People 1-1-2002

Meetings & Conventions: People January 2002

People

By Terence Baker

Carol Lewis is president of C. Lewis Consulting Inc., a corporate event management company in Troy, Mich. Lewis also started a social-event division last May. Among the clients she and her team of five have planned for are BASF Corp., Compaq Computers and General Motors.

When did you start your company? Eight years ago. Before that I was the executive director for the American Cancer Society. Working for a nonprofit is a perfect way to start a planning career, as small budgets demand that you be creative. Also, you have to fight for every dollar.

Has business been tough of late? The number of events being planned dropped off immediately after Sept. 11, but it is steadily picking up. I have worked in this business for 20 years, and I have seen many ups and downs.

Does any event you planned stand out? We recently organized a “Race and Recuperation” event in Las Vegas for American Honda. We designed a piece of highway that entered into a ballroom containing video racing games and relaxation areas that mirrored places in the world where Honda has staged events. For example, a Japanese area had fountains and calming massage stations.

How do you relax after an event? I am a big fan of mountain biking, but in my part of Michigan it is rather flat. What I really need is a winter home, in a place such as Colorado, where the cycling is more demanding.

Any advice for new planners? Always keep improving and learning. Even though there is less money for events right now, the need for hospitality will not disappear, as events equal relationships, and relationships equal clients.

PLANNERS

MPI appoints Taylor to show management post
Anne-Marie Taylor has been named director of strategic events and travel services at Dallas-based Meeting Professionals International. Among her duties will be organizing MPI’s trade shows. Before coming to MPI, Taylor was manager of corporate meetings at Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc.

Talbert joins Computer Systems Management
Alexandria, Va.-based Computer Systems Management Inc. has hired Andy Talbert as program analyst, community outreach, for the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Talbert’s roles will include planning conferences, events, meetings and trade shows. He previously was owner of a planning firm, Creative Events Concepts, in Gaithersburg, Md.