October 2, 2006
This is another in a series of occasional ASHA Executive Director updates. These updates are intended to provide ASHA members with a more in-depth view of various National Office teams and clusters, their key member services and the names and roles of ASHA staff in those units. Information about staff changes and ASHA National Office recognitions/awards is also included.
Many thanks to those of you who have provided feedback regarding the previous updates (posted on the ASHA Web site), or suggestions for future Executive Director updates.
This update focuses on the ASHA Convention and Meetings Team.
The Convention and Meetings team works together to produce a quality annual Convention in conjunction with the Convention Program Committee that provides continuing educational program sessions for ASHA members and generates non-dues revenue for the Association. This includes site selection and negotiation, organization of logistics, operations, marketing, exhibit sales, and production of special events. The ASHA Convention has received the ASAE Award of Excellence for Innovation in Meetings and Expositions.
The team also works on the logistics and organization of continuing education programs in collaboration with the Professional Development team and the Scientific and Professional Education Board, the Special Interest Divisions, and other National Office clusters. They are also responsible for managing travel and hotels for volunteer members attending committee and board meetings.
Mission of Convention and Meetings
The Convention & Meetings Team's goal is to support the mission of the Association by providing innovative guidance, support, and coordination for the annual Convention and all other ASHA professional development meetings, including educational programs and governance, in order to meet the specific goals and objectives of each program. This is done in a spirit of harmony, flexibility, and enthusiasm that results in exemplary service to ASHA members, staff, and all other stakeholders
Producing ASHA's Annual Convention encompasses:
- Registering between 10,000 and 14,000 attendees
- Working with the Convention Program Co-chairs and their Committee to select between 1,400 and 1,500 papers
- Communicating with up to 5,000 presenters
- Organizing over 100 affiliate meetings and social functions
- Selling and coordinating over 250 exhibiting companies
- Developing marketing and promotional materials
- Producing the Convention Program book that is mailed to all members and, providing the most up-to-date Convention information for ASHA's Web site
- Recruiting and coordinating 100 student volunteers to assist at the Convention
- Managing all on-site logistics including the food and beverage, shuttle bus service, computers and telephone service, first aid, signage, entertainment, and other services to assist attendees
The Convention and Meetings team in collaboration with the Professional Development team and Practices team is responsible for producing annual continuing educational programs, such as the Schools Conference and Health Care Conference. They also support the Special Interest Division workshops and conferences. This includes site selection, arranging for meeting space and logistics with facilities and hotels, travel information, food and beverage management, and registration. It may also include selling exhibit space, as well as, on-site management.
ASHA's travel agency is managed by the Convention and Meetings team to ensure they provide excellent customer service and that airline costs are controlled. They also communicate with and coordinate arrival and departure information for volunteer members attending meetings at the National Office and have negotiated special rates with several hotels within a short drive of the office.
Convention and Meetings Staff:
Director, Convention and Meetings
Cheryl Russell, CAE
crussell@asha.org
Communications Manager
Erinn Gorey
egorey@asha.org
Travel and Scheduling Manager
Pat McGrory (T, W, TH)
pmcgrory@asha.org
Ingrid Paradise (M, W, F)
iparadise@asha.org
Director, Exhibit Sales & Operations
Mary D. Harding
mharding@asha.org
Exhibits Manager
Renee Tross
rtross@asha.org
Director, Convention Technology & Special Events
Gina Olwoch
golwoch@asha.org
Director, Convention Special Projects
Nellie Chick
nchick@asha.org
Director, Convention and Meetings Services
Mary Lou Weller
mweller@asha.org
Registration Manager
Ghazala Osman
gosman@asha.org
National Office Staff Updates
The following individuals are new to the ASHA staff since August 2006:
- Libby Bauer, Subscription Manager
- Carol Polovoy, Production Editor
- Emily Wang, HR Administrator
The following staff has changed position within ASHA:
- Jack Coursen, Education Project Manager (formerly Self-Study Program Associate)
- Gail Ghazzawi, Technical Writer/Researcher (formerly Research Program Manager for the Scientific Programs and Research Development Unit)
- Yacine Kane, Manager, CE Provider Records (formerly Administrative Assistant for Office of Multicultural Affairs and Continuing Education)
The following individuals have left ASHA to pursue other opportunities:
- Kathy Lynch, Production Editor
- Lori Petr, Account Manager, Membership and Sales
Recent ASHA and ASHA National Office/Staff Awards
- 2006 Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County Volunteer Award
The ASHA Employee Volunteer Program received the 2006 Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County Volunteer Award. This award is designed to recognize and honor medium-sized businesses that have established corporate volunteer programs and have made unique, creative and significant contributions to the community. Some of the ASHA employee volunteer programs include food and clothing donations, road clean ups, and mentoring elementary school students.
- IACET Award - Ellen Fagan was presented the Distinguished Service Award by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training in recognition of more than twenty-five years of service and dedication in the field of continuing education and training.
- Diane Paul has been recognized as an ASHA Fellow
- Paula Starr is the recipient of the ASHA Outstanding Service Award
(See the complete list of ASHA's 2006 Award Recipients).
Next Executive Director Update – National Center for Evidence Based Practice in Communication Disorders
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