Social media hot shots and innovative thinkers and doers are changing the world of faith-based meetings. Whether it’s using alternative formats, a passion for changing lives through face-to-face meetings or a desire to see clients accomplish their visions, this group is anything but stereotypical. They have drive, entrepreneurial spirit and view their roles as more than a day job.

Taking faith-based meetings to the next level

52 ■ Rejuvenate October 2011

| EARLY ADOPTER |MELISSA DUTTON, MSC, CHSESenior Sales Professional, UGA Conference Center and HotelAthens, GeorgiaAge: 34

From the early age of 12, Melissa Dutton had no doubt about her skills as a success-ful businesswoman. “I organized and ran my own little summer camps. We had from 15-20 kids,” says Dutton. Along with her best friend at the time, she arranged activi-ties, put together a schedule, and created a business and advertising plan for all the neighborhood parents. Dutton’s current campers include corporate and faith-based groups who rely on her to arrange meet-ings and training seminars at the University

of Georgia. Dutton’s journey has been fine-tuned along the way with extensive educational stops (UGA undergrad and a masters degree from the University of Birmingham, England) and a diverse work schedule, including planning and sales stints at Marriott, Dewalt Power Tools and Caesars Palace. She also mentors a UGA student hoping for her own hospitality career. “It’s been great to help open this student’s eyes to what the industry is all about,” she says. —Marc Boisclair

| INDUSTRY VET | PAUL GRIFFINDirector of Meetings and Events Destination Marketing Association International  Washington, D.C.Age: 36

Paul Griffin already had racked up a long list of accomplishments before he joined DMAI seven years ago. When he was with the Greater Boston CVB, he was voted Convention Services Manager of the Year and led the convention team to two Pin-nacle Awards for business excellence from the Boston COC. He met Michael Gehrisch and Elaine Rosquist while they were plan-

ning the DMAI conference (then IAVI) in Boston, and they recruited him to join the association. He’s now the director of meet-ings and events, overseeing 19 confer-ences. Griffin, a member of ACOM, PCMA, ASAE, AMPS and HIP, says he really likes two things about his job: getting to do something different every day and working with DMAI’s members. —L. Hoppe

| LIFELONG LEARNER |SARA HOTCHKISSTravel and Meeting Planning Manager, The United Methodist ChurchNashville, TennesseeAge: 35

Wearing two professional hats is never an easy task, but Hotchkiss, who’s been in the meeting and event planning busi-ness for more than 10 years, takes it all in stride. She is The United Method-ist Church travel and meeting planning manager and assistant business manager for the General Conference. The UMC General Conference occurs every four years, and hosts more than 1,000 del-egates from around the world. Hotchkiss says her most memorable experiences

come from seeing her preparations come together before her eyes. She found her calling by college, earned a master’s in college student affairs from Western Kentucky University, and began planning events as director of student activities and orientation at Lenoir-Rhyne Univer-sity. Obviously a proponent of continu-ing education, Hotchkiss has earned a CMP and recently underwent training to become a Certified Travel Expert. —E. Caslavka