Past Regional News from Region 9
From the April/May 2011 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
Submitted by Jim Hodges, Duke University:
Region 9 had an exceptional experience at the 31st Annual Conference. As the host region we had a great attendance – 55 attending and 19 of those were first time attendees. The conference was a great time to recharge and become energized for our summer operations. Conference success was realized by all the work by Region 9 members with special thanks for Matt Pack, Wake Forest University and Erica Spencer, CCEP, Florida Institute of Technology. Thanks to the two of you and thanks to everyone who assisted before and during the conference.
We did have some award winners from our region:
During this conference Sherry Ebrahimi transitioned in to her role as regional director and Amy Sanders moves into the regional director-elect role. Look for information from Amy about the Region 9 Fall Summit planned for Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Tentative date is early November. As Amy and Sherry plan the summit, they will reach out to schedule speakers on the topics selected.
As the outgoing (and now gone) regional director, it has been an honor to work with such a fine group of collegiate conference professionals. I have found this group a great one to work, cheerful, always taking my calls and stepping up when asked to take on tasks for both the region and the entire Association.
From the January - March 2011 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
From our member institutions:
Florida Institute of Technology shares:
Georgia Tech Conference Services:
From the September/October 2010 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
Region 9 Fall Summit
Fall Summit dates are November 4 - 5, 2010 in Atlanta. To make your hotel reservation, call 1-800-93EMORY or 404-712-6565. Mention that you are part of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors International or RES ID # 20006018643. The Rate is $89 for the Emory Conference Center Hotel.
New from Emory University:
Sherry Ebrahimi and Michelle Wu would like to welcome their 2010-2011 University Conference Fellow Joe O’Geen. We are excited to be working with Joe this coming year. A 2010 Emory Graduate, Joe has worked for our department over the past two summers and is looking forward to meeting all of you at the fall summit and the conference in Orlando. Please join us in welcoming him to ACCED-I!
News from Rollins College:
Rollins is launching EMS to their campus community this fall.
New Staff - During the summer Rollins completed a national search for the director of scheduling and event services. Sudie Eisenbarth joined Rollins on July 12th. She brings to Rollins more than 30 years experience in higher education administration and most recently served as director of events marketing and support for Willamette University.
Congratulations to Katie Perrine on her unscheduled early break from summer conferences = Jeremy Steven Perrine arrived 2.5 weeks early on July 28th.
From the June - August 2010 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
Welcome to our new members!
In the last few months, Region 9 has had 3 new members join the Association:
Bounama Ouidad - Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
Andrea Lentz - Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Chelsea Tucker - East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
A Note from Jennifer Hood's Parents
On behalf of Region 9, we sent a peace lily to Jennifer Hood's family. We received a note on June 1 from her parents, Linda and Perry Hand. It read "Thank you so much for the beautiful peace lily plant for Jen. She was such a special young woman. Thank you for appreciating life. I'd like to know more about your organization. Thank you again."
The address for Jennifer's parents is 1619 State Park Road Mooreville, MS 38857.
If anyone has pictures of Jennifer, please send them to Nancy Knox at Guilford College via email (knoxns@guilford.edu) or snail mail (Nancy Knox, Director of Conferences and Events, Guildford College, Conferences & Events, 5800 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, 27410). She is putting together some photos of Jennifer at ACCED-I events over the past few years to send to her family.
Appreciation from Nancy Knox
Thanks to all of the Region 9 members who sent notes, emails, phone calls, and prayers our way during my sister Jeanette's illness and death. We are grateful for all the expressions of support and sympathy!
Kudos to Vanderbilt
Last month, many of us were following the news from Nashville, TN and the Vanderbilt University family as they managed the flooding in that area from their massive rains. This was occurring right around the time they had the beginning of programs on campus. A few university staff had to be relocated to campus due to flooding in their homes. Good luck to Vanderbilt as the clean up continues.
Region 9 Fall Summit
The Region 9 Fall Summit is scheduled for November 4 – 5 at Atlanta. The host hotel is the Emory University Conference Center. Mention ACCED-I Conference for $89 rate. The reservation ID number is 20006018643. Registration information will be available later in the summer.
Good luck to everyone as the summer season gets started!
From the April/May 2010 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
We are saddened by the unexpected death of Jennifer Hood, conference services coordinator at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, who passed away at her home on April 21st. A memorial service was held on April 25th. Her obituary reads, "She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and niece and nephews and caring for her dogs, Chewy, Rocky, and Cass." Nancy Knox from Guilford College said, "Jennifer was one of those folks who you immediately felt like you'd known forever. I know we will all miss her enthusiasm, her encouragement and her generous spirit. One of the things ACCED-I members are always saying is that the we feel like family with our colleagues and friends from ACCED-I. This was certainly true of Jennifer." Our condolences go to Jennifer's family, colleagues, and friends.
