We know that in business, measurement of outcomes is a priority. For most of us that means benchmarking tangible items which typically translate to $. As a Strengths and Wellbeing Educator I’m loving the shift toward happiness and wellbeing that our culture is taking. This refocus began rather subtly over the last decade and now it colors our landscape with positive psychology. As it turns out, most of us now “get it” — living authentically in our natural Strengths and passions stimulates our wellbeing and that translates to success — for us and our employers.

A friend of mine and cherished alumna, Annette Marquez of The Perfect Occasion, sent me the good news that Lincoln, Nebraska ranked #1 among U.S. metro areas in the Gallup-Healthways Wellbeing study. Click here for Lincoln’s shout-out to the hospitality community.

Never one to believe everything I’m told (gosh, I hope those naive days are behind me), I went to the source and found Gallup’s Lincoln, Neb, Bests All Cities in Wellbeing in 2012 release. Yeah, Lincoln! The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index consists of six sub-indexes that examine life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviors, and access to basic necessities.

If you’re considering a move to a large city and wellbeing is your focus, the study indicates you will want to select Washington, D.C. or San Francisco.

So come on . . . step into your power and join me in living authentically. It’s a blast!

Signs are clear — the meeting and event industry is growing up. Meetings and Conventions survey results about SMMP (Strategic Meetings Management Program) were just released, indicating that almost one-third of respondents have a program (doubled since the last survey in 2010 and nearly 2/3 are aware of what SMMP is — “. . . a disciplined approach to managing enterprise-wide meeting and event activities, processes and data.” Success of our meetings and events requires a formal, more stringent approach, and today’s business climate demands it. Click here to review the survey results.

Want to know more about SMMP? Meet me on LinkedIn or complete the following form. [contact-form]

Mingle and converse with leaders in the field; gain insight into the industry and your own career path. We are thrilled to introduce the following panel of industry professionals for the June 3 “Slice of the Industry” Event.

Introducing the “Slice of the Industry” Panelists:
Sam Thompson, Founder of metroConnections
Bonnie Carlson, CEO of Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau
Gabe Clendenen, Senior Sales Manager of Saint Paul RiverCentre
Sari Lindeman, Sales Coordinator at Bellagala
Sara Kopcyk, Meeting Planner and Owner of Your Timeless Events

The recession is over and we know that many individuals are entering the hospitality industry or ramping up their career. This is your invitation to this FREE hospitality industry event. We look forward to seeing all of you at this fantastic event.

6-8 pm on Monday, June 3 at the DCTC Apple Valley Campus, 14200 Cedar Avenue, Apple Valley, MN, Room 200.

Kudos to the MPI-DCTC Student Club for hosting this event
Cheers to members of the DCTC Hospitality Alumni Network, Meeting Professionals International and Dakota County Technical College for their support.

This is your invitation to

Slice of the Industry Event

June 3, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Join us at Dakota County Technical College Apple Valley Campus, 14200 Cedar Avenue, Apple Valley, MN

Expert panel members, great discussion and refreshments will be hosted by the MPI-DCTC Student Club. If you are new to the industry or simply considering your career track, join us!

RSVP to one of these LinkedIn Groups, PLEASE:
DCTC Leadership and Hospitality Network LinkedIn group
MPI-DCTC Student Club LinkedIn group.

In the article, Booming Careers You Haven’t Considered, Yahoo! names three careers as fast-growing and in demand.

Software Developer
Medical Assistant
Event Planner

Yahoo! cites advice of Anita Bruzzese, a workplace issue columnist for USA Today and author of “Take This Job and Thrive”:

“I’ve heard some truly sad stories of people spending $80,000 on a college degree in a field that has very little demand now or in the future,” says Bruzzese. “They didn’t bother to do any research on their chosen field, and they are now saddled with some big student loan debt.” Bruzzese says many factors can impact job demand, such as the economy, population, and politics. And while it may be difficult to predict the political future, we do know something about job growth and demand from the U.S. Department of Labor’s employment figures.

It’s true. And thanks to the Internet, research is far easier than when the world was flat and I was trying to figure out my next career. A quick trip to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics and their Occupational Outlook Handbook confirms why Yahoo! considers these fastest growing careers. Students in DCTC’s Meeting and Event Management Program are excited about the growth of their chosen career. It probably also has something to do with the fact that students in the program are located across the United States.

Visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/rosealeelee/ for complete contact information.

