Thursday, September 11, 2008
Q&A with Kristina Kollock - University of Delaware Chapter President
I had the opportunity to sit down to chat with Kristina Kollock, the incoming President of the University of Delaware chapter of PCMA, about her internship and plans for the UD Chapter. Kristina participated in a great internship over the summer with Planning Factory International, and will be continuing to work with them throughout the school year.
Belinda: So what have you been up to all summer, Kristina?
Kristina: This summer I did take a few trips to the beach, one to Wildwood, NJ and a few to Rehoboth Beach,DE for a few long weekends. I also went on a Disney Cruise with my family, highly recommend by the way!!
This summer , I also had the opportunity to participate in an internship with Planning Factory International in Wilmington, DE. This destination management and corporate planning company is a well-known company that creates stunning events. With event planning in my future, I was thrilled when they asked me to work for them and I gladly accepted. This has been a great experience and I have learned so much about the industry in such a short period of time.
Belinda: What was your experience like upon starting and what projects did you work on with the Planning Factory?
Kristina: In May, when I began the internship, it was their busiest time. I was thrown into a new job and had to quickly acclimate myself with the office and the tasks at hand. Immediately, however, I felt welcomed and found that being forced to do things that I had never done actually made me learn faster and better. For example, ordering linens and décor for a number of events from many different vendors and suppliers was at first intimidating because I had no idea of the variety that existed of sizes, colors, and designs. I found myself stepping up and making important decisions that honestly, I didn’t feel I should be making, but due to the busy time, it had to be done.
Belinda: How has this experience helped you along your path to find a career?
Kristina: These pressuring times only helped me to learn and in the end made me a better intern. I was able to gain respect from the event planners, as well as, trust. The staff knew they could rely on me in times of need to complete the tasks at hand. Every day is a learning experience and I love going to work knowing that no two days will be the same. I have been challenged this summer, but have had the opportunity to work with an experienced and successful team. I look forward to working with them throughout my senior year and building my character for the future.
Belinda: So, what are your plans for the fall?
Kristina: As the fall school year begins, I will take what I have learned from my experiences at Planning Factory International and apply it to my new role as President of the University of Delaware student chapter of PCMA. With new ideas and strong leadership skills, our club will be active on campus and try to involve and show students what PCMA is all about. This year, our club plans on attending the PCMA Annual Convention in New Orleans, LA, as well as, host our 7th Annual PCMA Roundtable event, and our 2nd Annual PCMA Social. We also plan on getting more involved with educational events on campus and even creating our first student website.
Belinda: Sounds like a full agenda. Tell me a little bit more about the events your chapter is planning.
Kristina: Last year, we successfully fundraised and held our First Annual PCMA social. This was a great hit among the students and was very successful. It was a great way to get PCMA members and non-members from our major together to network, have fun, and raise money for our trip to Seattle. We also hosted our 6th Annual PCMA Roundtable event, during which we hosted 10 industry professionals from the surrounding areas. At this event, the students had an opportunity to network, ask questions and learn about a variety of jobs that are in the industry and the opportunities that are possible.
Belinda: What are you goals for the University of Delaware Chapter of PCMA this year?
Kristina: I look forward to growing and strengthening the membership of our club with the help of my Vice President, Stefanie Kahn, and Faculty Advisor, Brian Miller; as well as, making students better aware of PCMA and how rewarding it is to be a member of such a prestigious association!
Belinda: So, one last question: Do you like red sauce or green sauce on your enchiladas?
Kristina: Red sauce on my enchiladas haha!
Belinda: So what have you been up to all summer, Kristina?
Kristina: This summer I did take a few trips to the beach, one to Wildwood, NJ and a few to Rehoboth Beach,DE for a few long weekends. I also went on a Disney Cruise with my family, highly recommend by the way!!
This summer , I also had the opportunity to participate in an internship with Planning Factory International in Wilmington, DE. This destination management and corporate planning company is a well-known company that creates stunning events. With event planning in my future, I was thrilled when they asked me to work for them and I gladly accepted. This has been a great experience and I have learned so much about the industry in such a short period of time.
Belinda: What was your experience like upon starting and what projects did you work on with the Planning Factory?
