December 2013 


 A Message from Your Chapter Chairman, Benjamin Rabe, CEM 

Dear Colleagues,

As 2013 and my term as your Chapter Chair come to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect upon the areas of which I am the most proud of our Chapter.  

In January, the Board of Directors and I spent considerable time reviewing our chapter goals and conducting a strategic review. One of our primary goals is to ensure that all committees have a robust roster which will provide us with bench depth, more effective committees and candidates for the future of the board of directors.  I’m personally excited to be working alongside them for one more year on the Board, as we work to refresh our education programing, revamp our membership committee into membership engagement and establish a young professional committee. 

On January 1, 2013, our chapter officially began our two year partnership with our chapter charity, the Chicago Hornets, a youth sled hockey team consisting of kids ages 5 to 20 whom have physical disabilities yet are determined to play ice hockey. The kids want the opportunity to participate in sports with the camaraderie of being part of a team and get some freedom outside a wheelchair or walker.  On November 9, I participated in our chapter’s exhibition game (it also happened to be my birthday).  Seeing the kid's excitement while gearing up and thoroughly enjoying themselves on the ice was the best birthday present. It made for one of my favorite chapter events ever.  I strongly encourage all of your to plan to come out to our 2014 exhibition game and see for yourself. 

Right now, I'd like to thank three retiring board members who've helped make the Midwestern Chapter great. Pam NuttingExperient; Noel Hoekstra, ROC Exhibitions, Inc.; and Phil Wargowsky, GES, thank you for your hard work and dedication. We'll miss you.

I'd also like to welcome our incoming board members: Ray Andel, Valley Expo & Displays; Brian Kester, Rosemont Exposition Services; Brett Kolinek, Helen Brett Enterprises; Greg McCormack, The Expo Group; and Brent Linkin, Freeman. Looking forward to a great new year. 

Best of luck to all of you in 2014!

- Benjamin  


This Quarter’s Highlights

Chapter Charity Sled Hockey Benefit Match – November 9, 2013 – Members of our Chapter and their friends and families played in our first ever charity hockey match. A fantastic time was had by all. Check our photos from the event on our Facebook page.

Midwestern Chapter Holiday Event – December 4, 2013 - After filling our brains at our educational program, “Is Your Exhibit Floor Fascinating”, given by Dana Freker Doody, VP Corporate Communications for The Expo Group, our chapter celebrated the holidays in style at Wildfire in Chicago. A great time was had by all! 

Midwestern Chapter Reception at EXPO! EXPO! – December 10, 2013 – We had a packed house at this year’s Midwestern Chapter Reception at EXPO! EXPO! In Houston, Texas. A big Texas THANK YOU to everyone who attended this year and represented the Midwest!

 


Chapter Charity Spotlight

Congratulations to former Hornets Youth Sled Hockey Team player Brody Roybal!! In March, Roybal will compete on the United States Paralympic Sled Team in the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. 

This Amateur Hockey Association Illinois article highlights Roybal's incredible journey. 

About the Chicago Hornets:

The Chicago Hornets are a Youth Sled Hockey team consisting of kids ages 5 to 20 who have physical disabilities yet are determined to play ice hockey. As almost all children do, they want the opportunity to participate in sports and feel the camaraderie of being part of a team. In some cases it's not even to play hockey; for some, it is their only freedom outside a wheelchair or walker.

The program is completely free to all of the children. Funding is from gracious donations from people like you and 100% of the money collected goes directly to equipment and ice time.

The program was started eight years ago by JJ O'Connor, a former hockey player who sustained a catastrophic accident in a hockey game, to give these children a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the sport of hockey.

Check out the YouTube page to see these young athletes in action.


Upcoming Events

Thursday, January 23, 2014
1st Ever Midwestern Chapter Kick Ball Tournament
Join us for Networking, Food, Drinks, and Fun!
McCormick Place, North Building, Hall B
Registration at 4:30 PM, Games Begin at 5:30 PM 
Pick your team soon! The deadline to register is January 16, 2014. Team space is limited.Learn more...

Wednesday, February 26, 2014-   Education Program & Member Mixer: Coloring Outside the Lines...Creating a NEW Association Experience with Jeff Tobe , Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL

Monday, September 8, 2014 - 25th Annual Golf Outing, Seven Bridges Golf Club, Woodridge, IL  

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 - Midwestern Chapter Annual Meeting, Maggiano's Chicago, IL 

Click here to see details on all of our upcoming events! 

Thank you to our
2013 Sponsors


Platinum

Choose Chicago 

Freeman

Global Experience Specialists


Trade


Convention Data Services 


Gold

COBO Center

PRG

Valley Expo & Displays 



Silver 

Expocad

Fern Exposition & Event Services

Travel Planners

 




 

 

                                         

 

 

 

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