MPI THCC
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Matthew Gonzales


Twenty-three years ago when Matthew Gonzales came from Refugio, Texas to the University of Texas at Austin on a Texas Achievement Award scholarship, he had no idea of the twists and turns his career would take. Or that he would become a Sales Manager for BBJ Linen for the South Texas market. His expertise and generosity in sharing his talents with MPI as the chair of the San Antonio Noontime Networking Events has made him the August Volunteer of the Month.




...continued from THCC Spotlight ....“With the economic downturn, we are all working harder than ever before,” he commented; but he is positive that “you get what you put in” and that MPI is a valuable tool for all meeting planners.

“MPI is connecting me with people I wouldn’t normally meet in the social aspect of hospitality (his background). It is a different - and wonderful - group of people”, he said.

After studying Advertising at the University of Texas, Matthew took a job with a floral company in 1989 and in 1994 opened his own floral company, Floral Couture, in Austin and became a member of several hospitality associations.  “Floral is work, in fact its hard work.  The preparation work that goes into a floral arrangement is amazing!  Try walking in those shoes for an event weekend!!  You’ll see why florists charge what they do.  And how much of a rip off it isn’t!”

With an opportunity to sell his company in 2004, Matthew took his design talent and experience to Marquee Event Group for three years before moving to BBJ Linen in 2007.  “My biggest challenge today is keeping the integrity of product in the industry.  With the downturn everyone is touting products that are at a cheaper price point, and quite often I find myself educating clients on the value received on quality product.”  He maintains that does not discourage him and that” pennies turn into dollars and small orders now often turn into big orders later.”

Matthew’s next career goal is to open a BBJ Showroom in San Antonio. And as for favorite venues, he couldn’t pick just one in Austin or San Antonio but was confident that a great meeting/event planner could turn any venue into the trendiest of places with colorful brush strokes.