Kristina: In May, when I began the internship, it was their busiest time. I was thrown into a new job and had to quickly acclimate myself with the office and the tasks at hand. Immediately, however, I felt welcomed and found that being forced to do things that I had never done actually made me learn faster and better. For example, ordering linens and décor for a number of events from many different vendors and suppliers was at first intimidating because I had no idea of the variety that existed of sizes, colors, and designs. I found myself stepping up and making important decisions that honestly, I didn’t feel I should be making, but due to the busy time, it had to be done.
Belinda: How has this experience helped you along your path to find a career?
Kristina: These pressuring times only helped me to learn and in the end made me a better intern. I was able to gain respect from the event planners, as well as, trust. The staff knew they could rely on me in times of need to complete the tasks at hand. Every day is a learning experience and I love going to work knowing that no two days will be the same. I have been challenged this summer, but have had the opportunity to work with an experienced and successful team. I look forward to working with them throughout my senior year and building my character for the future.
Belinda: So, what are your plans for the fall?
Kristina: As the fall school year begins, I will take what I have learned from my experiences at Planning Factory International and apply it to my new role as President of the University of Delaware student chapter of PCMA. With new ideas and strong leadership skills, our club will be active on campus and try to involve and show students what PCMA is all about. This year, our club plans on attending the PCMA Annual Convention in New Orleans, LA, as well as, host our 7th Annual PCMA Roundtable event, and our 2nd Annual PCMA Social. We also plan on getting more involved with educational events on campus and even creating our first student website.
Belinda: Sounds like a full agenda. Tell me a little bit more about the events your chapter is planning.
Kristina: Last year, we successfully fundraised and held our First Annual PCMA social. This was a great hit among the students and was very successful. It was a great way to get PCMA members and non-members from our major together to network, have fun, and raise money for our trip to Seattle. We also hosted our 6th Annual PCMA Roundtable event, during which we hosted 10 industry professionals from the surrounding areas. At this event, the students had an opportunity to network, ask questions and learn about a variety of jobs that are in the industry and the opportunities that are possible.
Belinda: What are you goals for the University of Delaware Chapter of PCMA this year?
Kristina: I look forward to growing and strengthening the membership of our club with the help of my Vice President, Stefanie Kahn, and Faculty Advisor, Brian Miller; as well as, making students better aware of PCMA and how rewarding it is to be a member of such a prestigious association!
Belinda: So, one last question: Do you like red sauce or green sauce on your enchiladas?
Kristina: Red sauce on my enchiladas haha!
How I spent my summer vacation…. In Taipei.
This summer I was given the opportunity to travel to Taipei, Taiwan to work on the Soroptimist International of the Americas 40th Biennial Convention. I worked with Soroptimist Meetings Manager, Eva Matyskiela, CMP last summer completing my junior internship working on the Soroptimist Professional Development Seminar and was invited back in March 2008 to begin work on the upcoming convention.
The 40th Biennial convention was made up of 1,800 women from the United States, Canada, Latin and South America, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. The convention spanned four days and was preceded by three days of leadership meetings and took place between three different locations.
My main responsibilities prior to leaving for Taiwan included organizing registration forms, creating confirmation and visa letters, updating hotel rooming lists, flight information and banquet event orders, creating VIP seating and speaking charts, and creating VIP name tents.
When I started back at Soroptimist in March, I was excited for Taiwan, but it still seemed so far away. But as time passed and that July 11th departure date grew closer and closer, my excitement grew higher and higher. Seventeen members of the headquarters staff would travel to Taipei and I was the only intern out of four to go.
The flight was long. Five hours to the west coast then thirteen hours to Taipei. This was the first time I had ever left the continent, but I was comforted in San Francisco when I saw Soroptimists who recognized me from the previous year’s conference. We landed in Taipei Saturday night and had less than 24 hours until the first event took place. And so it began…
The first three days were consumed with leadership meetings at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, a hotel brand that is not yet in the United States. During this time, my responsibilities included registration, checking room sets, tent card placement, and any other errands or jobs that the Executive Director or my boss needed me to do. One crazy adventure ensued when Patricia Chang, the Taiwan Region Secretary and I had to travel to several banks to get as much NT$ (new Taiwan dollar) in the smallest size bills and coins to use for change at the convention.
