< PreviousI n the meeting and events industry, planners rely on networking. For them, it is second nature. And for those new to the business, there are some key skills to put into practice to make your career network ‘work’ for you. The first thing to remember is: make connections and develop relationships with others in the industry before, during and way after an event is over. Not only does network- ing open doors for enhancing the corporate meetings and events, but it also equals currency in career enhancement and job acquisition. Even with in-house events management careers, networking is essential to planners to be able to do their jobs quickly and successfully. Cheryl Oswald, CMP, corporate events manager at CNH Industrial in Racine, WI, said that career networking is the num- ber one thing any planner can do, not just corporate planners. “When I think back to how I got my start, it was all based on who I knew. I started networking at my local MPI [Meet- ing Professionals International] chapter and made connec- tions, and then those connections became connections, and so forth,” Oswald said. “That also helped me reach out to suppliers that I may not have known otherwise.” Though the pandemic took a toll on the meeting industry, the importance of networking became even more apparent to everyone. Planners moved into high gear and reached out to Building Connections BY CHLOE LABELLE Making Your Career Network “Work” For You DepositPhotos.com 30 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com INDUSTRY INSIGHTtheir network for support or to look for new positions when they lost employment. In this industry, many meeting jobs are not advertised; they are filled through word-of-mouth recommendations or by people the hirer has networked with in the course of their career. “While I was grateful not to have lost my position during COVID, I was looking for a new role during that time, and I was consistently reaching out to my network of planners, suppliers and even non-planners,” Oswald said. “I was put- ting my name out there, letting people know I was looking for a new role, and looking for people with connections at the organizations I was applying to.” Oswald landed a new position. Looking back, she rec- ognizes that it would not have been accomplished had she not been building up and nurturing her network over the years. For planners, that means striking up conversations at industry parties and exchanging business cards or set- ting up informal meetings to introduce yourself and go over your CV in case of any future opportunities. Reaching out to people on online business social networks, such as LinkedIn is important too. Essentially, a planner’s circle is a goldmine and those in it need to know that you exist and what you do. Oswald understands this. “It’s not enough to have the network, but it may not have the same effect if you aren’t consistently reaching out to those individuals,” she said. “It’s important to stay connected, reach out to those individuals, and let them know you are still there.” Holly Beadle, CMP, conference director at PESI, Inc. in Eau Claire, WI, has been fortunate to not only make connections, but also dear friends in the event industry through her net- working efforts. Those connections have been invaluable when she has needed advice or someone to come through in a pinch. “You never know what you’ll learn from your colleagues and how that knowledge can save your organization time, resources and legal headaches,” Beadle added. “I want to be a lifelong learner and networking with others has been better than a lot of educational programs that I’ve attended. There’s a wealth of knowledge in this industry.” As a member of the Tennessee MPI Chapter, she has formed great relationships while serving on several volun- teer committees. This interaction, she observes, has taken the pressure off from networking and has allowed her to work together with other members, and see each other’s strengths. Beadle admits that when she first started going to net- working events, it felt very transactional as a lot of suppliers wanted to make a “sale.” “The best networking is when you can make a few con- nections that have the potential to develop into future busi- ness without that pressure,” Beadle said. “You never know when a connection you made a few years ago will become your go-to vendor partner.” Key Networking Techniques There is an art behind successful networking and plan- ners must tap into it. It involves making time to meet new people, looking for connection points with other planners, listening deeply and asking probing questions when interact- ing with other corporate planning professionals, all the while remaining eager to help other people grow in their careers. “Get involved! I still remember those words someone said when I started my career,” Oswald said. “It’s truly the easiest and best way to start your network.” How exactly do you get involved? Oswald recommends: • Join a local chapter of MPI and start vol- unteering. It can be as simple as managing social media or selling raffle tickets, but get- ting involved opens you up to meeting many different people. • Attend conferences. This is a great way to meet connections on the planner and supplier sides. Oswald has met many people by attending con- ferences; some are close friends today. • New to the industry? Find a mentor. Many con- ferences will offer first-time attendees a mentor to show them around the show and introduce them to people. Oswald has done this, and said it has been a great way to meet people. Courtesy of MPI Attending a conference — like MPI’s WEC — is a great way to make connections. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 31 It’s important to stay connected, reach out to those individuals and let them know you are still there. CHERYL OSWALD, CMP Corporate Events Manager, CNH Industrial“Honestly, I can’t think of an example that didn’t work because I think the nature of our industry is to network. We want to establish connections with each other and build relationships. That’s what our industry is about,” Oswald said. Leveraging the Help of Others When it comes to successful networking, corporate meet- ing planners need to leverage the guidance of other corpo- rate planners to expand their networks. During the pandemic, many planners lost their roles or were furloughed so corporate planners all leaned on each other in various ways. “Several plan- ners and suppliers contacted me to endorse them on LinkedIn, share their resumes with any connections I had and help get their names out there,” Oswald said. “My advice to planners is to leverage those connections you have built, con- tinue to build on them and reach out to them repeatedly. You never know when you may need each other.” Oswald has a small group of meeting planners who have become dear friends. They meet every few months, and through that group, they share what’s happening in their personal and professional lives. Never be afraid to ask, Beadle added. If you don’t know someone within a certain company, tap into your network and ask if anyone has a connection. “Though the event industry is large, our connections and relationships make it smaller. Nine times out of ten, if I reach out to my fellow planner colleagues, they have the direct con- nection or know someone who does,” Beadle said. Relation- ships matter in any field but not everybody networks the same way. People have different levels of comfort interacting with others and making new connections. It takes practice and doesn’t happen overnight. As with any new initiative, it is important to formulate goals and understand your personal- ity and your social strengths. And as Beadle points out, establishing a strong rela- tional foundation to people within your network can result in more significant relationships that are deeper and more meaningful. This is why solid career networking doesn’t mean making connections with thou- sands of people. Rather, a planner should build a small, well-defined and well-cho- sen network of individuals, say about 150 people who will be able to provide meaningful, sustainable connections long into the future. Tools to Use For some, networking is little more than swap- ping business cards and idling chatting with others. But to really make networking work for you and your career as a corporate meeting planner, it is best to recognize that net- working can be so much more than that. So, what tools do industry professionals recommend other planners use during their networking journey? DepositPhotos.com The meeting industry is all about establishing connections and building great relationships. 32 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Though the event industry is large, our connections and relationships make it smaller.“LinkedIn has been a huge part of building my network,” Oswald said. “I try to take all the business cards I receive at conferences and events and connect with them on LinkedIn. I also ensure it is updated with my current work experience, industry credentials and volunteer experience. I also ask my established connections or former co-workers to endorse me and leave feedback on my work experience.” Like Oswald, Beadle uses LinkedIn to stay connected and to continue the conversation once she has met someone. In LinkedIn, users can join different groups, and you never know who you might meet there. And that works for physi- cal groups as well. Oswald has joined multiple groups over her career. “I have volunteered for MPI at the chapter and global level and served on advisory and EIC [Events Industry Council] committees. When I tell you to get involved, get involved,” Oswald said. Steps to Take Some additional key recommended steps to take when networking: • Begin by networking with friends. Networking with people you know helps “break the ice” on your networking journey. You’ll be surprised how your friends, especially those within the meeting and events industry, can help launch you into professional relationships with others who can help you in your career. • Reconnect with forgotten acquaintances in the industry. Look through your old address book, emails, databases and other tools to identify those people who you may have lost connection with, but who you think may be good solid con- nections to have in your network. These could be former co-workers, mentors, professors or friends who would welcome the opportunity to reconnect with you and learn more about your current career path, and perhaps intro- duce you to others. • In addition to LinkedIn, do a quick Google search of corporate meeting planners or other meeting planning professionals in your commu- nity who may be good people to connect with. Social media platforms like Instagram, X and Facebook are also good networking