When the Ideal of Strategic Planning Meets the Reality of Politics

	Speaker:
	Kent Gustsafson Extension Educator University of Minnesota Tourism Center
	Description: During 2002-2003, I led a strategic planning process for the Minnesota Festival and Events Assocviation (MFEA). It is the statewide association of festival and event organizers. As a result of the process, a vision for the organization was developed, the mission statement was revised, a SWOT was developed, short and long term goals and strategies were developed as well as an annual plan of work. What is wrong with this picture? Politics! Nothing extraordinary or underhanded took place. However, a series of events that are real life occurences, combined to limit the effectiveness of the planning process. The session will outline the planning process, making note of the outcomes. It will also highlight how real events, combined with a variety of personalities, sidetracked the planning process. The learning objectives are: To identify the elements of a sound strategic planning process. To identify ways in which political realities impacted the planning process. To share strategies for making the strategic planning process real and effective. The delivery method will be power point slides/presentation and discussion. Specific questions will be posed to participants as well as the general Q/A and discussion.