In April, I had the opportunity to serve as the event coordinator for the 65th Annual Convention of the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors (LSPS), held at the beautiful Golden Nugget in Lake Charles from April 15–17, 2026.
Over the course of three days, nearly 400 land surveyors, exhibitors, speakers, and guests from across Louisiana gathered for continuing education, networking, industry meetings, and social events. And while attendees experienced a convention that felt smooth, organized, and welcoming, here’s the thing most people never really see: that kind of flow takes a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination.
My days usually started before sunrise checking ballroom setups, making sure coffee service was ready before sessions began, helping exhibitors unload, troubleshooting microphones, checking signage, and making sure each room was prepared before attendees started arriving.
And honestly, those quiet little details are what shape the overall experience of an event.
If registration feels easy, sessions start on time, exhibitors know where to go, speakers feel supported, and attendees never have to wonder where they’re supposed to be next, the event naturally feels more professional and enjoyable for everyone involved.
That’s always the goal.
The Behind-the-Scenes Work Most Attendees Never Notice
For this year’s convention, I worked closely with LSPS leadership and Executive Administrator Liz Kearney throughout both the planning process and onsite execution.
My role included:
- coordinating attendee emails and event communication
- managing registration materials and name badges
- working with Golden Nugget staff on catering and room logistics
- assisting exhibitors during move-in and setup
- overseeing ballroom setup and sound checks
- supporting speakers throughout educational sessions
- helping manage golf tournament logistics
- coordinating food service timing
- troubleshooting issues throughout the convention
- making sure signage, branding, and presentation elements stayed in place throughout the event
Okay but here’s the part no one talks about enough with conventions and continuing education events: there are always a few last-minute pivots.
A microphone suddenly stops cooperating. A room setup changes. A delivery is running behind. A transition takes longer than expected.
The ability to adjust quickly without making attendees feel the stress of it is a huge part of professional event coordination.
And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of working as a professional event coordinator in Louisiana.
I genuinely love being the person making sure things stay calm and organized behind the scenes so leadership teams can focus on their members, speakers can focus on presenting, and attendees can simply enjoy the event.
Supporting Organizations So They Can Focus on Their Members
One thing I’ve learned coordinating professional events is that association leadership teams already carry so much responsibility before a convention even begins.
There are speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, continuing education requirements, attendee communication, registration details, food and beverage coordination, room assignments, signage, and about a hundred other moving parts happening all at once.
Having dedicated coordination support allows leadership teams to spend less time troubleshooting logistics in hallways and more time actually connecting with attendees and members.
Liz shared after the event: “Hanna is amazing! Her attention to detail made everything run smoothly. I’ve run this convention with and without Hanna. The event ran a lot more smoothly having her on my team. Thank you, Hanna!”
LSPS President Shawn MacMenamin also shared: “I would like to thank everyone who made it run so smoothly. Mrs. Liz Kearney and Mrs. Hanna Broom worked tirelessly to ensure everything went off without a hitch.”
Those kinds of comments mean a lot to me because my goal is always to make events feel easier for the people leading them.
Why Coordination Matters for Professional Events
Continuing education conferences and professional conventions have so many moving pieces packed into a short amount of time.
Attendees are balancing educational sessions, networking, meetings, exhibitor visits, meals, travel schedules, and social events over the course of several days. The logistics behind the scenes directly shape how the event feels for everyone attending.
When communication is clear, transitions are smooth, and everything feels organized, attendees are able to focus on what they actually came for: learning, connecting, and enjoying the experience.
That’s the part of event coordination I love most.
Creating structure behind the scenes so the people attending the event can simply be present and enjoy it.
And honestly, there’s something really rewarding about watching hundreds of attendees move through a multi-day convention smoothly while knowing how many moving parts were quietly working in the background to make it happen.
Looking Ahead
It was such an honor to support the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors again this year and be part of such a longstanding event for professionals across the state.
Professional conventions, conferences, and continuing education events require strong communication, flexibility, organization, and a team that can adapt quickly when needed. I’m incredibly grateful to have played a role in helping make this year’s convention a success.
If your organization is planning an upcoming conference, convention, or continuing education event and is looking for coordination support, you can learn more about my services or reach out (hanna@gatheringsbyhb.com).
