Conferences also provide summer jobs in buildings and grounds and dining services, and attract media attention to the College. And many programs' participants, such as those at Massachusetts Girls' State, are high school girls who may become prospective MHC students. Zubi and conference assistant Teresa Rae market MHC's services through the Guide to Unique Meeting Facilities magazine, faculty and staff referrals, and a Web page. They get many inquiries and must turn down about two-thirds of them. Clergy meet here, cancer patients retreat here, and martial arts fans compete here.
Japanese students learn English here, while American teachers study Japanese history.
There are even a few famous faces, such as Olympic gold medal gymnast Shannon Miller and the Turtle Island String Quartet. Famous or obscure, groups find everything they need for a successful event, Zubi says. And many conference people comment on what a sense of community we have here.