So by the 3rd to 4th week of March, I was finally getting away from faxing and copying papers. Well, so I thought. I had the pleasure of working with an event company based in New York. The association, SIFMA-CL (http://www.sifmacl.org/en/cev/49/), held its annual conference at the JW Marriott from Sunday, March 22nd to Wednesday. It's expected attendance was well over 1,000 guests from across the nation. The association focuses on securities and financial markets. (I know this, because I did a little research about the association before working the conference.)
The Saturday before we opened registration, we had a small meeting to discuss everyone's assignment. Although I was not hired to work the conference, I went to training hoping I would get added to the team. According to my supervisor, this project was only for experienced meeting planners. So, of course, that meant I had to spice up my elevator pitch and prove I could deliver the same results given I had no prior experience. I was surrounded by people with an average of 15 years of experience. It was pretty intimidating especially when I had to state my qualifications in front of everybody without making it seem like I was just a rookie.
After our meeting, I was given the opportunity to assist in registration. We trained to utilize a computer software program to register attendees and modify their daily schedules. Then, I assisted in stuffing over 1,000 eco-friendly bags with materials and assemble name badges. Over the course of the conference, I directed any payment issues to my lead person, provided quality customer service, assisted with Q&A (Questions & Answers), tallied evaluation forms, as well as copied and stapled papers.
I really did enjoy being a part of the meetings industry. One new thing that I learned was how to work a Q&A session. The number on the microphone indicates the number of fingers you should hold up in the air when an attendee is ready to ask a question. This tells the A/V team what microphone to turn on and off once the attendee has asked his/her question. If Q&A is being filmed, then you step out of the way and kneel to avoid being in the way. If not you can either hold the microphone or hand it to the attendee.
It was interesting to see meeting planners work together. At times, they made the simplest task complicated. Overall, they were great people and we all worked well as a team. Maybe next time I can learn how to work the panel discussions.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
AZHCC Black & White Event
I had been looking forward to working the 2009 Black & White Ball event the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce puts on annually. It is the longest black and white affair running in Arizona. It was held on Saturday, April 18th at the Sheraton. There were over 1,000 attendees arriving with their glamorous dresses and pressed suits.
For the past few days I had been helping the chamber with basic duties such as gathering silent auction items, numbering the silent auction items, creating a silent auction items list for reference, and compiling a volunteer list. It was a great experience, because I got to see what all goes on right before the big day. Everyone's focus was on executing the best event ever and feelings of excitement were everywhere.
On Saturday we had a pre-con meeting. We began to place the centerpieces on the table, arrange the silent auction items on the tables, and assemble floral decorations. My on-site supervisor went over the flow of the program with me. She reviewed with me my responsibilities as a Lead for the volunteers.
After getting dressed up for the event, I came back on-site to work the event. We gathered all the volunteers to discuss their assignments and shifts. My group consisted of 5 individuals who were all so pleasant to work with. It was my first time taking the lead of managing a diverse age group. I was nervous, but loved it. I took my group on a tour of the rooms and sections we'd be using. I briefed them on customer service, and gave them ideas such as opening the door, smiling, saying "Sir" or "Mam," etc. I'd check up on my volunteers by asking how they were doing, if they needed a potty break, and if I could them anything to drink.
Everything was running smooth. I did scare my on-site supervisor though. I called her to make her aware that the dance area was yet to be set up. This call was made about 30 minutes prior to the program ending, the dance was to follow. My on-site supervisor got scared and asked what room I was looking in. I told her and she stated it was the right room but a different section. I was embarrased.
At the end of the night my feet were killing me. It was a fabulous event. We greeted over 1,00
0 attendees, I managed a group of 5 volunteers and was part of an historical event. There were
carnival performers that led the guests from the 3rd floor to the second floor, where the dance
was taking place. My favorite part was learning how to organize a silent auction. I'd welc
ome the opportunity to work with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce again. You can learn more about the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by visiting http://azhcc.com/.
For the past few days I had been helping the chamber with basic duties such as gathering silent auction items, numbering the silent auction items, creating a silent auction items list for reference, and compiling a volunteer list. It was a great experience, because I got to see what all goes on right before the big day. Everyone's focus was on executing the best event ever and feelings of excitement were everywhere.
On Saturday we had a pre-con meeting. We began to place the centerpieces on the table, arrange the silent auction items on the tables, and assemble floral decorations. My on-site supervisor went over the flow of the program with me. She reviewed with me my responsibilities as a Lead for the volunteers.
