5 in 5: Conference Meetings & Events Manager, Louie D’Ottavio
Get ready for another edition of 5 in 5! Today, we're excited to have Louie D'Ottavio, one of our favorite Conference Meetings & Events Managers, in the spotlight.
We had a fantastic collaboration with Louie at the Westin Hotel Alexandria, and now we're eager to share her wealth of experience and insights from her extensive career in the Hotel Industry, both domestically and internationally. Let's dive in and learn from Louie's expertise!
Here’s Louie’s 5 in 5!
1. What inspired your career in the event industry, and how has it evolved since then?
I started in Food and Beverage in fine dining experience in Dubai, UAE. Creating wide range of events in Dubai. I decide to continue my career in Events here in the US. It is my passion seeing my clients/guests happy and grateful for the events I created which is now led to conference, nonprofit and association events.
2. Can you share a memorable challenge you faced in your role and how you overcame it?
Working in a very diverse luxury hotels in Dubai, sometimes there was a language barrier. But instead, I took that as an opportunity to learn multiple language and communicate better. And moving here in the US and working in diverse hotel is a plus for me.
3. In your opinion, what is the most exciting trend or innovation currently shaping the event planning landscape?
Events is a must now!
New generations crave for authenticity and inclusivity and reject the traditional, sales driven approaches. The can sense practices that seem disingenuous or exclusive. This audience demands more than just a superficial experience. They seek genuine connection and engagement.
4. How do you collaborate with stakeholders to create unforgettable experiences for clients? Exploring collaboration practices showcases the interconnected nature of the industry and provides insights into teamwork and coordination.
Engagement approach! [It] can help me build stronger relationship, communicate better and exchange ideas.
5. What advice would you give to someone aspiring to your role in the event industry?
Stay different and never stop learning.
Think outside the Industry, to really create a remarkable event experience, sometimes we have to look outside our industry. and from that your events can be different from others and unforgettable.