platforms that can help you find the ideal people with whom to connect. Evolution of Networking Networking will continue to play a huge role in the career enhancement and overall functionality of the corporate meeting planner role. “I don’t think networking will ever go away in our indus- try. As MPI often said, when we meet, we change the world and that’s true of networking,” Oswald said. “At IMEX Amer- ica, networking, in my opinion, is the key component. We are all here to meet with new suppliers and planners and recon- nect with others; it’s all about networking.” As the corporate meeting planning industry has changed, so too has networking. Planners seek more meaningful con- nections that are catered and specialized to their needs — quality connections vs. quantity. “When I think about the connections I am making now, I look for those connections that can be more of a mentor to me in my career, those that elevate me as person — meaningful connections that will last a lifetime,” said Oswald. Beadle agreed. “It seems like things have shifted a little bit over the past few years when we all weren’t meeting in person to network, but those soft skills will continue to be an impor- tant asset to our organizations and the events we produce,” she said. “As planners, we have to make connections inter- nally and externally in order to meet our event goals. Build- ing relationships will continue to be a critical piece.” C&IT Photo by Stephen Greathouse / Courtesy of IMEX America Networking is the key component at any event, most especially at big events such as IMEX America. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 33 Nine times out of ten, if I reach out to my fellow planner colleagues, they have the direct connection or know someone who does. HOLLY BEADLE, CMP Conference Director, PESI, Inc. W hen you think about hosting a corporate meeting or event at a golf and spa resort, what comes to mind? Exception- ally designed event spaces? Absolutely. Luxury travel? Certainly. Challenging, yet beautiful golf courses? Defi- nitely. And the spas themselves: Tranquil, relaxing respites with fine restaurants, pools, salons and staff that attend to attendees’ every whim. Golf and spa resorts have long been one of the meeting and event industry’s most popular destinations for corporate gatherings. Offering a refreshing atmo- sphere with awe-inspiring accommodations, stunning backdrops and an abun- dance of amenities, these venues offer an ideal location for an event that will draw more attendees and make them want to come back for more. Certified Angus Beef, LLC, in Niles, MI, hosted its Foodservice Leaders’ Sum- mit at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, SC, last spring. This event brought together 296 people in leadership roles from foodservice distributor partners, who sell Certified Angus Beef products, to restaurants across the globe. “Certified Angus Beef is all about creating exceptional experiences. The team at Kiawah Island Golf Resort understood our priorities and helped us deliver excellent food and beverage options, as well as incredible customer ser- vice,” said Danielle Matter, their director of brand experience and edu- cation, who helps design and execute company events ranging from tradeshows to consumer-focused festivals to pasture-to-plate events to leadership summits. “The [Kiawah Island’s] West Beach Conference Center team stepped up in big ways to ‘wow’ our guests and create incredible culinary experiences that featured the Certified Angus Beef brand and local, southern coastal flavors.” When deciding to host the leadership summit at a golf and spa resort, Matter recognized the importance of balancing work and fun — something at which golf and spa resorts excel. “While the Certified Angus Beef’s Foodservice Leaders’ Summit is jam-packed with education and networking, we also want to offer attend- ees the chance to relax and enjoy the setting,” Matter said. “A golf and spa resort is perfect for striking that balance.” Kiawah Island Golf Resort also is a brand partner with Certified Angus Beef Hitting the Links BY MAURA KELLER Where Business & Fun Meet on the Green VENUE SELECTION 34 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Golf and spa resorts have long been one of the meeting and event industry’s most popular destinations for corporate gatherings.LLC, with many of their resort outlet restaurants serving Certified Angus Beef dishes, offering a great opportunity to support a partner that Certified Angus Beef LLC values. “Additionally, we were so impressed by the team’s willingness to create excep- tional and memorable food and beverage experiences to really ‘wow’ our attend- ees,” Matter said. “I can’t say enough about their team. They are responsive and detail oriented, and helped us provide a premium, attendee-first experience.” Attendees relish Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s 10 miles of pristine Atlantic beach. Not to mention, the well-preserved natural beauty of the barrier island, the resort’s wide range of distinctive dining options, the internationally top- ranked tennis and pickleball programming and instruction, as well as their award-winning recreational and nature activities that can serve as unique team- building exercises. The resort takes full advantage of the 90,000 sf of flexible indoor and out- door meeting and event space by offering dramatic