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: Tom McWilliams
Company Name: MS Credit Union Association
Job Title: Senior Vice President
Years of Experience: 36
How were you able to adapt during COVID-19 when the meeting and events industry got disrupted?
First, I would like to say our entire organization worked together to move our organization forward to overcome our Association's challenges with our meetings and educational events. Everyone came together to learn how we should communicate with our members and to move forward with our meetings and educational events.
As a planner, what was the number one thing you learned over the past year?
To embrace change; every day is a new day and brought new challenges and opportunities. Everyone was in the same boat. It was easy to ask questions and contact my peers and ask what are you doing? Communication is the key. I am not ashamed to admit I do not have all the answers, but I have a great network and, of course, my fellow employees are a great resource.
Is there anything you are changing in your planning process moving forward as a result of the pandemic?
Yes, be prepared to change. A meeting or event may be completely changed 2 or 3 days before the start. When planning your events have several well-documented alternatives in place.
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.