April 2017 Grapevine

Professional Advancement Congratulations to Pamela Shepherd, CIS, CHSC, on her new position at the LA Tourism & Convention Board. Pam’s title is National Director, Hotel Sales, Southeast.  Pam describes this area as “everything from Pasadena to Malibu, Santa Monica to Redondo Beach, and all things in between, plus Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and of course the sexy new Downtown LA.” Over 150 new hotels opening in 2017 – in a city that is the hub of chic. Pam’s new role is to find meeting, incentive, and convention business for Los Angeles from Texas to the Carolinas.

Professional Advancement
Lance Hornecker, CMP, CMM, a seasoned sales, hospitality and meetings expert, has joined Meeting Expectations as vice president of sales. In his new role, Hornecker will build upon the companies’ key strategies and objectives, grow relationships with current and potential clients and drive growth for the company through sales initiatives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lance to the Meeting Expectations team,” Meeting Expectations President Brian Meyer said. “Lance brings a breadth of sales experience and leadership, which aligns with our overarching company goals as we continue to expand upon our events management, association management and technology services.”

Lance has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, with keen insight into food and beverage, hotel operations, sales and marketing. Most recently, he served as global account director for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. During his tenure, he secured more than 400 million dollars in business and won numerous sales awards, including the Excellence in Sales Award, and Sales Person of the Year. Lance served on the board of directors of Meeting Professionals International – Georgia Chapter (MPI Georgia) for seven years and held a variety of positions including president. MPI Georgia recognized his efforts with numerous awards, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, the President’s Award, and Supplier of the Year (twice).

GES Acquires ON Event Services Global Experience Specialists (GES) has expanded its event production capabilities in North America with the acquisition of AV production and technology services business, ON Event Services. This latest expansion builds on GES' acquisition of Blitz Communications in the UK and sees it extend its global reach, with 85 facilities worldwide.

ON Event Services’ team of 225 members of staff support more than 1,000 events per year and look after around 800 clients including major brands such as Coca-Cola, INFOR, and World Financial Group. The firm is also the preferred in-house provider of audio visual services for 30 venues and six major concert facilities. ON Event Services will now operate as ON Services, a GES Company, and Stan Milner, president of the company, will continue in his role." ON Services and GES are a great fit. It was important for us to join a company with a similar focus on creating live experiences and dedication to client service," said Milner. "We are looking forward to working with the GES team to help clients create engaging events from start to finish. This provides great opportunities for our clients and our employees." Click here to read the full article.

The Butterfly Effect
As some of you may recall, we launched a community service project awhile back, and we have an additional update to share on our progress.  

MPI Georgia Member,Russ Lopinto, received an envelope that contained $50.00 cash to invest in a “good works” effort to pay it forward to a person or group that might benefit from the act of kindness it generates. 

Russ engaged in the project by purchasing a case of Girl Scout cookies which he then distributed to residents in distressed neighborhoods, primarily in Vine City. He also distributed cookies to military personnel coming home through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Russ’ thoughts on his experience: “I guess the real ‘Butterfly Effect’ will come true when one of the people that experience my outreach will think it is rewarding enough to do pay it forward. At the very least, it has been rewarding to me personally.”