Desirea Stewart, CMP,
CHSP, CFMP
Arrowhead Conferences & Events
Account Manager
Blountsville, Ala.
desirea@arrowheadconferences.org
Types of meetings and events: Faith-based events
Average number of attendees: 100-600
Describe your current position.
I work with amazing ministry partners who allow me to serve alongside them in assisting with their meeting and conference needs. I help them with sourcing, site selection, proposal summaries, negotiations, contracting, and finalizing their events. These events range from high-end donor meetings to denominational district conventions. The more I can help and save them time, money, and personnel, the more they can focus on their mission.
How did you get started in the meetings and events industry, and how did your experience lead to your current position?
The hospitality industry was never my intention. However, fresh out of college and with student loans coming due, I needed a job. I started as the administrative assistant to the general manager at Holiday Inn Research Park in Huntsville, Ala., and transitioned to sales manager and catering manager. From there, I moved on to Von Braun Center (VBC) in Huntsville as group sales manager and, a few years later, was elevated to senior sales manager. At VBC, I began to see my job as a career, fully embracing the hospitality industry.
While working at VBC, I had the honor of working with Arrowhead Conferences & Events on two of their large events. I was already working in the faith-based market, but, when the opportunity came for me to join the Arrowhead team and solely work on ministry events, I knew this was my calling. So, for the past five-plus years, I have been blessed with serving other ministries in their conference and convention needs.
What skills do you think are essential for planning successful meetings and events?
Having an analytical mind open to flexibility is key as a meeting planner. Most of us love the “puzzle” that is meeting planning and love seeing our efforts come to fruition. However, keeping an open mind full of grace when flexibility is needed is important. Things happen, and we need to be able to recalibrate and shift gears while still moving forward.
What is your philosophy or approach to challenges and unexpected issues?
It is essential to listen. Before making any decisions, I want to know all the details from both perspectives (the ministry and the hotel). Having experience on both sides of the industry, I want to understand both sides of the situation. Once I have all the information, I can craft a plan for moving forward.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
Continuing education is key. Our team attends several industry trade shows each year, with continuing education options to keep us updated on trends and changes. We also have amazing partnerships with national representatives from all the major brands and management companies (NSOs), who keep us in the loop on emerging trends. Reading industry magazines—I am old school and love print publications—also keeps me current.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
At Arrowhead, we believe “Conferences Change Lives.” Whether that is the content of our ministry’s events or a hotel housekeeper, sales manager, or banquet server, everything and everyone plays a part. Seeing our events’ impact on attendees and hospitality staff is such a blessing. Knowing we are part of the Great Commission motivates me to be the best steward to our ministry partners and hoteliers.
How would you describe your most significant professional success?
Joining the Arrowhead team was a big change for me. I was leaving a city I loved and still very passionate about to work remotely from our family farm. Change can be scary and full of anxiety, but I pushed past those feelings and took the leap. I joined a ministry culture second to none and gained a family of amazing colleagues from all across the country.
I have had the opportunity to be promoted and continue to grow in my current role. Best of all, I work with ministries doing the Lord’s work.
Please share an anecdote about how you handled a meeting or event that did not go as planned.
I had an event booked at a high-end resort. When our ministry partner arrived, there was a dumpster in the entryway, and the entire lobby was out of service. We were not told of the scope of the renovations and were shocked, but we knew we had to move forward, as the event was the next day. I immediately contacted the hotel and worked together on an action plan to mitigate the construction experience. The dumpster was removed, additional signage was added to direct attendees to clear access points to the front desk and registration, and new space was assigned for hospitality. Although the experience was not ideal, the group overcame it. With additional concessions to the group, they returned this year for a “do-over.”
What is the best professional advice you ever received?
I am reading Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud. There are a lot of good nuggets in this book, but one quote that stood out is, “We must be in touch with what is, not what we wish things were or think things should be or are led by others to believe they are. The only thing that is going to be real in the end is what is.” When faced with adversity—which you will encounter in meetings and hospitality—it is essential to deal with the facts of the situation.
What advice would you offer others in the industry?
Be kind and offer grace when you can. Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. This industry is all about relationships; the sooner you learn to build and maintain strong, trusting relationships, the better off you will be. People like doing business with those they like, so be the person others like.
