COURSE OVERVIEW:

The Convention Service Manager is the “Master of Ceremonies” for the Pre-Convention Meeting. They are responsible for setting the tone of the meeting with their opening comments, introduction of key individuals, and review of the resume. It is imperative for them to “own the room” and set an example of confidence, enthusiasm and style for the rest of the staff to follow. 

It is difficult for the rest of the team to show enthusiasm at a level 10 if the Convention Service Manager is leading the meeting with an enthusiasm level of 5! This session will provide Convention Service Managers with the skills they need to effectively handle their role as leader of the Pre-Convention Meeting. 

Nervous habits presents themselves in as many unique and different ways as there are people.  And since the CSM is in charge of the meeting their nervous habits can be the most glaring. Some will bob their head; smack their lips at the end of sentences; blink their eyes excessively; fidget with their hair, pen, papers or jewelry; develop an itch and scratch it frequently, or simply lose their normal exuberance and go stale. 

The extensive use of videotaping during this program will help each CSM to see any nervous habits they may have for themselves. The individual coaching and feedback will help them to create new positive habits for generating any nervous energy. 

The motto used during the training is: “You are an actor or actress.  The Pre-Convention Meeting is your stage and the Meeting Planner is your audience. You are a star, go and give an award-winning performance!”

10 KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• The impact CSM’s have on the Pre-Convention Meeting

• The posture that communicates, “I own this room, I’m in charge and this team is going to do a great job for you!”

• How to stand upon entering the room to make the best first impression

• How to present themselves with confidence, polish and professionalism

• How to keep the pace and energy of the meeting high from the opening to the close

• The importance of dressing for success and how to use professional grooming and etiquette

• Presentation Techniques – posture, eye contact, use of gestures

• Successful ways to eliminate nervousness energy and create new positive habits

• Successful techniques to customize each Pre-Convention Meeting to create flair and uniqueness for the group involved 

• Specific techniques to use with all attendees to keep the continuous improvement of the meeting growing and performance at its best

TRAINING METHODS:
This four-hour program utilizes an extensive amount of videotaping, role-playing and rigorous individual, customized feedback. Exercises are designed to allow each participant the opportunity to practice and polish their presentation skills. Prior to the program key team members work with Alicia in the development of a skeleton script for each phase of the meeting, i.e., opening, introduction of the guests, introduction of general manager, review of the resume, introduction of sales manager for the toast. Once developed, these scripts can be easily customized for each group.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

This program is designed specifically for Convention Service Managers who lead Pre-Convention Meetings or will be leading them in the near future. If there are four Convention Service Managers or less, others who would benefit from the videotaping and feedback may be included. For the effectiveness of the program it is suggested to limit class size to eight participants. 

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID:

“The best Pre-Convention Meetings I’ve ever seen are those we’ve held since your training.”

~ Mike Tighe - Front Office Manager, Atlanta Marriott Marquis ~

“Alicia, you bring out the best in people in a non-threatening, caring manner. Thank you so much. While the feedback was tough to hear at times, I appreciated it because you were right on target and it will only help make me better in my job as an Event Manager.” 

~ Anonymous ~

“Alicia, your insight and communication skills thoroughly supported your message and all of the feedback I received was extremely positive.  I look forward to future training sessions with you here at the Hilton Anaheim.” 

~ Glenn Hale – General Manager, Area Director ~

CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION:
If you could WAVE A MAGIC WAND over your Convention Service Managers who lead Pre-Cons, what are three key things you would want them to magically do and what are the three key things you would want to magically disappear in order to energize and transform your Pre-Convention Meetings? 

Each CSM needs to be equally as confident, polished and sophisticated as your General Manager and other executives who attend.

If you want to ensure your Pre-Convention Meetings are led with energy and enthusiasm, creating an exciting, unique and memorable meeting, please contact Alicia Ashley today for your free consultation. Phone her at 949.387.8735 or EMAIL here.