Canadian Communiqué Winter 2004 One Voice With the

Canadian Communiqué
Winter 2004
One Voice With the Strength of Many
Une seule voix forte de milliers de voix
A Message From Your Canadian Office
Message de votre bureau canadien
Canada From Coast to Coast
Le Canada d’une côte à l’autre
Now Available – Meetings & Conventions: A Planning Guide
Chapter News and Views
Canadian Tourism Commissions’ Strategic Marketing Plan 2003-2005
McGuinty Government Announces $30 Million to Revitalize Ontario Tourism
Congratulations New Canadian CMMs
Tourism Week
Larger Budgets, More International Travel Signal Healthy Meeting Industry Performance
in 2004
Canada’s Personal Information Laws Now Apply to Those Holding, Organizing and
Sponsoring Conferences
Calendar of Events
One Voice With the Strength of Many
By Ginette Lavack, Canadian representative, MPI
International Board of Directors
Seven years ago, the Canadian Council dreamed up
National Meetings Industry Day (NMID), a day in
celebration of and to help build awareness of our
industry. Nothing similar existed prior to that, making it
an opportune time to “Build it so they will come!”
Although the Canadian Council ceases to exist, the
general concept of NMID has remained the same: meetings featuring a speaker talking
about our industry and its economic importance. Initially, the idea was to host/attract
members of government and business professionals in other sectors to make them aware
of the impact that our industry has on the local and national economy. Many chapters
have taken this first concept and expanded on it to include a full day mini-conference or
even a week of various activities to help mark the occasion.
This year, we are very fortunate to have the generous sponsorships of Delta Hotels
who will be supplying the venue and breakfast at their properties for most of our seven
chapters. CORPAV Audio Visual Services and AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions, in
joint sponsorship, will provide the audio-visual equipment required for speakers and
presentations at the event. And lastly, marketing support from the Canadian Meeting &
Travel Group who will feature a full-page ad in an upcoming issue of M&IT magazine as
well as coverage in M&IT’s February and March e-newsletters and upcoming calendar of
events. The total distribution is approximately 15,000.
A team of Canadian leaders will work together to help build awareness about NMID
through national press releases, information posted on the MPI Canadian Web site (go to
www.mpiweb.org and click on ‘Chapters’ for a direct link) and as many other vehicles
available for free promotion.
NMID has the potential to become a truly effective awareness campaign. With the
continued support of generous sponsors like Delta Hotels, CORPAV Audio Visual
Services, AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions and the Canadian Meeting & Travel
Group (and of course, the hard work of organizers in each chapter), we have the
opportunity to create an effective advocacy event. This national celebration helps bring
cohesiveness to our organization and gives us “One Voice With the Strength of Many!”
Une seule voix forte de milliers de voix
Ginette Lavack, représentante du Canada, Conseil
d’administration de MPI International
Il y a sept ans, le Conseil canadien a eu l’idée d’une
Journée nationale de l’industrie des réunions (JNIR), une
journée qui serait consacrée à célébrer cette industrie et à la
faire mieux connaître. Il n’existait rien de comparable avant
cela et le temps était venu – si on l’organisait, ils viendraient!
Si le Conseil canadien n’existe plus, le concept d’ensemble de la JNIR demeure
inchangé : des séances où un conférencier parle de notre industrie et de son importance
sur le plan économique. À l’origine, l’idée était d’inviter et d’attirer des représentants du
gouvernement et des gens d’affaires des autres secteurs pour les sensibiliser à l’impact
qu’a notre industrie sur l’économie locale et nationale. De nombreuses sections se sont
emparées de ce concept initial et l’ont développé pour inclure une mini-conférence d’une
journée ou même une semaine complète d’activités diverses pour marquer l’occasion.
Nous avons la grande chance cette année d’être généreusement commandités par les
Hôtels Delta qui fourniront les locaux et le petit déjeuner dans leurs établissements pour
la majorité de nos sept sections. Les services audiovisuels CORPAV et AVW-TELAV
Solutions audiovisuelles, nous co-commanditeront également et fourniront l’équipement
audiovisuel nécessaire pour les conférenciers et les exposés. Enfin, nous aurons l’appui
pour la commercialisation du Canadian Meeting & Travel Group qui publiera une
publicité pleine page dans un prochain numéro de la revue M&IT ainsi qu’un article et un
calendrier des manifestations à venir dans les bulletins d’information électroniques de
M&IT de février et mars. L’effectif-lecteurs est d’environ 15 000 personnes.
