The Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) has just announced the development of Speaker’s Bureau, a panel of ACOM members that possess a wide array of…
The Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM) has just announced the development of Speaker’s Bureau, a panel of ACOM members that possess a wide array of industry-specific expertise who are currently available as professional speakers.
“It is our goal to continue to improve the quality of industry meetings by providing meeting professionals useful tips that they can apply throughout the planning processes,” says ACOM president Mary German, CMP.
“We have assembled convention service practitioners for the Speaker’s Bureau that have a wealth of knowledge in key planning areas. Our members have a long, stable history as convention services management practioners and are experts on various industry-specific topics ranging from housing and transportation to attendance building and catering. The ACOM Speaker’s Bureau is the ideal source for anyone looking for a strong speaker with industry planning experience.”
German also said that the member involvement with this Bureau is a reflection of the organization’s recent Member Needs Assessment Survey in which 75 percent of ACOM members expressed an interest in becoming more active in a variety of areas including serving as a speaker.
Areas of Expertise
The following areas of expertise will be offered by a variety of professionals:
Mary German, CMP, ACOM President Director of Convention Services, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Transportation/Setting up Convention Shuttles for Groups
- Developing Internship Programs for Students
- Convention Services – Operating on a Shoe-String Budget
Janice Telstar, CMP, ACOM President-Elect, Assistant Director of Convention Services, Philadelphia CVB
- Sales to Service Turnover
- Services as a Marketing Tool
- Teaming with your Community to Provide Service
Tina Stark, ACOM Executive Board Member Director of Housing Sales, Salt Lake CVB
- Housing: General, Contracts
- Best Practices Registration
- Housing and Registration as a Revenue Stream
Lisa Scott, CMP, Convention Services Manager, Buffalo/Niagara CVB, ACOM Board Member
- Services Incentives
- Small CVB`s
- What CVB`s Do
Kelly Moore, CMP, Convention Services Manager, Denver Metro CVB
- Servicing Through Expansion
- Servicing Third Parties
Keith Sexton-Patrick, CMP, Director of Convention Services, Mohegan Sun
- Trends in Servicing Meetings
- Career Paths
David Raymond, CMP, Senior Convention Services Manager, Westin Charlotte, ACOM Board Member
- Servicing Sports Teams
- Selling During Construction
- How to be a Good CSM
“I’m very excited about speaking to other individuals,” says Telstar, CMP and ACOM President Elect. “Sharing such a variety of knowledge in this manner is a very important step forward that will benefit the hospitality industry as a whole.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
