Shura Garnett, CFE, regional vice president of Global Spectrum
Collaboration. Seems simple enough. But how do three organizations with independent goals and objectives collaborate? Through communication.
The linchpin of collaborative efforts and ultimately success for the planner, the destination and the convention center is the ability for all parties to clearly communicate organizational and convention/event objectives and needs.
All three entities also need to define expectations, taking all aspects of the convention production into account. Just as CVBs and their convention sales staffs are experts on their destination, good convention center sales staffs are experts on their facility and the product offerings within the center. It is important to find a convention center staff that identifies needs across event production components. These range from labor, equipment and services to food and beverage, audio visual and IT/communications.
The key is defining these needs accurately. By collaborating, sharing information and communicating effectively the planner, CVB and convention center can help outline what a successful convention looks like and avoid ‘surprises’.
Ultimately, clear communication of organizational and convention/event objectives and needs creates the opportunity for successful long-term relationships between the destination and convention and makes it more certain that a planner’s event will be successful. When you plan your meeting or convention, ask all these parties to be involved.
Shura Garnett is regional vice president for Global Spectrum, a public assembly facility management company with more than 105 facilities in the United States, Canada, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Facilities managed by Global Spectrum host a variety of entertainment, sports, tradeshows, performing arts and other special events. Global Spectrum focuses on establishing partnerships with its venue owners and event organizers. Call 888-456-2599 or visit www.global-spectrum.com for more information.
