Veteran meeting planner Suzette Eaddy, CMP, director of conferences for the New York-based National Minority Supplier Development Council, has 37 years of industry experience that’s helped her survive and advance in all kinds of economic markets.
Following is her sage advice:
Stay on top of your game: Be aware of future industry trends and whatever is the hot topic, whether it be social media, diversity or the best new software.
Educate, educate: Learning is something that is portable, so anything you learn is yours to take wherever you go. Personally, I take every free webinar I can find and I don’t mind paying for something I can keep, like workshops and sessions from MPI, PCMA and others. Don’t think you know it all, because nobody does. Strive always to add to your skills set. And it’s good to keep this adage in mind: “Today a peacock, tomorrow a feather duster.”
Cultivate relationships: Give people inside and outside of your organization what they want. If it’s bottom line results, for instance, show them how you manage. Know your boss’ problems and how you can help. Be aware of your organization’s goals and objectives and make sure you are helping meet them. Just remember, people have long memories. You meet the same people going up as you do going down.
Communicate, communicate: Report on what you did and what time or money you saved. Did you negotiate good F&B discounts? Let it be known. And just in case, keep samples of your best work in a folder and be sure you take home copies of references, writing samples and brochures you’ve created.
Get out in the community: Helping out expands your personal network, and it reflects well on you as a representative of your organization.
Be a good listener: Learn the art of not expressing your opinion on everything. Add value to conversations when appropriate.
Demonstrate reliability: Our word is our bond. If you engage in overstating room blocks to suppliers and other similar practices, the word will get around because this is a very incestuous industry. On the other hand, if you are regarded as consistently reliable, people will come to you for advice.
Help others: Some people forget we didn’t get to where we are all grown up. Somebody helped us get there. Be ready to share intelligence and information with others.
Always put your best foot forward: You never know who is watching. You might be at a party doing something you’d rather your boss not know about. Next thing you know, you’re on YouTube. Be careful what you put out there on Facebook and elsewhere. People do look at your personal life.
Network always: This activity is important whether you want to stay in place or need to move on in your career. Don’t wait until you get thirsty to dig your well!
Be the “go to” person: Once it becomes known that you have the phone number, instant recall about long forgotten details, the sewing kit or whatever, people will go to you for their needs. Information is power. A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows where the dirt is.
