Who Knew?
We all know that September brings us Labor Day, but did you also know that September is Library Card Sign-Up Month?
The observance was launched in 1987 and is sponsored by the American Library Association . It’s a great time to remind everyone that “a library card is the smartest card of all.”
Did you know…
There are 15,872 public libraries in the United States. There are more public libraries than there are McDonald’s in the United States.
Students visit school library media centers some 1.7 billion times during the school year - about twice the number of visits to state and national parks.
A recent Colorado study found that the highest achieving students come from schools with good library media centers.
Americans make some 3.5 billion visits to school, public, and college libraries each year - about 3 times the attendance at movie theaters.
Americans spend nine times as much on home video games ($1.5 billion) as they do on school library materials for their children.
MPI-THCC Members In the News
THCC’s Director of Special Education Projects and long-time chapter member, Al Lomas, CMP, CMM, CFE, CEM, is in the news! Read about Al’s experiences teaching CEM Classes in Korea and China!
And...
The following article was written by THCC member Terry Summerlin, and ran in American City Business Journals. Reproduced with permission.
HOW TO GET MORE BANG FOR MEMBERSHIP BUCKS
I recently attended an association luncheon at the beautiful Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio. It was for the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) – Texas Hill Country Chapter.
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is a leading global trade association and is committed to shaping and defining the future of the meeting and event industry. With international headquarters in Dallas, its membership is comprised of more than 24,000 members belonging to 71 chapters and clubs worldwide. The local Texas Hill Country Chapter, of which I’m a member, concentrates on offering its members timely, educational industry sessions.
As always, the meeting was in a lovely location. And, the speaker had useful, relevant information. However, when I got back to the office I began to think of ways I might get even more value out of my association membership.
Click to read on for Terry's eight great tips for getting more bang for our association bucks...
Terry L. Sumerlin writes regularly for American City Business Journals and speaks nationally as a humorist on leadership and team building. www.barberosophy.com.
Special Membership Deal Just For MPI-THCC
Now through October 31 any new member receives an immediate $50 savings
Join MPI now and save. Go to www.mpiweb.org and complete the membership form. Enter the promo code THCC2010 and you will receive a $50 discount on your membership. AND you will be joining the best chapter in all of MPI!
Outreach Update
The Board of Texas Hill Country MPI has decided to do several item collections for different non-profits during the year as well as our two selected fundraisers for the Fall and Spring.
If you would like to donate an item to this month’s drive, see notice below:
Sammy’s House is a non-profit organization that provides services for children who are medically fragile and/or developmentally delayed. They operate a child development center, a respite care program and a therapy equipment loaning program
September/ October: Collect donations of packets of copy paper, toilet paper, white card stock, office supplies (paper clips, tape, staples/staples, post notes), diapers
You can bring these items to any meeting during the month of September or October and give them either to Mary Reynolds, Jennifer Foster or Janice Foster or put them on the designated collection table.
Be watching for additional ways you can help THCC’s community outreach efforts during the year
Holiday Luncheon for San Antonio Senior Companions Set for December 6
Mark Your Calendar and be ready to celebrate with our great San Antonio Senior group of volunteers on December 6, 2010 @ Sunset Station in San Antonio from 9am-2pm and thank them for their devoted service. This will be our winter community event and more details and requests for volunteers and donation will follow in October.
 Did You Know?
There’s a place on our wonderful chapter website where you can see speaker handouts from past THCC events?
Be sure to bookmark this link! http://www.mpithcc.org/slides/
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THCC Welcomes
Our New Members!
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Supplier:
Oberln Delgado, CMP, CMM, CAE, CHA, CCTE, CHSP, CEM, CHME
Sales Manager
Crowne Plaza Houston near Reliant Park/Medical Center
8686 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
Odelgado@houcp.com
PLANNER:
Shirley LaVergne
Conference Planning Specialist
Nurse Oncology Education Program
11500 Jollyville Rd. #3311
Austin, TX 78759
512 467 2803
lavergneshirley@yahoo.com |
Supplier:
Stacia Murphy
Convention Sales Manager
Wichita Falls CVB
1000 5th Street
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
940 716 5553
Supplier:
Leanne Prescott
Sales Manager
InterContinental Houston
222 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
Leanne.prescott@ihg.com |
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See What You May Have Missed
Read about John Dickson's talk “Shields Up – Protect Yourself, Your Company and Your Family When You Do Business on the Internet” from the August 17th chapter meeting at The University of Texas Club. hosted by the Waco CVB. Jeff Rasco recaps an entertaining, but scary talk.
