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| GWB Board Members with Hospitality Panelists: Vicki Poplin, Director of Sales & Marketing, Chicago Athletic Association Taylor Crowley, Director of Sales & Marketing, Boka Restaurant Group Ricci McDonald, Meeting Planner, W.J. Weiser Marisa Sweeney, Human Resources Manager, Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park |
The kick-off event to our Winter Panel Series: Women Insiders was focused on the hospitality industry. {click here for a full list of upcoming panel events}
Attendees were exposed to the hospitality industry through a diverse group of speakers, from experience leaders in hotels, restaurants and corporate with roles in Sales, Marketing, Meeting Planning and HR. With a whole range of perspectives, there was a pearl of wisdom for everyone, regardless of background. Here what these empowering ladies had to say about the industry, being a woman in the working world, and how to get ahead.
What challenges to do you face day to day and how do you overcome those challenges? 
Ricci McDonald, Meeting Planner, W.J. Weiser, There's no down time in Meeting Planning. What's more, we are a "grind generation." We just go and go and go. It's important to remember work-life balance, and also to make sure, as managers, that you model healthy work-life balance so others can follow your lead.
What characteristics are you looking for when you hire new talent?
Marisa Sweeney, Human Resources Manager, Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park: I so agree that hospitality and, specifically, working in a hotel, is a non-stop experience. You're always moving. either literally moving your feet or moving tasks or positions. It's important to have flexibility and be willing to take one whatever is asked of you. That may mean moving to another country, like I did, or it may mean just being willing to meet guests' changing requests. Flexibility is so important. Also, because you are working with the public it's important to be sure to be pleasant and have personality.
Taylor: This is hard, but it's important to know your role. Many hospitality companies hire from within. I was an assistant for five years, and that is fairly common. There's so much to master, so it takes time. But you can get there. Being a go-getter will help. Be flexible and willing to hustle. Be a firefighter in tough situations, meaning be the one that is actually moving in touchy situations, be the calm rescuer.
Ricci: But know yourself. Know what you've worked for. If you're ready to move on and there's no room at your current company, it's okay to be confident in yourself and look elsewhere for your next opportunity.
Vicki Poplin, Director of Sales & Marketing, Chicago Athletic Club: For a sales position, I'm looking for passion. If it's operations, I need someone that is flexible and detail oriented. Most of all, be pleasant. At the Athletic Club, we have a saying, "Make someone's day everyday." We use this internally, it's part of our culture. So when thinking about someone to hire, I may ask you, "When was the last time someone made your day? When was the last time you made someone's day?"
Do you think there are specific challenges that come with being a female in the industry? And if so, how do you overcome those challenges?
Vicki: The industry is really changing. Twenty years ago I could be in a room full of Sales Directors and I would be the only female. Now, that's not the case, and that's nice. I guess one of the things I hear females in business called, and it's perpetrated as the path to success, is that they are "b*tches." You do not have to act like that to prove yourself. You can just decide to be really good at your job.
Ricci: This is a female-dominated industry, and because of that females are sometimes worse to other women that men are to women. We should be building each other up. Share your knowledge with other women to help them get to where you are, as well.
Marisa: I've found not necessary gender-ism, but rather I have run up against significant age-ism. People who have been in the HR industry for 20 years and here I am, less than 10 years out of school, and they think I couldn't have any worthwhile ideas. So, be confident in your achievements regardless of age or gender.
What do you love about your job?
Vicki: Every day is different. You're truly never, never bored. There's always a new challenge or a new project. And you're working with really outstanding people.
Marisa: In HR, you deal with some hard issues, but also you have the opportunity to do so much good. When I help someone by doing something I wouldn't think is a big deal -- faxing a disability form or answering an insurance questions -- but it's such a big deal to them. That makes you feel good.
Ricci: I'm going to be really honest, meeting planning comes with a lot of perks! There's great travel, and when you get there, the hotels and convention centers and restaurants all want to impress you so you bring your clients there, so that's a lot of fun. And I love that this is an job field where you can see the fruits of your labor. You can start a project at conception and see it all the way through to completion on the very last day of the event. That's very satisfying. And it's never boring.
Taylor: You get to give someone an experience. Every day its an opportunity to meet amazing people and help shape the way their day, or their meal, will go... the free food is nice, too.
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