Une équipe de chefs de file canadiens travailleront ensemble pour aider à faire
connaître la JNIR au moyen de communiqués de presse au niveau national, d’information
affichée sur le site Web canadien de MPI (se rendre à www.mpiweb.org et cliquer sur
« Chapters » pour avoir un lien direct) et de tous les autres moyens de promotion gratuits
à leur disposition.
On pourrait faire de la JNIR une campagne de sensibilisation vraiment efficace.
Avec le soutien de généreux commanditaires comme les Hôtels Delta, Services
audiovisuels CORPAV, AVW-TELAV Solutions audiovisuelles et le Canadian Meeting
& Travel Group (et bien sûr le travail acharné des organisateurs dans chacune des
sections), nous avons la possibilité de créer une manifestation incitatrice. Cette journée
national contribue en outre à accroître la cohésion de notre organisation et nous donne
“Une voix forte de milliers de voix! »
Translation sponsored by : Infolink : The Conference Publishers, Ottawa
A Message From Your Canadian Office
By Leslie Wright, director of Canadian Operations
I attended the Canadian Tourism Human Resources Council Conference in
November and found the conference to be excellent not only in content, but also in the
contacts I made.
Meetings and events are classified under “tourism” with the Canadian government
and although a lot of the information specifically referred to workers in the hotel segment
of our industry, much of the information provided will impact us all.
We know that there is a retirement crisis looming with ten million baby boomers in
Canada. The first boomers turned 55 in 2003 and are looking to ‘retread’ rather than
retire. Organizations will need to look at this age sector as a valuable asset because in 10
years, there will be a huge shortage of workers.
A survey with the Royal Bank found the new generation, now called Nexus, to be
vastly different from what the media has projected. They see the workplace as part of
their community, a place to meet new people, have people to work with and a place to
earn money. One-third expect to be self-employed within the next five years. The three
most important factors of their jobs are job security, challenging responsibilities and task
variety. Most will have five to seven careers in their lifetime.
Here are some interesting statistics that Rosaline Frith, director general integration
branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Lenore Burton, associate director
general, learning and literacy directorate, Human Resources Development Canada, had to
offer:
•
75% of new jobs created in 2002 required post-secondary education
•
45% of the adult population does not have post-secondary education
•
42% of Canada’s current workers lack literacy to function efficiently on the job
•
More than 50% of the workforce for 2015 is already in the labour market and will
continually need to learn and grow.
•
By 2011, immigrants will account for all net labour force growth.
•
In the 80s, 70% of the work force was Canadian born. Today it’s only 10-12%.
•
Only 27% participate in adult learning.
•
In 1999, 87% of workplaces had less than 10 employees.
We must look at how to market tourism careers. Tourism revenues in Canada are
$51.8 billion. Why should someone choose a career in tourism? It offers variety,
opportunity, creativity, training & professional development opportunities, global skills,
transferability of skills, advancement potential and challenges. If we don’t market
tourism as a career, by 2010, there will be a skilled labour shortage. What are you doing
in your local community to promote our industry?
The new privacy law came into effect in Canada, January 1, 2004. In this issue, we
have included an article by Bill Pashby, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. We will continue to
monitor articles for additional information on
this new law.
The Professional Education Conference in
San Antonio in January gave me an opportunity
to meet more of our Canadian members. One of
the features of the conference was a chapter
sign-decorating contest prior to the opening
session on Sunday. This event, sponsored by Tourism Toronto,
brought out the best in the chapters and their creativity was
astounding. With very short notice, members brought articles
representing their chapter region
and created the most amazing
signs. I can only imagine what next
year will bring now that those in
attendance have seen what can be
done. Congratulations to the MPI Montréal Chapter, runner-up in the Most Unique
category and MPI Toronto Chapter, runner-up in the Best Theme category.
The MPI Foundation invited all Canadians in attendance to come to a brief
informational session on the Canadian Foundation followed by a reception for Envision
2003 donors. The Canadian campaign will run until the end of March and to date we have
raised over $500,000. The following Canadian companies/individuals have made a
donation to date:
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Canada
PSAV – Division of Audio Visual Services (Canada) Corporation
The STRONCO Group of Companies/AV-Canada
Tourism Toronto
Angie Pfeifer, CMM
Fletcher Wright Associates Inc.
Investors Group Financial Services
Mark Hope
MCC Planners Inc.