DCTC Hospitality students and alumni, reserve your spot NOW for this great night of experience that will roll from the river right onto your resume and portfolio. Then plan to join us in the ballroom for a fantastic dinner and program.
The Riverfront Corporation is host to this 19th annual event — the Great River Gathering. The corporation champions urban design as a strategic tool for improving St Paul’s quality of life and business climate. They are especially dedicated to St Paul on the Mississippi River and you will recognize many of their initiatives. In fact, you have likely enjoyed some of them!) Check out their portfolio. You’ll also recognize many local celebrities, civic, and business leaders at this event.

Here’s how to join me in this “Rolling on the River’ experience.
Request a shift by April 19, 11:59 p.m. from the list below and email me your request (Rosealee.Lee@dctc.edu). Use the subject line River. Then save these dates on your calendar:
April 27, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Training by Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation at the Apple Valley campus
May 9, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre for the big night!

Pick your shift from one of these:
8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Liaison: Work with host staff to “make it happen”.
noon-9:30 p.m. Coordinator: Work with host staff to problem solve and “make it happen”.
8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Exhibit Coordinator: Liaise with exhibitors.
3:30-9:30 p.m. Whatever-it-Takes: Be the first line of greeting at registration, farewell, and everything in between.

I will confirm receipt of all shift request emails. Requests will be considered on first-come, first-serve basis. GPA (if applicable) will also be considered. Shift notifications will be distributed by April 25.

Professor Joe Goldblatt has been around the industry longer than me. Yes, I know that’s a bit difficult to comprehend. He taught at George Washington University and relocated a few years ago to Scotland where he now teaches at Queen Margaret University and serves as executive director of the International Centre for the Study of Planned Events. My students may recognize his name as the author of at least one of our textbooks. Goldblatt truly is an industry icon. So I was thrilled when his office forwarded me a reprint of his recent article: Degree opens doors to events.

U.S. employers increasingly echo Goldblatt’s statements. The conference and event industry has become so competitive that employers are mitigating hazards in our high-cost and high-risk business by demanding individuals with a targeted education. Students in DCTC’s Meeting and Event Management degree program who are already experienced in the field are finding a two-year degree that specializes in conference and events to be their doorway to a successful future. And, thanks to the loyal industry experts we partner with, students who have been managing events for years are always surprised at what they didn’t know. Things change when you aren’t looking. It seems that’s especially true of conferences and events.

Contact me if you want to backfill your education to further your own career, brush up on a specific topic or explore customized training for your staff. CMP clock hours have already been approved by the Convention and Industry Council. If you are looking for new hires or interns, DO list your needs at DCTC Leadership and Hospitality Network LinkedIn Group.

If you, a family member or a friend have been a victim of domestic violence, I urge you to join us in this fight to end domestic violence. The injuries inflicted on women and girls include rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation, sexual slavery and more.

The Vagina Monologues
Visit VDay Bloomington for complete information.
Ramada Bloomington at the Mall

Please attend!
Please let us know if you want to participate as a donor or sponsor. Volunteers are also needed. 100% of proceeds are directed to ending domestic violence; 90% stay in Minnesota.

V-DAY is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations.)

This is a call for your engagement and outreach!
V-DAY Bloomington needs YOU. If you want to be a part of this amazing group of volunteers who are organized against domestic violence, please contact Diector Sarah Kopczyk (612) 747-7485 or online at V-DAY Bloomington/Cast, Crew & Volunteers
Here’s the volunteer wish list:
• Publicity
• Sponsorships and fundraising
• Stage/set design
• Treasurer/money handler
• Branding/design of marketing materials, etc.
(Men are allowed to be involved in anything and everything aside from speaking roles on stage. This is a V-Day.org rule.)

This is a call for you to attend!
Ramada MSP Airport at the Mall, 2300 E American Blvd, Bloomington
March 28, 7:30 pm
March 29, 7:30 pm
March 30, 7:30 pm
Tickets may be ordered online at V-DAY Bloomington or at the door. Seating is limited. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Vagina Monologues is an award-winning play based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women. It is about sexuality, strength and liberation. It is delivered with humor and grace.

What about the money?!?
100% of the proceeds are donated to help fight violence against women and girls.
10% will be given to the V-Day Spotlight Campaign
90% of the proceeds will be given to the Minnesota Women’s Consortium. The Consortium made up of more than 160 organizations, each and all committed to the achievement of full equality and justice for women and girls. For thirty years, the Consortium has been a resource center, a referral network, an information source, and a supportive place, a form for the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

V-DAY is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-DAY is a vision
V-DAY is a demand
V-DAY is a spirit
V-DAY is a catalyst
V-DAY is a process
V-DAY is a day
V-DAY is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Please join us!