Done!

I am so excited to finally be done and have the final report turned in! Now I can focus all of my attention on doing my best and succeeding here at the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau. Check out the link! Come back in June to see the new Visit Phoenix website!

http://www.visitphoenix.com/contact/index.cfm?action=dept&deptID=5&sectionID=13

Final Report:

Can't believe that today our final report is due. This signifies so much; no more classes, no more papers, no more exams and graduation! Where has the time gone? I just want to congratulate everyone on completing their internships and moving forward with their lives, whether that be continuing your education or developing a career.

New Beginnings...

Well today was my first day as official Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau employee and it has been off to a great start, beginning the day with flowers from my new manager! I had more of my in-processing papers to fill out, health insurance, life insurance, A-4, W-4, 401k etc... It really clicked that I am that close to being done with school and having work as my top priority.

I also had my final interview for my final report today with Janis Thomas, my director in Convention Services and Housing. She has been with the bureau longer than anyone else, since 1975 when the bureau was established. She is such a wonderful role model of where the GPCVB can take you. She started out as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO and now she is far beyond that position. She also gave me words of encouragement and told me how far she thinks I will go in this company. Definitely a great start to a first day at my new career. The future is looking mighty bright, I'd have to say :)

9 days until graduation!

One more day!

There is only 1 day left of my internship, I can't believe it! This semester has gone by fast and I cant believe that it's that time for graduation. Best wishes to everyone with any finals that they might have!

This week has just flown by! Today I have to sit in on a conference call with a meeting planner and conduct some interviews for the final report! Tomorrow should also go by fast, I have my out-processing for my internship and my new employee in-processing at the same time; then I will get all my business cards, name badge etc. Should be pretty exciting. I can't beleive I start my new job on Monday!

About my new job- I am a Convention Services and Housing Assistant. I just found out that all my benefits (medical, dental, vision..) kick in after just 30 days and I also get 2 weeks paid vacation as well as 12 days of personal time off paid. Pretty good deal :) I do have to sit back at my 'intern' desk for the first week as they are changing the cube set up where I will be and it wont be ready until May 15.

This should be a busy next few months, we have 10 groups between now and next March! I highly recomend interning at the GPCVB, you gain many contacts, you learn a lot of applicable skills, and the office is just a delight! So if you know anyone who needs a fall internship, tell them to apply at the GPCVB!

Last few days as an intern...

This week has started off great! Monday we had a meeting with a potential client, the Arizona Sereno Soccer Club. They hold 3 tournaments a year and are looking for a new housing service for their tournaments. I created a mock reservation website with photos and everything to present to their committee as well as talked them through many different things. The photo is a preview of part of the webpage I created :)

Today we had another sales presentation. Representatives from Castles N' Coasters, Comfort Suites Goodyear, and Wrigley Mansion all came out with goodies and great information about what they have to offer. Castles N' Coasters gave us each 2 free rounds of miniature golf, Comfort Suites brought us breakfast and gave us eco-grocery bags and also raffled of 2 weekend stays in their suites on their property, and Wrigley Mansion gave us free drink coupons. All in all a pretty sweet deal!

Friday is my last day as an intern, I cant believe how fast the last 14 weeks have gone by!

Whats to come...

So I have 8 days left as an intern at the GPCVB and will begin in my position as Convention Services and Housing Coordinator on Monday, May 4. Yes I am jumping right into it! Seems a little crazy to not have a break but we were able to work out something that allows me time off this month and a week in July, which to me is even better than waiting until after graduation to begin my career. Everyone in the bureau has been so welcoming and excited for me to become a part of the team!

Back to what I'm doing at work...

Last week was really fun! We share our office with the Greater Phoenix Sports Commision and were able to help them bring back the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Ceremony. It has been many years since there were able to hold this ceremony and I would have to say it was a success! It was held at the Phoenician and there were games (basketball, golf putting, pitching, football...) and a silent auction before the ceremony. They offered free beer and wine as well as some really good appetizers! There were so many sports figures that attended, it was awesome to be able to meet and interact with them! After the pre-ceremony festivities we were able to attend the induction where Bob Horner and Al McCoy and a few others were honored. It was such a great experience. The picture above is of the inductees at the ceremony!

For now I am gradually being trained on some of my new tasks that come along with my position while still maintaining the work I have always done. As for the rest of this week, I have 3 meetings and we are meeting with potential clients Friday.

Very excited!

I'm very excited to share the news, after 3 weeks of interviews my internship has paid off! I have been offered a job at the the GPCVB as a housing coordinator and I gladly accepted! I am so thrilled to become a part of the Convention Services team here at the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, and look forward to the future.

The process was very formal and there were 5 other canidates interviewed. I had to go through interviews with my Director Jan Thomas, my Vice President Marc Garcia, and finally the President and CEO Steve Moore.

I have enjoyed being an intern here and look forward to whats to come!

Good Luck!