MPI Ottawa Chapter
MPI Toronto Chapter
Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM
If your company is interested in supporting the Canadian Foundation and its
initiatives, please call me at (905) 286-4807.
Message de votre bureau canadien
Leslie Wright, directrice des Opérations pour le Canada
J’ai assisté à la conférence du Conseil canadien des ressources
humaines en tourisme en novembre et ai trouvé cette manifestation
excellente, non seulement de par son contenu mais aussi pour les gens que
j’y ai rencontrés.
Les réunions et les conférences sont dans la catégorie « tourisme » pour le
gouvernement canadien et, bien qu’une grande partie de l’information porte
spécifiquement sur le personnel hôtelier, il s’agissait de choses qui auront une incidence
sur nous tous.
Nous savons qu’une crise est imminente du fait du départ à la retraite de dix millions
d’enfants du baby boom au Canada. Les premiers ont eu 55 ans en 2003 et pensent
« remise à niveau » plutôt que retraite. Les organisations devront considérer ce groupe
d’âge comme une ressource précieuse car, dans dix ans, la pénurie de main-d’oeuvre sera
majeure.
Une enquête réalisée par la Banque mondiale a révélé que la nouvelle génération,
maintenant appelée génération Nexus, est très différente de l’image qu’en a donné les
médias. Les gens de cette génération considèrent leur milieu de travail comme une partie
intégrante de leur collectivité, un endroit où rencontrer des gens nouveaux, trouver des
gens avec qui travailler et gagner de l’argent. Un tiers d’entre eux prévoit être à son
compte d’ici cinq ans. Les trois facteurs les plus importants en ce qui concerne leur
emploi sont la sécurité de l’emploi, des responsabilités qui constituent un défi et des
tâches diversifiées. La majorité auront entre cinq et sept carrières pendant leur vie.
Vois quelques statistiques intéressantes citées par Rosaline Frith, directrice générale,
Direction générale de l’Iintégration à Citoyenneté et Immigration Canada, et Lenore
Burton, directrice générale associée, Développement des ressources humaines Canada :
•
75% des nouveaux emplois créés en 2002 nécessitaient des études
postsecondaires.
•
45% de la population adulte n’a pas fait d’études postsecondaires.
•
42% des travailleurs canadiens actuels n’ont pas le niveau d’alphabétisation
nécessaire pour pouvoir être efficaces dans leur travail.
•
Plus de 50% de la main-d’oeuvre de 2015 est déjà sur le marché du travail et
continuera à apprendre et à se développer.
•
D’ici 2011, les immigrants seront responsables de l’ensemble de l’augmentation
nette de la main-d’oeuvre.
•
Dans les années 1980, 70% de la main-d’oeuvre était née au Canada. Ce
pourcentage n’est plus que de 10-12%.
•
Seulement 27% participent à des activités d’apprentissage des adultes.
•
En 1999, 87% des lieux de travail comptaient moins de 10 employés.
Nous devons réfléchir aux façons de promouvoir les carrières touristiques. Les
revenus provenant du tourisme s’élèvent à 51,8 milliards de dollars au Canada. Pourquoi
choisir une carrière dans ce secteur? Parce que qui dit carrière touristique dit variété,
débouchés, créativité, possibilités de formation et de perfectionnement professionnel,
compétences mondiales et transférables, possibilités d’avancement et défis. Si l’on ne
s’efforce pas de promouvoir ces carrières d’ici 2010, la main-d’oeuvre qualifiée va
manquer. Vous-mêmes, que faites-vous dans votre collectivité locale pour promouvoir
notre secteur?
La nouvelle loi sur la protection de la vie privée est entrée en vigueur au Canada le
er
1 janvier 2004. Nous avons inclus dans le présent numéro un article de Bill Pahsby, de
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. Nous continuerons à surveiller les publications pour obtenir
plus de renseignements sur cette nouvelle loi.
La conférence sur la formation des professionnels qui a eu lieu à San Antonio en
janvier a été pour moi une occasion de rencontrer
un plus grand nombre de nos membres canadiens.
L’une des activités à cette conférence était un
concours de décoration de panneaux pour les
sections avant la séance d’ouverture de
dimanche. Pour ce concours, commandité par
Toronto Tourism, les sections ont donné le meilleur d’ellesmêmes et leur créativité était époustouflante. Avec très peu de
temps pour ce faire, les membres ont apporté des articles
représentant leur région et ont
créé d’impressionnants
panneaux. J’ai du mal à
imaginer ce qui se passera
l’année prochaine maintenant
que les gens qui étaient là ont vu ce que l’on pouvait faire. Félicitations à la section de
MPI de Montréal, qui est arrivée deuxième pour le Panneau le plus original, et à la
section de Toronto, deuxième pour le Meilleur thème.
