Organization: Visit Indy
LinkedIN URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mellinger-cmp-b3a4a019/
Other than improving your Zoom Meeting skills, what have you learned (or learned to excel in professionally) since COVID-19 began?
I think one thing COVID-19 taught us was to be flexible. So much pivoting had to be done and having to do meetings and events in a way that had never been done before really showed us how “think outside the box.”
Who are you outside of work?
Outside of work, you can usually find me on the Canal, Cultural Trail or the Monon Trail. I do a lot of walking and biking and enjoy being outdoors as much as possible.
Name a silver lining in your own work experience since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Referring to the question above, I think a real silver lining was to eliminate the tunnel vision we had prior to COVID-19. There are many ways to do things that we did not realize prior to the pandemic.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date?
One of the proudest accomplishments is the success of the Super Service training program. I inherited that program when I started at Visit Indy and knew it had great potential. Having taught the program to hospitality and culinary students at IUPUI, IU Kokomo, Purdue University and Ivy Tech really showed me how important it is to teach the next generation how much our industry has on the economy of a city. I was also able to get the Super Service Program designated as a “Legacy Project” during our state’s bicentennial.
What are some of your favorite things about being an MPI member?
Being able to learn from everybody’s talents. There is such a diverse membership in MPI that you can get advice for just about any topic in our industry.
When do you plan to go on your next vacation and where do you want to go?
In the fall, I am planning on going to a fantastic beach somewhere in the Caribbean.
What is the greatest place you have ever visited?
I cannot think of just one. I lived in England for three years and really enjoyed seeing all of Europe.
Something people don’t know about you:
That I am an extremely shy person. Although I can do public speaking and have no problem speaking to large groups, put me in a room of 10 people I do not know, and I will just sit in the corner until someone speaks to me. I also do not like being in any pictures (ask those who know me or try to get me in pictures).
