InterNations Global Awards: Ambassador Winners

Ambassadors plan each event from start to finish: Selecting a venue and picking a date is only part of the role. Our volunteers often spend their free evenings designing innovative event themes and providing personal touches for each event.

They often must negotiate with popular venues in town to provide an enjoyable space for hosting, while also ensuring that the venue is satisfied with the arrangement and understands the InterNations mission. And while you’re enjoying the view, the venue, and the good company, Ambassadors are working behind the scenes to make sure each event goes off without a hitch. You can find them welcoming and checking in members, coordinating with bar staff, photographers, and DJs, and making sure ‘nobody stands alone’ on the night of the event.

Our vibrant offline life is made possible by our dedicated Ambassador Teams. The 2nd Annual InterNations Global Awards honors our Ambassadors worldwide for their outstanding achievements in event planning and implementation in their respective communities.

Now, we can finally announce the winners of each category.

2018’s Global Awards Ambassador Categories

• Best Venues
• Innovation Awards
• Best Host
• Members’ Choice Award
• Teamwork Circle of Excellence
• Newcomers’ Ambassador of the Year
• Breakout Ambassador
• Communication Awards
• Looking Ahead Honors
• Community of One

 

About the Awards: InterNations HQ in Munich selected the top candidates from over 1,100 Ambassadors who hosted events throughout 2018. We narrowed the field to five nominees per category before the Global Awards jury deliberated in order to determine the winner and the honorable mention for each category. Click on the links above to read an interview with the winners of each category. For an overview of our equally impressive Consuls, we’ll soon reveal our list of 2018 Consuls in a separate article.

Congratulations to the 2018 winners and honorable mentions, as well as to all of our hard-working Ambassadors who bring the InterNations experience to life!

 

2018 Winners:

Philipp von Zitzewitz, Warmund von Massenbach, Nina Rezec, and Sophie Parneix in Dubai 

2018 Honorable Mention:

Guilherme Figueredo, Saurabh Shah, and Liliana Lucila in Brasilia

 

When determining 2018’s choice for Best Venues, the Global Awards jury reviewed places in many cities and looked for trends in both quality and location. The nominees we chose certainly seem to have a knack for sourcing the top venues, challenging themselves to negotiate deals in 4- and 5-star locations, as well as exclusive boutique venues, that are already quite popular and thus can be extremely difficult to reserve. We found that our nominees are great negotiators: they manage to consistently book elegant and exclusive locations, despite the challenges in locking down prestigious venues around the city.

Why They Won

This year’s winning team comes from Dubai, and one of our jury members tells us why they won:

“Philipp and Warmund have pulled out all the stops to organize an amazing event at the Queen Elizabeth for the 11th birthday of InterNations. Not only does that show their excellent negotiation skills but also a great deal of organizational skills. It takes quite some experience and confidence to host an event for more than 600 guests!”

Nina and Sophie have been equally successful in finding the most high-class venues for our members in Dubai but they don’t just stop there! They’re also constantly checking out new places and opportunities to offer an exciting variety of locations for everyone.

Besides organizing four monthly events at amazing venues together, they are also just overall great Ambassadors and we’re lucky to know one of our biggest communities is in such good hands!

Last but not least we would also like to highlight the great job our Newcomers’ Ambassadors in Dubai, Dalia Gamali and Waleed Al-Taleb, are doing! They are dedicated to providing our newest members in Dubai with a personalized welcome to the community each month, and we are so pleased to have them represent this special event format in Dubai.

Interview with the Winners

How do you negotiate the best deals for your members at these incredible venues?

Warmund and Philipp: In this part of the world it is all about trust. Building a solid relationship with the venues. Stressing the mutual benefits for the venue and the InterNations community, we look for a strategic and sustainable partnership.

Nina and Sophie: We work hard to source good venues and to mix different locations and types of outlets for our InterNations members in Dubai. It does require good negotiation and communication skills. As the Dubai team, we try to organize events in different parts of Dubai so that we can reach all of our members. Additionally, we try to have a good mix of bars, clubs, restaurants, and terraces as tastes and likes are different. 

What is important to look for when choosing your locations?

Nina and Sophie: There are several factors to take into consideration, such as the size of the community. The Dubai Community is one of the largest communities, so the main factor is the capacity of the venue as we do not want to limit the guest lists and give every member the opportunity to join us. Secondly, variety in terms of outlets, depending on weather conditions: hot summers and rain season indoors, colder weather outdoors. We usually look for different types, such as restaurants, clubs, lounges, terraces, etc., to offer something for everyone. Members have different preference: some like a clubbing environment, the others a quieter terrace setting. Thirdly, we try to change or add new venues to our network constantly. Dubai is a fast-moving city, venues close, new ones open, and people who were our points of contact leave.

Warmund and Philipp: Depending on the climate, the venue should provide indoor and/or outdoor space. The minimum capacity for InterNations Dubai is at least 150 + people. We always look for an exclusive venue which makes it easier for the members to mingle. The venue should be unique! The staff should be professional, friendly, and they should understand the global concept of InterNations. The venue should provide the opportunity to set up an InterNations welcome desk, and, of course, complimentary valet parking is a MUST in Dubai. Depending on the budget, we always try to provide a welcome drink, finger food and the chance to win a prize! We are always looking for new venues as we want the members to discover Dubai with InterNations!

Can you give us an example of a “highlight event” or an event you were really proud of during your time as Ambassadors?

Warmund and Philipp: The event on the famous QE2 — in combination with InterNations’ birthday — was for sure a highlight in our history with InterNations. More than 600 members showed up, dressed up to reflect the nostalgia, glamour, and exclusivity of the occasion. Furthermore, we are very proud of our long-term partnership with the most luxurious night club in the Middle East, Cavalli Dubai. Our event at Niki Beach Dubai with a great live performance was another highlight with the turn-out being more than 500 members.

