Author: Suzanne Nazareno, Manager, Conferences & Accommodation & Central Room Bookings
Since my arrival to campus (2008), the Conferences & Accommodation staff have changed each year due to growth of new positions, changing positions, staff moving to other area’s, temporary secondments , whatever the reason –but this February we celebrate 1 solid year where the current group has worked together! And while we are accustomed to change on this campus, we are thankful for a little steadiness.
In October, staff from Conferences and Accommodation along with the Front Office team spent a “Fall Reflection” day together. This day has become the norm for staff; a time where we measure our success, applaud our efforts, acknowledge challenges, review feedback, discuss marketing and operational strategies and determine as a group where we move to next.
As a review of 2012, first and foremost is the significant recognition we receive for service provided to visitor’s, and we know this to be true because our customers tell us about their experiences. We have an extraordinary team of front office staff who provide a most warm Okanagan welcome to visitors staying with us during the summer. This group of individuals serves both our housing operation and the conference operation seemingly switching gears with ease!
This past year we added value to our Conferences and Accommodation (C & A) website by introducing virtual tours, a news feed, and a user friendly reservation tool, certainly added value for guests discovering us online. Registration services is a relatively new service being offered to clients, and this year we introduced our first web and financial registration service. The central booking operation is nearing its first year in operation. C & A is the place to contact for non-academic space on campus; indoor, and out.
In October, the Conference Team traveled to the CUCCOA annual conference in Quebec City – where Debbie Harding and Teresa Rempel presented on Social Media Marketing and Suzanne Nazareno presented a workshop on the new operational addition to Student Housing and Hospitality Services, a centralized Room Booking (CBO) service for the Okanagan campus. (A big shout out to our colleague Teresa Rempel who won an association award)
Everyone feels energized from the holiday season and are looking forward to a busy and successful 2013 conference season.
Suzanne Nazareno
Manager, Conferences & Accommodation & Central Room bookings
UBC Okanagan
Email: suzanne.nazareno@ubc.ca
Telephone: 250-807-8050