La Fondation MPI a invité tous les Canadiens présents à une brève séance
d’information sur la Fondation canadienne qui a été suivie par une réception pour les
donateurs de la campagne Envision de 2003. La campagne canadienne se poursuivra
jusqu’à la fin du mois de mars et a permis de rassembler, à ce jour, 500 000 dollars. Les
entreprises et particuliers canadiens suivants ont déjà fait un don :
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Canada
PSAV – Division of Audio Visual Services (Canada) Corporation
The STRONCO Group of Companies/AV-Canada
Tourism Toronto
Angie Pfeifer, CMM
Fletcher Wright Associates Inc.
Services financiers Investors
Mark Hope
MCC Planners Inc.
Section d’Ottawa, MPI
Section de Toronto, MPI
Rita Plaskett, CMP, CMM
Si votre entreprise souhaite apporter son soutien à la Fondation canadienne et à ses
initiatives, veuillez m’appeler au (905) 286-4807.
Translation sponsored by : Infolink : The Conference Publishers, Ottawa
Canada From Coast to Coast
By Elizabeth Henderson, CMP
One of the essential parts of my job as manager of global chapter relations and
development for MPI is to visit all of my assigned chapters to ensure that their chapter
boards (all volunteers, by the way) are operating smoothly and efficiently. In addition to
four chapters based in the U.S., I work with all seven of the Canadian MPI chapters –
British Columbia, Greater Edmonton, Greater Calgary, Manitoba, Toronto, Ottawa and
Montréal.
Over the last 11 months I have visited all of these chapters, from British Columbia in
the west to Montréal in the east. Although each chapter has its own specific challenges,
they have one thing in common: dedicated volunteers and members who exhibit
overwhelming amounts of hospitality. I’d like to say thank you to everyone—and their
respective properties—who have helped ensure that my travels have been warm,
comfortable and easy on my budget!
Let’s start with the incomparable Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina, where Mark
Andrew of the MPI British Columbia chapter (mantra: it just keeps getting better!) has
now hosted me twice – and given me an unforgettable view of Stanley Park each time. At
The Sutton Place, Edmonton, I was able to enjoy the Ambassador Suite as a home base
for meeting with the Edmonton Board. In Montréal, Magda Sabella of the MPI Montréal
chapter made sure I stayed in regal splendour in a section of the Royal Suite at no less
than the Ritz-Carlton, Montréal (did I mention I had the same bathroom as Elizabeth
Taylor and Richard Burton on their honeymoon?). Thanks to Frank DiRocco, the Delta
Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre, Mississauga, who has also hosted me on two
occasions in their friendly property, and hosted a great MPI meeting there, too! You need
to try their soup. Wow. In Winnipeg, I stayed at the Radisson Hotel, fronting onto one of
Canada’s most famous intersections, Portage and Main. In Ottawa, on my most recent
visit, I had the pleasure of staying at the Aristocrat Suites – in a Penthouse Suite, no less.
The point of all this shameless gratitude is that our supplier members often go above
and beyond in their dedication to this association. Self-promotion, you say? Well, of
course. But the hospitality they have provided to me isn’t because I am a high-profile VIP
that will increase their visibility and prestige. Far from it! It is because they have put
their faith in this industry’s largest association and are willing to help ensure its success.
And that can only mean benefits for all of us.
Speaking of benefits, we would like to hear from you! If there is a specific benefit
you would like us to research the feasibility of offering to our Canadian members, please
get in touch. Right now the Canadian office is looking into group rates for independent
planner insurance. If you are interested, please get in touch with Leslie Wright at
[email protected].
I look forward to meeting you and working with your chapters this year!
ELIZABETH HENDERSON is a Manager of Global Chapter Relations & Development
with Meeting Professionals International. She is based in Calgary, Alberta and can be
reached at [email protected].
Le Canada d’une côte à l’autre
Elizabeth Henderson, CMP
L’un des aspects essentiels de mon travail, en tant que gestionnaire des relations et
du développement pour la section mondiale de MPI est de rendre visite à toutes les
sections qui m’ont été confiées pour s’assurer que leurs conseils d’administration (tous
des bénévoles, soit dit en passant) travaillent bien et sont efficaces. En plus de quatre
sections aux États-Unis, je travaille aussi avec les sept sections canadiennes de MPI –
Colombie-Britannique, Grand Edmonton, Grand Calgary, Manitoba, Toronto, Ottawa et
Montréal.