We then moved to the Grand Hyatt Taipei, our convention hotel and the Taipei International Convention Center for the four days of convention. The convention itself was comprised of two dinners (each with more than one seating), four general sessions, and three sets of six educational sessions. My main responsibilities included checking room sets, placement of signage and VIP seating tent cards, coordinating interpretation equipment and emerging leader’s information, but primarily keeping my boss from losing her mind.
Through this experience I was able to not only learn how a convention is created and implemented, but also different international practices and etiquette. While we did work with people in Taiwan who hold the same positions in the convention industry as we have here in the United States, there are great differences in how business is taken care of. Also, I was able to interact with and learn from women from over 13 countries. This was an amazing learning experience that I was given the chance to take part in and while it was a lot of work, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Astrid Schrier
Temple University
The 40th Biennial convention was made up of 1,800 women from the United States, Canada, Latin and South America, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. The convention spanned four days and was preceded by three days of leadership meetings and took place between three different locations.
My main responsibilities prior to leaving for Taiwan included organizing registration forms, creating confirmation and visa letters, updating hotel rooming lists, flight information and banquet event orders, creating VIP seating and speaking charts, and creating VIP name tents.
When I started back at Soroptimist in March, I was excited for Taiwan, but it still seemed so far away. But as time passed and that July 11th departure date grew closer and closer, my excitement grew higher and higher. Seventeen members of the headquarters staff would travel to Taipei and I was the only intern out of four to go.
The flight was long. Five hours to the west coast then thirteen hours to Taipei. This was the first time I had ever left the continent, but I was comforted in San Francisco when I saw Soroptimists who recognized me from the previous year’s conference. We landed in Taipei Saturday night and had less than 24 hours until the first event took place. And so it began…
The first three days were consumed with leadership meetings at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, a hotel brand that is not yet in the United States. During this time, my responsibilities included registration, checking room sets, tent card placement, and any other errands or jobs that the Executive Director or my boss needed me to do. One crazy adventure ensued when Patricia Chang, the Taiwan Region Secretary and I had to travel to several banks to get as much NT$ (new Taiwan dollar) in the smallest size bills and coins to use for change at the convention.
We then moved to the Grand Hyatt Taipei, our convention hotel and the Taipei International Convention Center for the four days of convention. The convention itself was comprised of two dinners (each with more than one seating), four general sessions, and three sets of six educational sessions. My main responsibilities included checking room sets, placement of signage and VIP seating tent cards, coordinating interpretation equipment and emerging leader’s information, but primarily keeping my boss from losing her mind.
Through this experience I was able to not only learn how a convention is created and implemented, but also different international practices and etiquette. While we did work with people in Taiwan who hold the same positions in the convention industry as we have here in the United States, there are great differences in how business is taken care of. Also, I was able to interact with and learn from women from over 13 countries. This was an amazing learning experience that I was given the chance to take part in and while it was a lot of work, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Astrid Schrier
Temple University
Student Panel Participant at PCMA Leadership Conference
Sitting in the Biltmore Bowl where Shirley Temple once accepted an Academy Award, the tables were turned as I was mentoring industry professionals. PCMA sponsored my trip to the Los Angeles Millennium Biltmore Hotel for the annual PCMA Leadership Conference. I was selected along with three other students to participate in a Reverse Mentoring Session.
PCMA’s Leadership Conference is a two day program designed for senior leadership who want to expand their skill set and emerging leaders who wish to gain tools for success. The setting is very intimate compared to PCMA’s Annual Meeting therefore the attendees are all a close network. Sessions focus on leadership development, motivation, personality types, and innovation. Attendees are challenged to step out of their comfort zones and learn more about themselves and those around them.
Reverse Mentoring was a two step process, starting with breakfast on the first full day. I was pre-assigned several mentees who joined me for breakfast and conversation about Generation Y. Contrary to what I’m used to, I was leading the discussion while industry professionals where taking notes. Mentoring in this new position helped me grow and develop my own leadership skills while giving my mentees tools to use in their companies. During the second step of the process, my mentees presented and discussed what they learned from our discussion. During their presentation to the general group, there was opportunity for questions and additional discussion.
