Miller Tanner Associates Team, Author at Miller Tanner Associates

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Success Story: Delivering a Complex Global Leadership Experience through Focused Partnership and Adaptability

The Event

Dynamic Global Leadership Program

A global leadership program brought together 270 market leaders for three high-impact days in Alicante, Spain. The program transformed a hotel and an adjacent ancient-culture-themed park into immersive environments for meetings, workshops, and celebrations.

The agenda included two simultaneous general sessions, 11 breakout discussions, a poolside poster presentation series, community give-back activities, five workshops, 49 unique sessions, and a gala dinner supported by a hybrid platform so on-site and virtual participants could engage seamlessly.

A Partnership Powerhouse

Given the complexity and caliber of this dynamic global leadership program, Elique Events, a trusted events partner, approached MTA to collaborate in partnership as an integrated event powerhouse. Working as a unified team, MTA and Elique Events elevated the event’s execution, expanded resources, and delivered seamless coordination to produce a global leadership conference that far exceeded expectations.

The Challenges

Scale and complexity: Delivering a global, multi-track leadership program across two venues required robust coordination of content, staging, catering, transport, and attendee services for a diverse, international audience.

Real-time changes: Last-minute requests, VIP pop-ups, badge-type variations, and agenda updates created continuous on-the-ground and digital changes that needed immediate execution.

Hybrid delivery: Supporting a fully integrated on-site and virtual experience required rapid upload of session content, live audience interaction tools, and seamless AV/production for speakers unfamiliar with prompters or hybrid stage flow.

Venue logistics and environmental unpredictability: Multiple complex room reconfigurations, outdoor sessions, large-scale decorative elements, substantial baggage handling, and a sudden rainstorm required quick operational pivots.

Technology adoption under time pressure: Building and maintaining a customized event app and digital platform, uploading hundreds of assets onsite, and managing live data collection and summaries for just-in-time speaker feedback all had to be executed with minimal runway.

Resource coordination across partners: Aligning strategy, logistics, tech, and experience design between the internal team and our event partner required clear ownership, steady decision-making, and trust.

The Successes

Unified partnership model: MTA, in partnership with Elique Events, operated as an integrated unit, sharing responsibilities across strategy, logistics, technology, and experience design, which enabled fast, confident decision-making when plans shifted.

Agile, distributed execution: Cross-functional collaboration allowed the team to pivot roles and absorb last-minute scope changes (e.g., shifting production roles, deploying pop-up VIP experiences, and rerouting transportation), ensuring continuity without service degradation.

Seamless hybrid experience: Close coordination between production, digital, and content teams resulted in a robust attendee app, timely uploads of session materials, and real-time audience interaction tools, delivering consistent experiences to both in-person and virtual participants.

Operational resilience: We executed six rapid room-set flips (including rounds to theater in 20 minutes), managed 2,970 meals, stored and tracked large volumes of luggage, and handled 21 ground-transportation changes while maintaining program flow. Even with a threat of a power outage, MTA had a backup plan for the gala dinner ready to deploy if needed.

Excellence in guest experience: The combined team successfully managed multiple VIP touchpoints, specialized gifting, hostess support, and live troubleshooting for speakers and sessions, producing a polished attendee journey from arrival through the gala.

Real-time content and data workflows: On-site teams uploaded 35 posters and 64 speakers’ assets one by one, tagged agenda items with precise targeting, and used live survey data to deliver immediate feedback to presenters, boosting engagement and relevance. This was demonstrated during the competitive poster series, where attendee feedback was used in real time to shape the next general session, with the on-site team ensuring seamless turnaround.

Strengthened partnership for future events: The collaborative execution, mutual trust, and shared ownership demonstrated on this program solidified the relationship between MTA and Elique Events, creating a scalable playbook for future large-scale, hybrid leadership events.

Summary

This program delivered a high-touch, complex global leadership experience through focused partnership and collective adaptability. By operating as one coordinated team across strategy, logistics, production, and digital, this partnership converted continuous operational challenges into a smooth, engaging event that reinforced trust and set a strong precedent for future collaboration.

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Data, Technology, and the Human Side of HCP Engagement

To the leaders in life sciences: our industry is at an inflection point. The way we engage HCPs today will define how we adapt tomorrow. The challenge is not whether change is needed, but how wide the gap has already grown. While 82% of executives believe their engagement strategy is effective, only 28% of HCPs feel their needs are truly being met.

This is my call to action: do not just acknowledge the value of technology. Invest in it at the scale required to drive change.

My background in highly regulated industries taught me the importance of precision and trust. Throughout my tenure at Miller Tanner Associates, I have partnered with global pharma and biotech leaders on engagements that span continents and therapeutic areas. This work has exposed me to challenges and opportunities that cross borders and disciplines, and it continues to shape how I think about meaningful engagement.

From Singapore to Chicago, the stories are the same: investigators balancing impossible timelines, oncologists pressed for time but eager for connection. These moments remind me that data is not about dashboards. It is about people.

