPISCC Board of Directors, I currently serve as the 2010-2012 Director of Recruitment and held the position of Director of Awards & Recognition in 2010-2011. I am excited to serve the chapter as the Vice President of Membership for 2012-2013.
Director Awards and Recognition
Marc Berkowitz, CMP – California Association of Realtors
I am excited to have been asked to return to the Board for the 2012-2013 year as Director of Awards and Recognition. I have been a member of MPISCC since February 2002, before I actually had a job in the industry. It is because of MPISCC that I am a meeting planner today. I retired from a 21 year career in the Telecommunications Industry in 2001. Since joining MPI, I have been a member of numerous committees and served on the Board as Director of Community Outreach for 2006-2007 and currently as the Director of Professional Development. I have been honored to have received the Rising Star Award for the year 2002-2003, A monthly Shining Star award and the Lois K Hauser Service Award for 2009-2010. I have been a meeting planner for nearly 10 years with the California Association of REALTORS®, a state association representing over 160,000 members. Volunteers are the life blood of our association and are deserving of recognition for their hard work.
Director Fundraising and Strategic Sponsorship
Geraldine Gatehouse – IMEX America
I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the 2012-2013 Director of Fundraising and Strategic Sponsorship. It is a privilege to join with my fellow board members in continuing to develop the chapter and to expand the education and values it offers to the membership. With twenty years of experience in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry, I have served in many capacities for the board and membership of Site Southern California, in particularly with sponsorships. I am part of the steering committee for its Holiday Event and this year will continue my contribution as Board Advisor for CSR. I am currently the Western Region Marketing Consultant for IMEX America, a position which covers a variety of responsibilities. Strategic sponsorship development is one part of my role, so I feel well placed to serve as the Director of Fundraising and Strategic Sponsorship for MPI SCC. I look forward to an exciting and successful term.
Director Marketing, Publications and Advertising
Laura Bergersen – Laura B Events
For the past year I have focused on the MPISCC Strategic Sponsorship Program and ensuring that our partners receive the benefits for their contribution to our chapter. We have created new tools for communicating and trying to make the marketing process as easy as possible. I’ve learned it is essential to partner with the membership and communications team, and because of that I am thrilled to be nominated for the Director of Marketing, Publications and Advertising. As a journalism/broadcast major at Loyola University in Chicago I am excited to get back to my original career in writing. I know there are many great opportunities out there for our supplier members to market themselves with other supplier’s along with planner members. And the wheels have already begun turning. Currently I am an independent corporate planner who loves being part of the team. I have also, in the past two years, been working as a Travel Director with Loyalty Management Companies traveling through North America on both meeting and incentive programs.
Director Member Advocacy
Shelley Grey, CMP – Trust Company of the West (TCW)
I am grateful to be nominated for the position of Member Advocacy. I have been a member of MPI since 1993 and in the past, have been involved in the Orange County chapter, both on committees and as a board member for a few years. Since my involvement in the So Cal chapter, I’ve enjoyed volunteering in Community Outreach, Membership and Leadership Development committees. Over the years, as a meeting planner, I have gained both personally and professionally from this organization. It is because of the relationships within MPISCC that I acquired my current job six years ago with TCW. I am excited to be able to encourage our membership to get the most they can out of what MPISCC offers.
Director Member Recruitment
Akemi Shapiro – Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
I am so excited and honored to be nominated as the 2012-2013 MPISCC Director of Member Recruitment. As a member of MPISCC for the past 15 years, I have met so many wonderful people. In the past few years, I have served in the Member Care Committee, as well as the Fundraising Committee. This new position will be an exciting and rewarding challenge. I currently work as a Senior Sales Manager at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. I have been with this hotel for 4 years, and have over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry. I am looking forward to extending my commitment to MPISCC. Utilizing my sales experience and my personal connections, as well as garnering support from my boss and my family, I am confident of substantial membership growth of MPISCC. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as a Director in the preeminent organization of the meetings industry.
Director Monthly Programs
DeShawn Wynn, CMP – Wynning Touch Event Design
I am extremely excited about the possibility of serving my second term as Director of Monthly Programs. My first year on the board has been a great experience. I have learned a tremendous amount and look forward to being able to continue serving the amazing people that are a part of this chapter. I have over 15 years of experience in the meetings industry. I currently work as an independent planner specializing in corporate events and religious retreats.
