About
Us
SMC was founded in 1982 to
offer comprehensive meeting, conference, trade show and planning services to associations, non-profits, foundations,
corporations and government agencies. Since its inception, the
company has planned hundreds of successful events, many with
clients that have used our services for years. A pioneer in
business-to-business services, SMC specializes in stepping in at
the client’s request, working under their specifications to
plan and produce a stellar event, and providing the back-up,
statistics, analysis and follow-through for reports, records and
evaluation. SMC provides the team of professionals with the
experience and wisdom to guarantee your satisfaction.
Woman-owned, the top management works together with each client
to offer all of the services – but only the services – needed
to get the job done!
Our
team.
Toni
S. Sylvester, CMP
Toni S. Sylvester, CMP has been President and Chief Executive
Officer of Sylvester Management Corp. since it was founded in
1982. She received a BA degree from Stetson University and an MA
degree from the University of Maine. She received the
designation of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in 1987 from
the Convention Liaison Council and was re-certified in 1992. She
served as Executive Director of the Mobile Modular Office
Association from 1982 until 1989, and received the
organization’s Outstanding Achievement Award upon her
resignation. Toni is a member of Meeting Planners International,
has served on regional, national and international boards,
served on and chaired numerous national committees, was a
founder of the Carolinas chapter of MPI, and was awarded her
chapter’s Meeting Planner of the Year in 1987. She is also a
founding member and Secretary/Treasurer of the Alliance of
Meeting Management Companies.
Ted Hamre
Ted Hamre is a graduate of William and Mary and has done
graduate work at the University of South Carolina. Formerly
owner of a leasing company for 20 years, he has served as
President of two national trade associations. Since 1991, he has
been with SMC as Vice President of Marketing.
Ted is a member of the South Carolina Society of Association
Executives, and serves on their technology special interest
group and meeting planning special interest group. He is also a
member of the Society of Government Meeting Planners and one of
the founders of the Columbia Meeting Planners Network.
Lauren Sponseller
Lauren manages the
registration process for all conferences, communicates with
members, exhibitors and attendees, assists with accounting
functions and assists with on-site management. Prior to joining Sylvester Management,
Lauren was the administrative assistant for the South Carolina
Petroleum Marketers Association where she gained experience in
accounting, budgeting, producing newsletters, raising
sponsorships, communicating with members and scheduling meetings
for the Executive Director. She also assisted the
association meeting planner with conferences and meetings and
accepted the position with Sylvester Management in order to
pursue a career in meeting planning. Earlier positions
gave her experience in customer service, tradeshows and
incentive programs.
Katherine Pettit
Katherine Pettit has a BA in English from Winthrop
University, an MA in Literature and Creative Writing from the
University of South Carolina, and has done extensive graduate
studies toward an MA in Mass Communications. She has worked with
trade shows since 1974. Her expertise includes: creation and
development of marketing strategies and promotional campaigns
for meeting and trade show events; development of brochures,
direct mail programs, promotions, sponsorship programs,
development of press releases, articles, radio and television
coverage for international trade shows. Katherine has
developed Business-to-Business strategies for major trade shows
such as the Bobbin Show in Atlanta and Istanbul, Turkey; the
Apparel Show of the Americas in Miami, Automated Manufacturing
Expo in Greenville, Boston and Birmingham, and others. For 22
years, she developed, wrote and supervised all marketing
materials for the Bobbin Show, now rated 17th largest trade show
in the US, and largest annual show in the world for the apparel
industry. She has been an associate with SMC for three years as
media consultant.
Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas has worked with data processing equipment
since 1967. Formerly employed by IBM for 12 years, he also
worked with Control Data as well as Assured Services, Inc. For
the past five years, he has been owner/operator of G. A. Douglas
Co., a computer service/sales business, and has provided
consulting services to Sylvester Management for nearly 15 years.
His experience includes site surveys, audio and video set-up,
follow-up training, conference and exhibition computer
management and services. His computer background includes
mainframe systems, medium, mini, and micro-computer systems,
networks, internet systems, and various others communications
systems.
Additional trained administrative and clerical staff provides
experienced and knowledgeable support services as required.
Associates include major printing and publishing companies,
travel agencies, and accounting firms.
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