Issue 4

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Good News Corner 1-2

Destination Spotlight 3-5

Member Spotlight 6-7

Upcoming Events 7

Inside this issue:

Founders Corner by Shawna Suckow, CMP

October 2010

SPIN Think Tanks

OK, We Hear You…LinkedIn’s SPIN Group Won’t Go Away The majority has spoken, and we heard you. After launching the newwww.spinplanners.com web site this past spring, our goal was to migrate everyone away from the limited functionality of LinkedIn. After several months of cajoling, begging and threatening, we’ve accepted the fact that the majority of you prefer your LinkedIn! Although LinkedIn has far fewer features, it does have a

wonderful message board that serves our members quite well. LinkedIn’s daily or weekly message digest is also a good way to stay on top of discussions in the Forum. The new web site will continue to offer full features not available on LinkedIn, such as a Resume Board, Virtual Library, Calendar of SPIN Events, Lists of Hosted Buyer Programs, the list of Preferred SPIN Suppliers, and our monthly newsletter. So LinkedIn is NOT closing down. If you want to join or re-join the LinkedIn site, here’s the link to do so: http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=903067

Good News Corner Alan L.Kleinfeld, CMM, CMP (Charleston, SC) had his latest article appears in September issue of Convene - click here to read his article.

Allison Kinsley, CMM, CMP (Littleton, CO) was named the winner of the 2010 MIC Leadership Award at the 10th annual Meetings Industry Council (MIC) of Colorado Educational Conference and Trade Show. Amy Drum Caruso, CMP, CAE (Philadelphia, PA) recently had the Certified Association Executive (CAE) Commission of the American Society of Association Executives renew her CAE credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry and is NCCA accredited. Less than five percent of all association professionals have achieved this mark of excellence.

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Registration is open for the following Think Tanks

Orange County NEW! October 12 - Club 33 - 11am-2pm

Los Angeles - Oct 13 at Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey

Dallas - Oct 14 at The Fairmont Dallas

Washington DC - 30th at Donovan House

Visit www.spinplanners.com/live-think-tanks.html to register

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Good News Corner (cont.)

David A. Ryder, MBA (Scottsdale, AZ) was recently published in a national magazine: http://meetingnews.texterity.com/meetingnews/20100830/?pg=14#pg14

Deborah Krant, CMP (Oakland, CA) was recently was asked to teach an 8 hour class on Contracts, Insurance and Liability as part of San Francisco State Universities extension school certificate program in meeting planning - the class went off well. She is also on the board and executive committee of the Litquake Literary Festival which launched a one week event on October 1-9. The event is totally sold out, with teachers from SF inner city schools bringing their students to SF Main library.

Gary Rosenberg, CMP (Los Angeles, CA) co-presented with Mike Dominguez of Loews Hotels at the MPISCC Weekend Education Summit on "Building Good Partnerships in the "New Abnormal"" - he also will be teaching Contracts and Negotiations at Cal State Long Beach and then Site Selection for Cal State Dominguez Hills - he was recently appointed to the Advisory Council of ConventionPlanit.

Jackie Hajji (Washington DC) recently began a new position: Director of Meetings and Education at the Gerontological Society of America.

Jennafer Ross, CMP (Downingtown, PA) and the team at JR Global Events was recently awarded the 1st event Conference & Convention for Travel Writers Association in 2011.

Julie Ann Schmidt, CMP (Minneapolis, MN) was awarded the Meetings - MN Hospitality Journals Vision Award for Leadership.

Patty Stern, CMP (Jersey City, NJ) was awarded MPIGNY: Planner of the Year 2010 and MPI D/FW: President's Award 2010.

Renee Ramo (Chicago, IL) was recently promoted to Manager, Housing, Registration and Travel at True Value Company. Renee will oversee the registration and housing for retailers, associates, prospects and guests at market. She will also manage the negotiations for any hotel discounts offered to associates while traveling on business and she will assist with management of our travel partner, Best Travel.

