A Day in the Life: Convene's Executive Team Shadows Venue Team Members

In a recent “Flip Day” initiative, our executive leadership team stepped into the shoes of our venue operations colleagues, spending a full day shadowing the teams at various Convene locations in New York City. Each member of our executive team was assigned to a different venue, immersing themselves in the event and meeting preparation that our on-site teams manage daily. It was an opportunity for our leaders to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities our property teams face every day. It highlighted the immense skill, dedication, and passion that go into every task, from organizing a bespoke conference with a client to setting up a 150-person meeting. Our executives walked away with a greater understanding and respect for the hard work and professionalism that are the bedrock of our company's success.

Read on to find out the highlights and how our on-site operations team felt having Convene leadership step into their roles for the day.

CEO and Co-Founder demonstrates how to hustle

Convene CEO and Co-Founder Ryan Simonetti spent the day with the venue team at Convene 117 West 46th Street, including setting up a room and prepping meals with the executive chef.

CEO and Co-Founder Ryan Simonetti worked directly with the dedicated operations team at Convene 117 West 46th Street, reinforcing the company’s ethos of “1% better every day” professional growth. The day kicked off with some icebreakers, during which Simonetti spoke with pride about the growth of our company, his words filled with genuine joy and gratitude. Then, it was time to get to work, moving tables, chairs, and airwalls to divide the Forum for a 150-person conference.

Service Technician Alejandro Miyakawa reports that Simonetti proved to be a quick learner—transitioning seamlessly from powering down tables to heading to storage to bring up chairs, always ready to jump in and lend a hand. The CEO joked that all the preparation brought him back to the early days of Convene, and he obviously enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about each individual from the venue team. Simonetti then took the time to sit down with our event planning team, focusing on upcoming events and next steps to bring client requests to life, and meeting with the AV team, diving deep into each department’s work and brainstorming fresh ideas for improvement. He joined Miyakawa in a crash course on setting the buffet to ensure flow, safety, and proper labels for dietary restrictions. Simonetti then swapped out for an apron and chef’s hat, joining Executive Chef Patricia Arias and Line Cook Alexander Chin in the kitchen to showcase his culinary skills. The team ended Flip Day by enjoying the meal prepared by Simonetti and the culinary team.

“From the moment he walked through our doors, Ryan radiated excitement and curiosity, eager to experience and understand every aspect of what we do here at [Convene] 117 [W 46th Street],” said Miyakawa. In part jest, he added, “Ryan reminded us of the young dreamer who once set out to build something of his own.”

SVP of Sales connects expertise to day-to-day operations

Convene Service Manager Carlos Saldana Rivera mentored Convene SVP of Sales for a "Flip Day," curating snacks, setting up tables for an event, and preparing the buffet.

SVP of Sales Phoenix Porcelli spent the day with Carlos Saldana Rivera, service manager at Convene 237 Park in New York City, learning the intricate dance of preparing and presenting our signature chef-led cuisine. The day began with the creation of healthy Nourish snack trays, with a focus on upholding quality standards and managing inventory within budget. Following this, she assisted in setting up a standard breakfast buffet and prepared the event space, including powering tables, in anticipation of an upcoming event.

During the room setup, Saldana Rivera discussed the responsibilities of a service manager, from arranging seating for an event to managing buffet service. Porcelli imparted her wisdom about sales techniques, building client relationships, and more. The day concluded with a weekly Convene 237 Park team call, which included Phoenix’s guest appearance, and the creation of the service team's schedule for the following week.

“Her knowledge, passion, and energy were infectious,” Saldana Rivera. “I was able to learn so much about how the world of sales works and how it connects with how my service and operations world runs. I can't wait to implement everything we spoke about and continue to be 1% better.”

Chief People Officer gains a crash course in Convene technology

Convene Chief People Officer Margaret Rafferty learned about technology offerings at Convene 30 Hudson Yards with AV supervisor Andrew Lowrey.

Chief People Officer Margaret Rafferty worked alongside Andy Lowrey, AV supervisor at Convene 30 Hudson Yards, gaining a firsthand appreciation for the meticulous planning and seamless execution required for every event. Lowery gave Rafferty a behind-the-scenes look at their daily workflow: running lights, checking mics, and ensuring every room was ready for an event. As the portfolio’s newest property, Lowery and the AV team came together to run tests, as well as walk her through how to prepare the venue and ensure client needs are met on the day of an event.

Flip Day served as a practice run for the Convene 30 Hudson Yards AV team, particularly because Rafferty is new to the AV field. Our objective is to consistently guarantee clients a seamless experience, which is made possible by our on-site technology specialists. Lowery, who is stepping into a leadership role at the new property, said it was a meaningful experience to see Rafferty be curious, engaged, and genuinely interested in how the technology supports the guest experience. In turn, he took time to listen to Rafferty’s perspective and receive her thoughtful advice.

“I’m really grateful to Convene for making space for experiences like this,” said Lowrey. “Flip Day reminded me how powerful it can be when different parts of the business connect and learn from one another.”  

Flip Day provides valuable opportunities for professional growth

The goal of this initiative was not just to observe, but to participate and connect. This inaugural event is more than just a shadowing program; it is a core part of our company culture. It reinforces the idea that we are one team, working towards a common goal. It breaks down barriers and builds stronger bonds between our corporate and on-site teams. Most importantly, it sends a clear message: that we see, appreciate, and value the contributions of every single person who wears the Convene badge. The skills and dedication of our venue operations team members are what truly set us apart, and this initiative serves as a powerful reminder of that truth.

This P&C (People & Culture) initiative, which we are proud to announce will be an annual tradition, was a powerful demonstration of our commitment to every member of Team Convene and a testament to the value of every role.

At Convene, our mission is to provide exceptional experiences for our clients and their guests. We believe that the heart of this mission lies with our on-site teams—the culinary staff, event professionals, and hospitality experts who work tirelessly to bring our venues to life. The insights gained from this day will help us continue to innovate, improve, and support our teams in new and meaningful ways. It is a win-win for everyone involved—our executives gain invaluable perspective, our on-site teams feel seen and celebrated, and our clients continue to benefit from the passionate, unified team that makes Convene a leader in the industry.