We are back with our November Member Spotlight. The purpose of this series is to highlight and acknowledge stand-out individuals within Community. The idea is that these Cvent users will be able to provide some insight and perspective around their roles, industries, and how they use Cvent. Our team hand-picks these individuals based on their Community involvement and Cvent expertise.
With that said, our next Member Spotlight features... (insert drumroll sound effect)
Meet James
My academic journey started in my early twenties at Stanford University, where I pursued broadcasting and communications. Following a few years in the Bay Area, I returned to Michigan and began working at The Ann Arbor News. When the publication ceased operations in 2009, I opted to pivot my career and enrolled in graphic design and website development courses at a local community college. Having spent time in Silicon Valley, I had some experience with computers, coding, and graphic design. After years of web development, I eventually found my way to the Office of Development at the University of Michigan.
James is a noted Community MVP and member of the Cvent Celebrity program.
James is also an active member of the Higher Education User Group.
You can find and connect with James on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-rose-jr/
@Kameron Kidd was able to have a chat with James and ask him some questions.
Can you share a little about your current role at the company you work for?
As a member of the Digital Infrastructure team in the Office of Development at the University of Michigan, I hold the position of Senior Web Developer and Platform/Product Manager. My responsibilities include serving as the Cvent expert and overseeing the onboarding and support of all Cvent account users. In addition, I work closely with other members of the team to identify areas for improvement and implement new strategies to enhance the overall process with the Cvent Event Management and OnArrival.
How long have you been using Cvent and what products do you currently use?
For six years, I have utilized Cvent, with the most frequently used modules or event features being Cvent Event Management, Attendee Hub, OnArrival/Event in a Box, and Cvent Diagraming.
Do you have a favorite event or venue that you've been to?
One of my most anticipated events to attend at the university is the Leadership Summit for Women in Academic Medicine & Healthcare. The Michigan Medicine team has been utilizing the Cvent event management platform for the past five years, as well as the Attendee Hub.
They are expert event professionals with great communications, session topics, swag, signage, and providing friendly assistance to the 300+ attendees who participate in the event each year.
Do you have a favorite Cvent article or training that you think really helped you be successful with Cvent technology?
I handle the onboarding of new account users to the Cvent platform, and I always include the links listed under the Getting Started section under the Registration Learning Center.
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Building Your First Event
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Creating an Event
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Registration for Planners
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Registration for Administrators
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Invitee Management 101
Are you Cvent certified and if so which certifications do you hold? Do those certifications help you train others? Have they played a role in advancing your career in some way?
My only certification now is Cvent Event Management Certification and I want to get certified in Attendee Hub Seating & Diagramming.
Our instance has over a hundred account users, and I try to always be prepared to receive any questions that may be emailed or asked over chat at any time. It is important for me to have as much information as possible to provide the best possible assistance. I find it helpful to seek advice from our lead client success advisor and look to Cvent Community for support as well.
How have you helped others within your organization be successful with Cvent technology?
The platform's capability to process credit card payments for registration, gift donations, email invitations, on-site check-in, and badge printing, while also providing comprehensive reports, has resulted in significant savings for teams in terms of manual labor and their budget.
Our Office of Development, which hosts the Seminar in Florida event for our top donors in the region, is known for its efficiency. Prior to using On-Arrival, the team of five spent hours printing and stuffing name badges the day before and the day of the event. However, with the implementation of Event In A Box, this ten-hour job was reduced to mere minutes of checking in and printing badges. With such time saving, the team even admitted to spending the night before the event at the pool.
For those who are just starting with Cvent, what advice would you share with them?
Get involved in Cvent Community and utilize Cvent’s Knowledge Base as much as possible.
What is your favorite Cvent feature and why?
Currently, the Writing Assistant is integrated into Site Designer and Email Designer. With the assistance of the Writing Assistant, I can effectively convey my ideas by finding the appropriate words and articulating my thoughts in a clear and concise manner. (Writing Assistant in aid for this sentence)
Huge thanks to James for his time and contributions to the Community. We're looking forward to seeing what you can accomplish in 2024! As a small token of appreciation, James will receive a Cvent care package.
Anyone with comments or questions can respond below
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