Catherine Beck’s Post

A day or so in London, this time for the Events industry, Cross Association, DEI Working Group. People in the events world never cease to amaze me. How they can be unfazed by challenges, and deal with them with a confident smile and a plan almost as if the unexpected is expected. The fact that that it was also the first day for Catherine Beck as Chair of a large industry cross networking group when the main speaker is suddenly unable to attend, demonstrates not only her resourcefulness, but also that in their world there is no translation for the word crisis! There was so much to glean from the meeting. This is an industry going through change and it means doing something we focus on a lot in Mindsmith Thinking, changing perspective. It was great to hear how companies were improving, staffing to address the effects of the long hours culture,the way age and experience are viewed, and continuing to push the boundaries with flexible working and paternity leave. All necessary steps in an industry that has to be creatively focused on outcomes, but having a growing realisation that people organisations are having to become equally creative with the talent that produces them. The Chair concluded with the clarion call for "less talk, more action". This is a group where things will happen, in an industry in need of the ideas and support. A really productive meeting hosted at the New Scientist Building and thanks to the AEO Association of Event Organisers and ESSA team for making the arrangements.

Today, I had the privilege of attending KML's Top 30 Under 30 Summit. Thank you The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto and Sam for giving me and my colleagues this opportunity. And congratulations to Aaron for the well-deserved award! We're so proud of you! 🎉 I arrived already expecting to learn, but the panel sessions far exceeded my expectations. I'm excited to share my key takeaways: 📝"Diversity" extends beyond race, age, and gender orientation to include learning abilities. Most people who work in FOH are experiential learners, retaining information better through hands-on experience. Training should be tailored accordingly, rather than relying solely on PowerPoint slides or written materials. 📝Encourage every associate to collaborate and contribute to changes; give them a sense of purpose. 📝When hiring, shift the focus from "Will they stay?" to "How do we retain them?"; what we should be looking for, especially in the service industry, is Authenticity. 📝Going Green— This shouldn't mean taking away amenities or putting the burden on the guests in any way, it means offering an alternative. 📝Pre-Shifts— the hallmark of service excellence; setting the mood for associates and keeping them informed impacts guest's experiences more than you think.

As we celebrate during pride month we must keep safe during all our events. Egale has published some toolkits that can be helpful to pride event organizers and attendees. Download the toolkit here: https://buff.ly/3VC9LY5

Let Cuppa help you create the right conversation for your next event or conference.

Don't miss out on this checklist to #ASAE24! Not only does it count down the top things to do at ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership's Annual Meeting & Exposition, but it also includes a Spotify playlist to get you in the mood for fun, networking, inspiration and more! Check it out today and come by the Community Brands booth #522 and talk to the #NetForum team about your #association's goals. #AssnChat #AssnProfs #AssociationManagement #AssociationManagementSoftware

Congratulations Sarah Brewer FCIPD. You came highly recommended by the person who nominated you. I know, like most of the Mastering Diversity Conference and Awards nominees, you do not realise all you do.🎉 Wishing you the very best results! #Awards ##masteringdiversity2024 #masteringdiversityconferenceandawards #wegotogetherornotatall #DiversityIsStrength #ChangeThroughInclusion #DiversityLeadership #InspireToEmpower #DiversityMatters #EmpowermentThroughInclusion #IntersectionalityMatters #InclusiveConversations #DiversityInclusion

Annual recognition event: honoring our colleagues!   Today we held our annual recognition event, a special occasion where we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our colleagues from High Five Health Promotion and Westfield Health. This event reminds us of the importance of acknowledging not only successes but also the positive impact a colleague has on their team and the company culture, celebrating both achievements and personal qualities. Our core values play an essential role in this recognition: - We Care: the ones that have shown they genuinely care about others, whether it’s our customers, colleagues, or the community. Their empathy and commitment make a world of difference. - We Are Explorers: this one is for the pioneers, those who aren’t afraid to explore new paths and embrace innovation. Their curiosity and creativity drive us forward continually. - We Own It: this category recognizes those who take responsibility and deliver results. They are reliable, proactive, and their dedication inspires us all to do our best work. - We Are In It Together: here, we honor the team players who foster collaboration. Their ability to connect people and work together makes us stronger and more united. Each winner has demonstrated themselves exceptionally in one of these core values. Thanks to everyone who made this celebration possible and to all our colleagues for their ongoing dedication and hard work!

🤝 Secure your spot for: 'Showing the value of L&D - moving from the transactional to strategic alignment.' Explore strategies moving beyond traditional measures of success to align learning activities with performance issues and business goals with Alice Thompson, Learning Partner at Marks and Spencer. Explore the programme 👉 https://lnkd.in/e6qqpa-v #LT24UK #LnD #businessimpact #performance

Midweek reflection: How do you stay updated with the latest trends in your industry? Here at the Georgia Black Expo, staying ahead of industry trends is crucial to our mission. Here's how we do it: 1. Regular Training Sessions: We ensure our team and partners are up-to-date through continuous educational workshops. 2. Engagement with Thought Leaders: We regularly invite industry leaders to share insights directly, fostering a learning environment. 3. Research and Development: Our team dedicates time to researching emerging trends and innovations that can impact our community. 4. Feedback Loops: We actively seek feedback from our attendees and partners, which helps us adjust to new demands and expectations quickly. Staying informed isn't just about keeping up; it's about leading the way in fostering empowerment and innovation within our community. This proactive approach ensures that the Georgia Black Expo remains a relevant and influential force in the industry.

It was an honor to have Jason Menzo present me with the Lulie's Light Award for my contributions to the mission during my first year with the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The Lulie’s Light Award honors Field Staff who have made substantial contributions to our organization’s mission and values. The award winners embody our core values: passion for our mission, relationship focused, accountable with integrity, groundbreaking and risk taking, accessible and equitable, and collaborative and inclusive. Recipients demonstrate excellence in:  ~ Financial Performance: Exceeding financial goals and optimizing resource allocation.  ~ Scientific Advancement: Connecting our community to our research efforts and advancements.  ~ Community Engagement: Building strong relationships and increasing support.  ~ Operational Excellence: Streamlining processes and improving efficiency.  ~ Cultural Leadership: Fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performing culture. It means a great deal to work for an organization that recognizes and appreciates me for being, "a consistent top performer, exceeding financial goals, and a true leader on the West Region team", and also someone who "embodies collaboration, exemplifies diligence in uncovering new partnerships, and fosters meaningful connections that advance our organization’s impact and values." Thank you, Jason, Jen Nielson, and Nathan Clookie for your belief in me and for striving to create a culture where employees are empowered to succeed.