How Jacqueline Seltzer’s not-so-secret avocation — marathon running — has helped her keep her stride in her long career as a convention and event specialist.
Jacqueline Seltzer, Northeast Regional Sales Director for Isenhour International and Travel Advisor to Galloway Productions, may have more than 20 years invested in her work executing successful events, but her track record as a long-distance runner is even longer. Seltzer , who has run 46 marathons, first started running in 1980, and what she has learned from her passion for running continues to refine her both as a person and as a meeting professional.
Prevue recently caught up with Seltzer to learn more.
Prevue: How did you get started in your career with meetings and events?
Seltzer: After working in book sales for a textbook company, I went on to be a Senior Conventions Manager for Scientific American, the longest continuously publish U.S. magazine for two years. In 1998, I became Senior Conventions Manager for Macmillan, where I managed the company’s participation in 150 annual academic conventions and managed a $1 million budget. I later moved on to work as Sales Manager with Isenhour International, where I now serve as Northeast Regional Sales Manager. I work with their meetings, and also on the recreational side with races including the New York City Marathon, the Chicago Marathon and the Boston Marathon, so I am able to blend my hobby with my profession.
Prevue: Speaking of marathons — how did you get into distance running?
Seltzer: In 1972, I went to watch the New York City marathon and ended up participating in the protest against the 10-minute head start women were given before the men started. I wasn’t a race participant, but I showed my support by joining the sit-in. It wasn’t until the 1980s that I started taking running seriously though.
I ran my first marathon in 1981 a few months before I turned 30. My second marathon was the New York City Marathon, which had thousands of people cheering us on every step of the way. I ran in 46 marathons before I stopped in 2003, though I probably could do one now if I committed to the training.
Prevue: But you do still run?
Seltzer: Yes. I am going to Sydney, Australia, for the Sydney Marathon on Sept. 15th, which is a strong candidate to become the world’s seventh major marathon race. I’ll be participating in the 10k being held in conjunction with the Sydney Marathon.
Prevue: Have your experiences as a long-distance runner crossed over into your professional work in any way?
Seltzer: It’s helped me a lot with time management. When I get to work, I know I have to start with the stickiest project, but if after a few hours I’m not making project, I know to go to an easier project. Like you can’t train for a marathon in a week, you can’t tackle everything that needs to get done in a day. You have to take things one step at a time, build it a block at a time.
It also reinforces the benefits of having a group of people gathering together in one setting with a common goal. Through my marathon running, I’ve made connections with people of all different ages, all different viewpoints. And I have developed a lot of confidence in myself as a result of running. It’s a wonderful feeling to achieve a goal and be with a group of people who achieved the same goal. You share the same excitement. Often, local businesses offer the runners a gift certificate or some type of free service — they’re building their business by cultivating people who are in the race and also have a life outside of the actual race. It doesn’t matter if you come in first or number 343, they tend to support everyone equally.
Also, you learn to go with the flow. After I ran the Paris Marathon, as soon as I finished, all of a sudden microphones were being put in front of me and I didn’t know what to say because they were asking me questions in French — I thought, OK, this is probably because I was among the first 100 women to finish. You never know what’s going to happen. You just have to take whatever comes your way with a lot of gratitude.
Prevue: When you’re not working or running, do you have other outside activities?
Seltzer: I volunteer for God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that provides nutritional meals and support to patients and families who can’t cook for themselves due to disease. We deliver tailor-made meals to their homes and provide emotional support to patients, their families and their caregivers. We serve New York City and Hudson County in New Jersey. They also organize a four-mile race in Central Park each fall and concerts featuring big names, along with many other fundraisers.
I’m also a member of Meeting Professionals International’s Greater New York Chapter, which participates in a volunteer day with God’s Love We Deliver with members working in the kitchen to prepare meals and pack up trays for delivery.
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