Austin September 14th 2010 Chapter Meeting
from 5:00-7:00pm @ Barton Creek Resort & Spa
"Tap Into Your Meetings and Sales IV -- Integrated Visibility to the Rescue" - With Thom Singer
Business Development Consultant / Author / Speaker
Program Description
Sales, Marketing, Networking, Social Media, Business Development, Advertising, Customer Service and Reputation are all important to the success of your business. Each one alone can help connect you with association members and industry clients, but when you integrate them all into a visibility plan you will yield higher results.
The human element of business is more important than ever in today's digital world. Many professionals get lost in juggling the demands of their job and forget that all opportunities come from people. The greater focus on serving your business community (directly and indirectly related to your job description), the more success will be enjoyed.
1. Focus on marketing yourself and your organization amidst the daily juggling act.
2. Work with members, vendors, and clients, and prospects to understand mutually beneficial marketing solutions.
3. It is not just about business. When your integrated visibility is successful it impacts all areas of your life.
Thom Singer is a professional speaker and the author of seven books on the power of business relationships (and one more on presentation skills). He has over 20 years of sales, marketing, public relations, business development and networking experience in the business community, having worked for several Fortune 500 Companies and AM LAW 100 law firms.
He regularly speaks at corporate seminars, conventions and law firm meetings around the country teaching professionals the importance of cultivating business relationships to further their careers.
Click here to register
October 18th 2010 Chapter Meeting
Our Host: Reunion Ranch
4:30pm - 6:30pm
"Be On Your Best Business Behavior"
Colleen A. Rickenbacher, CMP, CSEP, CPC
Colleen Rickenbacher joined MPI in July of 1984 and has remained an active member every year with involvement on committees and boards on both the chapter and international levels.
She has served on the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter Board several terms and also as their Chapter President. She also served on the International Board of Directors and presently on the MPI Foundation Board of Trustees. She has been active on several international committees and chaired the leadership committee of Chancellors. She is also a past recipient of the Marion N. Kershner Leadership Award
Colleen started her own company as a speaker and author and now her speaking engagements have taken her around the World. She can be seen and heard regularly on regional and national television and radio including the Country Music Television (CMT), HBO, Comcast, and Fox.
Colleen has also been named as one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Meeting News Magazine and most recently to the Hall of Fame and presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Texas Meetings & Event Magazine.
Her book Be On Your Best Business Behavior covers all areas of practical business and dining etiquette from the best tips on your appearance, e-mails, cell phones, RSVPs to feeling comfortable in any dining or business situation. Her newest book Be On Your Best Cultural Behavior covers the proper etiquette and protocol in 33 countries. These guidelines will allow you to navigate globally in our international climate.
Colleen has achieved her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) and one of five worldwide to receive the Certified Protocol Consultant (CPC).
Watch your e-mail for your Cvent registration link
Visit www.mpithcc.org for more information on these events and more!
Planning Your Budget For Next Year?
Don't forget MPI-THCC Sponsorship!
There's no better way to get your name in front of your customers than supporting your chapter, and we have several sponsorship opportunities available for the rest of 2010 and into 2011. Spots are still open for the Texas Education Conference (TEC) in November - download the sponsor form here. And consider supporting MPI-THCC through sponsorship of a chapter meeting or NoonTime Network event. Download that form here. Contact Ellen Forsythe, chapter Director of Strategic Alliances today!
Mark your calendars!
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Texas Education Conference (TEC)
November 4-5, 2010
Lakeway Resort & Spa
Contact Dayne Sullivan or Karen Krull, CMP
if you’re interested in joining the committee
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2011 Southwest Showcase
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the Austin Convention Center
FOLLOW SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE ON TWITTER HERE
LIKE SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE ON FACEBOOK HERE
Watch www.southwestshowcase.org for more information! |
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Press Release FYI
If you would like to send a press release, there is now an easy form available on the web. Just access it, fill it out, and send to the PR Committee, and you've got news!
Have Breaking News? MPI-THCC is proud to help spread the word about our members/industry. We want to hear from you.
Send your news to: commteam@mpithcc.org
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Former THCC President, Lauren Grossman, recently had a trip of a lifetime! Lauren toured Ireland and reports that it was beautiful. Welcome home, Lauren!
THCC Member Darin Upchurch also had the travel bug. Darin took part in the Rose City Tennis Tournament in Portland, Oregon. In addition to playing great tennis, he enjoyed cool temperatures and great food.
