Connections Housing Demonstrating Southern Hospitality for 30 Years
November 25, 2016
In 1986, Madonna broke through the male-dominated music scene, Oprah Winfrey debuted her TV show, and Nancy Hallberg and Kris Sieradski launched Connections Housing in Atlanta.
The two women met after both moved to Atlanta to work in hotel sales (Hallberg from Kansas, Sieradski from Michigan). Hallberg likes to say that “Connections was born in a closet.”
In reality, they rented a small space near the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown Atlanta. It was just the two of them working in the business, other than Hallberg’s father who came in to answer the phone.
Back in those days, hotels kept reservations on note cards. Contracts were mailed out for signatures, and meeting space was recorded in physical diaries. Hallberg remembers the excitement of getting the first fax
machine for the office.
Early clients included Joe Corley’s Battle of Atlanta (who remains a client today) and the Atlanta Braves. Then in 1996, Connections was hired to get housing for all government agencies at the Summer Olympics,
including the Secret Service.
On the day everyone arrived, Hallberg learned the hotel wasn’t ready, so she rushed over to make beds, hang shower curtains, get towels, and whatever else it took to get her clients settled. The Secret Service was so impressed, they introduced her to President Clinton.
Today, many of the hotel contacts Connections worked with in the beginning are now running the hotels and various departments.
Hallberg and Sieradski credit much of their success to the fact that they are client-focused and make clients feel like family. In return, they have a retention rate of 98 percent.
Connections now works 250 events each year, ranging from 10 to over 100,000 attendees. They are known for their skilled contract negotiations and round-the-clock service. Two clients they’re most proud to serve as official housing partner are IMTS and Varsity Spirit. In September, IMTS hosted over 115,000 attendees in Chicago. Varsity Spirit hosts high-energy events with televised competitions like the NCA Nationals and Cheersport.
Services provided range from site selection, contract negotiation, and room block management to onsite services like overseeing arrivals and assisting with any housing concerns. They also work with meeting planners to drive reservations within the room block and conduct post-event audits to reduce attrition risk.
Both the office and employee roster have expanded to keep up with client growth. From that original small office of two, they moved to Decatur with a staff of 10 and four receptionists. Today their office in Suwanee (about an hour north of Atlanta) is home to about 100 employees with 25 receptionists. There are also offices in Las Vegas and Washington, D.C.
Brad Weaber, who joined the company in 2014 as Chief Innovation Officer and now serves as Chief Operations Officer, said, “I’ve been in the meetings and hospitality industry for over 30 years and until I joined Connections I had never reported to a woman. Knowing Nancy and Kris, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Sieradski credits the company’s longevity to truly caring about clients and taking pride in doing the job right. She said she loves hearing clients say, “I had no idea it could be this good. Thank you.”
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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