Meet the Director, Travel and Administrative Services, at Forethought Financial Group in Houston, Texas
What have been the greatest benefits of FICP membership for you?
I’ve been an FICP member since 1994. The greatest benefits have been the relationships and friendships I have made and continue to make, the education, and the sharing of best practices and firsthand experiences among my peers.
Why did you decide to volunteer your time as a board member?
I previously volunteered for committee work and was involved in writing and publishing white papers on meeting-planning components. I also did some speaking/breakout sessions on strategic meetings management at industry meetings. These volunteer opportunities rewarded me with business opportunities based on the exposure and knowledge I gained. When I completed my committee work, the path was clear: I wanted to participate at the board level. I am very blessed with the opportunity with FICP. The board seat gives me a voice in driving the association’s goals and growing the organization. FICP has great strategic thinkers, and through my membership I gain knowledge that can be applied to my job. I encourage everyone to get involved. The saying “You get back threefold what you give” is very true with FICP.
What are FICP’s goals for 2011?
Our goals are to grow membership and member value, continue to deliver quality education, leverage industry knowledge, and share best practices. We will continue to nurture industry relationships to drive organizational growth and value. We want to position FICP as a leader within the meetings industry and thereby gain visibility and enhance our image in the industry. Finally, we will ensure FICP’s financial strength, stability, and transparency.
What are the biggest challenges for meeting planners in 2011?
We are still dealing with some of the aftermath of 2008. I believe many planners are getting back to the business of planning and actualizing meetings; however, we need to be current on technologies and trends that can make us more efficient. Many of us are dealing with fewer resources, not to mention lower budgets. Be open minded and always keep your “creative thinking hat” on in all aspects of the job.
Can you share one great piece of meeting-planning advice you’ve received in your career?
This is a hard question to answer as I have been given a lot of great advice that has helped me throughout my career. One of the best pieces of career advice I received was to stay focused on your core job responsibility during challenging times. Don’t get caught up in all the outside “noise” or politics. Put your head down and do the job you have been trained to do, and you will be recognized and rewarded!