The Expo Group’s Show Manager of the Year Award nominations are open until September 30. RETHINK the way you say THANKS by nominating a deserving show manager today.
In 2013, Cheretta Clerkley won a SMOTY award for her work with The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. As we get closer to the deadline for submitting nominations, she shares her thoughts on what it means to win a Show Manager of the Year Award.
How did your life change professionally after you won the SMOTY award?
My professional life changed quite drastically. During the time I won the Award, I was going through a transition where I was moving into a new position with a new company. Although, I’m no longer managing an Exhibit Hall I’ve taken those same skill sets and applied them in my new role as the Director, Hormone Health Network with the Endocrine Society. Problem-solving, cultivating meaningful relationships, creating new marketing opportunities, etc. I’m selecting events that the Network will attend for the upcoming fiscal year and my knowledge of tradeshows and conferences definitely comes in handy! My new role allows me to not only utilize existing skill-sets but build new ones as well—which is so rewarding.
Did you enjoy the SMOTY Awards event?
YES! The SMOTY Awards event is a world-class event. The connections and networking opportunities are endless. More importantly, it gives everyone an opportunity to reflect, learn, and to go back and implement new innovations and business strategies. As I mentioned, I was transitioning into a new role and the speakers provided such great information that could be applied in any business setting.
Where is your award right now?[
My award is in my Foyer. My 3-year-old son affectionately refers to it as “Mommy’s Award”.
What qualities do you think a good show manager should have? Why?
Innovative, business savvy, and emphasis on outstanding customer service are all qualities that I believe a good show manager should have. Why? Because as all know there are many elements that require a show manager’s attention and in many cases it’s a cyclical timeline and sometimes many tasks can become mundane. Therefore, it’s important to be thinking ahead of ways that you can bring new innovations to what you do every day, diversifying revenue streams, and thinking of ways that vertical markets may want to align with your brand.
What would you say to people who are reluctant to nominate someone for a SMOTY award?
It was such an honor to be nominated by your colleagues and it meant so much to me to know that the work I was doing made an impact
What projects are you currently working on?
Currently, I’m working on a plan to implement a new trade show strategy for the Hormone Health Network as exhibiting is one of the ways that we are able to connect with patients and the general public. I’m in the process of working on a new strategic initiative for my organization that could really help to educate the general public about the Endocrine System. It’s exciting to be working on programmatic endeavors but to still have the opportunity to be involved in the industry is so rewarding.
If people have questions about your company, how can they learn more?
Please feel free to e-mail me at cclerkley@endcrine.org or visit hormone.org.
Remember to RETHINK the way you say THANKS! Nominate a deserving show manager today!