Annual Conference
WOW – Region 9 had a great showing at the 30th Annual Conference in
Kudos go out to some of our outstanding members:
Kim Young from
Jennifer Copeland and Jade Murphy, Region 9 Corporate Members from DemandEngine for the Session of Year Award.
Jacque Hamilton Mullins, formerly of
As good as our attendance was in
Fall Summit Update from Sherry Ebrahimi
Jim Hodges and I finished tallying the responses regarding the Fall Summit and have chosen November 4 - 5, 2010. We will send out more information regarding the summit, call for presentations, hotel information, etc. soon. We are EXTREMELY excited for the Region 9 Fall Summit and can't wait to see everyone there!
From Janaury - March 2010 ACCED-I Connections
Last November, Region 9 had a successful regional meeting at Duke University. Special thanks to Jim Hodges and Chuck Catotti for hosting us! Educational sessions covered “green” initiatives, student intern housing programs, working with budget cuts and smaller staffs, and registration services. A special panel from Duke discussed their summer emergency response and how they managed an outbreak of Pandemic Flu. Registration was the same as the year before which we thought was especially good with the current economic conditions and the freeze on many travel budgets. Attendees came from four states and of those attending; this was the first regional meeting for about 50% of the participants.
Region 9 is looking forward to the 2010 Annual Conference in Louisville. Special thanks to Jamie Simmons of Southeastern University and Matt Pack from Wake Forest who will be our Hospitality Committee co-chairs for the 2011 Annual Conference in Orlando. Hope everyone will be able to join us for the pre-view lunch in Louisville.
News from Kate Shelton, University of South Carolina (USC):
We have changed our office name from Academic Enrichment and Conferences to Continuing Education and Conferences to improve awareness and understanding of the work in this office on the part of all USC constituents. The Office of Continuing Education and Conferences supports the community’s continuing education efforts through personal and professional continuing education initiatives and a comprehensive, professionally managed conference program.
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Fall Meeting
ACCED-I Region 9 Fall Meeting
November 8 - 10, 2009
Duke University, Durham NC
Here are some photos from the meeting:
From November-December 2009 ACCED-I Connections
Congratulations!
Congratulations goes out to Carrie McKesson, public events coordinator at Winthrop University who married John Bromell on September 5, 2009 (see photo to right). 
News from Vanderbilt University:
We are expecting to host family and friends for Commencement housing in The Commons, our newest area, in 2010 (see photo below) and will be revising our contracts to require a 25% deposit with the contract and an additional 50% before the conference starts.
From September-October 2009 ACCED-I Connections
Please join us in congratulating Jacque Hamilton Mullins upo
n her retirement as director of operations and conferences from East Tennessee State University. After 37 years of service at the university, Jacque was honored at a reception on August 20, 2009.
Jacque began her career at ETSU as manager of business affairs and conference director from 1982 - 1999. Since 2000 she has held the position of director of operations and conferences services.
Jacque has been a member of ACCED-I since 1987 and has held a number of leadership positions within the Association including regional director-elect, regional director, board member (1992 - 1996), treasurer (1996 - 2000), president-elect (2000 - 2001), president (2001 - 2002), and immediate past president (2002 - 2003). In addition she has served on numerous committees and project teams including: co-chair 1992 Annual Conference hospitality committee; 2001 Annual Conference hospitality committee; chair of the nominations, elections and leadership development committee; Annual Conference review committee; bylaw review committee; and chair of awards and recognition committee.
Throughout her affiliation with ACCED-I, Jacque has been an advocate for promoting the conference and events profession, not only on her own campus at East Tennessee State University, but by recruiting new members to join ACCED-I, and in turn encouraging their involvement at both the regional and national level.
Jacque received the Jack Thornton Distinguished Service Award in 2002 for her service to the Association.
Thank you Jacque for your dedicated service to ACCED-I and Region 9!
From June-August 2009 issue of ACCED-I Connections:
Submitted by Kate Shelton:
Jim Hodges of Duke University, our Region 9 director-elect will be in touch soon to survey your preferences for a venue and dates for our fall regional meeting. With budgets being tight, we may decide to hold the regional meeting in a more central location. Please be sure to answer Jim’s survey!
Erica Spencer of Florida Tech just upgraded their scheduling software to EMS Campus and has shaken up the way her campus schedules space. This version integrates with Banner and now makes it possible for faculty, staff, and students to check availability and make their venue requests, all in real-time
Kay Cornelison of Furman University reports that they have "combined" Summer Programs with the Younts Conference Center. Their staff of four including Kay, Meredith Lanier, Scott Johnson, and Claire Bray will now handle summer groups.