Nina and Sophie: Within the Dubai Community, we believe all our events are highlights, as we have organized events for 200+ actual attendees each week for many years, besides our full-time jobs. We are always very pleased and happy if members have a good time, no matter which setting. We try to please everyone, but of course, it is not always easy with such a big number of attendees.

 

Congratulations to Warmund, Philipp, Nina, and Sophie, 2018’s winner for the Best Venues.

We would also like to recognize Guilherme Figueredo, Liliana
Lucila, and Saurabh Shah in Brasilia as our honorable mention, for impressing all of us with incredible negotiation skills and an eye for picking the top venues in your community!

 

About the Winners:

Philipp von Zitzewitz is German with a passion for foreign countries and languages. He has lived and worked in Dubai since 2006 as the managing partner in a trade promotion consultancy. He enjoys creating networks and bridging businesses and people. Feeling at home in Dubai, he is always ready to explore exciting new venues and activities in this ever bustling and changing Emirate. He started off his Ambassador journey at InterNations Dubai in 2008 and has been a part of countless official events since. If you don’t find him in his office or at the Dubai events, he is probably down by the beach in Jumeirah or swimming somewhere in the nearby seas.

Warmund von Massenbach carried the spirit of global minds long before joining InterNations and becoming a Dubai Ambassador. Warmund loves travelling — he’s visited around 80 countries from Latin America to the Far East and after many years working in the travel industry, he’s more recently switched to the healthcare sector. The German national is a prolific networker and through InterNations he has further expanded his global network of personal and professional contacts and made many great friends along the way. Warmund’s networking skills have also enabled him, alongside Philipp, to secure some of the most prestigious and breathtaking venues for InterNations events. If you do catch him having a breather in between his work and event planning, there’s a very good chance that he’s thinking about Bali in Indonesia, one of his favourite places in the world.

Nina Rezec joined InterNations Dubai as an Ambassador in 2011. She was born and raised in Stuttgart, Germany. As a student she has lived and worked in several countries, like the US, The Netherlands, and the UAE. In 2007, she moved to Dubai to work in the finance field. Due to her passion for different cultures, Dubai is the perfect workplace for her. When she’s not organizing and hosting InterNations events, she loves exploring new countries and cultures by travelling extensively and meeting new people with different backgrounds.

Sophie Parneix is French and was born in Paris. She has lived in many countries in South East Asia, the United States and Europe. Her background is in Arts and she studied at the Beaux Arts Academy in Paris. She managed an Art Gallery in Europe and then added “Food Art” to her skills by becoming a French pastries chef. Sophie has been living in Dubai since 2006. She enjoys the dynamic and multicultural environment of the city, its outstanding architecture and the beautiful venues it offers. She particularly fancies the night life spirit of Dubai and is always willing to share captivating events with all the members of InterNations, which is why she became an Ambassador in 2015 and organizes two official events each month together with Nina.

 

 

2018 Winner:

Oliver Stahmann in Lima

2018 Honorable Mention:

Jean Miguel Darde and Jean-Étienne Fauroux in Abidjan

 

Innovation is a key element in keeping members active and engaged in their community. When you’re attending a masquerade ball one month and superhero theme party the next, it’s hard to resist showing up to see what’s in store! When making their selection, the Global Awards jury placed special consideration on Ambassadors who think “outside the box” when designing and implementing InterNations Events.

The strongest nominees for this award focused on unique locations around the city or organized theme events that always include an element of surprise for our members. We enjoyed following up on our most innovative events, such as a Night at the Museum in Cascais, a Caribbean Night in Abidjan, and a Stampede Night in Calgary dedicated to Western wear and cowboy-themed icebreaker games.

Why He Won

The winning team hails from Lima, and one of our jury members says it best:

“Oliver has been an Ambassador in Lima for many years and has helped the community grow to what it is today. This has a lot to do with the events he is organizing. Together with his Co-Ambassadors, Karen and Olivier, he has become more and more creative over the years. Only this year the team has organized so many innovative, diverse events in well-known venues, clubs, and newly opened bars and their continuous goal to offer our members the best experience has brought the community to the next level. And just a tip: if you ever look for a creative new icebreaker game — just get in touch with Oliver, he has developed so many over time and some of them can be found in our InterNations Game Book!”

Interview with the Winner

What is an example of one of your most innovative ideas or events?

Oliver: It has always been very important for me, Karen, and Olivier to do different events every week. But we never wanted to repeat something, so we’ve always been trying to create new things and new ideas to keep it entertaining and to attract different people. This year, we were suddenly approached by a famous music club in town that had an open spot on a Saturday night which they wanted to fill. They were thinking about a typical networking event or maybe just a simple get-together. But when I saw the stage and all the instruments and when I heard the great acoustics there, I thought it would be a waste not to do something related to music at this place. Immediately, a vision of an expat talent night popped up in my head. And the name for it was almost certain: it had to be the eXpat-Factor!

But the biggest challenge was that we only had ten days of time to organize it! And, of course, there was no budget! Still, we found six amazing musicians from all over the world that were willing to perform as well as a jury with some prominent people from the music business. The event became a big success, with American singer Chip Alexander winning. His price: A solo concert at the same location!

Other great events we did this year were for example a Madonna Birthday Party, a Wintertime Party with German Glühwein, a rum-tasting night with Cuban live music, lots of speed networking, a British music night, a 90s Videos Party, a Blind-tasting Wine & Cheese Event, and many others. Our annual Halloween events — where InterNations became AlienNations (2015), MonsterNations (2016), CreepNations (2017), and this year ZombieNations for just one night are also great fun.

Another innovative part of the events are the icebreakers — which I am constantly creating anew — to make it easier for people to meet each other and engage in interesting conversations. Sometimes they are small and simple, but sometimes we let our members work for them.

How do you overcome the challenges in searching for innovative event themes?

Oliver: I am a writer and an artist and, in general, all of my work has to do with creativity. It is not really a challenge, it is rather the aim to share my ideas with the rest of the community and to create entertaining, different, fun events with the great InterNations atmosphere and concept.

