Nathan Tollett

| The Extra Miler |
Nathan Tollett
Director of Sales, Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Houston, Texas
Age: 31

It would be fun to be with Nathan Tollett on Halloween; he’s definitely not afraid of costumes. He dressed up in a DHL courier uniform to meet one of the company’s executives at the airport for a site visit and rode a cow around the George R. Brown Convention Center dressed as a deli manager in an effort to get group business. That’s Tollett’s approach—to go a little above and beyond—to attract conventions to Houston. And it’s paid off: He’s roped in high-profile groups including the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association and Microsoft. He’ll put on a costume to win the hearts of prospective groups, but the reason he’s successful probably has more to do with his overall job strategy. “It’s pretty simple: Ask questions, be a good listener, be creative and think outside the box,” Tollett says. “It’s not what we have, it’s what the customer needs… [and we try] to position their needs and requirements with our infrastructure and resources. There are a lot of great cities in this country, a lot of great hotels, restaurants and convention centers, but it’s the people that really make the difference.” When not working hard to lure groups to town, Tollett enjoys connecting with his industry by staying active with PCMA and serving as a board member for the HSMAI.  —L. Plummer

What’s your advice for someone just starting out in the industry?
“As social media continues to transform our world, it’s important to remember our business still operates as a relationship-based industry and to value the face-to-face interactions with your customers and colleagues. That said, embrace the opportunity for change and developing new techniques for continued success.”