Four meetings-industry suppliers have completed its new Customer Certified Sales Expert (CCSE) designation, The Hive Network announced yesterday: Jennifer Sena, owner of Sena Sales & Marketing; Deana Mitchell, owner of Realize Planning - a Global DMC Partner; Taya Paige, vice president of marketing at ACCESS Destination Services; and Tracy Fairman, CEO of e-ProDirect.
"Getting the CCSE designation was definitely worth my time and the return on investment has already been worthwhile," Sena said. "I have been telling my industry colleagues there is finally relevant education for us, and even if you have to pay for it out of your own pocket, don't hesitate."
Introduced in March, The Hive Network is a private community connecting suppliers with meeting planners for the purpose of joint education and networking. As members of The Hive Network, suppliers have access to a library of educational webinars created by senior meeting planners, teaching them how to engage, market to, and build relationships with planners.
Suppliers who complete 12 courses receive the CCSE, which signifies to planners that they understand meeting professionals' needs and perspectives. CCSE-designated suppliers subsequently are invited to special meet-ups of senior-level planners at industry events like IMEX, the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) World Education Congress (WEC) and the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting.
"The Customer Certified Sales Expert program exists to alleviate frustration among suppliers -- we're giving them sales tips directly from their customers," said Shawna Suckow, founder of The Hive Network. "Most of our courses are taught by senior-level planners to give suppliers a roadmap on everything from how to write better proposals to prospecting that gets better receptiveness."
For more information about The Hive Network or the CCSE designation, visit www.thehivenetwork.org.
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