GMID 2018: from Cyber Security to Lip-Synching

April 12, 2018 was Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) and to recognize this special day, MPI Ottawa organized a half-day event at the Brookstreet Hotel. GMID Chair Desmond Lomas, CMP, The Howes Group began the afternoon educational session by introducing Chris Mathers, a cyber-crime expert who gave a riveting presentation on the impact of cybercrime on our lives and how to protect our businesses and meetings from becoming targets. One attendee compared the experience to watching a horror movie—both entertaining and terrifying at the same time. Counterbalancing the seriousness of the subject, Mathers used a lot of humour in his presentation, while providing plenty of memorable real-life examples.

There were many great takeaways, such as the fact that bad guys can eventually crack most passwords. “Don’t use words or names from any language in your passwords” advised Mathers. He compared using strong passwords to installing a home alarm system with bars on the windows. Thieves can still break-in, but you are making it harder for them. The burglars will likely skip your place and steal from the next house over that has less security in place.

After his presentation, Mathers introduced a panel of experts assembled by the GMID Committee. Chantal Montpetit, CMP, Director, Meetings and Conferences, Canadian Construction Association, Paul Askin, Director, Public Safety & Transportation, TD Place and Gord Jamieson, Senior Director – Canada Risk Services, Visa Canada . Each panelist shared their unique experiences as they related to the meetings industry. Montpetit tackled an all too familiar topic: room pirates. Askin explained how to keep attendees safe from physical threats, while Jamieson detailed what meeting professionals should do to keep credit card information secure. He also described the technology and processes that Visa uses to stay ahead of criminals.

The panel provided this top 10 list of security tips.

1. Refrain from posting your delegate list and associated organizations on your conference website.

2. Insert the link to reserve hotel guestrooms at the end of your conference registration form.

3. Ensure no credit card information is transferred via e-mail.

4. Ensure someone is responsible for monitoring for rogue wireless networks which mimic actual wireless networks.

5. Event wireless networks should be password enabled.

6. Healthy suspicion is not paranoia. Always confirm by telephone any request for funds or personal information.

7. NEVER use a password with a proper name or word (in any language).

8. Only provide sensitive information (telephone or email) when you are the one who initiated the contact.

9. ALWAYS conduct a comprehensive background check on new employees and update their criminal record check every two years. Ensure your contractors do the same with their employees.

10. Segregate the duties of your IT personnel so that no one person has “the keys to the kingdom”.

Following the afternoon session, the more than 200 registrants enjoyed a cocktail reception and dinner. Jennifer McAndrew, MPI Ottawa President and Event Director & Co-Founder, Mastermind Events read from congratulatory letters from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Kathleen Wynne, as well as a proclamation from Mayor Jim Watson declaring April 12, 2018 as Global Meetings Industry Day in Ottawa.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the annual Influence Award. This is MPI Ottawa’s opportunity to recognize a local individual or organization for their contribution to the meetings industry. McAndrew presented the 2018 Influence Award to the Ottawa 2017 Committee for its remarkable work towards the celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary. The impact of those 12 months of amazing events in Ottawa, both big and small, will be felt in the local hospitality industry for many years. There to accept the award were Steve Ball, Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association and Co-Chair of the Ottawa 2017 Committee, and Jann Harder, Councillor with the City of Ottawa accepting on behalf of Mayor Jim Watson, who was also Co-Chair of the Ottawa 2017 Committee.

Capping off the fabulous dinner served by the Brookstreet Hotel, was the Lip Synch Battle, expertly emceed by Jennifer Beatty, Managing Director, Resiada Inc. Three entertaining acts had the audience cheering and clapping along.

“Team GO GO” brought back 80s nostalgia with its interpretation of Wham!’s Wake me Up. The group consisted of Karen Norris, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, Violeta Ugarte and Sandra Moniz, Meetings and Conventions Calgary, Katie Hand, Calgary Stampede, Jason Fajardo, Telus Convention Centre, and “the boys” from Meetings and Conventions Calgary who joined by video. What a blast from the past!

The second act was “Belle and the Dummy” featuring Melanie Hudson, National Association of Federal Retirees and Rosemary Vaughan, GiftRevel. They lip-synched an amusing rendition of Ex’s and Oh’s by Elle King. Their creative use of props included wrestling with a life-sized dummy. The crowd could not look away!

Mark Zanetti, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism energetically performed Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry which brought the house down! His dancing and guitar moves were clearly rehearsed for hours. His performance won the contest and a $200 donation to his charity of choice, the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Many sponsors were recognized for making this such a special day: gold sponsor Outaouais Tourism; bronze sponsors Niagara Falls Business Events and Moncton Tourism; gold in-kind FMAVand Speakers’ Spotlight; bronze in-kind Peller Estates, PC Name Tag, The Howes Group, GiftRevel, Mastermind Events and Allegra Printing; registration DE Systems; and host Brookstreet Hotel.

The GMID Committee also received a well-deserved thank you: Marie-Louise Doyle, Diane Fowles, CMP, Andrew Horsfield, Brianna Lavoy, Desmond Lomas, CMP, Catherine Mathieu, CMP and Francine St. Martin.

   Article written by Desmond Lomas, CMP, The Howes GroupTop of Form

Article edited by Melanie Hudson, National Association of Federal Retirees