E3: Zooming in on the Evolving Role of Collegiate Planners with Diana Hakenholz
Today’s guest provides a unique approach to the world of events; she is a meeting planner for meeting planners. Diana Hakenholz, CMP is the Director of Meetings and Education at the Association of Collegiate Conference & Events Directors-International (ACCED-I). She is responsible for the highly anticipated Collegiate Conference & Events Professional (CCEP) designation as well as educational content and planning for meetings and events.
[00:01 - 04:00] Opening Segment
I welcome and introduce Diana Hakenholz
Collegiate planning
About Acced-i
Diana gives background on Acced-i and collegiate planning
The impact of Covid19
The activities of the planners
An asset to universities
[04:01 - 10:51] Staying Connected During Covid19
Keeping your ear to the ground
Instituting a free conference call for any member
Idea sharing
Two topics a week to every other week
Monthly educational forums
Peer to peer program
Focusing on the challenges from the pandemic
Educational forums
Focussing on single topics
Transitioned to virtual
Prevailing topic in Diana’s meetings during this time
Becoming an indispensable resource on campuses
Still a lot of activity working on 2021
How planners are handling the pandemic
Resilience
Transitions in skill set
Diana’s insights when planners can begin hosting again
Matching the industry on the whole
Concerned with the student experience
Taking it a month at time, one state at a time
Looking hopeful for 2021
Diana’s thoughts on virtual substitutes
It’s been a viable option
Successfully employed several virtual summits
[10:52 - 18:39] Zooming in; The Evolving Role of the Collegiate Planner
Diana talks about the variety of platforms used today
Zoom has been a big one
Finding the best solutions
The production side of planning
Planners partnering with local production companies
Creating the studio experience
The feedback
It seems to work
It’s unfortunate but at least it’s an option
What a virtual Homecoming looks like
Shoe box parade
Getting creative
How planners are addressing Zoom fatigue
Diana talks about how planners have had to evolve
Businesses affected also affects planners
Rising to the challenge
Working together with clients
The effects of state decisions
[18:40 - 24:54] Planning for Meeting Planners
Diana talks about how her annual summit was affected
The decision to cancel
Keeping the safety of attendees
How the annual conference runs
3 day event
Good mix of networking and education
From attendees to venders
Appointment based meetings
The chance to schedule discussions
Both appointments and expo booths have value
How to bring this into a virtual environment
It’s possible but with challenges
There are other opportunities on a virtual platform too
[24:55 - 28:29] Closing Segment
Final thought traditional vs. virtual
The biggest message from Diana to constituents
Keep hanging in there
Open and honest
Special announcements for collegiate planners regarding changes
Surge in cases has forced change
Acced-i will not be cancelling but will be virtual 2021
Dates another details coming soon
CMP credits, you can still register for virtual education forum
Thursday November 19th
I’ll be one of the speakers
Final words