Meredith Fievet of the University of South Carolina is gearing up for her first summer at USC. She coordinates pre-university youth programs including hiring and training live-in counselors for several groups including the South East Piano Festival, Summer Program for Research Interns, two Engineering camps and the award-winning Carolina Master Scholars program. This year during staff training and for campers during the summer, she’ll be introducing a geocaching scavenger hunt using a GPS system. Not only is it fun and hands-on, it will keep students active as part of our Healthy Carolina initiative.
Congratulations to Demetrice M. Williams, director of special events and conferences at Agnes Scott College who recently completed the Spring 2009 Georgia Perimeter College Center for Continuing & Corporate Education Event Coordination Certificate Program. Demetrice started as a temporary for Agnes Scott College in fall 1995 and has been at the college for 13 years. She held the position of special events coordinator and manager of special events prior to being promoted to director in 1999.
From ACCED-I Connections, January - March 2009
ACCED-I Region 9 Meeting
Twenty-three participants attended the Region 9 themed “Conferencing is a Zoo” meeting held at the University of South Carolina October 20 – 22, 2008. Regional co-directors Jim Twitty and Kate Shelton and staff at USC organized an educational and entertaining meeting. Those arriving early were able to explore the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. The meeting began with a twist on horoscopes when we learned our Southern signs including butter beans, grits and moon pies. Our colleagues were reminded to take time for themselves with a fun and relaxing opening reception held at Jillian’s and sponsored in part by Unique Venues and Jillian’s. Educational sessions included workshops about Working with Campus Partners, Going Green on Your Campus, Survival Tactics for New Zoo Keepers (Professionals), and the concept of Healthy Carolina, USC’s holistic approach to wellness.
A highlight of the Region 9 meeting was a luncheon in honor of Marie Burgess of Furman University and Cynthia Steele of the University of South Carolina who are retiring this year. Both have made a tremendous imprint on the field of conference and event planning and ACCED-I.
We’d also like to thank our sponsors of the meeting: Kinetic Software, Unique Venues, Professional Marketing Services International (PMSI), and Carolina Dining.
From ACCED-I Connections, September/October 2008
From Kate Shelton, University of South Carolina:
Greetings from Columbia, South Carolina! We are looking forward to hosting the ACCED-I Region 9 meeting in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina - the dates are now set for October 20 - 22, 2008 - and we hope you'll plan now to attend.
More information is on the way in the months to come! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Andre Blackman, St. George's University, has resigned from his position effective September 1st, 2008 to pursue a Masters in International Affairs at the University of Exeter in the UK. "My regards to Region 9 and I wish you all a successful meeting in Boston 09."
From ACCED-I Connections, April/May 2008
Region 9 was well represented at the conference in
Regional co-director-elects Kate Shelton and Jim Twitty are beginning to plan for the fall regional meeting. Their most recent communication is below. Even though the cut off date for RSVPs is past, we'd still like to hear from you!
"Greetings from
It's hard to believe that it has been weeks since the ACCED-I Annual Conference in
we hope you'll consider joining us this fall for the regional meeting which will prove to be a great time for learning and networking with folks in our area.
We would like to get a sense of which dates would work for you. Please reply to us by April 4, 2008 as to which would be your preferred meeting dates for the fall regional meeting. Please rank them 1-best; 2-second best; 3-least preferred.
October 20 - 22
November 3 - 5 (over Election day)
November 17 - 19
Once we hear back from you, we'll send out a "Save the Date."
We'd also like to hear from you about the content of the meeting and what you would like to see on the program. Let us know about the types of issues you are facing on your campus, what special topics you'd like covered (i.e. risk management, contracts, special events, one-stop shops, staffing, emergency preparedness, information technology) and any other areas of special interest to you.
Again, we are very excited to be hosting you at the
From ACCED-I Connections, January - March 2008
Bring on Vegas...
The ACCED-I Region 9 fall meeting held in November at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC was a huge success! In total, 19 people representing 10 institutions were in attendance. The cost to attend was extremely low thanks to our generous sponsors Sodexho at Guilford College and USFI.
What a fantastic program Nancy Semones Knox, Blair Bryant, Monty Walker and the rest of the Guilford College team organized! From engaging presentations, insightful roundtable discussions, fantastic accommodations, and an abundance of food, the conference exemplified what this region is all about...hospitality. Bring on Vegas.
In other Region 9 news...
