Case study: Roxanne Walker
Rejuvenate caught up with Roxanne Walker, events director of the International Network of Children’s Ministry, just weeks after she finished the Children’s Pastors’ Conference (CPC) in San Diego, which had 1,400 attendees. Walker shares some insight into keeping her conference fresh each year.
Challenge: Keeping the 30th consecutive year of CPC relevant while staying true to the conference’s keys to success: “a life-changing experience with networking, training and resourcing with excellence.”
Solution: General sessions previously consisted of a featured performer, a worship segment and a speaker. To allow for more networking time, Walker eliminated the featured performer. Instead “Show Starters” perform 15 minutes before the ballroom doors open. “This was a great marketing opportunity for some of our talented resource providers as well as offering entertainment as the crowds gathered outside the ballroom,” Walker says. CPC implemented a new “Up Close and Personal Lunch” general session and eight distinctive lunch experiences, including an Improv Café, a Leadership Panel and Women in Leadership (with an audience response feature). Another key for Walker was maximizing the Resource Center schedule to include an afternoon refreshment break, evening desserts and plenty of networking tables. “We continued to offer the largest representation of children’s and family ministry resource providers in the country. Our results were overjoyed first-timer’s who can’t wait to be with us in 2011 and veteran’s who raved about our continued dedication to excellence and ability to keep things fresh year after year,” she says.
Advice for fellow meeting planners: “Communication, communication, communication. If you aren’t sure, ask. If you want to know, ask. If you have a schedule conflict, a space conflict or a budget conflict, ask the hotel for ideas.” The hotel knows its property, staff, abilities and limitations best, Walker says. “Keeping your eyes and ears open, as well as your mind, can help in finding solutions to the challenges you face. Communicating with loyal participants will aide in bettering the conference experience for all, remembering that while it is impossible to please all, it is possible to please the majority.”
Favorite quote: “If you aim for good enough, you will be disappointed every time.”