Susan K. Brooks, CMP, CMM (Fort Collins, CO) recently became a Chair of Membership Renewals Committee for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Meeting Professionals International.

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Destination Spotlight - Egypt

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Written by Sara Vanderbilt, VP of Operations See my pictures Last month I had the opportunity of a lifetime to visit Egypt. I, along with 22 others (6 of whom were SPIN members), were the guests of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham)and were treated to an experience that I find hard to put into words. But, in this article I will attempt to do just that. I must take the time to thank Jeff Canham at Prestige Resorts for coordinating our participation in this trip, and to Colleen Abernathy of Platinum DMC Collection for organizing the entire FAM. At first, I was very anxious about going to a country in the Middle East, but my anxiety disappeared quickly as I stepped off the plane to smiles and warm welcomes from the Egyptian people. The smiles and warmth continued throughout the trip. At each place we stopped, people were friendly and helpful - even when they couldn't fully understand us due to the language barrier. Throughout the trip, I was amazed by the contradictions I saw. We were in the modern city of Cairo with shopping and restaurants yet we saw sites like the Citadel of Salah el Din that were constructed in 1183 AD. Just a short ride through the green farming region around the Nile brought us to desert and the pyramids of Sakkara and Giza. While at the pyramids I truly got an appreciation for the amazing engineering of the ancient Egyptians. While the trip inside the Pyramid of Khufu took some work, a good stair step workout, I was rewarded to stand where King Khufu was ultimately buried. The King's Chamber is remarkable as the walls and ceiling are made of large blocks of red granite. The amazement I felt at the pyramids continued to follow me as we traveled to Luxor and saw the Valley of the Kings and both Karnak and Luxor temples. The amazing colors inside the tomb of Tutankhamun looked as though they had been painted just a few years earlier when really, they were painted around 1325 BC. While the pyramids, tombs, and temples were all sites I expected to see in Egypt, I was not expecting such a beautiful seaside like we saw on the Sinai Peninsula. We were treated to a day on a schooner in Sharm el Shiekh. Between the cooler weather and the crystal clear water, the day spent on the Red Sea was perfect. The snorkeling was incredible. Little is said about the experience one can have at the beach when in Egypt. In planning a meeting or incentive trip to Egypt, I would suggest following an itinerary similar to the one below. I have included extra time so that your attendees would be able to relax and take pictures or shop at the local markets near the sites. You could even build in a day for golf or the spa at one of the hotels in which you stay. Day 1 Arrive in Cairo Transfer to hotel for free time and lunch Dinner at one of the amazing restaurants Overnight at a Cairo hotel

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Egypt (cont.)

Day 2 Sightseeing at the Sakkara step pyramids Sightseeing at the Giza pyramids (camel ride for the brave) Dinner at another amazing restaurant Overnight at a Cairo hotel Day 3 Flight to Luxor Visit the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Overnight on one of the Floating Hotels Day 4 Visit Karnak Temple Visit Luxor Temple via horse carriage (great way to see the streets around the temples) Overnight on one of the Floating Hotels Day 5 Flight to Sharm el Shiekh Check in and relaxation at a resort Dinner at one of the area restaurants Overnight at a Sharm el Shiekh hotel Day 6 Sea Safari, Snorkeling and Lunch on board a sailing ship Dinner in the desert next to the Sinai Mountains Overnight at a Sharm el Shiekh hotel Day 7 Flight back to Cairo Visit to Sultan Hassan Mosque Shopping at an area bazaar like Khan el Khalili Bazaar Dinner at a Cairo restaurant Overnight at a Cairo hotel Day 8 Flight from Cairo to home Egypt's Best DMCs Special thanks to our wonderful DMCs in Egypt, who showed us wonderful Egyptian Hospitality! If you plan to bring a group to Egypt, contact Karim El Mindabawy at Emeco Travel at karimm@emeco.com or Ismail Ismail at Carlson Wagonlit Travel at iismail@carlsonwagonlit.com.eg - mention that you are a SPIN member when you contact them. Egypt's Top Hotels & Resorts Our group was made up of Planners and Media and we had the opportunity to visit some lovely hotels and restaurants. Below is a brief listing and description of those hotels and restaurants we visited. For information or to arrange an event/meeting at any of the hotels below, please contact Jeff Canham at Prestige Restorts - 206.313.5986 or jcanham@prestigeresorts.com. He participated in our FAM and has direct knowledge of each property.