Au cours des 11 derniers mois, je me suis rendue dans toutes ces sections, de la
Colombie-britannique sur la côte ouest jusqu’à Montréal dans l’Est. Si chaque section à
des défis qui lui sont propres, elles ont toutes une chose en commun : des bénévoles et
des membres dévoués qui font preuve d’une hospitalité hors pair. J’aimerais leur dire
merci à tous – ainsi qu’à leurs établissements respectifs – pour avoir fait tout leur
possible pour que mes voyages soient sous le signe de la chaleur humaine et du confort,
sans être trop durs pour mon budget!
Commençons par l’incomparable Westin Bayshore Resort and Marina, où Mark
Andrew de la section MPI de Colombie-Britannique (mantra : Ça ne cesse de
s’améliorer!) m’a maintenant reçue à deux reprises – et m’a donné à chaque fois une
chambre avec une vue inoubliable du parc Stanley. À Sutton Place, à Edmonton, j’ai pu
profiter de la suite Ambassador pour mes réunions avec le conseil d’Edmonton. À
Montréal, Magda Sabella de la section MPI de Montréal a veillé à ce que je séjourne dans
un luxe digne d’une reine dans une section de la suite Royale au Ritz-Carlton, rien que ça
(Ai-je précisé que j’avais la même salle de bains qu’Élizabeth Taylor et Richard Burton
pendant leur lune de miel?). Merci à Frank DiRocco, du Delta Meadowvale Resort and
Conference Centre à Mississauga, qui m’a reçue à deux reprises dans son établissement
accueillant et y a également accueilli une excellente réunion de MPI! Il faut que vous
goûtiez leur soupe. À Winnipeg, je suis descendue à l’Hôtel Radisson Hotel, en plein sur
l’un des carrefours les plus célèbres du Canada, Portage et Main. À Ottawa, enfin, l’une
de mes visites les plus récentes, j’ai séjourné aux Suites Aristocrat – dans une suite
penthouse, je vous prie.
Ce que je souhaite montrer avec cet étalage éhonté de gratitude est que les
fournisseurs parmi nos membres vont souvent bien au-delà du strict nécessaire dans leur
dévouement à notre association. Auto-promotion, direz-vous? Oui, bien sûr, mais s’ils
m’ont reçue avec autant d’hospitalité, ce n’est pas parce que je suis une personne
importante et connue qui accroîtra leur visibilité et leur prestige. Loin de là! C’est parce
qu’ils ont foi dans la plus grande association de notre industrie et sont prêts à faire le
nécessaire pour contribuer à sa réussite. Et cela veut dire que nous sommes tous gagnants.
Puisque nous parlons d’avantages, nous aimerions votre avis. Y a-t-il des avantages
spécifiques que vous aimeriez que nous étudions pour voir s’il serait faisable de les offrir
à nos membres canadiens? Laissez nous le savoir. En ce moment, le bureau canadien
étudie la question des côtisations d’assurance collective pour les planificateurs
indépendants. Si vous êtes intéressés, veuillez prendre contact avecLeslie Wright à
[email protected].
Je me réjouis à l’avance de vous rencontrer et de travailler avec votre section cette
année!
ELIZABETH HENDERSON est gestionnaire, relations et développement, section
mondiale de Meeting Professionals International. Elle est à Calgary, en Alberta et son
adresse électronique est [email protected].
Translation sponsored by : Infolink : The Conference Publishers, Ottawa
Now Available – Meetings & Conventions: A Planning Guide
Authors: Sandy Biback CMP, CMM; Angela Harvey, CMP; Rita Plaskett, CMP,
CMM; Jean Silzer, CMP; and Helen Van Dongen, CMP, CMM. Originally published in
1997, the definitive guide to meeting and convention planning has been updated to
include a valuable interactive CD-Rom of checklists and templates that can be designed
to suit the specific meeting, convention or event you are planning. A valuable reference
book and teaching guide, Meetings and Conventions: A Planning Guide is a must for
every meeting professional. Chapters range from Meeting Objectives to Budget to
Program Development to Negotiations and Contracts to Evaluations and everything in
between. Each chapter finishes with a self-test; most contain “A Conference Journal”, a
unique addition to the revised book. It is the Journal of one Meeting Professional as she
walks through her Conference and Tradeshow and is related to the topic discussed in the
specific chapter. Also included are diagrams, hot tips and industry insights from major
contributors to the industry. Meetings and Conventions: A Planning Guide was written by
a task force and reviewed by several well-known industry professionals. You will find
Meetings and Conventions: A Planning Guide to be global in its perspective—use it as a
guide to any meeting, convention, event anywhere in the world! *Canadians only, can
order this book through the MPI Canadian office and pay in Canadian funds.
