Femke Morelisse
Femke Morelisse, Sales Manager at GES, currently operates in Washington DC and Mid-Atlantic market – focusing on offering value and solutions to new customers.
IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum – a Young Professionals’ Perspective
June 4, 2016
I recently attended the IAEE Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) with two of my colleagues. We had the opportunity to network with several successful women who are truly change makers in the trade show and events industry, willing to serve as mentors and coaches to young professional women.
The sessions we attended were centered on 5 standards women should consider when evaluating our professional and personal development.
When the forum ended, we left feeling inspired to share our experiences and key takeaways from our 2-day think tank, so we compiled our notes and “aha” moments.
Here are 5 points that truly captured our attention:
1. Discover what you have to offer, then capitalize on it.
What's your personal tagline? What do you want to be an expert at? Take time to reflect on your passions and consider your skills to help determine your career niche. Discover the value you can offer to your organization or the industry and capitalize on it. When your skills and talents align with your passions, you’ll become an expert in your career and make your value more visible to others.
2. Don’t be afraid to deviate from your original path.
As young professionals, we’re constantly being asked where we see ourselves in the future and what our next steps will be. Attending the WLF showed us that regardless of your stage in life, there will always be new opportunities or decisions that may alter your original path. It’s okay to reevaluate your goals and reflect on what’s important to you.
3. Pause… now consider your future goals.
It’s human nature to create expectations and hold ourselves to a higher standard than we hold others. When we can’t realistically measure up to expectations, let’s consider it a time to learn rather than a setback. This quote comes to mind:
“When we keep fighting for what we think we want, never slowing down enough to actually learn the lesson that our Expectation Hangover is attempting to teach, it is impossible to clarify what we truly want and need. We’re too drunk with expectations to notice when we are headed in the wrong direction.” – Christine Hassler
4. Focus on developing your inner authenticity.
As leaders, we can go from good to great by inspiring and supporting others. Leaders make others feel safe and smart. Be intentional about how you interact with others and always show genuine curiosity. You never know what others are going through, so it’s important to be kind and caring towards everyone.
5. Know the issues, get connected and stay motivated.
Julia Smith talked about issues women face in the workforce in her latest blog. As young professional women, it’s important that we understand the history and economics of these matters. Being directly exposed to the women fighting for equal rights has motivated us to work smarter and understand the values we bring as young women team members.
We want to thank IAEE for organizing an innovative and intimate conference for the professional women leaders in our industry. We hope this post enables other young professional women to understand the unparalleled value this conference brings to their personal and professional development.
If you want to join a company that supports the vital role that women play in the workplace, take a look at GES’ careers page here.
A special thank you to co-authors Alyssa Sterioti and Katherine Ballew for their contributions to this article.
This article was originally published on GES Blog.
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.
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