heather morrow
Michele Kammerer
Part of the success of a professional sports team hangs on its ability to rack up numbers in the Win column. But another segment depends on the folks working behind the scenes to knock it out of the park by building community support and partnerships. When it comes to the 2015 World Series Champions, the Kansas City Royals, few can match the hard work and dedication of long-time employee Michele Kammerer.
Michele is the Senior Director, Client Services in the Corporate Partnership Department for the Royals, a section that she’s worked in for 15 years. In a business where turnover can be frequent, she goes against the grain as a long-term employee of more than 20 years. Even though the Royals have been the darlings of Major League Baseball for the past few years, winning the World Series in 2015, Michele doesn’t let the accomplishment cloud her work ethic.
“I can’t explain it, but working here is the best job in the world because I get to do some cool stuff,” she enthused. “Even though we just won the Series, it hasn’t changed me, but now it’s like being the popular kid in school. For me, working here has been an amazing job, even when the team wasn’t doing so well. I’m thankful for a job that I enjoy so much, and I don’t ever take things for granted.”
Dedicated to the Organization
The hours are exceptionally long, and many of those are logged on weekends, holidays and at night. When the Royals are playing, Michele is at the ballpark. Her team handles the advertising, marketing, special events, hospitality and more for corporate sponsorships, which include many of the big companies in town. After the sales department signs the deal with a business or organization, Michele and her co-workers take over with the charge of keeping customers happy and coming back year after year.
“We try to create the ‘best in class’ experience for our partners,” revealed Michele. “We impact the fans through sweepstakes that might include a register-to-win a player meet and greet. Perhaps it’s an opportunity to be a player for a day with different stations set up on the field so that clients can take batting practice or throw the ball on the infield. The Royals want to give our fans an experience that no one else can get. We want our fans to come out to the ballpark and see it, feel it, touch it and taste it.”
Attention to Myriad Details
While Michele’s job may appear glamorous and fun, the pressure of ensuring that clients are content and well cared for can be mind boggling. It’s Michele’s responsibility to be very detailed and manage multiple projects for 35 to 40 clients each year. Tasks call for radio and advertising placement, organizing special events, ticket distribution, hosting player meet and greets and more. Some happenings are going on at the same time. While it may be daunting and stressful, Michele constantly wears her warm smile while the wheels are turning in her head, ensuring details are carried out.
“There are multiple things that need to be accomplished, but you have to be personable with the clients,” remarked Michele. “It’s our job to connect with them to ensure we’re meeting their needs, while remaining flexible and calm as issues pop up. Oh, and I have to work within a budget and manage to it.”
Her job requires Michele not only to interact with the fans but also with other employees at the ballpark. She works together with stadium operations, tickets, sales and even the grounds crew to ensure that the needs of her clients are met. “I wish I had a diary or journal for the things I’ve worked on over the years. It would be interesting to go back over it from time to time,” she laughed. “I don’t think too much about getting pats on the back for a job well done because I’m off to the next event.”
Welcoming Responsibility
Over the years as the success of the Royals grew and the team participated in post-season play, Michele was asked to step up to the plate for even more opportunities. And just like a pinchhitter coming in at the bottom of the ninth with two on and two out, Michele came through for the team. “I was asked to be head of hospitality for the post game party for MLB VIPS and the media. I led the charge, handled the budget and managed the overall project, but it was certainly a team effort,” she added. “We hosted a Royals gala celebration of baseball at Union Station. It was a private party for 2,500 people and a big success. It turned out to be an elegant evening that reflected well on the Royals and on Kansas City.”
But this 50-year-old wife and mother of two teenage boys is quick to point out that her support system at work and at her Overland Park, Kansas, home are vital to her success. “My biggest support system has been my husband, Tom. He has taken control of the boys and picked up the slack at home. Even with my long hours here at the stadium, I don’t feel that my kids have sacrificed. It’s good to have a solid support system at home. And thank goodness Tom’s a huge Royals’ fan. That definitely helps!” she laughed.
A Sound Foundation
Michele grew up in Grandview, Missouri, and graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, with a degree in public relations. Her parents weren’t always able to give her the things they wanted due to financial limitations, but she has used those experiences to ground her, giving her the desire to accomplish more. That spirit was what eventually led to a job offer from the Royals more than two decades ago.
“In my home, money was tight, so you had to work for what you wanted,” she recalled. “But those experiences gave me the hard work ethic that I have today. That coupled with the relationships I’ve built along the way enhanced my career. I started with the Comets soccer team and then moved on to Worlds of Fun. It was there I created a marketing piece that was seen by management at the Royals. They contacted me and asked if I’d like a management position in group sales. During my career, many people have been a part of my success.”
Michele also appreciates the way the Royals organization takes care of its employees. “The Glass family, our owners, and the Royals administration look out for their employees,” she noted. “The benefits that come with this job are wonderful, and they don’t forget about the people behind the scenes. In fact, we’re getting our own World Series ring.”
Work is What Achieves Results
This KC native is working wonders in a predominantly male industry. Although her team has several women, overall the organization is filled with men. But Michele doesn’t see that as a disadvantage. “You work hard, and your work speaks for itself. I don’t see the male factor as a barrier; in fact, at the Royals, the men have been my biggest advocates and mentors,” she commented. “In this organization, you’re as successful as you want to be. If you want to be a vice president and work hard for it, you can succeed. For me, I surround myself with good people, set goals and objectives and see them through. Most importantly, I know that you don’t do things alone; they’re accomplished by a team, just like in baseball.”
When Michele looks back over the last 20 years, she mentions that hard work, networking and thinking of others first are her keys to success. “The personal touch is so important in this business. It’s all about cultivating relationships to the next level, having business goals in mind and making them,” she said. “I enjoy the partnerships I’ve built with people and their companies. Of course, having an affiliation with the Royals gives you a lot of credibility!”
Sweet Memories
In 2015, the Royals smashed attendance records with more than 2.7 million fans coming to the games. With the team’s amazing success, it was easy to enjoy the sweet taste of victory, which had avoided them for so long. But Michele remembers well the struggles when the team was lodged in the cellar of its division. Even during the tough times, she approached her work with a positivity that many should choose to emulate.
“Here at the Royals, we try to sell memories at the ball park. Even when the times weren’t so good and we weren’t drawing that many, we followed that mission. It was always about coming to the stadium, watching the game, enjoying the experience and creating life-long memories,” she stated. “I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of my job with the Royals, the KC community, my faith, family and friends. The memories can’t get much better than that.” HLM
