One to one with Stephen J. O’Malley
For some updated perspectives on diversifying your business, take a few moments to listen to Bruce’s interview with Steven J. O’Malley, Sr. VP & General Manager of Maxvantage (The Maritz/American Express Alliance) on action strategies for meeting/incentive companies. He offers some excellent ideas for reinforcing industry and customer relationships.
Stephen J. O’Malley has more than 20 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry and now serves as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Maxvantage, The Maritz and American Express alliance that provides Strategic Meetings Management Solutions.
O’Malley began his career at Maritz Travel Company in 1990 as a travel director and has since served in several operations, product development and marketing positions for the company. He has managed the Detroit Automotive Group and was the Sector Leader for Maritz Travel’s Financial Services business. Most recently Steve served as the VP of Strategy and Industry Relations for Maritz Travel. Prior to joining Maritz, he served as chief concierge and banquet manager for Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colo.
O’Malley holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of criminal justice and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s degree in business administration from the John M. Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis.
Steve sits on the Board of Directors for SME Associates, LLC, which is a Maritz company specializing in Olympic Hospitality Management. He is also President Elect for the SITE International Foundation Board of Trustees and serves as the chair of the research committee. Steve is also involved in Washington University’s Olin Alumni Association and has served as president of Mary Queen of Peace Parish Board of Education.
you mentioned statistics – When question is asked to customers – statistics and numbers are not given freely in conversations, why? and where can we get these statistics from?
That was an excellent interview, Bruce. It brought back memories of the time I spent at The Haley Corporation (which ultimately became American Express Corporate) as the manager of the group department (basically me plus 1). I remember all too clearly how I approached corporations that were doing corporate travel with Haley but NOT doing meetings and incentives and, through education and development concepts, my department grew into a vibrant group of 4/5 people, specializing in corporate meetings and incentives. It was the birth of my career in “corporate group travel”. Your questions of Mr. O’Malley were very targeted and made me smile since you/I have discussed this matter many times. His replies to your questions were very profound. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Good work, Bruce. Would love to get together with you the next time you are in the city.
Best,
Vera
Substantive and great information at this time. We should all work together as one voice.
I like this type of information sharing. Something that you hear from the horse’s mouth and not just read and written by a travel writer.
Elena, check out the trade publications and industry associations like SITE and MPI as well as their respective foundations. Both associations do a tremendous amount of research in industry applications as well as ROI and the value of corporate events.