outdoors venues that produce memorable events. The team at Kaseya, a software company in Miami, FL, is also drawn to golf and spa resorts for the excellent staff, the level of detail and attention to ameni- ties they provide. Kaseya holds several meetings a year at Trump National Doral Miami. At the beginning of the year, the company held an internal sales meeting for 1700 people, and during the summer, held one for 200 people. Ellen Boyer, their director of event logistics and operations, said, “Everyone was incredibly responsive and thoughtful about their jobs, and our event. The resort also offered us a variety of options for meeting structure, breakout rooms, and food and beverage. We chose Trump National Doral Miami, as the sales pro- cess was simple and transparent. The attention to detail during my site visit gave me the confidence that they could handle a group of our size. The customer suc- cess manager was responsive and creative with our questions and budgets.” Karen Kunz, global event manager for Syntax, a provider of technology Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Trump National Doral Miami (left) is home to four uniquely designed golf courses. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (above) sits on 10 miles of pristine Atlantic beach in South Carolina. TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 35solutions to businesses, and based in the Americas and Europe, recently orchestrated the company’s Syntax 2023 Sales Kick Off meeting for 80 attendees at Trump National Doral Miami. Syntax chose Trump National Doral Miami not only for its great location, pricing and service, but for being an iconic golf resort since it opened in the 1960s. More than 50 years later, Trump National Doral Miami continues to offer a new generation of style, service and exclusivity infused with the Trump standard of excellence. During their stay, Syntax’s attendees enjoyed a well- rounded culinary experience, which included everything from breakfast to lunch, as well as morning and afternoon breaks. The event featured a welcome reception, cock- tail hour and an awards dinner. Business meetings were held in a main tent. They also had breakouts sessions for focused discussions. “Although we didn’t make use of the golf and spa facili- ties, the upscale ambiance perfectly aligned with the expectations of our executive man- agement,” Kunz said. Laura Reich, an executive assistant for Walsh Construction in Chicago, IL, recently planned a corporate annual meeting for Walsh Construction at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, a golf and spa resort in Lake Geneva, WI. Attendees, including all of Walsh’s senior leadership from across the country, came together to celebrate the previous and cur- rent year’s accomplishments; discuss future endeavors and goals; talk about the challenges and how they could do better; but mainly to intermingle and reconnect with peers from other business groups/locations or make new connections. The typical Walsh meeting is between 125 to 200 people and includes two half-days and one full day of meetings with extensive AV, breakfast and lunch (dinners are usually offsite), and extra meeting spaces for breakouts, practicing or other meetings that need to take place with the attendees. Reich has found that the staff at golf and spa resorts are known for going the extra mile to meet the needs of both the planning team and the attendees. “Everyone from the director of group sales, event coordinators, the front desk, the porters, the AV professionals, the banquet captains/serv- ers, the restaurant staff and bartenders, and the room service; every single person we encounter before, during, and after, are amazing,” Reich said. “They are responsive to any need at The Terrace Courtyard at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (top); A party setup at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ; Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI (bottom). Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo 36 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Rock Solid Meetings From two championship golf courses, private casitas and a 33,000 sq. ft. luxury spa, to five award-winning restaurants and meeting spaces with breathtaking desert views – the Boulders is a place of unprecedented beauty where inspiration comes naturally. 480.488.9009 | theboulders.com Let us customize your next group experience!Rock Solid Meetings From two championship golf courses, private casitas and a 33,000 sq. ft. luxury spa, to five award-winning restaurants and meeting spaces with breathtaking desert views – the Boulders is a place of unprecedented beauty where inspiration comes naturally. 