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Egypt (cont.)

Four Seasons Nile Plaza (Cairo) - an absolutely amazing view of the Nile. Rooms were spacious and comfortable with large walk in closets and bathrooms. Large bathtubs make for relaxing baths after a day at the pyramids.

Bella restaurant at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza (Cairo) - Italian food in Egypt with views of the Nile. We were treated to a delicious meal of antipasta and fish in a private dining room. The regular tables allowed for diners to view the activity of the Nile while enjoying a delicious meal.

Sofitel El Gezirah (Cairo) - modern elegance with an oriental flare on the Nile River. Rooms were clean and modern and all rooms had a balcony overlooking the Nile River.

Buddha Bar restaurant at the Sofitel El Gezirah (Cairo) - Asian cuisine along the Nile River. Dine either inside or outside on a terrance overlooking the evening activity of the Nile. Cuisine includes sushi, duck, and fabulous tempura shrimp.

Mena House Oberoi (Cairo) - old world charm close to the pyramids. This hotel had a classic style with elegant touches throughout. At the base of the pyramids, you have a view that is outstanding from most places in the hotel.

Dahabeya floating boutique hotel (Luxor) - a luxurious way to travel the Nile. The Agatha Christie, a fully modern and well equipped sailing vessel, provides a unique and special way to see the sites along the Nile. This ship would be perfect for small groups such as Board Meetings or Executive Sessions.

Hyatt Regency Hotel (Sharm el Shiekh) - a seaside resort built into a hill overlooking the Red Sea. Foliage and beautiful landscaping cover this property and mix into the rooms to provide a unique atmosphere for relaxation and fun in the sun. A private beach and pools make this resort a perfect spot to get some sun.

The Beach House restaurant at the Hyatt Regency (Sharm el Shiekh) - beachside dining along the Red Sea. Enjoy seafood and fish in a casual feel restaurant while watching the sun set over the sea. On hot evenings, the staff will do everything possible to make sure your dining experience is pleasurable.

Four Seasons (Sharm el Shiekh) - feel isolated while being surrounded by luxury. This seaside resort provides the feel of privacy while being surrounded with pools, beaches, and restaurants. The simple landscaping effectively helps guests feel as if they are all alone in this resort.

Ritz Carlton Hotel (Sharm el Shiekh) - whether it is garden side or beachside, this resort has it all. Pools for everyone, including kids, along with a beautiful spa make this resort a perfect place for everyone. Rooms are decorated in with a modern touch yet retain the elegance Ritz Carlton is known for.

The Fairmont Nile City (Cairo) - modern décor and fabulous service. From the sleek, elegant lobby to the modern rooms, this hotel is beautiful. Bathrooms come with soaking tubs and scented oils to make your bath experience truly unique.

Saigon Bleu restaurant at the Fairmont Nile City (Cairo) - impeccable service and delicious cuisine await you at this restaurant. Located overlooking the Nile, this restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine, which is presented beautifully on the plate. From the salad to the desert, each course was a treat for the taste buds.

Click here to read another review by travel writer Susan Farewell, a fellow traveler to Egypt.

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SPIN Members in Egypt

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Member Spotlight—Kristen Hunter

An Interview with SPIN Member Kristen Hunter of ExL Pharma “Kristen, I’m really impressed that this conference was created from scratch, and it’s now successfully in its 5th year. Can you tell me why you decided to tackle this, and what you’ve learned from it?”

