NEWH - Spring 2014 - 22

Q&A

Get to Know
Kevin Hancock
Steering committee chair of the
New England Regional chapter, and
principal at Frame My TV
How/why did you want to become involved in NEWH?
In the last few years we have seen significantly more opportunities
in the hospitality market around the globe. However, we do very
little work locally here in the New England area, so we decided
that since there wasn't currently a NEWH chapter in our region it
just made sense. That and after asking Shelia [Lohmiller] multiple
times if there was anything in our area, she kindly suggested
maybe I start one. I hesitantly accepted the challenge and quickly
discovered I had made one of my best professional decisions ever.
What has NEWH done for you personally and professionally? 
Through NEWH, I've made amazing new friendships with
colleagues in the industry. Professionally, it has also given me
the opportunity to further solidify relationships that previously
were only initial introductions through other industry events. An
unexpected benefit is I've become much better at public speaking
and I'm not as afraid to stand on stage in front of 100-plus people. 
As steering committee chair for the New England Region chapter,
what do you have planned for 2014?
In 2014, we are incredibly excited to start giving away money! Do I
have your attention? Now the fine print: We're only giving it away
to students since we now are eligible to award our first scholarship.
After just one year, we not only have more than $12,000 in our
scholarship account, but we also have nearly $10,000 in vendor
scholarships to award this year, which is incredibly exciting. We
are also focusing more on student initiatives to help them find
co-op and internship opportunities and to help teach them how to
network. It's helping to remind all of the adults in the organization
of what NEWH is really about. It's not just about how many
designers versus how many suppliers an event draws, it's about
helping our entire industry from the students to the veterans. If
we focus on creating value for the entire food chain, everyone wins
and a community is born. 
Additionally, one of our goals for 2014 is to focus more on
quality programming now that we have a good membership
base established. We don't want things to get stagnant with the
sentiment that 'it's just another networking mixer.' We realize that
we need to raise the bar further to keep people engaged. 
What has it been like forming a regional chapter?
It was scary and exciting. For those unaware, after not having a
presence in the region for many years, in January 2013 we brought
NEWH back to New England. Despite our fears of zero attendance
at our first event, the Inaugural event brought approximately 120
22 www.newh.org

enthusiastic professionals together. With that, we were off to the
races and bursting with excitement about what he had just given
birth to. We were only supposed to have three events in our first
year, but there was so much excitement and built up demand that
we had six events-most with more than 100 in attendance! 
The first year was mostly networking/cocktail parties and
along with a few CEUs and who could forget the Cinco de Mayo
Scavenger hunt? The primary purpose at this early stage we found
to be cheerleading and building a membership foundation. We
even reached our first year goal of 100 members, finishing the
year with 107 members by the conclusion of our holiday social at
Boston's historic Fairmont Copley Plaza. Oh and we even found
time for a sunset cruise on Boston Harbor...now to be an annual
event for sure. 
We have also been pleasantly surprised by how supportive our
sponsors have been with sponsorship opportunities selling out 90
days in advance in some cases. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to
our generous sponsors who made this year such a success. Contact
me at kevin@FrameMyTV.com if you are interested in sponsoring
one of our events. 
The outpouring of support from members around the country
has been amazing. We had no idea what we were doing, but board
members from other chapters and the national office provided
great support to point us in the right direction. A few specific
people I would like to thank are Deborah Herman, Scott Pope,
Susan Burnside, Ann Chipouras, Leigh Mitchell, and so many
more. Th is community really is incredible. 
What is new at Frame MY TV?
Exciting things are happening at Frame My TV. We are in the
process of a 30 percent expansion of our facility to meet the needs
of increased demand and have multiple new products in the
pipeline for release in 2014. Due to all of the new contacts through
NEWH who are coveting our products for their own homes, we
have just introduced a 50 percent off program for professionals in
the hospitality industry to have one of our solutions in their home. 
When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we
find you?
Relaxing aboard my boat in Boston harbor having a vodka and
soda. If you call on Monday and you happen to hear ocean sounds
in the background, don't be alarmed-I'm actually at work. We also
have some of our 'all a-board' steering committee meetings there.
Yes, as you might imagine these attract 100 percent attendance.  ❙❘❚
http://www.newh.org
NEWH - Spring 2014

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