Meeting News - November 19, 2007 - (Page 56)

MN Webcast Report CSMs of the Year offer tips for great working relationships W hat makes for a successful planner–CSM relationship? Panelists explored the issue during the most recent MeetingNews Webcast,“Make the CSM Your BFF: How to Get the Most from the Planner-Convention Services Manager Relationship,” held Oct. 25. I participated but, as neither a convention services manager nor a planner, enlisted true experts to learn what makes for a great working relationship. Each year, the Association for Convention Operations Management, in conjunction with MN sister publication Successful Meetings, names the Convention Services Managers of the Year. I spoke with two CSMs of the Year, as well as a planner, for their advice. Bruce McKinney, senior event manager with the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, and convention center CSM of the Year in 2005, believes strongly in the power of humor—but noted that it’s important to gauge the other person’s threshold for jokes in a business environment. However, McKin- ney estimated that 97 percent of the time, humor works in his favor. He noted that almost all singles ads indicate interest in someone with a great sense of humor; he believes the same can be said for working relationships. For Michele Yebba, an event manager with Bose Corp., the way to a winning event is for a planner to show his or her passion for the group; she has found that as her excitement comes through, the CSMs become much more enthusiastic about helping her succeed. Yebba nominated Philip Caparell, from the Boston Marriott Copley Place, who won the 2005 CSM of the Year in the hotel category. The two have worked together on three events, which Yebba brought back to Caparell’s hotel in large part because of their excellent working relationship. Both Yebba and David Raymond of the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, NC, asked that planners and CSMs respect the workload of their partners. Both are likely juggling a variety of meetings at the same time, and Raymond, 2006 CSM of the Year in the hotel category, asked that planners be mindful of satisfying deadlines. Although he said most fulltime planners are respectful about deadlines, he asked that planners remember that he is also working with other new, occasional, or volunteer planners who need a bit more assistance along the way. The more prompt a planner can be, the easier it makes things for the CSM and the better the relationship will be. Everyone I spoke with also mentioned the importance of saying thank you. McKinney saves every thank you note that comes his way, and Yebba noted that it is not only common courtesy, but a good business move since people who feel appreciated are far more likely to go out of their way to be helpful in the future. Check out the next report for advice, tips, and insights from the four other panelists. H —Kinley Levack 56 MeetingNews November 19, 2007 www.meetingnews.com http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.mimegasite.com/mimegasite/events/webcasts.jsp http://www.knoxville.org http://www.knoxville.org http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - November 19, 2007

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