Wanda Herbert Woods
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative
Senior Support Services Coordinator
Andalusia, Ala.
wanda.woods@powersouth.com
Types of meetings and events: Corporate meetings, training, conferences, lunches, teambuilding, Youth Tour events
Average number of attendees: 10-400, depending on event
Describe your current position.
I have been employed with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative for 34 years. In my current role, I coordinate all internal and external meetings, conferences, training, and other company events. My duties also include supervising the switchboard, mail services, and the Youth Tour program.
How did you get started in the meetings and events industry, and how did your experience lead to your current position?
I worked my way into the events industry while serving as an administrative clerk. My boss asked me to review some logistics and banquet event orders. I had never seen or heard of a banquet event order. I marked it up and asked a lot of questions. Those markups led to my boss asking me to review all banquet event orders. That same year, I attended the company’s annual trustees’ update meeting to help entertain the spouses and work the registration desk. I continued to assist with that meeting and others, and, once I returned to school in 2001 to complete my bachelor’s degree in business administration, I was promoted to meetings and events planner.
What skills do you think are essential for planning successful meetings and events?
Organization and the ability to multi-task are essential for successful meetings and events. You must also possess good people and problem-solving skills.
What is your philosophy or approach to challenges and unexpected issues?
It is what it is. I try not to stress about the things I cannot change. If it is something I can change, then I give it 100 percent.
How do you keep up with industry trends, changes, and cutting-edge developments?
I read industry articles and attend as many trainings and webinars as time permits. I also like to engage other planners and attendees while at meetings to gain insight and ideas from them.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love the people, the travel, and the planning process. Event planning requires a lot of structure and following procedures and processes, and I am a paperwork and administrative-type person.
How would you describe your most significant professional success?
When I came to PowerSouth for an interview more than 34 years ago, I remember praying, “Lord, you know me and my personality; you put me where I need to be,” and He did. The Lord has blessed me to grow and develop the talents He gave me in doing something I love. He has always opened the right doors at the right time for me. I am blessed to do what I do.
Please share an anecdote about how you handled a meeting or event that did not go as planned.
There is nothing like catching the tablecloth with the corner of your shoe and pulling everything off the table while sitting front and center in a room of 400 people, all the while trying to break your fall on a tray jack with water and tea! After shedding a few tears and drying my suit off, I returned to the meeting, back of the room this time, like nothing happened. It was a lesson in picking myself up, drying myself off, and moving forward.
What is the best professional advice you ever received?
First, there is no dumb question, only an unasked one. Second, treat everyone, from the CEO to the custodian, with the same respect.
What advice would you offer others in the industry?
This applies to any industry: Always be open to new ideas and ways you can change things for the better. Not all change is bad. Sometimes, changes forced upon us turn out to be the biggest blessings. Do what you love. Find joy in serving others.