After getting dressed up for the event, I came back on-site to work the event. We gathered all the volunteers to discuss their assignments and shifts. My group consisted of 5 individuals who were all so pleasant to work with. It was my first time taking the lead of managing a diverse age group. I was nervous, but loved it. I took my group on a tour of the rooms and sections we'd be using. I briefed them on customer service, and gave them ideas such as opening the door, smiling, saying "Sir" or "Mam," etc. I'd check up on my volunteers by asking how they were doing, if they needed a potty break, and if I could them anything to drink.
Everything was running smooth. I did scare my on-site supervisor though. I called her to make her aware that the dance area was yet to be set up. This call was made about 30 minutes prior to the program ending, the dance was to follow. My on-site supervisor got scared and asked what room I was looking in. I told her and she stated it was the right room but a different section. I was embarrased.
At the end of the night my feet were killing me. It was a fabulous event. We greeted over 1,00
0 attendees, I managed a group of 5 volunteers and was part of an historical event. There were
carnival performers that led the guests from the 3rd floor to the second floor, where the dance
was taking place. My favorite part was learning how to organize a silent auction. I'd welc
ome the opportunity to work with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce again. You can learn more about the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce by visiting http://azhcc.com/.
Besides office work, let's talk about networking!
So last month I attended a networking event put on by Meeting Professionals International at the Phoenix Zoo. I was nervous going in. One, because it was the first time that I'd be perceived as the Event Specialist from Wingteam. And two, because I knew I'd have to do a 30 second commerical on my company in front of professionals with 10 plus years of experience. However, by the end of the night, I felt accomplished. Accomplished, because I tackled my fear of public speaking and answered questions with confidence regardless if I knew it or not. Okay, so maybe I lied just a little on questions I was unsure of. I had refused to say 'I don't know' for an answer.
So now I was put to the test again. On March 12th, I attended MPI's monthly meeting which was held at US Airways. As I arrived, there was hip hop music playing in the background and dancers performing on the stage. I had my business cards ready and single page leaflets to promote the company once more.
Although I have been wanting to learn sales technique, I couldn't help but to think how I have become a sales person, one of the people I hate. I don't like approaching people and talking strictly business. Why? Because, I don't like it when people see me as a dollar sign. I'd much rather get to know someone on a personal level and then talk about business.
Anyway, so I went around, introduced myself, talked about the company I was representing, and answered questions. I'm not sure how long Wingteam has been a member of MPI, but it was surprising that no one had ever heard of Wingteam. One lady made the comment: "You must have a lot of business especially during these tough economic times." I didn't know how to respond, because I didn't want to let her know we weren't doing so well, and I didn't want to say we were doing great. So I just said we were doing alright.
It was a difficult challenge for me to promote the company again, because I had not been trained to discuss the company's services more elaborately, or how to implemente sales techniques. A month had passed from my last networking activity and my skills had not progressed by any means. I am guessing I needed to be a little more persistent and creative. I recall the symposium from last month talked about partnerships. Now that I look back at the situation, I should have proposed to a professional the possibility of creating a partnership.
There is so much to learn about being the best sales person. Maybe I am just not suited for this position. I just wish I had the right mentor to learn from. I think then I'd be more successful in either bringing in business or engraving Wingteam in people's brains. Right now, I am not liking it so much. I am exhausted with networking. You can learn more about MPI (Meeting Professionals International) by visiting www.mpiweb.org.
So now I was put to the test again. On March 12th, I attended MPI's monthly meeting which was held at US Airways. As I arrived, there was hip hop music playing in the background and dancers performing on the stage. I had my business cards ready and single page leaflets to promote the company once more.
Although I have been wanting to learn sales technique, I couldn't help but to think how I have become a sales person, one of the people I hate. I don't like approaching people and talking strictly business. Why? Because, I don't like it when people see me as a dollar sign. I'd much rather get to know someone on a personal level and then talk about business.
Anyway, so I went around, introduced myself, talked about the company I was representing, and answered questions. I'm not sure how long Wingteam has been a member of MPI, but it was surprising that no one had ever heard of Wingteam. One lady made the comment: "You must have a lot of business especially during these tough economic times." I didn't know how to respond, because I didn't want to let her know we weren't doing so well, and I didn't want to say we were doing great. So I just said we were doing alright.
It was a difficult challenge for me to promote the company again, because I had not been trained to discuss the company's services more elaborately, or how to implemente sales techniques. A month had passed from my last networking activity and my skills had not progressed by any means. I am guessing I needed to be a little more persistent and creative. I recall the symposium from last month talked about partnerships. Now that I look back at the situation, I should have proposed to a professional the possibility of creating a partnership.
There is so much to learn about being the best sales person. Maybe I am just not suited for this position. I just wish I had the right mentor to learn from. I think then I'd be more successful in either bringing in business or engraving Wingteam in people's brains. Right now, I am not liking it so much. I am exhausted with networking. You can learn more about MPI (Meeting Professionals International) by visiting www.mpiweb.org.
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