Casandra Matej, Executive Director, San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau (SACVB), received the Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA)’s Executive Excellence Award at their recent national meeting. The award recognizes an executive for his or her commitment and dedication to the industry and to supporting members of their services team with continuing education, excellence, as well as involvement in ESPA.

Matej was nominated by SACVB Director of Services Brenda Square.  “From the very beginning, Casandra really ‘walked the walk’ in terms of being dedicated to the services function at our bureau. She participated in our first National Celebrate Service Day in August, reached out to hotel general managers encouraging them to send their service staff to the event, and initiated awarding ESPA membership and even a scholarship for an attendee to become a Certified Meeting Planner,” said Square. 

“I am humbled by this award,” said Matej, “but the honor really goes to our city’s great convention services managers, event coordinators and catering managers, and all those who service our clients. Their work has a direct impact on how meeting planners view our destination and if we can get them to do business with us. When Convention Service Managers’s work diligently to meet our clients’ needs and ensure that the meetings, conventions, and events we’re hosting are successful, we all reap the benefits.”