How do you manage to still have low entrance fees, but at the same time offer a lot of benefits at each event?

Oliver: Over the years, we have learned to make the most out of the small budget we are operating with. We always have to see what options a location offers us. For example, we cannot do a dance event if the location does not already have a sound system. We have to avoid costs, which is not always easy. But our events, and InterNations, itself have become a well-respected institution in Lima and that makes it much easier for us to organize things.

 

Congratulations to Oliver, 2018’s winner of the Innovation Awards.

We would also like to recognize our honorable mention, Jean Miguel Darde and Jean-Étienne Fauroux in Abidjan, for impressing all of us with your incredibly unique events and themes.

 

About the Winner:

Oliver Stahmann has been an Ambassador for InterNations since 2011. He is a German writer and photographer who has been living in Lima and Peru since the end of 2008. He is always looking for opportunities for photography exhibitions all over the world — no matter where in the world!

 

2018 Winner:

Patrick Watchi in Casablanca

2018 Honorable Mention:

 Zoya Knizhnikova in Moscow

 

The Ambassador role comes with many responsibilities — sourcing venues, negotiating deals, welcoming guests, keeping everyone comfortable — and at the core of it all is being a host. After all, a great host can be that one ingredient which turns a generic evening into something truly special.

A talented Ambassador is able to simultaneously welcome guests, keeping the energy up and the conversation flowing, while at the same time working behind the scenes to secure the more technical aspects of the evening. There’s handling the venue and staff, recognizing both new and old faces, checking members in using our Guest List Manager app, and, of course, getting to know members better. Is the music too loud? Are you on your own and need someone to introduce you? Your Ambassador is on it! A great host makes this all look flawless, and, as with event planning where anything can change on a moment’s notice, this is quite a challenge!

The Best Host category is always a difficult one, since our Ambassadors already are stars at being welcoming and effective at bringing large-scale events to life. When making the selection for this year’s best host, the Global Awards jury considered nominees who continually make an effort to be present and available to members at their events. They also take an active role in responding to member questions in person, online, and on the event walls. Furthermore, the electronic check-in process is smooth and well-organized with easy-to-find InterNations signs and name tags, no matter how many members show up.

Why He Won

One of 2018’s jury members was able to weigh in on the decision to offer Patrick Watchi of Casablanca the winning spot: “What’s striking about Patrick’s events is that everyone is having the time of their lives. Patrick is doing so much for the vibrant InterNations Casablanca Community as both an Ambassador and a Consul. He is continuously paying close attention to each member’s feedback and always makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves and meeting new people. He takes special care of the newcomers, too. He is a true embodiment of our motto ‘Nobody Stands Alone’!”

Interview with the Winner

Why do you think we chose you as 2018’s Best Host?

Patrick: First of all, I always listen and follow the advice of the Events Team. Nevertheless, sometimes I challenge them and try to defend my point of view, but at the end, it is always a constructive discussion and we reach a mutual agreement in the interest of both parties, the local members and InterNations. I love what I do and never perceive it as a task or duty. I love meeting new people and I like to continuously put people in contact. It’s a pleasure to see InterNations members enjoying the events we offer. In addition, I always take their negative comments after an event into consideration and make sure that whatever made them unhappy does not happen again the following time.

My objective is continuously seeing more newcomers and new Albatross Members at the events. It makes me feel like I have succeeded in pleasing more and more newcomers, because all members attending an event are the best. I also think that the group activities are a good booster to the monthly events. When Albatross Members are happy in a group activity they attend, they usually plan to meet again at the next monthly event.

You really embody the InterNations motto “Nobody Stands Alone”. Do you have any advice for other Ambassadors hoping to strengthen their presence at events?

Patrick: When I organize a new event, I am strict on a few basic points which are non-negotiable for the approval of the venue:

• It should offer a private corner or room with a private access for InterNations members.
• It should be possible to remove as many chairs and tables as possible. Preferably, the venue will offer the “Mange debout” kind of tables (standing table) and stools. I usually plan a ratio of 1/5 (1 chair/stool for 5 persons). That way, I make sure that no groups are created, and everybody has to naturally move around the room.
• I try to negotiate not for the cheaper price, but the best value for money, making sure that InterNations members and the venue manager both get their money’s worth.

 

In addition, I make sure to

• keep a big team of helpers at the welcome desk, each one with a specific task. Aside from controlling and cashiering tasks, we make sure that the following steps are covered: giving every guest a warm welcome, explaining what is included in the entrance fee, showing where the bars are, describing the social aim of the evening to new members, introducing new members to older ones.
• close the welcome desk after two hours and make a host tour to make sure all members are happy and enjoying the event. I listen carefully to each member’s remarks or complaints.
• take pictures to keep good memories of the event, and show other members who are not coming what they have missed.
• always take by couple or by group photos. If someone stands alone, I make sure to ask him or her to join for a group photo and continue a conversation afterward.
• give extra money to the waiters and venue staff as tips. I make sure the venue’s manager is happy and ready to welcome us again.

 

How has using the branded event materials and the Guest List Manager app helped you to create a memorable entrance at events?

Patrick: The Guest List Manager is very helpful and speeds up the welcoming process. The branded event materials help to shows precisely where we stand and who we are, and create the good feeling of belonging to a great family. Members are proud to be a part of it.

 

Congratulations to Patrick Watchi, 2018’s winner for Best Host.

We would also like to recognize our honorable mention in Moscow, Zoya Knizhnikova, for embodying the spirit of this role — being the best host for our members!

 

About the Winner:

Born in Lyon, France, Patrick Watchi has been living in Casablanca since 2007 and is a true global mind. His expat journey took him to the UK, Zambia, and Yemen — among many others. He has been the Ambassador of the Casablanca Community since July 2017 and organizes one official event per month. He is also very involved as Consul for the DinnerNations, Brunch, Sports, and Arts & Culture Groups.

