Getting the Most of Your ACEP Membership

We all have good intentions when joining ACEP with aspirations of growing our business in some way. However, membership truly is a vehicle in which time and energy needs to be contributed. The biggest misunderstanding is asking yourself, “What has ACEP done for me” before you ask yourself, “What have I done for ACEP?”

Our association keeps you connected to the hospitality industry, providing you with an abundance of opportunities for networking, education, professional and personal development as well as creating visibility among other beneficial service providers. Like any good investment you make, you have to give…to, before you get…from. Giving to ACEP can be easy and there are a variety of ways in which to get involved in order to maximize the most of your investment. Following are some suggestions in doing so.

1. Attend meetings regularly (this is key). ACEP monthly meetings provide an opportunity to …

• Exchange ideas

• See what others are doing

• Gain a broader perspective of the industry

• Improve your business etiquette and communication skills

• Renew your enthusiasm for our own job or company

• Increase your visibility

• Advertise your business or a promotion in a relatively inexpensive way

• à Remember to always bring plenty of business cards to hand out and collateral to share on the “Marketing Table” to which you can bring to the members attention when it is your turn to introduce yourself to the group. Also, consider bringing a memorable item complementing your business to feature as a give away at the
  end of the evening. Who doesn't like winning something unexpectedly, and what a great way to advertise!

2. Get involved by participating in a monthly meeting

• Sponsor a monthly meeting and take advantage of the added marketing and advertising opportunities

• Offer to host a meeting at your facility. Showing yourself off to the other members could help sell your services.

• Provide an educational presentation or be one of the speakers on a panel of experts.

• Provide take away gifts for the members to enjoy at the end of the evening (more great marketing)

• Volunteer to greet members as they arrive and introduce guests and new members to others

3. Submit an article to the ACEP newsletter, or better yet, create a monthly feature highlighting your involvement in the industry, in doing so you will…

• Present yourself as an industry expert to all of the member newsletter subscribers as well as to non member subscribers . Everyday new subscriptions come in for the newsletter, your next client could be one of them.

• Have the opportunity to share upcoming events or news worthy happenings.

• Increase your visibility.

• Advertise your business and expertise for a minimal effort of writing the submission.

4. Volunteer to join a committee such as the Scholarship Committee, the Public Relations Committee, the Gala Committee or Nominating Committee doing so you will…

• Learn and hone leadership skills

• Share your valued input

• Broaden your industry involvement and increase your visibility

5. When purchasing a product or service, start by exploring the ACEP membership directory online at www.acep.com. ACEP members should seek to do business with fellow ACEP members whenever possible.

6. Offer to serve as a mentor to an association newcomer or a student considering a career in the hospitality and event industry. The rewards will far exceed your expectations. Learning is a two way street by helping and mentoring others it keeps our businesses fresh and exciting.