“How’d You Get That Job?” My Story
When introducing myself and my occupation to new professionals, the response is often,
“Event planning! What a glamorous job! How did you get started?”
I’d like to answer that question here and share how I started my career in the event industry with you. Keep in mind that the meeting and event profession is multi-faceted, presenting a variety of opportunities for involvement. In fact, I’ve encountered such an interesting array of stories of how others have landed in the meetings and event industry that I want to share their stories with you, too. Welcome to Part 1 of my new series featuring the unique careers of meetings and event professionals and how they earned those positions. Considering a career as an event organizer? Read on! Read more
Welcome Vanessa Heavens, Helping to Create the Ultimate Conference Experience!
I have the great pleasure of introducing to you our newest employee Vanessa Heavens. As a Conference Experience Specialist, Vanessa is responsible for assuring our conference participants receive exceptional service and communication in planning for each event. She brings professionalism, a caring attitude and willingness to work hard in addition Read more 
Book Lovers Alert! MRA Staff Favorites
Travelers have a checklist of items they must remember to pack, and those that enjoy reading will always have a book and even a backup tucked in their baggage. Chatting with your seatmate about books he or she enjoy and could recommend is a wonderful opportunity to discover some new books to fall in love with. So it was delightful to see the MRA staff favorites and read their engaging personal reviews. Here are just three of the reviews from our staff that you may want to pick up before you board that next plane for your upcoming conference. Read more
The Year Ahead – A Return to Excellence
Travis Stanton’s Editorial in the November issue of EXHIBITOR magazine hit home with me as I thought about our company this past year and where I want to take it in the year to come. He talked about how the last few years of economic recession and hiring freezes has squelched innovation as organizations have struggled to get things done with fewer resources. Out of necessity, the focus has been on managing costs and making things work, not on considering the new ideas that will that will drive future success. “Good became good enough and excellent became an aspiration, rather than an expectation.”
The New Year offers an opportunity for fresh perspective and new ideas. Like EXHIBITOR magazine, MRA Services has welcomed some new talent to our company. We, too, have attempted to change the conversation within our organization over the last few months to focus on how things could and should be done, even if it’s not how we’re currently doing them. We, too, will challenge ourselves to tap into fresh perspectives, while attempting to manage change initiatives to maintain stability and superior service.
In the year ahead, MRA Services will center our priorities on the following: Read more
Welcoming Kelsey Knutson, MRA Services Newest Inspired Professional!
One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is to bring new people into MRA Services to join our team. After filtering through MANY resumes, I had my top two candidate choices ready to meet the team, when out of nowhere Kelsey’s information came to my inbox. From the start, I had a feeling she was going to be the perfect fit for our Client Services team! Turns out gut feelings are usually correct….
Since our team has had the pleasure of getting to know Kelsey over the past few weeks, I wanted our readers to get to know her as well. Here is a brief interview I conducted so you may get acquainted with the real Kelsey Knutson, our newest Conference Experience Specialist, responsible for assuring our conference participants receive exceptional service and communication in planning for each event! Read more
App Happy – 8 Staff Favorites
I love my iPhone, though I was reluctant to get one at first. My kids were so excited to get them but I was a holdout. I thought my old cell phone was fine. But when my daughter, Makenna, left in August to study abroad for fall quarter in Spain (because of the carrier we use, her cellphone wouldn’t work in Europe), I inherited her iPhone. Now it’s mine and I’m not giving it back when she gets home! (Sorry Makenna J) It’s only been 4 months, but I have already developed my own list of favorite apps. Read more
Nothing is Permanent, but Change
Note: This is part 1 of a 3 part blog post
My, how things have changed since the dot-com bubble came and went. Just as it was nearing its climactic burst (unbeknownst to me), I had determined that my meager existence in the music business had run its course. No longer enamored with the thought of traveling long distances between smoke- filled bars and tearing down sound systems at 3 AM, or pulling all night recording sessions in order to support others’ hopes and dreams of attaining stardom – I’d come to the conclusion that my own hopes and dreams lie elsewhere. I wanted to buy a house, replace our dorm furniture (as my mom called it) with grown-up furniture and experience the occasional nice dinner with my wife where the staff wasn’t accustomed to asking the proverbial question, “Do you want fries with that?” Read more
Have No Fear, the MAT Is Here!
Ever feel like you live, breathe and sleep work and never get outside the “bubble?” We spend the majority of our day consumed with work activities and thoughts and just might need to do something else every once in awhile. Continuing education is a great way to expand your learning outside of your work environment and to gain knowledge and perspective from professionals in other industries. Whether it is a certification in your field, a specialized class, or even a graduate program, taking advantage of some of these options will help you feel like you are pursuing something new for yourself and not solely focused on your work.
Do you often think about going to grad school, but get overwhelmed by the admissions process? If you are like me, you have thought about applying to graduate school many times since completing your undergraduate program. “The earlier the better,” they always say, – before you are “out of practice” with the school regime of study, sleep when you can, more studying and the big dreaded – TESTS! The longer you procrastinate, the longer that dreaded word stands in your way of applying-the postgraduate admissions exam. Yuck. I even went as far as to spend $100 on GMAT prep books only to decide I couldn’t (or wouldn’t) fit in the time it would take to study, while working full time, not to mention the high costs of taking the actual test. Why didn’t I just take the test fresh after graduation when I was used to this testing nonsense? Read more
