Melodi Foster has a big job — producing every GPA Midstream and GPSA event, including the signature industry gathering, the GPA Midstream Convention. It’s a massive project that involves managing all the behind the scenes logistics that provide 1,700+ attendees with opportunities to network, learn, and share knowledge.

Midstream News recently asked Foster, Director of Meetings & Events, to discuss her professional background, how she works with members in the process to produce the premier annual midstream event, and advice she’d give to people entering the workforce.

Midstream News: How did you get started in the meetings and events field?

Melodi Foster: Back in 2008 I worked for a home decor wholesaler, and I was responsible when we went to market several times a year — basically big events for selling our inventory to retailers. Through that, I connected with a co-worker who was also a wedding photographer and started doing weddings on the side as well. Then I ended up in sales, and managed our trade shows for a decade. So, I was on the other side of this — I was traveling to events and handling all the logistics of being an exhibitor. Now I’m the event organizer.

NEWS: What brought you to GPA?

FOSTER: A friend knew my predecessor, and she and I talked when I was at my old company. I was happy there…until they cut trade shows. I reached out to see if GPA was still looking, and clearly they were. It worked out very well.

NEWS: What's your favorite part of this job?

FOSTER: The people are great, and it's impossible to be bored. No two days are the same.

NEWS: Last year was your first convention, right?

FOSTER: That’s right. I'd never even attended the convention before last year. So that was fun. Looking back, I'm telling myself, last year I survived this convention. I can do anything.

NEWS: What are some of the biggest challenges producing an event of this size and scale?

FOSTER: All the moving parts, and the pace can be intense. There's all of the meeting space, the rooms, and managing the forums and all the different speakers. And there are so many events within the event. There's vendor night, there's the exhibitors, there's the suite hospitalities, there's public hospitalities.

We're a small staff and the Program Committee has an important planning role. An event this size is possible only because everyone — including staff and member volunteers — comes together to help. Some days, I leave the office, and I have a 20-minute commute home. By the time I get there, I have 12, 15 emails.

NEWS: Tell me about what the GPA Midstream Program Committee does.

FOSTER: The Program Committee offers members a unique opportunity to shape our convention. They work with staff to build out the Commercial Track around what interests them and their teams the most. We start in February, and brainstorm 20 or so ideas, and then we narrow them down and find speakers. It's a great way for members to have a say in what the convention is each year.

Dave Beck from Audubon has been phenomenal running the Program Committee this year. Once the schedule starts to come out, I have a lot of things being thrown at me, with speakers changing, and filling roundtables and making sure we’re presenting a program that will be interesting and provide value to attendees.

If I'm trying to update my spreadsheet, it’s been great to be able to turn to Dave and say, “I feel like I’m missing something here, can you send me your list?” and know that he’s keeping track of all the changes too. It’s not something he has to do, but he does and it’s been helpful.

Last year, David McKellips from Williams was a huge source of dedicated support. The role was new for me, so he took on a lot. He helped last year, and because of that, Dave Beck didn't have to do quite as much this year. The chairs are very important.

NEWS: What was one of the most memorable parts of the convention?

FOSTER: It was great for me to meet in person all the people I’d been communicating with before convention, especially the sponsors.

Memorable moment? One of the hospitalities had armadillo racing. It was amazing. There are pictures.

NEWS: What's a fun fact about you that would surprise people?

FOSTER: I only have one sister and we have the same birthday, but five years apart.

NEWS: What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

FOSTER: Pulling off convention when I had never even attended it will always be one of my biggest achievements. Looking back on 2023, I came to GPA Midstream in February, and produced convention six months later.

NEWS: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

FOSTER: It’s something I found two years ago, but it applies to life and work — “Sometimes the things you can’t change in life end up changing you.”

NEWS: And finally, what advice would you give someone who's starting out in your field?

FOSTER: Something will go wrong. In events, you need to make sure nobody else knows. Half the things you stress about in events, other people may not even see. There are so many things out of your control. As long as you're on top of stuff and can think on your feet and transition and change, attendees may not even notice.

2024 GPA Midstream Convention

Sept. 22-25

Marriott Rivercenter

San Antonio, Texas

Register now. Pre-registration ends Sept. 20. Onsite registration begins Sept. 22 at a price $100 higher.

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