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Tips From The Member Mentoring CommitteeCSEE: The Only Professional Development Program for Sports Event ManagersI have spent the last twenty four years of my professional life in the hospitality, destination marketing, and sports event industries. As I look back over these years, there are a couple of constants I see. One is it's an ever-changing industry with growing competition. The other is the individuals entering our industry, along with those who have been here for some time, are very educated about our profession. They continue to seek additional opportunities where they can gain more information and knowledge which will give them a competitive advantage in the market place.
I personally have attended the NASC Sports Event Symposium for ten years, with my first Symposium being in San Jose, Ca. in 2000. I realized at that time the value and importance of attending. Not only did it allow me to interact with my peers, it offered educational components which were relevant to my work. Being able to discuss best practices, strategies, and destination marketing with many of the best minds in our industry was a no-brainer.
In the spring of 2002, NASC rolled out a new opportunity for continuing education. It was their Certified Sport Event Executive professional development series or CSEE. I for whatever reason chose not to participate at that time. I had several years of experience and believed my time was better spent saving the day and being in the office tending to my job. I thought surely this had to be for people with less experience than I had. I was wrong, and now realize I should have enrolled in 2002! The CSEE program is in its eighth year and has had over 300 participants, 69 of which have earned their designation as Certified Sport Event Executives. I have the highest respect for each of these individuals for putting emphasis on their career development and achieving this professional designation. Many of them are the people I turn to when I have difficult questions about our business.
So what's my point? Don't think just because you have been in the industry for a long time means you don't need to continue to seek the best professional development out there. If you do, you will be left behind. If you are new to the industry, start making professional development part of your annual plan. The NASC Certified Sport Event Executive program is the best in our business. If you're not enrolled for the fall module this October, do so now! It's an investment in yourself and your destination, not to mention 300+ of your competitors are looking to gain an edge on you! I hope to see you in the CSEE course in New Orleans this fall!
About the Guest Contributor: Greg has been a member of NASC since 2001. He is the Director of Sports Development for the Greater Louisville Sports Commission. He is a twenty four year veteran in the Louisville hospitality and sports tourism scene. His responsibilities currently include overseeing the bid process for all events, development of sports advisory committees for local sports, and event management for all GLSC related events. He has assisted with winning bids for sports organizations such as: PGA of America, TEAMS Conference Travel and Trade Show, American Football Coaches Association, National Senior Games Association, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, Ford Ironman Louisville, McDonald's All American Basketball Games, USA Volleyball, USA Cycling, USA Fencing, USA Gymnastics, US Figure Skating. Greg is currently enrolled in the Certified Sports Event Executive Program.Tips from the Member Mentoring Committee
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