Well thank you. It’s been an amazing journey. Back in 2005, we’d been hearing feedback from several Medical Meeting Planners about the many issues and concerns unique to developing meetings within the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries, and that although there were multiple forums and conferences focused on meeting planning, there wasn’t anything specific to their industry where they could discuss, strategize and network with other planners on these topics. Based upon that feedback and subsequent interviews with additional Planners, we decided to develop the Pharmaceutical Meeting Planners’ Summit to provide a place for these Planners to convene and learn about how similar companies are handling and addressing the multiple challenges of planning so many different types of meetings in such highly regulated industries. I’ve learned so many things from producing this meeting and from the many contacts and friends I’ve made over the years working with this great group of people. I’m reminded each year when I begin interviewing Planners about their top concerns, issues and challenges, as to the extremely complex nature of planning medical meetings. I have so much respect for their ability to effectively communicate with so many different parties to develop and execute not only successful but also regulatory compliant meetings. So I guess you can say I’ve learned to listen closely to these planners as they share their successes, identify their struggles and sometimes vent about their frustrations and to translate those stories and sentiments into educational sessions at the conference, articulating learning points and best practices that all planners can benefit from hearing. “Can you elaborate on the issues specific to planning meetings within the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries?” Absolutely! Many external meetings are developed for physicians and very highly regulated, with a cap on per physician spend and supporting documentation required to be submitted to not only federal but also state governments in a variety of locations. Companies also exhibit at large medical conventions, so in addition to having elaborate booths, displays and sales staff constantly travelling, they also must comply with strict regulations for not only booth giveaways but also the actual interaction with physicians onsite. “What are some of the highlights from the upcoming 6th Pharmaceutical Meeting Planners’ Summit taking place November 15-16 in New Jersey?” We have two case study presentations from expert Planners at large pharmaceutical companies on the agenda for this year. The pharmaceutical industry has undergone extensive consolidation with new mergers and acquisitions being pursued and announced every week, so Tammy Feverston of Merck Meeting Services shares best practices after a recent merger, for effectively integrating two meetings departments into one. In addition, Paula Meyers discusses Eli Lilly’s communication optimization strategy to maximize both internal and external communication for transparent, compliant and effective meeting execution. There are also sessions on regulation interpretation and compliance, strategic meetings management, measuring

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Kristen Hunter (cont.)

meeting effectiveness, virtual and hybrid meetings, contract negotiation, social networking, working with procurement, the impact of the recession, and more.

For more information on the conference, visit: http://www.exlpharma.com/events/MPsummit If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Kristen Hunter at 212-400-6241 or khunter@exlpharma.com

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Announcing Hosted Buyer Programs in 10 U.S. Cities SPIN is excited about our new partnership with Meetings 4 You M4Y creates hosted buyer events in 10 U.S. cities, each with 40 planners and 40 suppliers. Our partnership means that these events will have a more senior-level planner focus, plus great SPIN educational content where planners earn CEUs.

Here's a sample agenda: 1 pm - Arrival & Registration 2-8 pm - 12 Pre-set Planner/Supplier Appointments and SPIN Networking Lounge 8 pm - Networking dinner, evening at leisure 7:30-10 am - Networking Breakfast and SPIN Think Tank 10 am - Adjourn M4Y also coordinates a cruise for 100 planners, with pre-set appointments of their choice, plus great networking opportunities, and SPIN-produced educational content. To be notified about upcoming programs, click here.

Below are the upcoming Live Think Tank Events for the Fall. Registration is open -www.spinplanners.com/live-think-tanks.html

Orange County - Oct 12 Los Angeles - Oct 13 Dallas - Oct 14 Washington DC - Nov 30 November (dates to be announced soon!) Washington DC - Philadelphia - New York - Chicago - Boston

Live Think Tank Events