 

2018 Winners:

Jitka McKee and Fernando Davila in Prague

2018 Honorable Mention:

Chris Drum Berkaya, Dina Street, and Susan Marechal in Bodrum

 

The Members’ Choice Award reflects the Ambassadors’ strong connection to our members and how they meet a wide variety of unique expectations and needs based on their particular community. In order to determine this year’s Members’ Choice, we listened to the members!

Research began with the InterNations feedback feature, where members can anonymously rate and provide comments after each event. After discovering the communities who receive consistently high feedback from members, we narrowed our search down to those communities who have positive public feedback throughout our platform.

We studied event photos for smiling faces and read about members who are outspokenly happy about their experience. We found communities that provide an excellent setup on event nights with their welcome desk and InterNations materials. We also learned about Ambassadors who take extra special care to recognize their members, sometimes hosting birthday or farewell parties, and making an effort to provide a genuine atmosphere of fun through engaging, diverse event themes and locations.

Why They Won

Our search led us to Prague, and one of our jury members describes their win best: “Jitka and Fernando impress us every month! They are not only well-organized and communicative; they also host events at diverse and interesting locations and offer members a wide variety of benefits. After each event, they receive rave reviews — satisfaction is at the top of their list and they really listen to and value the feedback from members in their community.”

Interview with the Winners

In your opinion, what do members seem to appreciate most about your team and your events?

Jitka and Fernando: They appreciate the fact that we usually get the exclusive use of very cool, centrally located venues with special drinks and food offers for our members. Some of the venues we use are also usually not open to the public. Our guests also like when we organize raffles.

How has using the feedback feature (where members rate events) helped you with designing and planning future events?

Jitka and Fernando: It is a great tool! Although not many people are using it, it’s certainly helpful to hear what our members liked and disliked, so we know how to adjust our future events. We just wish that some of the comments were more constructive, so we could actually work towards a goal.

What is some of the best feedback you’ve received from members?

Jitka and Fernando: We get all types of good feedback from members, from “great venue!” to “awesome party”, but our favorite is an email Jitka received from one our members and the Consul of three Groups, Ben Geddy.

 “Hey Jitka,

I know you are busy with all these events and your “real” life, but I just wanted to send you a quick thank you note. Thank you for such a lovely event! You have clearly put a lot of thought and effort into these events and the last two I attended, Napa & Cerna Labut are examples of top-quality mixers. Both were excellent venues. I usually talk to a lot of people during the course of the evening and I heard nothing but compliments about that rooftop event. So, congrats and thank you!”

 

Congratulations to our Prague Team for being 2018’s winners for the Members’ Choice Awards.

We would also like to recognize our honorable mentions in Bodrum, Chris Drum Berkaya, Dina Street, and Susan Marechal. The greatest compliment you can get is appreciative and happy members and your community is bursting with them!

 

About the Winners:

Jitka McKee, from Italy and Fernando Davila, from Peru, have been successfully hosting monthly official events in Prague since 2016.

Fernando moved to Prague in 2003, where he founded his own company. Through his company, Fernando has put together a long list of international clients, especially since he enjoys networking and meeting new people. He’s always happy to help others adapt and make connections due to his own experiences as an expat.

Jitka is half-Italian, half-Czech, married to an American and has resided in Prague since 2005, having spent three years in London in between. She’s a passionate networker, able to easily connect with people and create new friendships. InterNations has been a valuable platform for her not only to meet new people, but also to practice the seven languages she speaks!

 

2018 Winners:

Kaslong Nda, Zenab Mansoor, and Susan Theus in Boston

2018 Honorable Mention:

Hashim Zein, Doris Bourmel, and Esi Martins-Wallace in Lagos

 

The majority of InterNations official events are hosted by a team of Ambassadors, not just one individual. Some of our teams work together on all events, and others host events on a rotating schedule. In 2018, we searched our 420 communities for teams who are committed to collaboration — either organizing events as a single unit or very fluidly as individuals within the greater team.

The teams who were nominated work together to inspire one shared vision for their community and to support the InterNations mission. Top nominees were great at combining individual skills to strengthen their team. They make key decisions as a single unit, collaborate and brainstorm on new ideas, and make sure every voice on the team is heard.

The selection process was challenging! As being a team player is one of the top attributes we look for when recruiting Ambassadors to the role, naturally there were many incredible teams to consider. But being a team player and a leader is easier said than done, and in the end the Global Awards jury was able to narrow the field.

Why They Won

This year’s winner was the Boston Ambassador team, and one of our jury members explains why they earned this coveted spot: “The Boston Ambassadors have worked diligently on strengthening and growing their community throughout the years while dispersing tasks based on individual abilities. Through rising competition of venues, they have still managed to plan great parties with excellent attendance. Not only do they coordinate very well together, but they communicate promptly and clearly with HQ, and bring expertise when planning creative events and partnering with venues. Zenab and Kaslong, the most long-term Ambassadors, are amazing networkers who are well-known in the community due to their creativity and passion, while Susan brought a helpful new set of eyes and capabilities in 2017. I also want to recognize Diana who was a strong part of the team for many years as well.”

Interview with the Winner

What is your current team setup, and how do you collaborate each month?

Boston Team: We are a team of four with varying expertise in our professional and personal lives. Based on our experience, we complement each other by delegating different tasks based on strengths and ability. For instance, one Ambassador could have a better understanding/rapport with an established venue. Not that we don’t all do, but having one person handle our communications with a venue helps organizing our events so that it goes smoothly.

Do you have a piece of advice for our other teams who organize and host events together each month?

Boston Team: Yes, they should learn to lean on one another. Encourage collaboration and be open to other possibilities. Always try something new even if it appears out of the norm. If you don’t try, you will never know or gain the experience for the future.

In your opinion, what is the key ingredient for being a good team player?

Boston Team: Learning from each other and the community we serve helps us all to work well as a team. We are a diverse group with varying experience and understanding.