Canadians only, to order call 1-905-286-4807 or e-mail [email protected]
Regular Price: $89.95 + shipping and GST
Member Price: $59.95 + shipping and GST
In Stock
Chapter News and Views
The MPI Ottawa Chapter announces its National Meetings Industry Day Conference,
Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at the Ottawa Congress Centre. MPI Ottawa Chapter is
organizing a one-day educational and networking event to mark the occasion. The
conference theme is ‘The Power of Partnerships’ and they are partnering with many other
industry organizations.
Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, Chairwoman of the MPI International Board of
Directors will be attending this exciting day in Ottawa. Speakers include Evan Solomom,
co-host of CBC News: Sunday and host of Hot Type along with Tom Blake, business
consultant and sales management professional.
To view the full program, go to www.mpiottawa.ca.
Other chapter activities for National Meetings Industry Day include the following:
•
MPI British Columbia Chapter – contact (604) 291-1607 or www.bcchapter.com
•
MPI Greater Calgary Chapter – breakfast Meeting at Delta Bow Valley. Topic:
Expert Planners – Q&A. Contact www.mpi-gcc.org/events.htm
•
MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter – Delta Edmonton Centre Suites Hotel. Contact
www.mpigec.ca
•
MPI Manitoba Chapter – Full Day Educational Conference & Trade Show, Delta
Winnipeg, ‘The Magic of Meetings’. Contact www.mpiweb.mb.ca
•
MPI Toronto Chapter – breakfast meeting, Delta Chelsea, ‘National Meetings
Industry Day Celebrates Toronto’. Contact www.mpitoronto.org
•
MPI Montréal Chapter – Full day meeting, Palais des congres de Montréal,
‘L’industrie des Congress…A L’heure des Partenariats/Conference industry…the
time for partnerships.’ Contact (514) 493-9835.
Canadian Tourism Commissions’ Strategic Marketing Plan 2003-2005
The Canadian Tourism Commission has its Strategic Marketing in Meetings,
Conventions and Incentive Travel information available on its Web site at
www.canadatourism.com in the About CTC section.
This document is well worth the time to read as its full of interesting statistics and
information relating to Canada.
McGuinty Government Announces $30 Million to Revitalize Ontario Tourism
The McGuinty government is helping to revitalize the tourism industry by investing
$30 million to promote tourism and economic growth in Ontario. The $30 million in new
funding will be invested in three main areas:
$10 million for provincial tourism marketing to develop and deliver competitive
marketing campaigns to sell Ontario in domestic, US and international markets as the
destination of choice for travelers from around the world;
$2.8 million earmarked for Northern tourism marketing initiatives, recognizing the
unique needs of Northern communities; and
$17.2 million in strategic partnerships to market events and destinations across the
province, develop convention business and promote cultural tourism.
Congratulations New Canadian CMMs
Twenty-four meeting professionals recently completed the requirements to obtain the
Global Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) designation. Congratulations to our
new Canadian CMMs:
Mitchell L. Beer, CMM
Irene Davidson-Fisher, PA, CMM
Wanda J. Daza, CMP, CMM
Lynne S. Gale, CMM
Richard (Woody) Huizenga, CMM
Nicola Kastner, CMP, CMM
Marye Menard-Bos, CMP, CMM
Theresa Polok, CMP, CAE, CMM
Marianne Thompson, CMP, CMM
The 2004 CMM North American program will be held in Vancouver, BC at the
Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina from August 28 – September 2, 2004.
Tourism Week
In 2004, Tourism Week in Canada will be celebrated from June 20 to 26. In 2003 the
theme was ‘Tourism Makes Canada Smile’ and it aimed to raise awareness of the
tremendous economic and social benefits of a $52 billion industry that keeps 1.6 million
Canadians working, supports economic and community development and generates
significant tax revenues for all levels of government.
For more information on Tourism Week, check out the Tourism Industry Association
of Canada’s Web site at www.tiac-aitc.ca.
