Suppliers Feed Our Needs

My goal as a professional meeting planner is to serve our industry and educate hoteliers, clients and suppliers on best practices to build and maintain healthy, permanent relationships. I had the opportunity to wear many hats at a recent Meeting Professionals International meeting and there are so many suppliers who really impacted the outcome of that meeting. Each hero played an integral part in making it special. The Holiday Inn Harbourside on Indian Rocks Beach served and incredible meal. I guaranteed 5% over the registered guests and set the room for 10% over. How exciting that we actually had a 20% increase to our counts as walk ins and 0 no shows!

Carolyn Casey remained calm and had tables set while we started our program. Food service was delayed slightly which left our speaker no time to have her meal. Kathy Potts at Oncore Performance Group, LLC will hold your attention and while you hear her story ... you will be thinking about your own. What changes do I need to make in my life so I am living my passion? What IS my passion? What is getting in the way? She is no nonsense and digs until she finds the answer ... sometimes (probably most times) the voice that keeps us from our dreams is fear rather than reality. Kathy is dynamic, real and creates a relationship when she is working with you. Her singing talent is a bonus and a real gift! She made me laugh and made me cry and left a mark on my brain and heart.

I write a thank you and include a recommendation for her talent as a guest speaker and she returns the following:
“Linda is the type of professional to roll-up her sleeves and jump-to the task at hand. As the keynote speaker for MPI's April Meeting, several key leaders were out of town, and in the last moments Linda raised her hand to take-on responsibility for ensuring the success of the meeting. Linda created a relationship with me prior to the event, reviewing details such as AV Equipment, Agenda Flow, Marketing Tables, and such. When I arrived, she was ready to begin work immediately- creating a warm, while highly productive atmosphere. As it turned out, I was unable to eat lunch which was served during my presentation. Without missing a beat, Linda ensured I had a packed lunch waiting (and boy was I grateful for her extra initiative!) Linda has a charm about her that attracts laughter, as well as focus on the tasks at hand. If you want a personality to accompany the competence needed to plan your meetings ahead, call on Linda!”

WOW! Who knew that the meal would be a detail that would be noticed! I just did what was right and treated her the way you should treat a partner. But what came next really stopped me in my tracks.

Kathy Potts tells me ... There's more to the story...
On the way home, I came across a homeless man. He didn't look like the typical homeless guy. Very clean-cut, muscular, well dressed...something wasn't quite right. His sign said "Hungry" - that's all.
With a full meal in the box sitting next to me, I rolled down my window and called him over, "Hey man...I have a meal here for ya! We have steak, chicken, vegetables - but I'm sorry to say, I already ate the potatoes."
"Thank you ma'am. I'm kinda new to this. I've only been homeless now for 3 days, and I'm embarrassed, but so grateful - thank you so much. My wife is going to be so thankful."
Linda - your kindness has reach that is beyond your imagination ;)
Please...do post the testimonial :)
(oh...and grabbed a bite at home) - hope that isn't seen as disrespectful. I just thought he needed the meal more than I.

Random acts of kindness to one another are so far reaching. Treat your supplier’s right and watch the world around you become a brighter place where relationships grow stronger and we all feel heard and cared for. Visit my website for other articles on supplier relationships. a2zmeetingsandevents.com/blog Treat 'em RIGHT!