 

Congratulations to the Boston Team for being 2018’s Teamwork Circle of Excellence.

 We would also like to take the opportunity to recognize our honorable mention, Hashim Zein, Doris Bourmel, and Esi Martins-Wallace in Lagos. We applaud your collaborative spirit and look to you as shining examples of what it means to be a team!

 

About the Winners:

Kaslong Nda is from Nigeria and was raised in Den Haag, The Netherlands. He currently works as a report writer with a local university in the Boston area and has been an Ambassador since 2011. He loves to travel, learn about cultures, and make friends from around the world while also picking up new languages.

Zenab Mansoor was born and raised in Pakistan. After completing her degree in medicine, she decided to move to the US in 2008 for a master’s degree in public health at Harvard. Zenab has traveled extensively around the world, has been an Ambassador since 2013 and loves meeting new people.

Susan Theus is originally from Florida but has resided in Boston since the spring of 2008. She is the Corporate Controller for Boardwalk Property Group. She loves meeting new people from near and far and learning about different cultures and religions.

 

 

2018 Winner:

Shahab Sharfaei in Kuala Lumpur

2018 Honorable Mention:

Janani Jae and Gautam D. in Munich

 

InterNations Newcomers’ Events are a very special event format available in our largest communities which have a constant influx of new members. Newcomers’ Events are designed to provide our newest members with an opportunity to have a no-pressure glimpse into what being a member is all about before heading off to the larger official events and activities. This particular event often provides the first impression of the InterNations community. Therefore, we select individuals for this role who are particularly adept at welcoming new faces and have a strong understanding of their local city.

For this award, the Global Awards jury considered Newcomers’ Ambassadors who are confident in presenting the first impression of InterNations to new faces. Nominees for this role not only have an excellent understanding of the various InterNations services available to members in their city, but they also are local experts who enjoy introducing their city to newcomers and helping them to settle in.  

For this award, the jury considered Newcomers’ Ambassadors who go the extra mile with their events: top nominees incorporated an interactive event schedule, often with casual games and icebreakers to get the crowd talking. They also prepare a monthly speech with a well-rounded introduction to the InterNations concept and welcome Consuls to take the floor and share their own experiences.

Why He Won

This year’s winner was the Newcomers’ Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, and one of our jury members explains why:

 “Shahab became a Newcomers’ Ambassador in June 2016 and in two years, he has achieved incredible results. His events are always successful and with amazing reviews from our members. He is always open to test new tools and features and thanks to his great negotiation skills, he developed stable relationships with some venues, offering a great experience to all the new members and supporting them with concrete help and suggestions for their new life in the Malaysian capital. This definitely shows how passionate and committed he is to InterNations and we couldn’t be prouder to have him representing us in the Kuala Lumpur Community.”

Interview with the Winner

What motivated you to become a Newcomers’ Ambassador?

Shahab: I started as a Consul for one of the InterNations Groups and really enjoyed organizing events and meeting new people in the process. I have an affinity for meeting new people and learning something new from each one. I especially like meeting people who are new to the community, so when the opportunity presented itself to become a Newcomers’ Ambassador, I gladly took it.

What do you do at your events to make the newest members of the InterNations Kuala Lumpur Community feel welcome?

Shahab: First, I greet new members and welcome them to the InterNations Kuala Lumpur Community, then I introduce them to other members. I make sure that they are comfortable, and I encourage them to mingle with other guests, but without any pressure. For many members it may be the first time attending such an event and may therefore feel out of their comfort zone at first, so It is very important to make them feel welcome and a part of the InterNations family.

How do you make your monthly Newcomers’ welcome speech memorable?

Shahab: I give a short introductory speech at the beginning of my events and introduce myself and the community. I tell them about different groups and activities and I explain how to navigate the site. I also talk about the advantages of the Albatross Membership. I try to keep the speech brief and light-hearted so that everyone feels comfortable. Moreover, I extend an open invitation for anyone to ask me about specific groups and activities throughout the night and beyond, either on email, phone, etc.

 

Congratulations to Shahab for being 2018’s Newcomers’ Ambassador of the Year.

We would also like to take this opportunity to recognize our honorable mention in Munich, Newcomers’ Ambassadors Janani Jae and Gautam D. Thank you for providing InterNations’ newest members with the warmest welcome and the best first impression of your community!

 

About the Winner:

Originally from Iran, Shahab moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2015 to establish a branch office for his business in student recruitment. He is also currently doing his PhD in International Business. Shahab was first a Consul and became a Newcomers’ Ambassador in June 2016. Before moving to Kuala Lumpur, he lived in the United States and Dubai for a significant period of time. Shahab enjoys travelling, trying new things, and going out with new and old friends.

 

 

2018 Winner:

Michelle Taylor-Posey and Fabiana Oliveira in Verona

2018 Honorable Mention:

Gunsu van der Avoird in Breda

 

Each year, we welcome new faces all around the world to the Ambassador role in their respective communities. It often takes time for these new additions to settle into the role and to understand the rhythm of their unique community, which is why it becomes even more exciting to find an Ambassador who immediately shows great potential and initiative as a leader in his or her community. The Breakout Ambassador title is awarded for exactly this case.

To determine our list of nominees, we looked for Ambassadors who are newer to the role and started only in 2018. Nominees for this category excelled right from the start and already started making a difference in their community, despite being new on the scene.

2018 was a particularly exciting year for InterNations with the opening of 30 new communities. From Nanjing to Nashville, our newest communities started to come to life through the dedication of the Ambassadors and Consuls who stepped up to take the lead on development. Ambassadors of these brand-new communities were faced with a challenge, as they were learning their new role in tandem with starting an InterNations Community from scratch. Among the communities was Verona, which opened in May 2018.

