Meet Jessica Frappier, information addict, mom and event planner extraordinaire at Research In Motion Ltd (RIM).
As Team Lead-Events, within the Internal Communications Department, Jessica works with a team of Event Specialists and Coordinators to organize about 20 events per month focused on global recruitment. We talked to Jessica about her challenges and successes and learn how a professional designation has helped her career development.
WTTC: How many years have you been working in the industry? What’s your background? Was it in special events?
JF: I’ve been working in the events industry since 1998. I have a business background. Prior to joining RIM, I worked in administrative and event management in the non-profit sector. I’ve been at RIM now for five years.
WTTC: Do you hold a professional designation? Has it helped your career? How?
JF: I hold Professional Certification as a Special Events Manager by the Ontario Tourism Education Council, which I earned while on maternity leave in 2006/07. Completing the certification program has greatly enhanced my career and given me confidence in my skills and abilities. When I returned to work following the birth of my daughter I was promoted from Event Coordinator to Event Specialist and then to Team Lead. I attribute much of my career progression to my passion for continuous learning and industry certification has been a real asset.
WTTC: What attributes are most important when you sit down to work with an event supplier?
JF: The basic attributes that I look for is a supplier’s ability to fully understand my event’s requirements and offer recommendations to meet those requirements within my desired timeline and budget. I find it especially important when a supplier is able to bring forward ideas or components that I hadn’t previously considered. I enjoy fresh perspectives and rely on suppliers as experts in their field to bring those ideas forward.
WTTC: What are your three biggest challenges on a day-to-day basis?
JF: I don’t encounter big challenges on a day-to-day basis. Within the context of some of my projects there have been times where I have experienced challenging aspects, which have typically involved working on tight timelines, or hosting events in a new venue/region or with stakeholders that I have not worked with before.
WTTC: Our Website is all about making information gathering fast and easy. In the spirit of this, do you have a special tip you would like to share with other planners?
JF: I am an “information addict”! I am constantly reading and researching on a variety of topics that may or may not relate to the meeting and events industry. I have recently implemented a tool with our team to help harness some of the “knowledge capital” that we all bring to the table as individuals. I am calling this an “idea bank” and whether or not we have an intended application for any information we share as a team is irrelevant; it’s the continuous learning and sharing that is important.
WTTC: What is the one key element of an event program that you just can’t do without?
JF: Well defined objectives and success measures. It is so basic, but so important! Without the clear direction of what I am trying to achieve and how I am going to determine success of the event it won’t matter how slick the stage production was or how delicious the food was. This is key in developing a game plan and proving to stakeholders the impact of the event solution being offered.
WTTC: You seem like a very creative person. How important is creativity to you and what you do?
JF: I feel that creativity in this profession has always been important and I don’t see that changing. With the current economic situation I have taken an approach with all of my projects to look at ways to maximize the event experience while remaining focused on the bottom line. One idea I am working on includes leveraging internal meeting space where it makes sense, instead of relying on renting external venues. I am also looking seriously at virtual environments and video/e-conferencing tools.
Where I see the biggest change is with demonstrating the value of the event experience in relation to the cost and ensuring that, as event planners, we challenge ourselves to continue to offer value packed event solutions without impacting quality.
