People 10-1-2000

> Meetings & Conventions: People October 2000

EDITED BY LISA GRIMALDI

Barbara Hayward wears two hats at the Alexandria, Va.-based National Community Pharmacists Association, where she has been since 1985: She is vice president of meetings, as well as vice president of educational programming.

How did you end up running both the education and meeting departments?
I started with the association in the convention department as an assistant director. After eight years, I transferred to the education department. Personnel changes in the association left us with some challenges in meetings and conventions, and the two departments merged. So I ended up back handling the meetings again, along with the education.

How do they compare?
They are both challenging and interesting in very different ways. Conventions are nonstop action, with never a dull moment. Educational programming keeps me in touch with our members. Over the years, I have gotten to know what is going on in the industry and the key issues of interest to our members — 13,000 independent pharmacists. It's rewarding to put together a program that gives them information they can put to use.

What is the best professional compliment you have received?
The trust my CEO, a person I greatly respect, demonstrated when he gave me departmental responsibilities covering the professional education of the members and handling this key revenue-producing department for the association.

How did you end up in this industry?
By accident, frankly. I didn't know this industry existed until one of my mother's hotel contacts — she planned functions for her real estate agency — called me about a job opening when I graduated from college. I took the position, eventually gravitating to the convention services management arena. The perspective I gained on the hotel's contracting needs and what suppliers find attractive about group business has been invaluable.

How do you relax outside the office?
I like to get outdoors to hike and kayak. I also like to set aside a few hours on the weekends to read a good book. Right now, I have The Perfect Storm on my nightstand.

PLANNERS

BETZIG MOVES UP AT JRDAGGETT
Vicky Betzig has been promoted from director of meeting services to vice president, operations, at Chicago-based JRDaggett & Associates, a meeting, trade show and event- planning firm. Before joining the company in 1995, she served as manager of programs for the Chicago-based American College of Chest Physicians. Betzig has 15 years of experience in the meetings and conventions industry.

CONNELL TO OVERSEE PCMA’S EDUCATION PROGRAM
Barbara Connell, CMP, has been named senior vice president, education, at the Professional Convention Management Association, which will move its headquarters from Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago next month. Prior to joining PCMA, she was associate executive director of the Rosemont, Ill.-based American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Connell has 15 years of experience in the meetings and hospitality industries.

PIFFARD JOINS NEWPORT EXHIBITION GROUP
Nancy Piffard has been appointed show director at the Newport Exhibition Group, a Newport, R.I.-based trade and consumer show management firm. She will be responsible for management of three shows, including the Newport International Boat Show. Previously, Piffard served as the marketing and communications director at the State Department of Labor and Training in Providence, R.I.