A Visit with PMPI Past President: Will Trokey

By Faye Pastor, CEM, CMP, PMPI Membership, E&R Committee

In keeping with this year’s theme, "Writing Your Next Chapter," who knows better than a PMPI past president of the benefits of being active in our PMPI chapter can bring.

Will Trokey was PMPI president from July 2012 to June 2013. Will has been a vibrant and a major contributor to the PMPI Potomac Chapter since 2005. With his amiable and welcoming presence, it’s easy to see how Will has become a true leader in our chapter and our industry.

Will’s initial involvement with MPI was for professional development. However, Will shares, "About my time with MPI: The professional development has spilled over to my personal development. Chapter projects and committees gave me a chance to try things I had not tried."

 

Being involved with the chapter and serving on a committee can help you grow your skills. It may even give you the insight for uncovering skills and interests that could ultimately move you into a different direction in your career. For example, becoming active on the Leadership Committee might give you the incentive and confidence to pursue becoming a CEO or director.

Will also praised MPI for providing the education and resources, as well as networking opportunities that can lead to building personal along with professional relationships.

"MPI was way ahead of the curve on social media!" Will shared. While Will was on the PMPI Board of Directors, the chapter leadership was encouraging chapter leaders to utilize various social media outlets to promote events, recruit more members and keep the chapter connected.

"So many of the social media platforms I got from PMPI." One place this is truly evident is hospitality sales. Will is the national sales manager for Visit Charlotte. Will explained, "You don’t sell like you used to sell. You don’t always have an opportunity to connect. The way you market and sell is very different than it used to be. PMPI has given me skills that will carry me into the future."

Will believes that MPI also provides a great foundation of relationships. MPI provides wonderful opportunities to create and cultivate contacts with vendors and mentors. "In our business, things can go wrong – and we want them to succeed, of course! But how we respond is a testament to the relationships we have developed and nurtured (with our fellow MPI members). That’s why industry relationships are so important."

Be on the lookout for future stories about our illustrious past PMPI presidents! Could your next chapter include a spot on a committee or the PMPI Board? The sky’s the limit!