Member Spotlight - Vanessa Clark, Events & Conventions Regina

MPI Member for # of years: I have been an MPI member for almost one and a half years.

How did you get your start in the industry?

I got my first taste of the hospitality and events industry when I started at the Regina Hotel Association (RHA) almost five years ago. Being a young professional who was brand new to the industry was a bit intimidating, but I immediately fell in love with the community and the energy of those in it.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date?

My proudest professional accomplishment to date is being a part of a record-breaking year for convention business development in my first year of this role, where we exceeded our annual room night target by roughly 15%. This was a huge success for myself and the team, as we intentionally set high targets to motivate us.

What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?

Every year I would plan and execute a VIP experience for our clients at a major musical festival in Saskatchewan. This was always a very memorable experience for me because it allowed for the opportunity to engage with new and existing clients on a more personal level and in a non-traditional manner. We still have clients raving about their experience to this day!

What advice would you give to someone just coming into the industry?

Be open to pushing yourself and learning new things. Seek opportunities to get involved. Be curious, ask questions, and challenge yourself. And, most importantly, network, network, network! Work hard – your time, effort, and drive will not go unnoticed.

What are some things you do to keep interested, updated and inspired?

I am always looking for new ways to stay involved within the industry and community. I recently volunteered as the Marketing Lead for Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) which was extremely rewarding and a huge success. It was a great way to learn a new role, meet new people, and stay connected.

Podcast Recommendation: “The Mindset Mentor” with Rob Dial. I love listening to this podcast because the episodes are the perfect length of time to commit to and stay engaged, it helps put my mind at ease (especially during busy and/or challenging times) and prepare me for a fresh new week ahead.

Email: vanessa@stayinregina.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessaclarkk/