American Meetings, Inc. (AMI) CEO, Andy McNeill, and the AMI Network Team hosted our quarterly Global Procurement Day on Thursday, September 20th 2018 at the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel. The event was a success from start to finish, providing both highly effective business development meetings, with an educational session, and the opportunity to develop genuine connections and build relationships with our Prime Member Suppliers.
The event kicked off with an incredible welcome dinner at Boatyard in Fort Lauderdale that was both delicious, and a lot of fun! AMI team members played an informal game of musical chairs throughout the dinner, ensuring that our Prime Suppliers had an opportunity to not only meet but really begin getting to know our AMI Meeting Planners, Sourcing Managers, and Executive Leadership on a personal level. A special thank you goes out to our transportation sponsor, Just Right DMC!
The following morning the suppliers had the exclusive opportunity for business development meetings with AMI Meeting Planners and Sourcing Managers. The results of these 1:1 meetings were nothing short of amazing! Several suppliers left with business in hand! The Global Procurement Day Luncheon and Procurement Panel Session, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment, was both informative and inspiring.
Attendees had the rare opportunity to hear an in-depth discussion with two of AMI’s Tier One Clients, and the afternoon’s keynote speakers, Sara Friedlander, Director Enabling Services at Bristol Myers Squibb, and Monette Knapik, Director of Strategic Procurement at CVS Health. Both spoke about their challenges, successes, supplier diversity programs, and current best practices for managing the procurement of such large organizations.
Who Attended?
As part of our commitment to our supplier partners, in 2018, we have expanded the number of procurement days allowing for smaller, more intimate interactions with our talented AMI meeting managers and sourcing professionals. The purpose of our Global Procurement Day is to develop stronger and deeper relationships with our partner suppliers, while also preparing them to work closely with our global network. Attendee’s included:
- Scott Mifsud, General Manager at Just Right DMC
- Karen Yatsko, National Sales Manager at Caesars Entertainment
- Patrick Espinoza, Director of Sales, Central Region at Caesars Entertainment
- Adam Leon, Director of Sales & Marketing at Pullman Miami Airport
- Jasmine Boisson, Project Manager at Total Rental Solutions
- Lauren Wright, Executive Meetings Specialist at Arlington, Texas CVB
- Katie Simcock, Account Executive at AFR Furniture Rental
- Leigh Tidwell, Southeast Regional Sales Manager at AFR Furniture Rental
- Jim Gilonna, National Sales Manager at Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort
Missed Out?
Not to worry! AMI hosts our Global Procurement Day event(s) quarterly. Find out If your business qualifies to become a Prime Supplier on The American Meetings Network, by calling Paul Steinmetz, Director of The American Meetings Network at (954) 440-1274 or emailing suppliers@americanmeetings.com.
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