Larger Budgets, More International Travel Signal Healthy Meeting Industry
Performance in 2004
MPI and American Express report predicts stronger year ahead amid challenges of
shifting business dynamics between buyers and sellers
The multi-billion-dollar global meeting industry is anticipating a healthy year-overyear performance as planners and suppliers equally forecast an average 4 percent growth
in spending and revenue, according to FutureWatch 2004, a comparative annual outlook
from MPI and American Express. Other results pointing to a welcome upturn include a
likely 11 percent increase in outbound international meetings from North America; a 3
percent-plus growth in industry employment; and expansion of training budgets by at
least 5 percent. Yet lingering budget constraints and market share pressures are mirrored
in an identical 7 percent divergence between 2004 vs. 2003 projected spending and
revenue. FutureWatch 2004 also reveals industry-first data on the pace of strategic
sourcing for meeting procurement and discloses key shifts in buyer/seller business
relationships.
Please take a few moments to read FutureWatch 2004, as it reveals new trend
information about our members the state of the global meeting industry. This report will
not only gain MPI coverage in the business media and reinforce our industry leadership
position, but it can help guide us internally as we plan education programs, develop
marketing materials, counsel chapter leaders, and deliver member value in the wake of
the changing relationship between planners and suppliers.
A full report can be downloaded from:
www.mpiweb.org/media/home/futurewatch2004.pdf. A printed report was also in the
January issue of The Meeting Professional.
Canada’s Personal Information Laws Now Apply to Those Holding, Organizing and
Sponsoring Conferences
By Bill Pashby, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
It may be too late! January 1, 2004 was the day. For conferences held after that date
most Canadian firms should have been in compliance with the Personal Information
Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) or with the “substantially similar”
provincial legislation that may have taken its place within your province. Firms operating
in Québec, British Columbia or Alberta should have reviewed their provincial legislation,
which is similar, but not identical to PIPEDA. If they collected, used or disclosed
personal information for commercial purposes, the privacy legislation probably applies to
them.
The rest of this article deals with PIPEDA.
Personal Information
PIPEDA applies to “personal information” that is collected, used or disclosed in the
course of “commercial activities.” “Personal information” is a broad category. It covers
all information about an “identifiable individual,” but does not include the name, title,
business address or business phone number of an employee of an organization. Since it
applies to individuals only, it does not apply to corporations who may be represented at
large meetings or seminars or may be suppliers to the meetings or seminars. The
members of many associations and professions are individuals, most donors to charities
are individuals, the directors of all corporations are individuals as are employees. It is
important to note that for constitutional reasons, PIPEDA will not apply to information
about employees of a not-for-profit organization or charity in most cases (because it is
not a “federal work, undertaking or business”), but that provincial privacy laws may
apply to such information.
The definition of “commercial activities” includes the selling, bartering or leasing of
membership or donor lists but does not go into detail as to what other activities are
covered. Meeting planners often deal with lists of past attendees or future potential
attendees. Many other activities involved in conferences could be considered to be
“commercial,” depending on a number of factors, including their purpose, whether they
are of a commercial nature, and whether they are offered in competition with commercial
businesses. For example, providing athletic activities or food and beverage services
would probably be considered “commercial” and the sale of books or other products on
the same basis as for-profit outlets would probably be considered “commercial.” The
important point to note is that this determination is made for each activity, not for the
organization as a whole, and that a not-for-profit club is not exempt from PIPEDA just
because the overall purpose of the organization is not “commercial.”
Obtain Consent
Before collecting “personal information,” the firm should identify the purposes for
which it is being collected and used, and any outsiders to whom the information is going
to be disclosed. The individual must consent to the collection, use and disclosure of his or
her personal information. The form of consent depends on the sensitivity of the
information and the reasonable expectations of the individual. In some situations, consent
is implied (“goes without saying”); in others, it may be enough to tell the individual that
the organization intends to give him or her an opportunity to withhold consent (“not
saying no means yes”); in still others, it may be necessary to obtain an “affirmative”
consent (or “yes”), but it does not always have to be in writing and signed: it could be
given orally, by a click on a Web site icon, or by checking or initialing a box on a form.
All Web sites should have a special section dealing with the intended use of personal
information given by an individual to an organization through its Web site and should
contain a way of obtaining the individual’s consent to such use.
