It’s an event when Joyce Watson gives birth

Joyce Watson, director of event services at the GRB, and events manager Veronica McClelland, left, plan an upcoming event. Photo by Pete Radowick.

By Dave Schafer

Joyce Watson gives birth more than 300 times a year.

Her offspring aren’t as cuddly as a new mother’s, and nobody will get sent to their room during the turbulent teen years, but her progenies do require a lot of incubation.

And, if all works out well, they will tell others how great Houston is as a home for conventions, events and parties.

“When an event that you’ve worked so hard on getting just right, that you’ve spent months working on, is over, and it went smoothly and the business is happy, well, it’s like watching your child walk across the stage at graduation,” Watson said. “It fills me with pride and joy.

“I love giving birth to events.”

Watson is director of event services at the George R. Brown Convention Center. She oversees the creation and execution of events in the nation’s 10th largest convention center.

Conception occurs when the convention sales staff learns of a business or organization looking for a place to hold an event. If they are unsure that the GRB is the right place, Watson plays matchmaker by showing them the GRB’s attractions.

In Houston there aren’t a lot of union rules that drive up the price of services, she tells them. She shows them the 1.2 million square feet of usable space on three levels, and the ramp that allows their vendors to drive to the third floor rather than loading their wares into a freight elevator. She points to the installed audio/visual and telecommunications systems.

After the business agrees to the relationship, Watson assigns one of the four event managers or two event coordinators she supervises. Working with the business’ event planners, the manager nourishes the company’s idea into a successful event.

Need 2,000 seats? No problem. Need table clothes on the round tables that seat eight? Right away. The room’s too hot. There’s a mess in the bathroom. More chairs are needed at table six.

When the labor pains get to be too much for the event manager, Watson steps in and pulls the manager off the job temporarily while another manager takes over. She gives the manager a chance to vent, or the opportunity to take some deep breathes, or they get a bite to eat and discuss the problems.

Like every precious newborn, each event is different. Each takes on its own tone.

“It can be crazy,” she said. “If we’ve planned well, it will be smoother. Then it’s not chaotic as much as we’re constantly going from one thing to another.”

Her main job is to provide support and guidance for her staff, to solve problems and to act as their advocate.

But Watson, who has more than 17 years experience beginning as a phone receptionist with the San Diego Convention Center, doesn’t disappear into the background while an event is being nurtured. She attends meetings with the planners and joins them for onsite inspections. When a planner’s request can’t be delivered, she breaks the bad news.

That shows them the director makes sure what needs doing gets done, Watson said.

When a large event involves dignitaries or is very important, Watson acts as event coordinator. With great results, according to commendations sent by happy company leaders.

The U.S.-Arab Economic Forum was rescheduled from September to March because the GRB was housing Katrina evacuees. Watson made sure the event went smoothly and that its organizers were happy.

“Your participation was extremely important for the success of the forum,” wrote the members of the American Middle East Economic Affairs Committee.

Birthing this creature can be hectic, Watson said.

Then it’s over. Hopefully, the only screaming is from the planner praising Watson and her staff.

“Joyce, your participation as part of the HP team to get the job done was awesome,” wrote Carole York of Hewlett-Packard, which hosted the HP Tech Forum. “The convention center staff was proactive and provided immediate support. Due to the high volume of hardware/network requirements for our event, we have a high standard for the execution.

“You and your staff met those requirements, then impressed us by going beyond them.”

“Joyce Watson and her team executed professionally and efficiently and insured the program’s success,” Michael McClernon, vice president of Maritz Inc. wrote about the HP Forum. “She has a big job and always does it with a smile.”

Watson knows her success isn’t an individual effort.

“I wouldn’t look good without my team,” she said. “Everything that I build is about teamwork. The employees are the bread and butter. They’re the reason the client walks away happy.”

The impression their little bundle of joy leaves is significant for another reason. Each event held at the GRB means more money for the city.

“We’re not content to sell an event once,” she said. “We want them to consider coming back. We want them to go out and talk about Houston.”

“Joyce Watson is a great saleswoman for the city of Houston,” said Mayor Bill White. “With her knowledge and people skills, she takes the burden off others. That not only makes it easier for her staff, but also allows those who organize the events to breathe easier and have more pride in what they’ve accomplished.”