MPI MN Up-close Planner Profile Interview: Amy Beckham

Account Executive, The Sapphyre Group, LLC,amy@sapphyregroup.com

1. Why did you join MPI? The networking and connections are very appealing to me. I have had such positive experiences at past WEC’s, both in Minneapolis and Las Vegas, and the strength of those experiences led me to rejoin the organization. Additionally, I have a good friend who is a past board member and she has often talked about the benefits of membership, so I took the plunge. Thanks Brynn!

2. How long have you been in the meetings/hospitality industry? I have been planning meetings for 20 years; and formally in this industry for 15.

3. How did you decide to get involved in this business? What influenced you? I began working with non-profit organizations in 2001 and continued that work by working with trade and professional associations both as management and a meeting planner. Working with non-profits is very rewarding. Our client base is very passionate about what they do, and we become an extension of them. Their passion is our passion, their rewards are our rewards. I would say that is what influenced me. I kind of found myself in this business by accident and it was a very fortuitous accident!

4. What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received about working with meetings? Never be too fast to sign that contract, don’t be afraid to mark it up and send it back for revisions.

5. What is one piece of advice about meeting planning you would share? Always double check your math! And read those BEO’s 😉

6. What is one thing about this industry that you love? The people, definitely! I have yet to meet another person in this industry that doesn’t share the same passion for it that I do. I love getting together with other planners and exchanging tips and resources, the feeling of camaraderie is always present.

7. What is one thing about the industry would you like to see changed? Professional planners are undervalued by their clients/employers, which often equates to under compensation for their work. We owe it to each other to keep our professional perception clearly conveyed and we need to continue to support each other and our work, eventually that will break through to those who most need to understand it.

8. What do you do outside of work? I love to travel, I am an avid reader and love to escape into a good book. I sing and lead a choir at our church and have recently begun teaching myself how to play the autoharp (I’m a closet bluegrass fan). I love spending time with my family, my husband of almost 30 years (I was a child bride) and our kids are the best! Don’t get me started talking about our dogs, because I will go on and on about big dogs and rescues and….you get the picture.