The true testimony of a successful event is a smooth running operation. And after 30 years of creating convention utopias, Ken Miller, director of marketing and communications for the State Board of Missions, has the job down to a fine art.
But wanting to give credit where credit is due, he is quick to point out that his dedicated staff members are the weavers that spin the magic.
Charleen Hobbs, secretary for the office of marketing and communications, said the logistical planning for the state convention begins a good year in advance. In fact, the road trips have already been made to Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville where the 2001 state convention will be held.
“We’ve already begun discussions with three different hotels in the Huntsville area to compare room rates,” Miller said.
Hobbs’ convention encyclopedia is a thick, red, four-inch, three-ring binder that holds every conceivable bit of information concerning all aspects of the logistical components of the convention — down to exhibitors needing electricity — to the names of the 75 area volunteers who donate their time during the annual event. It’s seldom that her book is not within reach as is the two-way radio that keeps her and Miller in communication to trouble-shoot any problems that may occur.
Coordinating the volunteer team is no small task either. This year’s volunteers, who were recruited through Montgomery Association, were needed to help in numerous registration areas, the message board center, ushers and ballot distributors and counters.
Miller and his staff, which includes Keith Hinson, communications associate, Doug Rogers, electronic media associate, as well as support staff Hobbs and Christi Long, take on behind the scenes responsibilities. Hinson, in addition to covering the press rooms, writing press releases and making sure the media have access to interviews, is responsible for writing and distributing two daily bulletins to keep attendees up-to-date on convention happenings.
Immediately following the conclusion of the convention, Hinson spearheads the laborious task of compiling the convention’s annual.
Rogers, whose behind-the-scene job contributes to the visual aesthetics of the event, writes, shoots and edits the videos that are shown throughout the convention. In addition to this responsibility, he also works the auditorium’s lightboard and handles the audio taping of all of the convention’s speakers throughout the three days.
Miller points out that his team has meeting rooms set up for individual committees and board members.
They coordinate eating arrangements for convention officers so that they don’t have to leave the premises. Miller and his staff also arrange for a press conference with the new convention president following the end of the convention.
Miller stops briefly to read a note that is handed to him from a staff member.
Reviewing the message, he looks and says, “There is a total of 1,778 messengers at this year’s convention with 674 churches being represented from across the state.” He quickly places the information on Hinson’s desk for use in a press release and rushes off to tackle a request relayed over his two-way radio.
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