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 th

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. .  

On this episode Brenda is joined by Tyra 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

On this episode Brenda is joined by Joanne Charlebois, CEO, Speech Language & Audiology Canada. Brenda and Joanne discuss how she learned risk management, measuring the success of your conference, balancing the risk of being innovative and being responsive to what your members want.   Key Learning: The soft and hard metrics to measure the success of your conference.   ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode benda is joined by Chris Carpenter - Reginal Director of Sales for Canada, Mid-West USA & Texas, Edwardian Hotels - London. Brenda and Chris discuss his experiences studying Hospitality in Switzerland, travelling, living and doing business all over the world and the benefits of working with a privately owned hotel.    Key Learning - The similarities and differences when working in North American and Europe.    ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Erica Stewart, Manager - Events and Development for the Canadian Bureau for International Education Brenda and Erica discuss the opportunities and challenges that are present when your conference grows, the metrics that tell you your conference was a success and the importance of making conferences lighter and more fun without compromising the quality of education and networking.  Key Learning - The metrics the tell you if your event was a success.    ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Aysun Lynch, MICE U.S. & International Business Development Manager. Brenda and Aysun explore where the title "Meeting Architect" comes from and the shift from "Meeting Planner". Key Learning: How adults learn differently from children and how the meeting architect can take this into consideration when they are designing the meeting.    ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Natalie Brault, Senior Sales Manager - Fairmont Queen Elizabeth. Brenda and Natalie discuss innovative meeting spaces and some ideas on how to use the hotels resources for your next event to create a unique experience.   ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Karen Norris, CMP, Conference Manager and Meeting Architect for the Canadian Association of General Surgeons.  Brenda and Karen discuss the shift from meeting planner to meeting architect and the tremendous change the industry has undergone in the last ten years. Brenda and Karen also discuss: Creating experiences that influence change Crisis management  The un-conference The education experience and importance of how adults learn Having Passion    ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Shaddy Shibley, Director of Sales, Westin Ottawa. Shaddy shares how his father inspired his choice of pursuing a career in hospitality and his movement into various spaces of the industry. Shaddy also shares a valuable tool he calls his Rates, Dates and Space formula.      ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group  

On this episode Brenda is joined by Jeanna André-Murdie, Global Sales Director for The Howes Group. Jeanna shares her strategy for negotiating concessions for her clients and adding value to their programs. Brenda and Jeanna also discuss important current trends in the meeting and conference industry and what he sees coming up in the future.    ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Desmond Lomas, Global Sales Director - The Howes Group. Brenda and Desmond discuss his experience as the Director of Sales and Marketing at one of Ottawa’s leading downtown meeting and business travel hotels and how he applies that experiences to now being an advocate for his clients. They also discuss important current trends in the meeting and conference industry and what he sees coming up in the future.       ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group

On this episode Brenda is joined by Ross Meredith - General Manager, Westin Ottawa.  Brenda and Ross discuss how Ross got his start in the hospitality industry, the skills he developed along the way and what he sees coming in the future. Ross also shares great insight on the three stakeholders that makes up the conference partnership and how important it is to have a balance for all parties to equally share returns and contributions.      ➡️ The Meeting Architect Podcast is proudly brought to you by The Howes Group