Senior Conference & Event Planner, Conference Planning and Event Management
MetLife
New York, NY
FICP Board Member

Please share a brief description of your job.
Depends on the day! I am senior conference and event planner, but wear many hats, and that is the best part of the job. It is a senior planner’s responsibility to guide our business partners through their incentive programs and business meetings. I am tasked with creating budgets that are realistic and working with our internal partners and industry partners to achieve the goals and objectives of the programs. Now more than ever we need to think strategically for our partners and be the meeting experts so they can focus on their business plans.

Why did you decide to volunteer your time as a board member?
I was an FICP member for five years prior to my board appointment. I spent two years as the Northeast Region Chair and had volunteered on multiple design teams for the region as well as for the annual conference. I wanted to take the commitment to the next level and be a part of the association’s growth. I am very proud of the organization and our continued mission to strengthen the relationship between the planner members and the hospitality partner community.

Which of FICP’s current goals have you been most excited to help with during your term on the board?
The board, executive director, and headquarters staff have all collaborated on our strategic goals for the year and although we each have individual initiatives, our common theme is increasing FICP’s visibility in the meetings industry through advanced educational opportunities, networking opportunities that maintain the proper ratio of planners to hospitality partners, and ensuring our financial viability. Our dedication to the association and the industry drives us to engage in healthy dialogue to achieve our goals. I am so honored to be a part of this board; all of our meetings get me more and more energized about the future of FICP as a leader within the meetings industry.

What do you see as the biggest current challenges for financial services meeting planners?
The business of meeting planning is in an ever-evolving state, and more than ever we are tasked with showing value and working more efficiently for our organizations. Through the economic crisis, our knowledge of the industry and our strong relationships with hospitality partners helped us to do business differently and show our business partners how strategic planning can have an impact on their bottom line. It is not just doing more with less, but doing what is right for the business.

What is one great piece of advice you’ve received in your career? Don’t be afraid to ask questions!