Why They Won

The Verona team wasted no time getting started — Michelle Taylor-Posey and Fabiana Oliveira’s very first event had a record-breaking number of attendees for the 30 new communities, and they haven’t slowed down since. One jury member makes the case for the Verona team’s win:

“Michelle and Fabiana’s warm personalities, motivation, and enthusiasm shine in every event they organize. Taking the lead in a newly established community is a challenge and no easy task. However, the Verona Community has shown to thrive under Fabiana and Michelle’s care. Since taking the lead earlier this year, the community has flourished. Their dedication and motivation are an inspiration, and it is incredible to see what can be accomplished in such a short period of time. Their contributions have undoubtably made a difference in bringing expats and global minds together, fostering connections and helping everyone feel at home. They embody the InterNations spirit and truly make it a mission to bring everyone together and create unforgettable moments.”

What motivated you to apply for and take on the role of Ambassador this past year?

Verona Team: Both Michelle and Fabiana were “called” to apply for the Ambassador role when it opened in March 2018. Although both had had previous involvement with InterNations, their motivation to apply was slightly different.

Fabiana had recently moved to Verona with her husband and meeting people was her first intention. She had had experience with the InterNations Communities in Miami, Campinas (Brazil), and Milan so she knew the value of InterNations and of it being the best place to meet other expats with a similar worldview.

Similarly, Michelle knew the key to success within a new city was to meet other like-minded expats that could help her navigate the sometimes daunting task of cultural decoding. She too had recently moved to Verona, from the US, and making friends was paramount.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a Verona Community… yet. When it was announced that a Verona Community would be opening, and an Ambassador was needed, both Fabiana and Michelle jumped at the opportunity. Not only would it give them a chance to meet people, it would allow them the opportunity to plan the events and grow the community. Plus, both love event planning!

What do you think was the key to your success in your first year?

Fabiana: I love to connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures and I was eager to discover new places and new people in the city.

Michelle: Yes, I too really like meeting people from around the world. There’s something electric in talking to people with completely different backgrounds.

Fabiana: But the real reason we’re successful, I think, is because we complement each other with our different strengths and we work well together.

Michelle: Exactly! We listen to each other, bounce ideas off each other, are always on the look-out for the next venue, and both want to bring value to the community.

What has been a highlight so far?

Michelle: For me, it’s all about nurturing a community that supports the expat: bringing people together to make friends, find work, learn about the (new) city/country. And, I have a particular weakness for planning events — it’s just too much fun!

Fabiana: No secret here, I just love connecting people. It’s just something natural for me.

 

Congratulations to Michelle and Fabiana, 2018’s Breakout Ambassadors.

We would also like to recognize our honorable mention, Gunsu van der Avoird in Breda, Netherlands, for taking over the role and making a difference in her community right from the first moment!

 

About the Winners:

Fabiana Oliveira was born and raised in Campinas, Brazil. She truly enjoys traveling around the world and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds. She has visited 30 countries and lived in five countries, so far. Fabiana is open-minded and likes to discover new things, as well as meeting with people from different backgrounds and culture. She is also an outdoors lover and is passionate about exploration and travelling. She enjoys diving, skiing, playing tennis, volleyball, reading books, and, last but not least, good food and good wine. Fabiana has a master’s degree in business management and, working internationally, she has occupied positions in sales and supply chain for multinational companies. She found InterNations to be the best place to offer her the greatest chances to meet new people with the same mind set. It was her base when she moved to Miami, where she found many interesting friends who also supported her to settle in fast in the city, and now she wishes to do the same in Verona.

Originally from Los Angeles, and via Portland, Oregon, Michelle Taylor-Posey moved to Verona where she now lives. She has an M.A. in intercultural relations and through this field she was introduced to InterNations. Michelle loves travel and language; she’s curious about the history, dialects, and culture of wherever she is in the world. Michelle’s particular interest is supporting the international transferee by easing the transition in a new city. InterNations has been pivotal in her transition to Italy and she wants others to be successful settling into life in Verona as well. Bringing people together and making events fun are two hobbies she thoroughly enjoys. She has loved getting the Verona InterNations Community started!

 

 

2018 Winners:

Jon Fay and Claudio Marcel in Palm Beach

2018 Honorable Mention:

Antje Schulke in Bochum

 

InterNations Ambassadors are natural communicators — after all, they make events come to life through communication. They begin by negotiating great deals with venues, and in turn host excellent events which keep the community vibrant and engaged. For this category, the Global Awards jury looked beyond simply great negotiators for this award and considered teams who were stellar communicators in every respect.

Top nominees for this award had much in common. They maintained an active presence in their community and assist members on the platform through the event wall, messages, and in person. Nominees also were particularly adept at maintaining an online presence, both on and off our platform. Ambassadors and teams promoted InterNations on their own social media channels in a way that successfully re-routed interested people back to the platform, and some even secured interviews with various local media outlets.

Finally, the nominees had a great relationship with their managers at HQ. As InterNations HQ aims to continually improve the volunteer and member experience, we rely heavily on Ambassadors’ local expertise in the community to guide our understanding of the community. Nominees in this category were particularly helpful and open to implementing projects and tests designed to improve the community and provided HQ with excellent feedback and engaging critiques throughout the process.

Why They Won

One of 2018’s jury members makes the case for the Palm Beach Ambassadors’ win:

“The Palm Beach Team is incredibly communicative, timely, caring, and makes sure that they are always available to support and consider the requests of their members. For example, they make sure to answer wall posts, try to offer unique networking events, and truthfully work as a team to always make sure their events happen. Guests leave top reviews and nice comments about how caring the Ambassadors are and, as a community manager, it’s always pleasant to receive updates from Jon who really puts his heart and soul into the role. Ambassadors like Jon and Claudio make me more motivated as a community manager to find solutions for communities as they very often implement our advice from HQ. I am always happy to give feedback and look forward to what they offer in the new year. Members of this team gave several interviews to the media and are always happy to give feedback and reach out to help neighboring communities and fellow Ambassadors.”

