womenIN BUSINESS special advertising section
KATHLEEN McCASLAND
Kathleen McCasland owns Your Conference Connection (YCC), a
boutique conference and association management company
that provides support for professional meetings all around the
world. This includes financial management, site selection and contract
negotiation, pre- and onsite registration, speaker coordination, exhibit
and sponsor marketing, food and beverage planning, onsite logistics,
social marketing and web development.
This year, YCC will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
In her industry, the most important values are flexibility, an open
mind, and the courage to take risks.
“When I first started, there were no websites or online registrations.
Everything was done by snail mail,” McCasland says. “I quickly realized
that I had to stay current with technology if I wanted to stay in the busi-ness
and grow.”
YCC now creates, designs and maintains in-house database-driven
websites, has embraced social networking, and runs webinars and live
streaming at its conferences. McCasland believes that her employees are
her most important assets.
“Hire and mentor staff carefully,” she says. “I would not be celebrating
YCC’s 20th anniversary if it were not for the extremely smart, talented,
hardworking and dedicated YCC team.”
McCasland attributes living and conducting business in Wilmington
as a contribution to the success of YCC.
“The Wilmington area attracts an incredible pool of talented people,”
she says. “Additionally, the lifestyle enhances creativity and productivity.
I never have to look outside the area for additional services. I make it a
practice to use all local service providers such as printers, logoed items,
banks ... I believe strongly that a business should bring money back into
its community.”
She also appreciates the people she works with.
“This business requires input from experts in the field, whether it
is hotel managers, technical professionals, volunteers or members
of the YCC team. I have learned important lessons from all of them,”
McCasland says.
The seed for Ziabird was planted when Lynn Manock was
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH GALECKE
studying accessory design at the London College of Fashion.
“I was surrounded by innovative ideas from independent
designers. Plus, I have retail in my blood. So I started picturing a
beautiful little boutique where women could find interesting pieces
and true originality.”
Once Lynn moved to Wilmington, she began working as a cos-tumer
for film and theater, dressing such clients as Diane Lane and
Linda Lavin. Yet the idea for a boutique continued to be her dream.
“I was drawn to Lumina Station for its independent spirit and found
myself returning again and again to see what was happening there.”
She finally inquired about the front corner location, and soon
after, she opened Ziabird.
Today, Ziabird is a mecca for independent design, and a flour-ishing
environment for original jewelry and clothes. “We curate a
strong collection here,” Manock says. From figure-flattering, rouched
cocktail dresses that make every woman look great to 15-carat,
emerald-cut, blue topaz earrings, Ziabird shows the discriminating
shopper pieces rarely seen before.
Ziabird’s philosophy is to dress clients as individuals and to culti-vate
originality. Manock says that everyone who works there knows
how to dress a woman or to help a client find a truly special gift.
“Wilmington has proven itself to be a very supportive environment
for the store,” she says. “It was a great decision to set up shop here.”
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WBM october 2012
Your Conference Connection (YCC)
2520 Independence Blvd., Suite 201
(910) 452-0006
www.teamycc.com
LYNN MANOCK
Ziabird
Lumina Station
1900 Eastwood Road, Suite 9
(910) 208-9650
www.ziabird.com