Tell us your career path. What hats do you wear at STS?
I was going to be an international banker, but the bank I worked for out of college (Go War Eagle!) cancelled its management program. Bill Hardman, Sr., was one of my customers at the bank, and I worked RV shows for him. After banking, I worked for Silver Dollar City as a junior accountant at White Water Park. Then I was an accountant for a public relations firm in Atlanta. When the PR industry went bust in the early 90’s, I called Bill Sr. and he hired me to do the bookkeeping for STS; the rest is history. I now am the meeting and financial planner.
People may not realize you’ve been with STS for 18 years. How did Marketing College grow into what it has become today?It grew by word of mouth. When you have industry greats such as Bill Hensley, Tom Davidson, Ed Stone, Judy Randall (just to name a few) teaching their “tricks of the trade” - how can you go wrong? The great atmosphere that the city of Dahlonega provides and the great warmth the Hardman family has shared with the students over the years also contribute to its success.
You’ve overseen its growth since its inception. What does Marketing College mean to you?Marketing College was the dream of Dorothy and Bill Hardman, and I am a believer, too. Year after year, when you see the positive influence the program has over the industry, young and old timers alike, you can’t help but be touched by the generosity of the instructors who donate their time. What I love most about the college is meeting those in the industry who usually do not get to travel to industry conferences. It is satsifying to see the networking connections the attendees get to enjoy, and those connections stay with them throughout their careers. And I love being “Momma Moon”.
What is the most challenging aspect of your position?1.) Finding the right balance of location and price to hold our two annual conferences. 2.) Making it easy, affordable and fun for the members to attend our conferences. 3.) Trying to determine the future of the economy and making the budget work.
You take part in a lot of event planning. What trends do you see in this area?The hotels are offering better room rates at higher-end hotels. They do try to hide some add-ons, but you can usually negotiate those.
What tips would you give someone just starting out in tourism?Listen and learn from others. I would sit at Bill, Sr.’s desk and listen to him talk on the telephone; I would learn more about tourism from that. Also, realize that you will have times when you have to schlep boxes, lick envelopes and work weekends. Tourism is a 24/7 job. Be kind to everyone in the industry — especially those in the minimum wage jobs. They make tourism work!
If there is one, what is a typical day like?Everyday, I have to try to keep the STS staff from spending money! I handle the day-to-day operations of the office be it helping a member with registration for a conference, connecting members together or paying bills. It is a very relaxed atmosphere in the office, and we all like each other. The staff agrees we are fortunate to work together.
How do you measure success?Contentment of those around me at work and in my personal life.
Name three CDs you could not live without.I’m an old classic rock and roll girl. Paul Rodgers, The Firm days and Chrissie Hines – she’s just cool. My iPod is on shuffle through about a zillion artists. I’m lucky to have a husband who LOVES music!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?I wanted to be a ballet dancer — until I got too tall.
You may reach Suzanne Moon at suzanne@southeasttourism.org
For more information: http://southeasttourism.org.