Director Professional Development
Paulette Fontanez, CMP – Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA)
I am honored to be nominated for this board position. I have been involved with MPISCC for over 5 years, serving on several committees (including the annual Tradeshow, Installation, and Weekend Educational Summit committees). For the last two years I sat on the board as the Director of PR & Media which, aside from creating and running the social media marketing campaigns, included developing the new MPISCC website (that I hope you all are enjoying!). Currently, I am the Program Manager for Professionals in Human Resources Association, producing high-level educational conferences for HR personnel. In this role I am also responsible for the professional development of PIHRA members, which is a job function that will serve me well as your Director of Professional Development. I look forward to another year of ensuring our chapter is serving our members’ needs while remaining at the forefront of the events industry.
Director Public Relations and Media
Jane (DeLeon) Mato, CMP – L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
It has been a pleasure serving as Director of Public Relations and Media over the past three months. I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to support the MPISCC Board of Directors.
With over 20 years experience in the meetings industry, I have held various positions with Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood and Posadas / Fiesta Americana Hotels. In my current role with Viceroy Hotel Group, I have the pleasure of selling the L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.
The L’Ermitage Beverly Hills stands among the finest California luxury hotels, and has earned the coveted Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Awards for the past 13 consecutive years. Peacefully situated on a tree-lined residential street, yet walking distance to Rodeo Drive, this boutique Beverly Hills hotel is renowned for its legendary elegance and unquestioned privacy – drawing discriminating visitors from all over the world.
I have been a member of MPI for over 10 years and prior to taking an active role with the Southern California Chapter, I served as the CMP Study Group leader for the Orange County Chapter for 5 years. It was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed helping people earn the CMP designation and grow in their careers.
I am looking forward to making new connections and friendships throughout 2013 and beyond!
Director Special Education
Carlos Murillo – Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
I AM MPI! Because I achieve my goal everyday of Executing for Results….Meeting Professionals International unites the entire industry that we know as the Hospitality Industry, not just one segment, but all segments! What a privilege is it to be nominated for the 2012/2013 Board of Directors for MPISCC, where I can now share my passion and touch all corners of our great chapter. My involvement with MPISCC has been since 2005, when I changed my MPI main chapter to SCC. The many volunteer roles I have been blessed to participate in, as a member of MPISCC, have been: Member Care Committee, WES Committee, Nominating Committee, Student Outreach Committee with this year serving in the role as Chair for the Student Outreach Committee. In my other role, I also achieve my daily goal, of Executing for Results, as the Director of Sales for Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, located in the beautiful Palm Springs area. My main responsibilities include relationship management with every account coming to Morongo, Account Management and Business Development, as we strive to drive all segments of group business – with heavy emphasis and Executive and Tribal support on all Sunday – Thursday patterns. My start in the hospitality industry began in Costa Rica as a Cruise Director and Tour Guide. Then I moved to San Diego and became a Banquet Barback with Loews. aTen years later I left Loews, as a Sales Manager to join Pechanga Resort Casino. Following that I joined Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, located in Indio as their Director of Sales & Catering and finally ending up where I am today, since January, 2011. There is plenty more I look forward to sharing with you, as we embark on this great journey together with MPI Southern California Chapter. Thank you.
Director Special Events
Shang Hur – HelmsBriscoe
Thank you for the nomination to serve on the Board of MPISCC as Director of Special Events 2012-2013. I have been a member of MPI, on and off, for about 6 years, and have recently served on the Community Outreach Committee for two years, as well as serving on the Installation Committee. With over 19 years in the hospitality industry as a Sales Manager, mostly with Four Seasons, Hilton, and Morgans Hotel Group, I have been privileged with developing invaluable relationships with my clients as well as hoteliers. My current role as the Global Account Manager for HelmsBriscoe, affords me the opportunity to work with all my industry colleagues and utilize my hotel managerial background to be a part of a global leader in meetings procurement. I am delighted to be able to share my passion and commitment with MPI, and look forward continuing my personal and professional growth with its incredible members. Thank you for this honor.
