Company outings are taking on a new look. There are many opportunities for groups to help those in need. Odyssey Teams located in California is planning team-building activities that help companies give back to the community. For example, their “Life Cycles” program has groups working together to build children’s bikes in a limited amount of time. The bikes are then donated to the local Boys & Girls Club. Odyssey Teams provides the parts and tools and the tech support when the bikes are completed. The company provides the meeting site and the labor.
Another program of Odyssey Teams, “Helping Hands” features smaller groups working together to construct prosthetic hands for amputees around the world.

Habitat for Humanity, a well known group that constructs homes for those who need them has seen an increasing interest in the corporate world.

Impact 4 Good, a company based in New Jersey is focusing on producing environmentally friendly team building activities. Go Green Racing is an activity that has teams creating a solar car out of a kit or creating an environmentally friendly car out of recycled materials. These cars are then donated to schools to teach children about protecting the environment.

Teamworx, based out of California has groups build hybrid bikes after working together to create puzzles. These bikes are then available for the company’s use or donated to local children.

Skamania Lodge in Southern Washington offers a Pacific Crest Trail Complete Meeting Package that will help protect the trail. For every group booking until the end of the year, Skamania will donate $100 for the upkeep and restoration of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Team Building activities come in many different options; all you need to do is think outside the box. For many great team building companies check out Bravoevent.com.

Source: Smart Meetings, July 2008
Meetings West, July 2008

Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)- What does this mean? In 1985 the Convention Industry Council (CIC) created the Certified Meeting Professional title. A CMP has studied information in 27 areas of meeting planning and passed a test. This does not mean that the person is a better planner or supplier, but many feel a sense of personal growth after completing the course. These letters make other industry professionals aware that a level of knowledge has been reached, although many clients are not aware of what these letters mean. The CIC reports that in 35 countries, over 13,000 have received the CMP title.

More information about earning a Certified Meeting Professional designation can be found at www.conventionindustry.org.

Other industry certifications:

CMM- Certification in Meeting Management, www.mpiweb.org
CAE- Certified Association Executive, www.asaecenter.org
CEM- Certified Exposition Manager, www.iaee.com
CITE- Certified Incentive Travel Executive, www.site-intl.org
CSEP- Certified Special Events Professional, www.ises.com

Source: Successful Meetings, July 2008-07-10