Successful Meetings - January 2008 - 16

News & Analysis > Associations ACOM Turns 30 When industry veteran Bill Just founded the Association for Convention Operations Management (ACOM), he was well aware that most convention services managers (CSMs) received their training primarily through in-house programs. “Working with convention services professionals was a joy then, as it is today. They were all very skilled, but I would think—isn’t it a shame that they don’t have their own association?” says Just. Before ACOM, most CSMs were work- Pampered Presentations ing 10 to 14 hour days, many for two to three weeks straight, with breaks only as client schedules allowed. “I used to worship these CSMs for all that they accomplished while totally lacking the appropriate forum to exchange ideas,” says Just. “Now, having the ability to network has made a big difference in the industry.” Just, now retired, launched ACOM in 1988 with the help of several key industry leaders, including Keith Sexton-Patrick, currently the director of convention services for Mohegan Sun. Together they formed the Core Leadership Group with more than 30 convention service professionals from the U.S. and Canada—the model for what ACOM would become. “We began to see the potential for membership in ACOM. The CSM was such a new profession back then, it wasn’t officially recognized,” says SextonPatrick. Today, with 460 members, ACOM is dedicated to advancing convention services management in the meetings industry and to preparing convention services professionals for their critical role in the success of their organizations. ACOM members hold a variety of positions in convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), convention centers, conference centers, hotels, and resorts and include housing managers, operations managers, catering, and facility managers who may work with entertainment facilities, audiovisual, or decorator management companies. “Over the last 20 years, we have added many educational benefits for members,” says Janice Telstar, past president and assistant director of convention services at the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We now provide webinars, Idea Network conference call discussions, and monthly newsletters. Also, we used to rely heavily on our own members for education but recently have brought in professional speakers for our conferences—that has made a big difference.” —Vincent Alonzo JANUARY 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS The chairman’s ﬂight just landed, and he’s the keynote at your annual sales conference. So much for the sound check. Luckily, your meeting is at Seaport Boston, where our expert hospitality team lives for the unexpected. As Boston’s most accommodating host, count on our meeting professionals to make your presenters look their best—and keep your important meeting running without a hitch. And after the applause, we’ll delight your audience with award-winning service worthy of an ovation. 800.515.5913 SeaportBoston.com/adv/pp TA I L O R E D TO YO U

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - January 2008

Successful Meetings - January 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
Associations
Research
Events
Suppliers
Associations
On the Record
Associations
Suppliers
Planner Spotlight
Websites of the Month
Management Matters
Meeting the Law
Personal Success
Mouth for Sale
Food & Beverage
Professional Development
On Site
Pre-Event
Tools of the Trade
Veggie Power
Tennis, Anyone?
Seeing is Believing
The Wild Green Yonder
Game On
Places & Spaces
Galveston & Texas Beaches
Greater Seattle
Singapore
Gurus

Successful Meetings - January 2008