480.488.9009 | theboulders.com Let us customize your next group experience!any given time, always checking on you. They are extremely amicable in any situation, and will work with your group’s needs/changes. The food is great, and I know a lot of our attendees appreciate the golf courses, gym and spa.” The owners of Walsh Construction have property in the Lake Geneva, WI, area and have been coming to the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa for years. The property has two onsite championship golf courses and a full service spa that allows groups to mix both meetings and amenities for fun and networking. “The group and program started quite small, but both have grown immensely over the years. The location is perfect for all to get to, not to mention the grounds are beautiful, the hotel has everything we need, and we are close to shopping if we forgot something,” Reich said. “Every year brings new memories and good times. Coming to the Grand Geneva has become nostalgic and part of our culture; everyone looks for that invitation each year.” Last fall, Northwestern Mutual hosted the FORUM Sym- posium, which is an annual event that celebrated its 25th year at The Phoenician, a golf and spa resort in Scottsdale, AZ. This premier event is hosted for the top-performing 3% of advisors throughout the company. Qualifiers are invited to bring a guest. As Sheri Paape, senior meeting planner, meetings & events at Northwestern Mutual, explained, the FORUM is a three-day event with general session content delivered by FORUM qual- ifiers, home office executives and keynote speakers. “It is a way to recognize and celebrate this special group’s achievements by offering a variety of hosted group onsite/ offsite afternoon activities, including experiences like a golf tournament, tennis tournament, Camelback Mountain hike, kayaking and a walking food tour,” Paape said. “The average group is between 500 to 600 people, including guests.” Celebratory food and beverage experiences and activa- tions are hosted each evening for the group as well. North- western Mutual worked with the DMC Hello! in delivering both the evening experiences on property and the offsite afternoon activities. “The Phoenician was selected, as it is one of Arizona’s luxury resort destinations and offers amenities which align perfectly with the FORUM Symposium experience that we create for our top advisors at this premier event,” Paape said. “Guest room accommodations and resort amenities play an important role in the location decision. The event spaces at The Phoenician are laid out well within the resort grounds and can easily accommodate large groups.” The FORUM Golf Tournament is critical to the success of the meeting, as over half the group of advisors take part. The Phoenician Course, in addition to the various other beautiful courses in the area, are a benefit to hosting this important meeting in Arizona. Courtesy Photo The Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami. 38 October 2023 | Corporate & Incentive Travel | TheMeetingMagazines.com Make sure you engage parties from all departments so you have cross-functional knowledge about your program. ELLEN BOYER Director of Event Logistics and Operations, KaseyaConsiderations To Be Made For meeting planners considering a golf-spa experience for their next corporate and incentive meeting, Matter’s best piece of advice is to be clear with expectations and what will make the event a “win.” “Golf and spa resorts offer beautiful locations with incred- ible staff. Take time to outline what will impress attendees and work with the team to achieve those goals,” Matter said. “And, of course, leave a little bit of time to dip your feet in the pool and enjoy the blessings of planning an event at beau- tiful locations!” For corporate planners considering host- ing an event at a golf/spa resort, Kunz recom- mends doing an onsite visit. “Even if you’re not taking advantage of the golf and spa, the meet- ing spaces typically resonate with the upscale character of the venue,” Kunz said. “Based on our experience, I would highly recommend a golf and spa property for a business meeting.” Boyer also stresses the importance of choos- ing a golf and spa venue that can be flexible and cater to your needs and the needs of your group. “Make sure you engage parties from all departments so you have cross-functional knowledge about your program,” Boyer said. Kim Silberman, executive vice president at Executive Capital Summit, an all-inclusive retreat with a relaxed, informal atmosphere, has been orchestrating her firm’s eCap Summit at a golf and spa resort since 2018, specifically at Trump Doral Miami. “Throughout the years, the introduction of additional amenities and services offered have pushed the conference to another level. Notably, the property’s substantial capacity to accommodate a group of 1,400 attendees was harmoni- ously balanced by an atmosphere of exclusivity that perfectly aligns with the conference’s goals,” Silberman said. “This lay- out ensures that while the property is spacious, attendees never feel lost, fostering an environment where each indi- vidual’s presence is valued and significant.” For that reason, Silberman advises planners to really eval- uate the goals of their conference and to determine what they want their attendees to experience. Today’s meeting plan- ners are looking for the right golf and spa resort with the right amenities, meeting needs and activities with informal networking opportunities not available in more traditional settings. They are looking for business and fun to meet on the green. C&IT The meeting room at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa (top); Northwestern Mutual has hosted the FORUM Symposium at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ, for 25 years. In addition to world-class golf, Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottdale, AZ (bottom), is home to a 33,000 sf. spa. Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo Courtesy Photo TheMeetingMagazines.com | Corporate & Incentive Travel | October 2023 39Next >