I'm in my 30s (somewhere in between 30 and 39) and up until now haven't really thought about what I'm going to do next in my career. Gone are the days where remaining at one company and in one career field through retirement are the norm. Meetings and events are evolving and it's becoming even harder to predict what this industry will look like in the next 10 years. While I'd love to stick around for another 30 years as a planner I'm not naïve enough to think I have that luxury.
So, as I sit here pondering my 3-5 year career plan, I've decided to make a short Meeting Planner Bucket List. These are things I want to do over the next few years before I move on to my next career challenge!
1. Obtain my Certification in Meetings Management certificate.
2. Plan an event involving the President of the United States.
3. Find the perfect temperature in a meeting room that works for ALL attendees throughout the duration of the event. This one is least likely to occur.4. Study and receive a Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification.
5. Take a train instead of a plane to a cross country meeting.
6. Coordinate a meeting in Paris, France.
7. Pitch a reality show series about meeting professionals.
8. Have fresh flowers and cookies delivered to my room each day while I'm on travel...just because.
9. Speak at a conference.
10. Buy and wear something from Tiffany & Co.
11. Eat a meal prepared by a famous chef.
12. Pack more flats, Motrin, bandages and Icy Hot.
13. Negotiate a "Laugh and Smile" clause in the contract. "Hotel and Group representatives agree to share mutual laughter and smiles at least twice per day over the course of the meeting."
14. See my former manager and mentor, Stacy P. Andres, one more time. She served as Director of Education & Meetings where I started my planning career. I'd tell her how much she influenced me, looked up to her, love and miss her. I will NEVER forget... http://www.amcpmeetings.org/stacy/.
What's on your career bucket list? Tweet me at @meeting_pro or add your comments below!