The numbers reinforce this:

HCPs report that 35% of their prescribing decisions* are influenced by the quality of engagement they receive.
A top-ten pharma company achieved up to a 10% ROI lift **when they aligned digital and traditional engagement.
Yet only 28% of HCPs feel their needs are being met, compared with 82% of executives who believe their strategy is effective.***

The right data management technology can change the tone of leadership discussions. Not just financials like budget and spend, but the structured feedback intelligence that shows what resonated, where confidence grew, and where blind spots remain. With AI-enhanced tools like MTA’s EPIC Insights, I have been able to shift conversations from “what did we spend?” to “what impact are we making?”

And that is where thought leadership matters most. Sometimes the risk is not in failing to see the future, but in seeing it clearly and not acting boldly enough. Netflix recognized streaming as the future long before it was profitable. They invested big. Today, their bet on streaming is studied as one of the boldest pivots in modern business.

In life sciences, the same truth applies: if we do not adopt, we do not adapt. Leaders already see the value. The question is whether they will invest at the scale required to make it transformative.

That is the kind of work I want to continue driving, powered by data, defined by people, and led with vision.

How is your organization scaling its data and technology investments to meet the future we all see coming?

This article was originally published on LinkedIn. To read, click here.

Key Account Manager Imane Amajoud specializes in the early stages of account management for MTA’s life science customers, focusing on discovery, scoping, and relationship building. Fluent in Arabic, French, and English, she leverages global experience to understand each customer’s unique needs and deliver tailored strategies.

Sources:

(*):https://dt-consulting .com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DT-Consulting_46_The-State-Of-Customer-Experience-In-The-Global-Pharmaceutical-Industry-2024-HCP-Interactions.pdf

(**):https://insights.axtria.com/customer-success-stories/up-to-10-percent-higher-return-on-investment-roi-from-an-omnichannel-led-digital-engagement-for-a-top-ten-pharma

(***):https://www.deloitte.com/ch/en/Industries/life-sciences-health-care/analysis/unlocking-the-future-of-customer-engagement-in-pharma.html

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Success Story: Transforming a Challenging Venue for a Successful Program

Background

For a recent large-scale program with over 350 attendees, the venue selected posed challenges based on feedback from previous events.

Challenges

Venue Aesthetics: The space was large and accommodating, but lacked visual aesthetics.
Logistics Complexity: Managing frequent attendee transitions between multiple breakout rooms within tight timeframes risked disorder and delays.

Based on these challenges, our two primary objectives were:

To transform this difficult space into an impressive environment for our customer
To successfully execute a complex breakout session format on the final day

The breakout sessions involved six rooms, each hosting 50-60 people, with sessions switching every 25 minutes. Coordinating the movement of more than 300 attendees efficiently posed challenging.

Solutions

Transforming the Space

To overcome the venue’s visual shortcomings, we implemented:

Four massive screens to enhance visibility and engagement
Strategic color lighting to bring vibrancy and life to the room
A large stage designed to give presenters a commanding presence

These elements completely changed how attendees experienced the space, making it feel more dynamic and engaging.

Rethinking Logistics

Instead of having 350 attendees move between rooms every 25 minutes, our MTA team flipped the approach by having presenters rotate between fixed attendee groups. This shift required:

Careful coordination of presenters’ movements across rooms
Positioning tech teams strategically in each room to reconnect laptops quickly during transitions
Event staff escorting presenters smoothly from one room to another

This approach minimized attendee movement while maintaining session variety for a more seamless transition logistically.

Results

All transitions occurred flawlessly without delays or confusion.
Sessions ran strictly on schedule despite complex timing requirements.
Customer feedback was overwhelmingly positive regarding both aesthetics and logistics management.
The medical director praised this meeting as one of the best he had ever attended.

Conclusion

This project demonstrated that even seemingly insurmountable challenges can inspire creative solutions when approached thoughtfully. By refusing to accept venue limitations or logistical complexity as barriers, the MTA Team transformed obstacles into advantages—proving that any space can be made impressive and any logistics manageable with innovative thinking.

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Meet MTA: Kimberly Fiscus, Senior Global Experience Specialist, Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today, we introduce you to Sr. Global Experience Specialist – Events Kimberly Fiscus. Kimberly collaborates cross-functionally with the team to ensure alignment on strategies that enhance our impact in delivering greater value to our customers. Her proactive approach and commitment to excellence make her a key contributor to our ongoing success in customer experience.

Meet Kimberly Fiscus, Senior Global Experience Specialist – Events

Strengths as defined by Clifton StrengthsFinder? Maximizer, Positivity, Developer, Strategic, Relator

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?

In my role as Sr. Global Experience (GX) Specialist, I strategically lead the GX team in our ongoing efforts to elevate the customer and attendee experience. Working at both granular and macro levels gives me a unique opportunity to develop impactful trainings and drive continuous improvement across our operational processes. I also collaborate cross-functionally with other team leads to ensure alignment, share insights, and identify new opportunities to enhance our impact.

