By Jessica Lamb ('10)
Ten 2nd year MSA students took the Big Easy by storm during the 2009 TEAMS Conference. The group (Kate Boyer, Darren Cohen, Jason Hill, Solar Hong, Shelly Jia, Jessie Lamb, Sean O’Hara, Patrick Skahan, Melissa Somadelis, and Alex Vitanye) flew down to New Orleans the week of October 11-16 to volunteer for the TEAMS conference, hosted by SportsTravel Magazine.
The TEAMS Conference & Expo is one of the world's leading conference and expos for the sports-event industry. Attendees consisted of over 300 CVBs, sports commissions, sports suppliers, and national event organizers. During our time as volunteers we were able to meet with various industry professionals, including Mike Millay (’84), Director of Sports Business Development at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
When we were not assisting with overall program set-up, conference registration and other event-specific responsibilities, we were able to attend a selection of industry specific workshops. One such workshop, “Sports Marketing in Tough Times,” was given by our very own Jim Kahler (’81). Kahler’s presentation offered a captivated audience sales techniques that work in the current environment. Other workshops that were favorites of our group were “Create the Super Fan Using Social Media,” presented by Jackie Reau, a graduate of Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism, and Betsy Ross, as well as “The Career Counselor,” presented by Bob Beaudine, author of The Power of Who.
Additional highlights of the conference included a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Superdome and a meeting with Mike Stanfield, VP of Ticket & Suite Sales at the New Orleans Saints. We also had the opportunity to spend time with Chris Waddell, the most decorated male skier in Paralympic history, who just two weeks prior successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro using a one-of-a-kind, 4-wheel handcycle propelled entirely be arm power. Chris is the first paraplegic to summit Kilimanjaro, and his story was an inspiration to us all.
While the conference was our primary focus, we did find time to enjoy some of the great traditions of New Orleans. If you’ve ever seen the show Man vs. Food you will truly appreciate our trip. Although none of us took the challenge to eat 15 dozen oysters in one hour, we did do our share of eating. We hit three out of four of the culinary landmarks from the New Orleans’ episode of Man vs. Food, including Mother’s (home to the original Po’Boy sandwich), Acme Oyster (known for their charbroiled oysters) and Cafe du Monde (serving up classic and delicious beignets). Adam Richman would have been proud.
And then of course there was Bourbon Street. The vote is still out, but the Hand Grenade (a close cousin to the Hurricane) may have a slight edge over the beloved Lunchbox, Junction Punch and the Fishbowl known to Court Street.
Overall, the trip was a great success and very beneficial to all of us that went. Next year’s conference is in Charlotte, and we know that the 1st year MBA/MSA class is looking forward to continuing the TEAMS tradition.
For more information about the 2010 TEAMS Conference visit
http://www.teamsconference.com/ or click
here.