Once again PCMA has provided me with an amazing educational and networking experience. The Leadership Conference is unlike any other PCMA event I’ve attended, and I plan to attend in the future after graduation. I was so privileged to attend this conference with so many great professionals as well as provide learning opportunities for them about my generation.
Ashley Akright
Vice President
PCMA Penn State Student Chapter
PCMA’s Leadership Conference is a two day program designed for senior leadership who want to expand their skill set and emerging leaders who wish to gain tools for success. The setting is very intimate compared to PCMA’s Annual Meeting therefore the attendees are all a close network. Sessions focus on leadership development, motivation, personality types, and innovation. Attendees are challenged to step out of their comfort zones and learn more about themselves and those around them.
Reverse Mentoring was a two step process, starting with breakfast on the first full day. I was pre-assigned several mentees who joined me for breakfast and conversation about Generation Y. Contrary to what I’m used to, I was leading the discussion while industry professionals where taking notes. Mentoring in this new position helped me grow and develop my own leadership skills while giving my mentees tools to use in their companies. During the second step of the process, my mentees presented and discussed what they learned from our discussion. During their presentation to the general group, there was opportunity for questions and additional discussion.
Once again PCMA has provided me with an amazing educational and networking experience. The Leadership Conference is unlike any other PCMA event I’ve attended, and I plan to attend in the future after graduation. I was so privileged to attend this conference with so many great professionals as well as provide learning opportunities for them about my generation.
Ashley Akright
Vice President
PCMA Penn State Student Chapter
Friday, August 29, 2008
Scholarship Applications Due October 1, 2008!!
Annual Meeting Scholarship
The PCMA Education Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship for up to three (3) students to work and attend the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This is an opportunity for student members to join industry professionals and gain valuable experience that will prepare them for a career in the meetings industry.
Chairman's Scholarship
This annual award will allow up to two (2) PCMA student members to attend the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This is an excellent opportunity to network with Industry Leaders and fellow students while enjoying the special distinction of being a 2008 "Chairman's Scholar."
Student Chapter of the Year (SCOTY) Award
The annual Student Chapter of the Year (SCOTY) Award is awarded to up to 4 (four) PCMA student chapters that best demonstrate overall leadership, academic excellence, community/campus involvement, web site development, membership growth and participation in the hospitality industry. This scholarship is sponsored by the PCMA Education Foundation. The four winning chapters are awarded up to $500 to fund an educational, community service or membership program to spend during the 2008-2009 school year.
To find out more information and apply for any of these scholarships, please CLICK HERE or go to the PCMA Education Foundation Website: http://www.pcma.org/Header_Pages/Foundation.htm
The PCMA Education Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship for up to three (3) students to work and attend the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This is an opportunity for student members to join industry professionals and gain valuable experience that will prepare them for a career in the meetings industry.
Chairman's Scholarship
This annual award will allow up to two (2) PCMA student members to attend the 2009 PCMA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This is an excellent opportunity to network with Industry Leaders and fellow students while enjoying the special distinction of being a 2008 "Chairman's Scholar."
Student Chapter of the Year (SCOTY) Award
The annual Student Chapter of the Year (SCOTY) Award is awarded to up to 4 (four) PCMA student chapters that best demonstrate overall leadership, academic excellence, community/campus involvement, web site development, membership growth and participation in the hospitality industry. This scholarship is sponsored by the PCMA Education Foundation. The four winning chapters are awarded up to $500 to fund an educational, community service or membership program to spend during the 2008-2009 school year.
To find out more information and apply for any of these scholarships, please CLICK HERE or go to the PCMA Education Foundation Website: http://www.pcma.org/Header_Pages/Foundation.htm
September 24th Meeting with Joan Eisenstodt!
Hello Everyone!
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA is pleased to have Joan Eisenstodt as our speaker for the upcoming meeting on September24, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center!
STUDENTS: Joan Eisenstodt, a widely-recognized and knowledgable industry leader, has asked to meet with any students who will be in attendance at this meeting. She is a wonderful resource for members of our industry, and is a huge supporter of Students in PCMA.
If you would like to attend, please email gppcma@comcast.net . If you are a student and would like to attend, but will not have transportation, please let us know!
