This post is part of the HopSkip Planner Spotlight Series where HopSkip spotlight's planners across the industry to bring awareness of how they adapted to COVID-19, communicating and lessons learned and sharing how they are viewing the meetings and events industry in a post-pandemic world.
Name: Penny Pina
Company Name: American Mathematical Society
Job Title: Director of Meetings and Conferences
Years of Experience: 35
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
I adapted the way I adapt to any major occurrence in my life---by "bouncing with the ball". Life is full of curve balls so when the pandemic hit and we suddenly had to figure out how to still bring meetings and conferences to the mathematical community, we rolled up our sleeves and said "let's tackle this virtual thing!"
As a planner, what was the number one thing you learned over the past year?
I learned many things but the number one thing is that relationships in this business are so valuable. I wouldn't have been able to negotiate the deals I was able to accomplish without having sturdy and loyal relationships with hotel and city partners.
Is there anything you are changing in your planning process moving forward as a result of the pandemic?
For one, I have gotten rid of a lot of paper! I realized after 15+ months without it, I no longer needed it. I was forced to come out of my old ways and become more sustainable. Another thing I am doing is adding more cross training among my team. We have to be able to keep the same level of efficiency when a member of the team can't perform at full capacity. Like said, "Watch out for those curve balls!"
This post is part of the HopSkip Planner Spotlight Series where HopSkip spotlight's planners across the industry to bring awareness of how they adapted to COVID-19, communicating and lessons learned and sharing how they are viewing the meetings and events industry in a post-pandemic world.
