Successful Meetings - March 2008 - (Page 44)

CSM of the Year > Awards CVBs Theresa Sellers Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rockford, IL Part of being a great CSM is the ability to wear a lot of different hats. That’s why Theresa Sellers didn’t hesitate to don a cowboy’s Stetson and become wrangler for a herd of Ayrshire cows when the situation arose. “We had a national convention of this one particular breed of cow, and lots of people brought in their families and, of course, their cows,” says Sellers. “We had entertainment, educational sessions, and a cow Brandy White mailed parking passes weeks ahead of time, which made us feel as if we were just as important as the boat event.” competition of sorts, and they’re all coming back here in a couple of years.” When they do, they’d be fortunate to have Sellers once again at their service. Born and raised in Rockford, she honed her people skills from an early age by helping out with her families turf grass business. “I worked not only selling the grass but serving the needs of the customers,” she says. Thus, transitioning from sales into convention services, where she’s been for the past three years, seemed like a natural fit. “I didn’t have to learn anything new except recommending some of my favorite places and taking care of slightly different kind of customers,” she says. Clearly Seller’s has learned her new trade well. “Her service on site was amazingly exceptional,” says Terese Houle, manager of events for the Association of Floriculture Professionals, a Columbus, OH-based group that recently held its annual America in Bloom symposium in Rockford. “Theresa was our CSM representative for the city and exceed- HOTELS Brandy White Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, Tucson, AZ Ask Brandy White about why she loves her job, and you’ll need a few minutes to hear her enthusiastic reasons. For starters, she says, “I get to help groups fulfill their needs.” To wit, during the Land Title Association of Arizona’s recent convention in Tucson, “Brandy suggested we move our breaks into the room where the exhibitors were, which gave them more exposure and opportunities to network,” says Anna Kane, the group’s vice president. “She was always available and checking to see that things were running smoothly.” Then there’s the variety of the job. “I get to work with all kinds of different people—it’s a little bit different every time out,” she says. “It’s exciting when the contract comes over and I get to speak with the planners for the first time, and get their vision of what the meeting means to their company.” Of course, that meaning is at least partly defined by the bottom line, presenting yet another challenge that White rises to regularly. “She was extremely sensitive to my cost-conscious group and went out of her way to see that we maximized every dollar spent,” says Mickey Wright, president of Meeting Management Unlimited in Portsmouth, VA. For example, White first secured a handicap-access, ramped riser for Wright’s group, then, noting the ramp lack of aesthetics, had the hotel staff repaint it for a fresh, new look. “She then took it upon herself to negotiate a rate half of what was originally quoted on our behalf,” adds Wright. How about extra effort? “Brandy arranged for an outside music company to bring in a piano for our event at an exceptional rate,” says Debra C. Brill, vice president for ministries at the North American Division of Seventh-Day Adventists. “Brandy was pregnant, and she looked like she was near term, but she worked like a trouper for our event.” And when it comes to promoting Tucson, White speaks from personal experience when educating visitors about why they should come early and stay late. “We’re located right next to the Push Ridge Mountains, and Sabino Canyon and Catalina State Park are nearby,” she says. “So there’s a lot to do here, like hiking, mountain biking, golf, and tennis.” Theresa Sellers ed our expectations,” says Houle. “Since we were not local, we relied on her insight and relationships with the local community to help us complete the details.” Sellers went beyond her usual duties, though, and remained with Houle and company at the on-site hotel for the entire event. “She was our troubleshooter with everything, from being our liaison with the local planning committee to working the registration desk because a volunteer did not show up,” says Houle. Still, Sellers can always find room for improvement. “I didn’t pay as much attention to the cows as I’d wanted,” she says. “But I can honestly say that they were a wonderful bunch of bovines and I was honored to work with them.” No doubt the cows are looking forward to their return mimegasite.com MARCH 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS 44 http://mimegasite.com

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Successful Meetings - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Suppliers On the Record Research Associations Planner's Spotlight Management Matters Mouth for Sale Meetings Law Pre-Event Pre-Event Tools of the Trade On Site Quick Tip Critical Conditions A Family Affair Conference Centers We Love CSM of the Year Places & Spaces Luxury Las Vegas New York CIty Houston New Orleans Quebec Bahamas Oahu & Big Island Florida Keys Gurus

Successful Meetings - March 2008

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