MPISCC: Member Spotlight: Holly Gandras Smith
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Interview with Holly Gandras Smith
MPISCC: How did you become involved with MPI and the Southern California Chapter?
HGS: I was a national sales manager at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, handling the West Coast group market when Joann Tallman, director of sales, insisted that I join MPI. Back then, a supplier could only join with a planner. I invited Gretchen from the Doheny Eye Institute. I joined several committees and made long-lasting relationships — and booked some business too!
MPISCC: What is it about the organization and the chapter that has encouraged you to continue your membership?
HGS: Never thought of not being a member. MPI is second nature to me and part of my career. Love mentoring the young leaders and encouraging them to get involved. MPI is family to me.
MPISCC: What are your proudest moments or accomplishments?
HGS: So many come to mind. MPISCC always managed to surprise me with Shining Star awards, the Lois K. Hauser Award, Supplier of the Year and, most recently, in 2020, the President’s Award (If you watched the video, you will know I was surprised.).
Many years ago, I met a lovely woman named Beverly Laing at an MPI event. She had just moved to California from New York. She worked for USGA, and I encouraged her to join MPI. Beverly got involved in committees over the years and then became president of MPISCC in 2014. Beverly’s positivity was contagious. Beverly was taken from us way too early, and she will never be forgotten. MPISCC created “in her honor” the Beverly Laing Student Scholarship.
My next proud moment was when Ms. Kristin Twombly, CMP, became our chapter’s president this past year. I always invited Kristin to be my guest at the MPI Installation Awards. We would pick her up in a limousine and whisk her off to the Gala. She finally joined our chapter, joined committees and now sits on the board as president.
Mr. Don Foreman was my regional vice president at Loews Hotels and always supported the chapter. When I moved over to global sales, Mr. Michael Dominguez was my VP of global sales. He is a huge supporter of MPI. Ms. Shelly Cruz, VP of global sales, MGM Resorts is now my leader. She encourages her team to get involved in MPI if you are not already. MGM Resorts currently has 21 MPI members. Las Vegas is excited to be hosting MPI/WEC June 13-17, 2021.
MPISCC: What advice would you share with new members about getting the most out of their membership?
HGS: Join a committee and get out of your comfort zone. We all must remember that we were once the new member. We are all so happy to see each other that we forget to include the new members, and we stay in our cliques with our MPI friends. We are all responsible for recruiting new members, and our new members always bring fresh ideas to the organization.
