Meeting Architect Podcast

On this episode Brenda is joined by Sam Laprade, radio host of "An Hour To Give" on 1310 News. Sam is also a consultant and match maker between giver and receiver, working with many organizations to ensure they are reaching their philanthropic goals in a meaningful and intentional way.

Discussed In this episode:

• 30 years of experience in philanthropy
• Communication and alignment
• Measuring the metrics and impact
• Volunteer, donation & sponsorship
• Time, talent & treasure
• Go small with big impact
• Conference sponsorship
• Pros and cons

Key Learning: Being of service with your time, talent and treasure as well as building relationships with donors and sponsors.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by this year's three Co-Chairs of the MPI 'The EVENT' in Montreal: Sarah Levitin from Lush Cosmetics, Alice Parnis from AV Canada and Jennifer Labrosse from Tourism Montreal.

They discuss the process of building the 2019 event from concept, to reality and now as it draws to a close at the time of this interview.

Also in this episode:

• Appealing to the senses, vestibular and proprioception
• Bringing the vision to life
• How to find the perfect keynote speaker
• Bringing the experience back to work

Key Learning: Being able to recognize the separate pieces that create an amazing experience for attendees.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! On June 16, 2019, the cofounders of the MPI 'The Event': Ryan Young, Brookstreet Hotel; Tim Whalen, Fallsview Casino Resort; Marie France Watson, CED, Past President of MPI Montreal – were presented with the MPI Rise Award in Toronto at WEC 2019. So well deserved! Thank you for your dedication to creating new learning opportunities for all of us in this amazing industry!

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Candace Schierling - Director of National Sales, Tourism Saskatoon.

Brenda and Candace discuss the neuroscience of communication - for meeting architects this means learning to position the message for everyone in the audience

They also have a great conversation on innovation. Candace shares about a recent project that was very innovative and talks about how that idea started and where it took them.

They also discuss:

• Looking for what has not been done
• Not letting a risk hold you back
• VIPlane
• Making an impact
• Knowing your strengths and collaborating
• Learning and sticky points
• GMID

Key Learning: Create an impact with innovative ideas and collaborating to reach big goals and build relationships.

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On this episode, Brenda is joined by Tyra Warner Hilliard, PhD, ESQ, CMP.

Tyra is unique as a lawyer because she has a strong foundation in the hospitality industry. Brenda and Tyra discuss the important things to consider to make the contracts balanced, fair and logical

Discussed In this episode:

• Fundamentals of the performance clauses
• Clauses for rooms, spaces, and food & beverage
• Dealing with underperformance
• Loss profit
• Loss revenue
• What is fair?
• Monitoring and tracking

Key Learning: Both parties should be assuming risk. Attrition and cancellation clauses are about compensating the other party when one party has failed to perform or has underperformed.

Connect with Tyra at: tyrahilliard.com

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Jeanna André-Murdie, Global Sales Director for The Howes Group shares her Top 5 Tips for making sure your requests are not lost in translation.

Ensure your request for proposal is in hotel language regarding:

• Setup requirements
• Guest rooms
• Billing
• Catering
• Extras

Key Learning: Be clear, direct and upfront with what your needs for your next event are.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Jennifer Beatty, Managing Director - Resiada. She is also the Chair of the Canadian Council for MPI Foundation and sits on the Global Board of Trustees.

Brenda and Jennifer discussed her journey with Meeting Professionals International organization, the power of networking, the value of volunteering and how MPI focuses on the three pillars of career development, scholarships and research.

They also discuss:

• New formats for professional development
• Being an "accidental" planner
• The new Event Canvas

Key Learning: The positive ripple effect that associations have in the events and meetings industry.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Carley Schelck - Partner & CEO of The Urban Element, a venue that elevates food literacy and de-mystifies the process of preparing food.

Brenda and Carley discuss the importance of food & beverage when planning events. The emerging trend of Chefs who connect with their guests, re-establishing and strengthening the connection we have to our food and how it influences the experience.

The Urban Element is a place where people who are passionate about food can collaborate and connect. They are a group of educated culinary professionals that put on food and wine events as well as educational activities for the general public as well as corporate and private groups

Key Learning: How food and beverage is a catalyst to bringing people together and is a cornerstone to the infrastructure of an event.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Jeanna André-Murdie - The Howes Group.

Brenda and Jeanna talk about the importance of inclusive meetings, defining "inclusive", ensuring inclusivity through your RFP and how food plays a major role.

Key Learning: Inclusivity pre, during and post conference

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Victoria Clarke, Executive Director - Destination St John.

Brenda and Victoria have a great conversation about:

• The nuances of marketing for different events and organizations
• Getting above the noise in digital marketing
• Using best practices in technology to determine your ROI
• Tracking the delegate experience

Key Learning: Measuring the economic impact of bringing delegates into a city.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Desmond Lomas, Global Sales Director - The Howes Group shares his Top 5 strategies for how to avoid attrition.

• Tracking your room pick-up and pace
• Attrition clauses in your contract
• Mitigate attrition when the hotel can re-sell dropped rooms
• Review your marketing
• Communicate with the hotel

Key Learning: How to avoid attrition.

➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group