Event Savvy: What's Your 2009 Resolution?
Event professionals share their resolutions for 2009
Published in December 2008 economy | event savvy | marketing | Departments
Q: What’s your 2009 resolution?
To get creative with utilizing the local market, creating menus and experiences that highlight the best of what St. Louis has to offer.”
— Marianne Moore, director of catering at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis
“Work towards obtaining my CMP and become an active member, and possibly a committee chairperson, within my local MPI chapter.”
— Katie Webb, business analyst, corporate meeting solutions for American Express
“To maintain our pricing integrity in the face of decreasing budgets (and not give into fear and start slashing prices).”
— Shayna Walker, owner of Williamsburg, Va.-based Williamsburg Wedding Design
“My business goal is to not only improve my networking skills, but to increase the amount of monthly networking in order to keep my business moving forward.”
— Jennifer M. Jackson, owner of Carson, Calif.-based Events by JEM
“To make a conscious effort through personal notes and anniversary cards to touch base with each and every past client annually.”
— Cicely Rocha-Miller, senior consultant and owner of Phoenix-based Life Design Events
“2.0 in 2009! In the upcoming year, I resolve to breathe new life into our event marketing campaigns by taking advantage of the technology tools available for promoting our in-house and partner events.”
— Melissa C. Gillespie, associate director, event marketing for Andover, Mass.-based publishing company, RMS Media Group
“I resolve not to get discouraged even though the economy is at a low point and to work harder to demonstrate to my potential clients how hiring my company can actually be cost-effective.”
—
Kathy Strukel, owner and president of Elkhart, Ind.-based event planning company The Perfect Solutions LLC
“I want to be as well known and respected as Colin Cowie and Preston Bailey.”
— Fé Domenech, CEO of West Coral Gables, Fla.-based event planning company The Event Firm
“I hope to help clients see that they don’t need to, and really can’t, completely cut out live events from their budgets in trying economic times.”
— Bonnie Hansen Rybicki, CMP, vice president, strategic services for Carol Stream, Ill.-based M&M, The Special Events Company
“Double-check fine print in all contracts as lots of people — due to the economy — are changing terms.”
— Monyka Berrocosa, CEO of Baltimore-based MyCity4Her
“I hope that I can find the perfect pair of Manolos that not only look hot but will fit and feel like Naturalizer shoes! Just let my feet hold out for another season and my masseuse continue to work wonders on my back.”
— Susan Jaffe, owner of Pieces of Dreams Events
“We will try not to eat all the free sweets at events (OK, so maybe just a few). We will also not wear 4-inch heels while working an event.”
— Peppercommotions, a New York-based experiential marketing branch of Peppercom, a strategic communications agency
What’s on your wish list?
A massage or a spa day — well, with this economy maybe a half day!
— Pat Ahaesy, CMP, CSEP, Owner, P&V Enterprises
A full-day housekeeper who also makes dinner and runs errands.
— Stacy Weber, CMP, Meeting and Event Manager, Moss Adams LLP
A sales assistant who will figure out what needs to be done to make my job more efficient and productive.
— Jodi Ray, Account Manager, Omnipress
To find some clients with lots of meetings!
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45 Percentage of those who said driving sales and/or improving profitability is top of mind for ’09
22 Percentage of those who said improving work-life balance is top of mind for ’09