In our current do more with less business climate, it’s more critical than ever that you bring everything you’ve got to your company’s leadership. And that doesn’t just mean being a great leader yourself. It means leading the way for others – at all levels of the organization – to become great leaders, too.

 
So how do you do that? That’s exactly what I’ll be discussing when I deliver the opening keynote at the general session of the Education Conference in Montreal. With all the changes the …

“Cha cha cha cha changes, turn and face the strange.”

David Bowie’s lyrics from his hit recording “Changes” remind me that we certainly are in the midst of some very strange times. Who would have ever thought that volcanic ash would cause worldwide havoc and prevent planes from flying? When will the next earthquake suddenly disrupt the normal everyday lives of a community or city? What’s next on the horizon for the economic recovery and how will that impact our industry?
We live in a world of constant change yet often find …

Although the SMMP (Strategic Meeting Management Program) was launched in 2004, this business initiative really gained momentum in 2008 as the U.S. (and world) felt the impact of a deep, global recession. As with any economic downturn, most organizations look for cost cutting measures, which place a focus on meetings, conventions and events…and meeting planners and departments.

 
By defining and implementing Strategic Meeting Management solutions, consolidating the meeting planning process, leveraging your spend and having access to management and financial reports, meeting planners can clearly demonstrate the increased value of meetings …

There haven’t been a lot of times when something really struck me as spot on thinking, the below excerpt from Geoff Livingstons blog (http://geofflivingston.com/) is one of those times. His thoughts on the personal, one-on-one relationships that are built through social media really resonates deeply with me. It’s not so much the ding on corporate communication, because I think he believes (and so do I) that mass communication is important, it’s the addition of the new communication, through social media, that holds NEW power.******************************************************************************
“So what’s an organization to do? Stop …

Peter O’BrienMarriott InternationalAssociation Account Executive
Peter has been a consistent and passionate presence on the Network for the Needy Committee for several years. In addition to sharing thoughtful, creative insight, and ideas on yearly committee projects; Peter participates in Hospitality Helping Hands (HHH) each year in our Annual Meeting host cities. To each HHH activity he brings a willingness to share his team leading skills – coaching and/or helping lead painting, landscaping, home re-building, etc.
Thanks for all you do Peter!

PCMA Education Conference, June 13th – 16th, 2010 in Montreal
This is Bob Hancock, co-chair, (along with Mike McCurry) of the PCMA Education Conference in Montreal. I must say that I am very excited about this year’s event, for not only is it an opportunity to learn from our peers in the industry, but is also an opportunity to learn how to effectively use the power of social media.
Not only is there exceptional peer-to-peer interaction, general sessions, and networking opportunities, but there are a few events that I am particularly excited …