Interview with the Winners

In your opinion, what specific communication skills have helped you in your role as Ambassador for the Palm Beach, USA Community?

John: Myself and Claudio attribute our communication skills to our widely diversified international backgrounds, starting with being born in Singapore and Croatia respectively, taking opportunities to travel to and live/work in over 60 countries around the world, and having the support of our Puerto Rican wives. Wherever we were, we happily accepted the challenges of management roles in our workplaces, connecting through professional and social groups, and making friends in these countries, many of which required communicating in different languages. From all these international experiences, as well as our individual personal traits, we innately enjoy meeting people and sharing experiences, which has been, and always will be important in our lives, especially in our roles as the InterNations Palm Beach Ambassadors.  

We feel it is so important to warmly welcome all “old” members/friends, as well as newcomers, to every event, making sure that they are introduced to and connected with like-minded members —we can often relate to members’ origination countries as we have actually been there! This way everyone gets to know us and we get to know them.

Myself and Claudio want to especially mention our wonderful events “Welcome Team”, Daisy and Carmen (our wives), as well as Beverlee, Janie, and Joyce, with their partners, Bill and Bud, all of whom support us so amazingly and bring their own international experiences.

How do you maintain an online presence both on and off the InterNations platform?

John: At all our events we chat with “old” members and friends, and more importantly “first timers”, establishing and developing personal contacts, making sure that members are comfortable in contacting us to ask about almost anything from sharing rides to events, recommendations for places to drink/eat and meet other folks, and interesting things to do in the area. These contacts have resulted in extra-InterNations circles of friends. Additionally, we also established great connections with the British American, Irish American, and Swedish American Chambers of Commerce in the area, and have held several successful shared events, which have resulted in new members both for InterNations and the various Chambers of Commerce.

We make a point of responding to all messages and inquires sent to us via the InterNations website, which our members really appreciate.

You really excel at offering unique events for your community. Do you have any tips for other communities looking to improve in this area?

John: We are fortunate in having a wide variety of possible venues in the area and have established a core of several venues that members really like. Of course, we are always looking for new places, some of which are referred to us by members. We have found that choosing venues that can be “googled” or otherwise researched by members, attracts more returning and new members. Events with interesting themes are also popular, especially the annual InterNations birthday celebration events.

 

Congratulations to John Faye and Claudio Marcel from Palm Beach, winner of the Communication Awards.

We would also like to recognize our honorable mention, Antje Schulke in Bochum, for taking the lead on communication in all aspects of your role!

 

About the Winners:

Jon Fay was born in Singapore, of British parents born in Myanmar and Egypt; his siblings were born in Malaysia and England. In 1957 he returned to England and went to school there, before emigrating to Canada for work. He has lived in Asia, the UK, Canada, and various Caribbean and Latin American countries, before retiring to and settling in Florida, USA. He is active in the Palm Beach area as a member of the British American Chamber of Commerce and president of his community wine club. Aside from his role as InterNations Ambassador for the past five years, he is a member of the Palm Beach Professional Networking Group, Palm Beach Explorers Group, and Miami After Work Group.

Claudio Marcel was born in Croatia and, after spending time in Italy and France, emigrated to Australia in 1962 where he spent his formative years. He subsequently moved to Canada in 1971 where he joined a major Banks International Department and worked and lived in the Caribbean and Central America, namely Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, and Nicaragua. He also lived in the Philippines with extensive travel to other Asian countries. This exposure to other cultures has given him a distinct advantage working as an Ambassador with InterNations and allows him to complement Jon’s skills and experience in a similar environment. He has been an InterNations Ambassador since 2017.

 

2018 Winners:

Anne Marie Zwerg and Karl Seckinger in Bogotá

2018 Honorable Mention:

Lara Yawno, Rosha Rad, and Kristy Simshauser in Melbourne, as well as

Adhiraj Thakur, Catarina Longman, Andrea Marzullo, Gursheel Dhillon, Russel Stagg, and Shikha Sarkar in Singapore

 

When searching for potential nominees for 2018’s Looking Ahead Honors, the Global Awards jury selected our most organized individuals and teams. The teams they nominated are extremely effective at making sure all events take place throughout the year, no matter what!

We found that nominees for this category consistently plan and outline their event schedule months – even a full year – in advance. They take certain months into special consideration where it might be a challenge to find a good date (here’s looking at you, August and December), and keep an eye on public holidays, local special events, and their own holiday plans in order to avoid any disruptions in the event schedule.

If a scheduling conflict arises and one of our nominees cannot host an event, we learned that they either outsource the work to a strong team of temporary hosts and volunteers to keep the events up and running or plan a ”make-up” event into their events calendar.

Why They Won

One of 2018’s jury members makes the case for the Bogotá team’s win:

“Anne Marie and Karl have been a great team right from the start: together they’ve developed an event planning schedule that ensures that they plan up to three months in advance. By publishing the events early, they make sure that Consuls can plan their events and activities around them and members are notified early on. Since they have good relationships with venues, they never risk having a drop — when a venue backs out, they can always find another one to host the event at. For their planning skills, they deserve the Looking Ahead Honors very much!”

Interview with the Winners

How early in advance do you plan your events and what tool do you use to keep track of them?

Bogotà Team: We try to keep things planned about three months ahead. This lets other Consuls plan around our official and expat events accordingly.

What steps do you take to maintain three monthly events despite holidays, summer vacations, and other scheduling conflicts that come up?

Bogotà Team: We communicate often as to what conflicts may come up, and how to overcome them. We are a good team and can always find a solution. Plus, when you plan three months ahead, it gives you more time to respond to complications. If a venue has an issue, we can sometimes move to a venue that was booked for a different date, and switch dates.

Do you ask for help to keep the events going even when you are unavailable?

Bogotà Team: We do have a fantastic helper that handles the front door at the events. Everybody knows her and respects her. This gives us the freedom to handle issues during the event, as well as to circulate and introduce new members to the community. She also covers for us if one of us can’t make the event for one reason or another.

