MUST READ PRESIDENT’S LETTER — BIG CHANGES COMING TO GMC!

Greetings everyone and happy spring! Isn’t it supposed to be here by now? Here is to hoping the April snow showers still bring May flowers. Moving forward, we have a lot of big announcements for the month of May.

MEETING PLANNERS – YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED!

Recently, it has been noted registration costs have been a bit too high for some planners and we want to help. Therefore, for all remaining 2019 Educational Programs, June, September, and November, planner registration rates will be reduced to $45 AND this fee is inclusive of any planned food or reception component.

We will see you for our June 13 Educational Program at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald’s Campus, “Experience Design Learning Lab – Seven Design Principles You Can Use!” This program includes tips on staging richer experiences for our guests during meetings, events, and incentive trips and how it can be critical for our event’s success. In this learning lab, we’ll discover seven, people-centered, science-based principles that inform design and create meaningful and memorable guest experiences. Through a hands-on application, we will be introduced to a new way of thinking to design your next “experience.”

Our PMCA Best in Class speaker, Greg Bogue, Chief Experience Architect, Maritz Global Events, Inc., is focused on improving the guest experience in meetings, events and incentive travel programs to create better value for both organizations and their guests. He is a creative catalyst who can quickly synthesize a message and help organizations deliver it to their guests at a higher level. Bogue has been nominated as Supplier of the Year for the 2019 PCMA Visionary Awards to be announced on May 7 in Washington D.C. He was also awarded the prestigious Experience Management Achievement Award by Strategic Horizons LLP for his significant contributions in creating experience offerings. In 2015 Bogue was honored as one of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings Magazine and most recently named a 2017 Changemaker by MeetingsNet. See you in June!

SPONSORS – WE LISTENED TO YOU AS WELL!

There are still some sponsor opportunities with GMC PCMA AND we are reducing the rates for the remainder of 2019! Now is the time to get involved, sponsor the organization and market your product to the right audience. The marketing packages are terrific and with reduced costs, there is no better time to act on these one-time offerings.

We have two Title Sponsorship packages available for June and September. Pricing has been cut from $16,500 to $12,000. Feel free to get creative, combine cities, include hotel partners or other vendors. Costs become dramatically less for everyone if you join together. You can theme your sponsorship and everyone will have podium time. Feel free to also have unique raffle give-a-ways. There is flexibility and the Sponsorship team will work with you.

We are also reducing Sustaining and Supporting Sponsorship rates! Here are the packages available:

• • • Sustaining Sponsorship revised rates:
      $3,500 by credit card, $3,700 by check – reduced from $5,500.
    • Supporting Sponsorship revised rates:
      $1,800 by credit card, $2,000 by check – reduced from $2,750.

There is a lot to offer including planner registrations, logo placement at all meetings, mailing lists, invites to Awards and Signature events and much more! Read about all the great benefits here. This is the biggest sponsorship “bang for the buck” you will see, ever. It is a win-win for all of us and again, a one-time offer. Thank you SO MUCH for your support and attention.

Please feel free to contact me, Doug Dvorak at 312-451-9393 or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Direct payment information can be found here.

GMC PCMA TRANSITIONING MANAGEMENT!

As many of you know, GMC PCMA has been successfully managed by Sentergroup for the past five years. During that time, we have enjoyed engaging educational programs, social events and charity fundraisers, and strengthened our presence in the Midwest meeting planning industry. GMC PCMA is one of the strongest, most vibrant chapters of PCMA and we owe Sentergroup a great deal for this distinction.

Recently, the GMC PCMA Board approached PCMA about new management service offerings. After careful consideration, we negotiated a commitment with PCMA to transition to full management beginning August 1. Moving GMC to PCMA management will mean greater alignment with our parent organization and a more streamlined experience for all Chapter members. PCMA is hiring new staff to support activities and with Sentergroup, is committed to making this a smooth transition.

We wish Sentergroup all the best in their endeavors. They have done amazing things with GMC PMCA over the years and their association management knowledge and expertise leaves the door open and welcomes future projects or collaborations. Thank you Sentergroup for your years of dedicated service.

Sincerely,
Doug Dvorak
2019 Chapter President