Red Velvet Events, Inc. has officially selected Wyatt Brand as their public relations firm. Read about it here
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Reach Out!
Would you like to reach the MPI-THCC membership right at their desktops? Sponsor Hill Country Spotlight! Click here for information about advertising, or call Jeff Rasco at 512.847.1122
We have lots of advertising opportunities on the website, and a great special on ads and enhanced membership directory listings. Contact Jeff for the scoop!
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Park Unveils New Logo and Time Lapse Images Camera to Track Construction of New Texas Giant
(Arlington, TX)— As the anchor of the Arlington Entertainment District, Six Flags Over Texas has a Giant Celebration planned for its 50th anniversary year which includes the opening of the new Texas Giant. This wood and steel beast is starting to come to life now that 40% of the construction of the track is complete. With its bold and unique features taking shape, a new logo has been created to convey the look and feel of the new Texas Giant. For those eager to see how this super hybrid roller coaster is starting to take shape, access to a time lapse images camera is just a mouse click away. Go to www.sixflags.com/overtexas and select the Texas Giant in the rides portion of the site to get a bird’s eye view and to see photos highlighting the construction process.
The ride will tout never done before records including:
• A super hybrid design that marries the fast charging drops of a classic coaster with highly-banked smooth turns.
• The steepest drop IN THE WORLD at 79 degrees.
• The steepest bank of any wooden coaster IN THE WORLD at more than 95 degrees.
• The world’s first Iron Horse Coaster track™©®. This rail system is made completely of steel and engineered for long term durability.
Guests wanting to get a head start on the 2011 season can do so now by purchasing a 2011 Season Pass. The pass pays for itself in just two visits and sells for $59.99, plus tax, each when purchased in a four pack. For a limited time, if you purchase a four pack of 2011 Season Passes now and process them at the park, we’ll give you one 2011 season parking pass ($45 value) absolutely free. To receive this special free offer, guests must buy AND process their Season Passes during their visit. Also guests can purchase a 2011 Play Pass for $54.99, plus tax, and enjoy the rest of 2010 for free. For those in search of fun by land and water, the Six Flags Two-Park Combo Pass can be used at both Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor for $99.99, plus tax.
The new Texas Giant is scheduled to open in 2011, during the park’s 50th anniversary year. This ride will boast a unique hybrid design— the classic features of a wooden roller coaster with the advanced scientific capabilities of a steel track fabrication, The Giant will feature the steepest bank of any wooden coaster in the world.
Stay tuned for more details on a Giant Celebration.
The 2010 Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival
Give your meeting, convention or any special event an extra splash of entertainment by planning it on the third weekend of September to coincide with the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Over 100 hot air balloons will take flight each day from September 17-19, 2010 at Oak Point Park in Plano. This three-day event draws approximately 75,000 people each year. The Plano Hot Ballon Festival is the largest balloon event in Texas, and will feature five balloon launches: 6 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Other activities include a Balloon Glow on Friday and Saturday night, when the balloon burners are ignited to luminate the balloons against the dark night sky. There will be a fireworks show and concert on Saturday night; as well as skydivers, a wide variety of food and beverages, arts and crafts vendors.
All weekend there will be a Kids Fun Zone to keep children entertained, complete with a rock climbing wall, inflatable rides and "Kids Korner" art activities.
Not only will visitors be able to watch the spectacular balloons take flight, but for $250 per person they can experience Plano from a birds-eye view in a colorful hot-air creation. Tickets will be sold before each balloon launch and are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
This picturesque event is a great opportunity to show your group all the colors of our City. Plano offers modern, state-of-the-art meeting facilities of every size and budget.
For more information on the 2010 Plano Balloon Festival, visit www.planoballoonfest.org or www.planocvb.com.
Fredericksburg's Stagecoach Theater sports the latest bells and whistles with all digital projection and 3D capable screens. Owner Gene Oliver says no other theater in the Austin or San Antonio markets is 100% digital and 100% 3D capable. Find out what's showing! http://www.stagecoachtheater.com/
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Find The Next Career Step
MPI has the largest industry database for jobs. As a member, you have exclusive access. Be sure to update your resume and contact information and see the latest positions, all on Career Connections.
Be a Part of Industry Change
As the largest Foundation in the industry, MPIF not only raises the most funds but immediately reinvests them back into the industry to support a wide range of initiatives. Tomorrow starts here.
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MPITHCC PO Box 49135 Austin, TX 78765-9154
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