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Susan Lichtenstein

PAST Lichtenstein has spent the past 25 years in both the travel and meetings industries, including stints as an executive vice president for a meeting technology company and vice president of corporate markets for a global meetings company. She joined Cisco as a director of finance, then moved into her present role. “Meeting spend is the third largest indirect spend in a company,” she says. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to manage this spend and achieve significant savings for the company, while meeting the company’s initiatives and goals and transforming the attendee’s experience, all at the same time.”  

CRED She has been a member of NBTA and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives for more than 10 years and wants to get more involved in the creation of the SMMC (the SMMP certification being developed by NBTA). At Cisco, she is in the process of developing an SMMP, along with the events and marketing divisions.

SUCCESS STORY Lichtenstein is proud to have played a role in advancing the industry: “I’ve had the opportunity help develop the meeting technology business, and now I’m helping to build out the SMMP process. I’ve been very fortunate to work among the best and the brightest in this business.”

ADVICE “There’s no better time then now to present to your executive teams the value of an SMMP and the savings you can achieve. Lead the opportunity, take risks, and forge ahead to greatness in your field.”

Next Page: Kathy Lieberman
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