Agenda:
11:30 - Registration
12 noon - Lunch and opening remarks
12:30pm-1:30 - Program
Location:The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-418-4700
MEETING SYNOPSIS:
Meetings Beyond Logistics: The Art Science of Learning at Meetings.
How do you know when your attendees gained the most out of the meeting? Was the educational aspect well received and understood? Did the program deliver a high and positive return on investment for the attendee's time?
Joan Eisenstodt will be with us to talk about "Meetings Beyond Logistics: The Art Science of Learning at Meetings". In this interactive session discover your own learning style, preferences, and explore the different ways in which education can be delivered at meetings and conferences. Through exercises and experiences, learn how to spice up the learning at your own meetings. For the suppliers among the audience, learn how to be consultative to your clients in their use of space and room sets, adding value to your services. Joan will helps us to gain a better understanding of how to use these tools to better select sites, prepare speakers and ensure return on participants' time.
Joan brings more than 30 years of experience to her work. She founded Eisenstodt Associates, a Washington, DC-based conference and hospitality consulting, facilitation and training company in 1981. She works with corporations, associations, professional societies, foundations, hotel companies and CVBs to facilitate and design meetings, negotiate contracts, and provides training. Active in PCMA since the mid '80s, and other industry and non-industry associations, Joan's passions for life-long learning and meeting excellence have been well-recognized: she was one of the first four recipients of HSMAI's Pacesetter Award, of IACC's prestigious Pyramid Award, "Planner of the Year" by MPI, inducted into the CIC Hall of Leaders, and most recently PCMA presented Joan with a life-time achievement as an educator honor.
The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of PCMA is pleased to have Joan Eisenstodt as our speaker for the upcoming meeting on September24, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center!
STUDENTS: Joan Eisenstodt, a widely-recognized and knowledgable industry leader, has asked to meet with any students who will be in attendance at this meeting. She is a wonderful resource for members of our industry, and is a huge supporter of Students in PCMA.
If you would like to attend, please email gppcma@comcast.net . If you are a student and would like to attend, but will not have transportation, please let us know!
Agenda:
11:30 - Registration
12 noon - Lunch and opening remarks
12:30pm-1:30 - Program
Location:The Pennsylvania Convention Center
1101 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-418-4700
MEETING SYNOPSIS:
Meetings Beyond Logistics: The Art Science of Learning at Meetings.
How do you know when your attendees gained the most out of the meeting? Was the educational aspect well received and understood? Did the program deliver a high and positive return on investment for the attendee's time?
Joan Eisenstodt will be with us to talk about "Meetings Beyond Logistics: The Art Science of Learning at Meetings". In this interactive session discover your own learning style, preferences, and explore the different ways in which education can be delivered at meetings and conferences. Through exercises and experiences, learn how to spice up the learning at your own meetings. For the suppliers among the audience, learn how to be consultative to your clients in their use of space and room sets, adding value to your services. Joan will helps us to gain a better understanding of how to use these tools to better select sites, prepare speakers and ensure return on participants' time.
Joan brings more than 30 years of experience to her work. She founded Eisenstodt Associates, a Washington, DC-based conference and hospitality consulting, facilitation and training company in 1981. She works with corporations, associations, professional societies, foundations, hotel companies and CVBs to facilitate and design meetings, negotiate contracts, and provides training. Active in PCMA since the mid '80s, and other industry and non-industry associations, Joan's passions for life-long learning and meeting excellence have been well-recognized: she was one of the first four recipients of HSMAI's Pacesetter Award, of IACC's prestigious Pyramid Award, "Planner of the Year" by MPI, inducted into the CIC Hall of Leaders, and most recently PCMA presented Joan with a life-time achievement as an educator honor.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Hyatt Regency Washington Available Positions
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Hyatt Regency Washington
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Management Positions,
Assistant Banquet/CS Manager,
Assistant Executive Steward,
Associate Director of Catering,
Associate Director of Sales,
Catering Manager,
Pastry Supervisor,
Sales Manager
Hyatt Regency Washington
400 New Jersey Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Management Positions,
Assistant Banquet/CS Manager,
Assistant Executive Steward,
Associate Director of Catering,
Associate Director of Sales,
Catering Manager,
Pastry Supervisor,
Sales Manager
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