Onsite: What I Hope to Gain

Alisha Ernst
Student
Kansaa State University

I want to take a moment to introduce myself and thank PCMA. I am a senior at Kansas State University majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management. PCMA has blessed me with an amazing scholarship opportunity that is allowing me to attend the Annual Meeting: Convening Leaders for the first time. I think many would agree I could not ask for a better location for my first meeting!

Which brings me to my next task, I was asked to give the students perspective on my expectations for Convening Leaders. I did not want to develop any unrealistic expectations on what this meeting will entails. However, based on what I have heard from previous attendees and what i'm seeing already, I do not think I could come up with any unrealistic expectations. It's only Sunday, but it appears it is going to be an absolutely amazing event filled with extraordinary attendees and speakers.

While this event is so important for industry professionals to continue their education and see new ideas and thoughts, it is equally important for students. Through our classes we gain a really good base knowledge of the industry, but this meeting allows us to see beyond just the face of the industry and to see what it really means to plan meetings and conventions. I look forward to learning about the nitty gritty details of the business, the good, the bad, and the ugly. So I have established 3 specific goals for the conference:

1. Meet an individual who holds a position in the industry that I have not even fathomed
2. Attend a lecture that intimidates me and see what I can gain from it
3. Learn what the industry is doing to go green (as this is one of my major passions)

On a more general note, during the next few days I look forward to hearing from wonderful speakers who are experts in the field. I hope to meet attendees at all levels of their careers and hear about their paths and current positions.

As far as preparing for the next few days goes, I think we can say the meeting planners at PCMA have done it all for us! I've used the PCMA 365 Portal to schedule my classes and create an itinerary. I read about the amazing evening events and receptions (and I bought my Party With a Purpose ticket!). I look forward to meeting all of you during our time here!