Plan to Give Access
In addition to collecting, using and disclosing information in compliance with
PIPEDA, the organization will have to respond to requests by individuals to review the
personal information it keeps about them. This means that it will be necessary to be able
to identify and retrieve that information, and to make it available to the individual quickly
in an understandable form for a modest cost.
Review Contracts
Do the organization’s “up-stream” contracts (under which information is obtained
from others for example a list of attendees or booth workers) contain representations that
all personal information disclosed has been lawfully collected and used and is being
lawfully disclosed to the organization? Do the organization’s “down-stream” contracts
(under which information is disclosed to others such as subcontractors for food at the
conference) obligate the other party to comply with specified laws or standards governing
the use and disclosure of the personal information disclosed to it?
Consider Internet Issues
The organization’s Web site and e-mail communications should contain a statement
of privacy policies or procedures. It is a good idea for the Web site to provide visitors
with a convenient means of contacting the organization’s privacy officer and to inform
visitors about the nature and extent of personal information collected automatically
during visits. Security measures should be in place to protect personal information
collected from Web site visitors or from bulletin board or chat room postings.
The Privacy Policy
The privacy laws require organizations to have policies and practices to deal with
personal information, but do not require that there be a single general “policy” or “code.”
Many organizations, however, find it useful to have a general statement of principles and
practices. There is no template for such a policy. Its content should vary depending on the
nature of the organization and its approach to privacy issues. Some organizations like a
shorter document and others like it to provide more detail. Some privacy policies are
organized under headings such as: background; purpose of the policy; the organization’s
policy with respect to keeping information confidential; and the 10 principles set out in
the applicable privacy legislation.
Many privacy policies include a description of whether the organization discloses
personal information to third parties. Some deal with whether the organization will
disclose information to governmental authorities where it is not legally required to do so
but where the applicable privacy laws would allow it to do so without the individual’s
consent.
The Time to Act is NOW
PIPEDA does not permit “grandfathering.” Personal information collected before
January 1, 2004 cannot be used or disclosed after that date for commercial purposes
without the consent of the person. All firms deal with personal information. Whether
PIPEDA or provincial legislation applies, most firms should have a Privacy Policy or
appropriate privacy procedures in place now.
BILL PASHBY is a Toronto lawyer and head of Borden Ladner Gervais’ National
Not-For-Profit Practice Group. The firm has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto,
Ottawa and Montréal. Bill can be reached at [email protected] or 416-367-6249.
Calendar of Events
2004
March 16 – Luncheon Meeting, MPI Manitoba Chapter
March 18 – Luncheon & AGM, ‘Technology Tips, Web site Tips’, MPI British Columbia
Chapter
March 18 – AGM/Platinum Series, ‘E-Mail = Evidence Mail: Getting Results Every
Time You Write’, MPI Greater Calgary Chapter
March 24 – Dinner Meeting, MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter
March 26-28 – PEC Europe, Edinburgh Scotland
April 1 – Dinner Meeting, MPI Toronto Chapter
April 15 – MPI Teambuilding Activity, MPI British Columbia Chapter
April 21 – National Meetings Industry Day – All Chapters
April 28 – Half-day session, MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter
April 29 – Gala, MPI Ottawa Chapter
May 6 – Dinner Meeting, MPI Toronto Chapter
May 13 – Luncheon Meeting, MPI Ottawa Chapter
May 18 – Breakfast Meeting, MPI Manitoba Chapter
May 20 – Luncheon Meeting, MPI British Columbia Chapter
May 20 – Platinum Series ‘The Priority Shuffle: How to Create a Life That is Successful
and Fulfilling, MPI Greater Calgary Chapter
May 26 – Breakfast Meeting, MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter
June 3 – Dinner Meeting, MPI Toronto Chapter
June 11 – AGM, MPI Ottawa Chapter
June 15 – Awards Dinner, MPI Manitoba Chapter
June 23 – Awards Night, MPI Greater Edmonton Chapter
June 23 – Golf Tournament, MPI Toronto Chapter
July 25-27 – World Education Congress, Denver, Colo.
Other Events
2004
August 23-25 – Canadian Meetings & Incentive Travel Show
2005
January 23-25 – Professional Education Conference, San Diego, Calif.
April 8-12 – PEC Europe, Monaco
July 9-12 – World Education Congress, Miami, Fla.
2006
January 22-24 – Professional Education Conference, Charlotte, N.C.
July 9-11 – World Education Congress, Dallas, Texas
2007
August 5-7 – World Education Congress, Montréal, Québec