On the Spot 8-1-2003

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts August 2003

August 2003

Short Cuts:
On the SpotWhat is the best theme your convention has had?

“In 2001 our theme was based on Nellie Bly, a journalist who traveled around the world in the late 19th century. Her motto was ‘energy rightly applied can accomplish anything,’ and we thought that was very apt, especially considering she was born in Pennsylvania, and the convention that year was in Pittsburgh.”

Nancy Parsons
President
National Barbie Dolls Collector’s Club
Latrobe, Pa.

“I would say it was the convention we held in Las Vegas in 2000. The theme was military battle strategies. That said, as soon as one convention ends, the theme dies in one’s mind and we go onto what we can do next year.”

Joe Straughan
Executive Director
National Association of Pizza Operators
Louisville, Ky.

“The association has 18 chapters, and each year the convention is hosted by a different chapter. Last year it was Reno’s turn, so they put on a ‘strike it rich’ theme that mirrored the area’s gold- and silver-mining history. It was a lot of fun.”

Debbie Lininger
Director of Partner Marketing
Arabian Horse Association
Aurora, Colo.