by: Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP
I have had two recent experiences to confirm for me that our industry attracts some of the most committed, talented and professional individuals. The first experience was during and leading up to the occasion of the Convention Industry Councils' Pacesetter Awards Luncheon during IMEX America http://www.imexamerica.com/. This new awards program honors accomplished industry supporters and emerging leaders in the meetings and events community.
For our first presentation of Young Professional Pacesetters awards, I wasn't quite sure what would be the impetus for the nominations we would receive and how the honorees would react among the many industry icons and leaders in the audience. Maybe I was just thinking back to my younger days and what would I have been able to accomplish as a young professional to be honored by the Convention Industry Council, not even considering the fact that back in my 20's, I didn't know there was such a thing as a meetings industry and that I would soon be working in it. As Mike Meyer would say in Wayne's World, I'M NOT WORTHY. Cases in point:
Joe Capitanelli, Regional Marketing Director, Global Spectrum, was nominated by International Association of Venue Managers http://www.iavm.org, for his leadership and influence to foster more involvement from local non-profits, city government, staff, and volunteers in "Helping Hands for the Holidays." The event seeks to provide food and services for those in need within St. Charles County Missouri and has grown from an annual event serving 150 people in its first year, to one of the largest charity events of its kind serving more than 1,200 meals, offering flu shots, winter coats, canned food, various health screenings, transportation, and family activities to those in need.
Krzysztof Celuch, Manager, Poland Convention Bureau, a member of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) www.iccaworld.com was honored for his role in putting together the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals, and for his work helping organize the inaugural IMEX Challenge Poland, a biennial humanitarian event designed to promote the power of corporate social responsibility.
The Association of Destination Management Executives International http://www.admeinternational.org
recognized the talent of Mary Catherine Tagg, DMCP, National Sales Manager, Destination King. After only five years in the DMC industry, Mary Catherine rose to president of the Memphis Attractions Association, earned a Fellow of Leadership Academy Memphis, serves on numerous ADMEI committees and earned a Rising Star Award.
Finally, Sarah Vining, Marketing Manager, The National Conference Center, and a member of the International Association of Conference Centers www.iacconline.com serves the IACC Board as a non-voting associate to advise on emerging trends from the Millennial perspective and chairs its Emerging Trends Committee. Sarah created IACC's first Social Media Guidebook. In addition, she authored "Meeting Discoveries," a series of white papers on compelling industry topics for her employer.
In preparation for the awards event I had told them that when they received their award, they could say a few words if they wanted to but it was by no means expected. Talk about poise. They all graciously thanked their employers, the CIC and the CIC members that nominated them. They were funny, engaging and passionate. It was a proud and inspiring moment for everyone in the room.
Three days later, I facilitated a round table about certifications during the IMEX Future Leaders Forum. The forum consisted of meeting, hospitality and tourism majors from major university programs both in the US and abroad. In the course of the 90 minute session I met six to eight students every 20 minutes or so as they worked their way around the room among the various table topics.
The programs of study being pursued by these emerging leaders ranged from meeting management to tourism economics to hospitality and tourism technology with all types of minors and "emphasis" in between. At the risk of again, showing my age, when I was an undergraduate hotel and restaurant management was the only related major at my school, and clearly this demonstrates how far we've come in becoming recognized as a profession, one with identified competencies, skills and best practices consistent with all professions. And every single one of the students had heard about the CMP program and wanted to know how soon they could take the exam.
As I left the session with some of the other facilitators, we were all amazed at the composure, confidence and thirst for knowledge that we witnessed in these young students. We all felt good about the experience, and that the meetings industry indeed will be in good hands.
Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP is the Chief Executive Officer of the Convention Industry Council.
Events Industry Council