 

Congratulations to Karl and Anne Marie, 2018’s winners for the Looking Ahead Honors!

We would also like to recognize our honorable mentions, Adhiraj Thakur, Catarina Longman, Andrea Marzullo, Gursheel Dhillon, Russell Stagg, and Shikha Sarkar in Singapore, as well as Lara Yawno and Rosha Rad in Melbourne, for leading communities where the “show will go on”, no matter what.

About the Winners:

Karl Seckinger is originally from the Washington D.C area but has also lived in Rio De Janeiro. He has a large Colombian family and moved from Raleigh, North Carolina to Bogotà in 2015. He has over 30 years of experience in restaurant management. Karl is earning his teaching certification and is studying Spanish. He spends his free time volunteering for a foundation teaching English to disadvantaged kids.

Anne Marie Zwerg was born in Alabama, USA. Within the US, she has also lived in Virginia, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada. After studying Economics and International Management in the US, she began her international career in Puerto Rico and Colombia. She is culminating a Ph.D. in Business which has included taking courses in England, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. She is currently the Director of the Business Administration program and the Master of International Management program at Universidad de La Sabana and a visiting professor in Universidad Panamericana in Mexico and Fachhochschule Münster in Germany. Her expertise is in Diversity in Global Virtual Teams.

 

2018 Winners:

Evan Barr and Gabriela de Leon in Guatemala City

2018 Honorable Mention:

Reina Wanling, Chulanga Perera, Nils Valentin, and Lilo Yu in Tokyo

 

The InterNations platform is comprised of a wide variety of events and activities designed for members to meet up in person and get to know their community better offline. Groups provide an opportunity for members to attend specific-interest activities within a small core group, while the official monthly event is a great place for members from all backgrounds to meet and connect in a larger setting.

With so many activities and events taking place, there are many moving pieces in order to ensure that the overall schedule aligns properly, and often Ambassadors and Consuls of a particular community will join forces in order to build up their network even more. Ambassadors and Consuls are not required to work together as their interests are slightly different, and that is what makes this particular category so exceptional!

When determining our top nominees for 2018’s Community of One Award, the Global Awards jury identified communities where both Consuls and Ambassadors worked together for the common goal of enriching and developing the community. We chose Consuls and Ambassadors who coordinate dates in the calendar, establish contact through informal gatherings with one another, and who make a conscious effort to support one another by attending community-wide activities and events.

Why They Won

This year’s collective winner was the Guatemala City Community. One of our jury members describes their win: “Guatemala City was a rather small community not long ago. But then Evan and Gabriela came on board and changed everything. They invited new members to join, and they especially started looking for active members to take on the role as Consuls. Within only a couple of months, we had a very active community life with many groups and regular activities. Everyone works closely together, and Consuls and Ambassadors equally contribute to the success of InterNations in Guatemala City. They are a wonderful community of one!”

Another member of the jury added further praise:

“Congratulations to the Guatemala City Consuls for your “one for all and all for one” attitude, the smooth way you are managing the community, and for your passion and commitment towards hosting fun and welcoming activities for our expats. The Global Awards jury wants to acknowledge your constant and giving contribution and we appreciate you embodying our values and mission around the world. Samuel, Marison, Eva, Xavier, Jose Luis, Dominik, Marie and Pablo… thanks millions!”

Pablo Blanco (Sports Consul), Xavi Canda (Dinner Consul), Evan Barr (Ambassador), Marisol Reina (Art & Culture Consul), Dominik Kramer (Business & Finance Consul), Gabriela de Leon (Ambassador)

 

How do you all coordinate dates when there are so many activities and events each month?

InterNations Guatemala City: First, we have a chat group with all Consuls and Ambassadors for our community. We also meet every two months to discuss ideas on how we can improve the InterNations experience, discuss possible venues for different groups, and plan some activities together.

For example, we arranged an agreement with a specific venue to host Business & Finance Group presentations as well as our Art Group activities. Additionally, we agreed that breakfasts and basketball activities would take place alternately on Sundays, dinners would be on the 1st and/or 3rd Friday night of every month, while the 2nd Friday night would be reserved for a game night, and potential official events could take place on the last Friday of the month. The last Tuesday of the month would be blocked for a reading..

Do you have any advice for other Ambassadors and Consuls hoping to improve overall communication and collaboration within their own community?

InterNations Guatemala City: Coordinate constantly and respect other Consuls’ independence. Ambassadors and Consuls who are aware of and attend other group activities are more likely to invite their group members to join as well. This inspires a more interconnected and social community in general. It also makes Consuls better at introducing members to other members at the official events.

Ambassadors, how do you integrate the Consuls into the official events?

InterNations Guatemala City: We usually ask Consuls to help at the entrance and to take pictures so that the Ambassadors can be in charge of meeting and introducing new members to existing ones. Consuls also help by introducing different members to other members in their group and actively inviting new members to join their official group chat.

 

Congratulations to the Guatemala City Community for winning this year’s Community of One.

We would also like to recognize the Community of One honorable mention for the second year in a row, Reina Wanling, Chulanga Perera, Nils Valentin, and Lilo Yu in Tokyo. Your team continues to shine, offering a collaborative and supportive spirit with the fellow Ambassadors and Consuls in your communities!

 

About the Winners:

Evan Barr joined the Ambassador team in December 2017. He was born in Arizona and moved to Guatemala in 2017. He enjoys the country and plans to stay for a significant time. As an Ambassador, he brought the community to the next level by growing the events, offering diverse formats, and listening to members’ needs.

Gabriela de Leon grew up in Guatemala, went to an international school and studied for her master’s abroad. Living abroad was one of the most important life-changing experiences. It made her realize that she enjoys getting to know different cultures, politics, cuisine, drinks, etc. Back in Guatemala, she wanted to help foreigners in her home country and decided to become an InterNations Ambassador. She joined the team in November 2017 and has had a very positive impact on the community development since then.