Marie Burgess reports that Furman University is in the process of building a Southern Living Showcase Home on its campus. It is the first "green" showcase home to be featured in Southern Living Magazine. The home will open in June, just in time for our summer guests to tour and learn about Furman's commitment to environmental sustainability.
Jacque Hamilton Mullins and her husband enjoyed a "surfing Christmas" in Hawaii. The ETSU Men's Basketball Team played in the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. Next time you see Jacque, ask her if she saw Santa in his jams!!
Georgia Tech says good-bye to Melissa Watson. Melissa moved back to her home town of Portland, Oregon. Look out Region 1.
Katie Perrine asked that we welcome Brandy Burgess to Region 9. Brandy joined Rollins College as event scheduling coordinator.
Welcome other New Region 9 Members!
Patrice Miles, director of Marketing & Sales, DLPE, Georgia Institute of Technology
From ACCED-I Connections , October - December 2007
Our fall regional meeting is just around the corner as we get ready to descend on Greensboro, NC and the beautiful campus of Guilford College. The meeting will take place November 12-14, 2007.
Click here for the regional meeting brochure.
We look forward to seeing you at Guilford College in the fall.
From e-Communique, August/September 2007
Submitted by Dan Dykstra
Bring on fall…
Our fall regional meeting is just around the corner as we get ready to descend on Greensboro, NC and the beautiful campus of Guilford College. The meeting will take place November 12-14, 2007. Nancy Semones is finalizing arrangements and will soon be calling out for presentations. Also, please begin considering yourself or a colleague for the position of regional director-elect. A request for nominations will follow.
From Sherry Ebrahimi, Emory University:
I am happy to announce that Michelle Wu has been named as the assistant director of conferences at Emory University. Michelle comes to the position with a great knowledge and understanding of the Conference Office. She has served as a conference manager for two summers and the summer intern housing coordinator for one summer. Most recently, Michelle has worked at the Student Activity and Academic Center as the program specialist. Michelle will be leading initiatives to market and grow our intern program in addition to working to make the conference program thrive in future years. Please join me in welcoming her to Region 9!
Welcome other new Region 9 members!
Jane Heshman, Emory University
Erika Matos, University of South Florida–Tampa
Leslie Washburn, Savannah College of Art and Design
Angela Ayers, Georgia Institute of Technology
Samantha Bruess, Vanderbilt University
William Fleming, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Jennifer Kidwell, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Karin Lehn, Duke University
Janie Nobles, Auburn University at Montgomery
Sandra Seay, Georgia Institute of Technology
Tory Shumpert, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Linda Welch, Vanderbilt University
Tony Zefiretto, University of North Carolina-Wilmington
Regional News from June/July 2007 e-Communique
Submitted by Dan Dykstra
"And here is the Region 9 news...
Conference professionals throughout the Southeast and Grenada have been seen running around frantically waving their hands in the air. Witnesses of these sightings report massive hair loss and runs for coffee at neighborhood Starbucks. The locals blame these happenings on a large number of guests decending on our southeast campuses for all kinds of camps, conferences, and events. Experts predict several months of this and claim more funding is required for them to be able to accurately forecast when this madness will end. I will be sure to stay on this story.
On the more exciting side of the news...
Conference Planning & Operations at the University of Memphis reports: a five year agreement has been signed with the American Cotton Shippers Association to host the Cotton Institute at the university (valued in excess of $2M). This is an eight and a half week program. All logistical components from registration to off-site programs are being managed by the office.
Monique Savage has been promoted to associate director. Monique Savage and Mary Bartlett learned in April that they both earned their CMP this past January. Eddy Parker has joined the staff as sales manager; Christie Johnston has
joined as conference coordinator; and Natalie Ruffin as sales and event assistant. Congratulations to the University of Memphis on their accomplishments and growth!
Georgia Tech Conference Services reports the office staff won the "Best of the Best" award in the Business and Finance category during the Institute's Best Practice Challenge. After a successful first year, a three year agreement was signed with Teach for America, Inc. to host the five-week Atlanta Training Institute. And is gearing up to host RoboCup 2007. This dynamic International Robotics Competition will bring close to 2,000 participants from around the world to Georgia Tech and Atlanta the first week and a half in July. Go Tech!
On to bittersweet news...
Diedre Gordon at Duke University will be ending her ACCED-I membership effective June 30. After 11 years of membership, her new responsibilities at Duke have moved her squarely into fundraising and development.
Diedre states, "I will miss all of my Region 9 colleagues, and I'm grateful for the mentoring and support provided so faithfully." Region 9 wishes to thank Diedre for her leadership as a former Regional Director and most of all her friendship. We all wish you the best!
...and that is the news, have a successful summer!
