When 684 meetings industry leaders met in Boston this week for Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals’ (FICP) 2022 Annual Conference, the theme at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport was “Creating Our New History.” And they set milestones. The 21st annual Silent Auction raised $106,896.02, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by $6,114.02.
Proceeds benefitted Massachusetts Association for Mental Health ($81,896.02) and the Above and Beyond Foundation (two $3,000 grants and an additional $19,000 donated). “We are proud that this year’s record-setting donations through the Silent Auction benefitted and will make a significant impact on both a local organization supporting mental health and an organization directly supporting our industry. Giving back matters and both organizations play critical roles in supporting their communities,” said FICP Hospitality Partner Advisory Committee Chair Jason Cohen in a statement.
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The community give-back portion of the event also included an activation that led to attendees assembling 500 water filters through the W|W Filter Build Experience. Each filter helps provide 12 people with clean water for more than 10 years, filtering up to 99.99999% of harmful bacteria and turbidity from water. That’s a direct impact on 6,000 people around the world for the next decade. This was the first time the CSR Closing Experience was included in the program.
New Faces
In addition to the robust education (multicultural marketing and business trends from Kelly McDonald, human connection tips from Riaz Meghji and futureproofing from Crystal Washington for three examples) and fun networking activations from Omni Hotels & Resort, Marriott International and CSI DMC, association business included naming the 2023 Board of Directors.
Loneliness is causing massive health and productivity problems. Meeting professionals can help people connect in meaningful ways by being assertively empathetic. Real connection comes from the ability to admit imperfection. @RiazMeghji #FICP22 pic.twitter.com/waT1SXbUPR
— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) November 15, 2022
Joining the board are Elyse Dawson, CMP, senior manager of corporate events and conference center at Invesco; Susan Harding, CMP, event strategy consultant with FM Global; and Julie Wilson, CMP, assistant vice president of meeting and events with Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa. Their three-year terms will become effective Jan. 1, 2023.
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Meredith Buggelli, corporate vice president of corporate events–head of industry relations and administration with New York Life Insurance Company, will become the 2023 Chair. Jennifer C. Squeglia, CMP, independent contractor with RLC Events, will serve as immediate past chair.
January Cantrell, CMP, director of meetings and events with Corebridge Financial, was named chair-elect.
We have to plan for attendees of the future because technology is changing how people learn and interact. Let’s use technology to deliver personalized experiences. @cryswashington #FICP22 #meetingprofs pic.twitter.com/869pwuLftP
— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) November 15, 2022
Continuing on the board are: Lori Allen, vice president of global event operations with MetLife; Meg D’Angelo, CIS, DES, assistant vice president of corporate events and hospitality with Lincoln Financial Group; Susannah Frances, CMP, senior events experience consultant with Sun Life; and Steve Bova, CAE, executive director of FICP.
The #Bostonfirst celebration @FICP was picture perfect. #FICP22 @WestinCopley pic.twitter.com/th8iUlf58b
— JT Long (@SmartMtgsJT) November 15, 2022
The 2023 FICP Annual Conference will be staged Nov. 12-15 at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort in Florida.