From e-Communique, April/May 2007
Submitted by Dan Dykstra
A big Region 9 THANK YOU to Belinda Kenny, CCEP, for her service as Region 9 Director over this past year. We all regret that we were unable to express our appreciation for you in person in Baltimore, but look forward to seeing you again at the regional meeting this fall.
At the regional meeting held in Baltimore, Dan Dykstra, Georgia Tech, became the new Regional Director, and Nancy Semones, Guilford College, became Regional Director-Elect. Both Nancy and Dan look forward to serving Rock’n Region 9 during the coming year! We are still looking for regional members interested in acting as state representatives. If you wish to learn more about the responsibilities of a state rep, please contact Nancy. Also, it is never too early to consider nominating yourself or a colleague as Regional Director-Elect.
Region 9 put the “I” in ACCED-I this year at the conference when we all got a chance to meet our regional colleague from Granada, André Blackman from St George’s University. Honestly, I had to double check my atlas to see how far Andre had to travel. I know we pride ourselves on our southern hospitality, so do you think the next time Region 9 hosts an Annual Conference we can do so in the Caribbean?...something to think about. In the meantime, look for information regarding our Fall Regional Meeting.
One method we will use to discuss regional issues is the Region 9 ListServ. The ListServ was recently transferred to a Georgia Tech list service. Original names/addresses were transferred and instructions and guidelines were sent to those individuals. If you did not receive this notice, and/or would like to be added to the Region 9 ListServ, please email Dan Dykstra. Thank you to Tony Gray, Appalachian State University (Retired) and Past ACCED-I President. Tony spent countless years serving Region 9 as administrator of the ListServ, but definitely needs and certainly deserves a break. Tony on behalf of all of Region 9, we have appreciated all your support!
Welcome New Region 9 Members!
Rhanisha Alexander, St. George’s University
Susan Barron, Northeast Alabama Community College
André Blackman, St. George’s University
Tiffany Carroll, University of South Carolina
Stephanie Garrison, Southeastern University
Christie Johnston, University of Memphis
Anthia Parke, St. George’s University
Jamie Simmons, Southeastern University
Randall Tarkington, Vanderbilt University
Misty Wilson, Florida Institute of Technology
Did you know???
We have a regional list serve! If you're haven't subscribed, you may be missing valuable regional information. Subscribe today! Send your contact information to belinda.kenny@maryvillecollege.edu.
Region 9 has over 150 members!! Of this membership, we have 15 new members (since the annual meeting):
University of South Florida: Guy Conway and Greg Jackson
Rollins College: Christine Leto
Furman University: Marlene Mayfield
Winthrop University: Carrie McKesson
Sodexho: Warren Jaferian and Julie Lawrence
Catawba College: Paula Davis
University of North Alabama: Aaron Johnson
North Carolina State University: Dean Kennedy
University of Memphis: Paige Morgan
Savannah College of Art & Design: Susie Mottram and Laura Smith
Macomb Community College, Mary Petitto-Hopkins
Vanderbilt University, Sara Williams
Welcome to ACCED-I's Rockin' Region 9!
We have 4 members currently working on their CCEP. So what's keeping you from earning your certification? You may already be halfway there! Contact the ACCED-I office for enrollment information and join the few, the proud...the certified.
!! Announcement !!
We're looking for a volunteer to run the region 9 list serve. It is currently housed at Appalachian State and run by Tony Gray. Tony has recently retired his position at AP but graciously agreed to continuing running the list serve for us. That has been over two years ago! If you are interested in taking over as the list serve administrator, please contact belinda.kenny@maryvillecollege.edu.
Regional Highlights.
*Kate Shelton, Univ of S. Carolina*
Kate has returned back to the University of South Carolina after being away for ten years. She is working in the Office of Academic Enrichment and Conferences of Regional Campuses and Continuing Education as associate director for conferences and events. Kate will supervise the University's national, state, and local conference and event area with Jim Twitty and Cindy Roenfeldt. Mike Kelly, associate director for noncredit programs, will continue serving summer, academic youth, CEU and noncredit programs.
*Wade Koehler at Vanderbilt *
Wade will be leaving Vanderbilt University Office of Conferences at the end of October due his wife's relocation with her company. He will most likely be leaving the college industry. He wrote that he has had some great times over the past seven years with all of his friends and colleagues at ACCED-I and will miss everyone. Wade, we'll miss you too and wish you the best in your endeavors. Stay in touch!
Regional Meetings
The following sessions are from the 2006 fall regional meeting at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA.
Click on the link to download a copy of the presentation.
Food Service and the Conference World: Making the Marriage Work by Nancy Semones of Guilford College.