What did you do before joining MTA?

Prior to MTA, I worked in PR and marketing; those jobs encompassed many things, including events, which were always my favorite. Following that passion is what led me here!

meet MTA — Kimberly pictured with MTA Global Experiences Team members.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing efficiencies that help the team work smarter and deliver better results. It’s so rewarding to see that small changes have a big impact!

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?

Seoul, South Korea, blew me away… the people, the food, the culture! I can’t wait to return to Asia.

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?

My most memorable event to date was collaborating to deliver a high-touch program for global VIP customers in Las Vegas. I led the development of custom registration paths and managed an on-site team of twelve, overseeing everything from pop-up lunches and welcome gifts to ushering in Elvis and supporting an F1 racecar excursion. Coordinating so many moving parts to create a seamless and memorable experience was both challenging and incredibly rewarding!

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?

Invest in a smart carry-on suitcase. (If you must check a bag – which goes against my personal ethos – put an airtag on it!) A white noise app and earplugs are a game-changer for hotel sleep. Take walks around the city to orient yourself. Ask for recommendations from locals (and try new dishes!). Always listen to your instincts. Stay open & curious!

What’s the one must-have for every event?

Your TEAM! Truly, nothing is impossible with this incredibly capable group.

What do you do for fun?

Read, walk, and spend time with my family and French Bulldog puppy, Rex! Of course, I also love to travel – we just returned from a trip to San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Big Sur, California. My first drive along the infamously gorgeous Highway 1 did not disappoint!

What do you enjoy most about living in your city/state? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?

I’m from a beautiful, small town in north Georgia, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Being that my dad is a pilot is what opened the world up to me – there is so much to see and explore! If you have a chance to visit Athens, Georgia, don’t sleep on The Lark, a great neighborhood wine shop, or the trails at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company? What’s your favorite aspect of MTA?

Miller Tanner Associates’ team and operations are deeply rooted in the core values of service, agility, trust, character, and talent empowerment – meaning we are always working from a place of integrity to meet each customer’s needs rather than use a one-size-fits-all approach. And did you know that we’re not just a meeting planning company? MTA is also continuing to innovate in the tech space with our event planning and engagement software.

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?

MTA is full of talented and smart people… spread across the globe. It’s during the Workshop that we all come together and truly connect, as well as align on collective goals and organically ideate. I also find inspiration from the messages shared by the Senior Leadership Team. That MTA prioritizes this time of connection speaks to its culture and values!

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Introducing ALEX™ A Learning Experience Revolutionizing Life Sciences Training

Introducing ALEX™: The Cost-Effective, Specialized Learning Management System Revolutionizing Life Sciences Training

[Nashville, July 31, 2025] — Miller Tanner Associates (MTA) is proud to announce the release of ALEX^™, a cutting-edge Learning Management System (LMS) designed specifically for healthcare professionals engaged in life sciences and pharmaceutical studies. ALEX^™ delivers essential LMS features tailored to meet the complex training needs of this specialized industry.

Developed to navigate the complexities of multi-study protocols and diverse role-based training needs, ALEX^™ offers a fully integrated platform that streamlines onboarding, ensures 100% training compliance throughout the life of a study, and relieves the burden of site staff turnover.

“Healthcare organizations face unique challenges managing complex training requirements across multiple roles and studies. ALEX^™ addresses this challenge by providing an intuitive interface that keeps users informed and training up-to-date all within one seamless platform,” noted Meredeth Brower, MTA Technology Services Product Lead.

Within the platform, administrators can send customized notifications for training updates, reminders, and FAQs directly to learners, ensuring timely communication that drives compliance. Meanwhile, learners benefit from clear progress tracking and engaging content.

ALEX^™ Key Features & Benefits Include:

Comprehensive Role-Based Training: Delivers complex curricula customized for diverse roles within pharmaceutical studies.

Integrated Tracking & Reporting: Enables real-time visibility into who has completed required trainings, certifications, and assessments.

User-Friendly Experience: Intuitive navigation helps learners easily access materials, track progress, and find supporting resources.

Administrative Control: Allows administrators to send targeted notifications about training updates and reminders with data visualization capabilities that transform reports into easy-to-understand formats.

Post-Event Content Distribution: Guarantees 100 percent completion and compliance to meet training objectives.

Future Enhancements: Planned gamification elements will boost engagement without compromising compliance standards.

Designed as both a stand-alone solution and as an integration with EPIC^™, MTA’s proprietary event planning software, ALEX^™ supports pre-event engagement and post-event reinforcement, enhancing knowledge retention across continuous education cycles.

“MTA is thrilled to introduce ALEX™, designed specifically for organizations looking for effective training solutions that enhance efficiency, lower costs, and ensure 100% compliance and participation. By combining MTA’s expertise in the event industry with cutting-edge training technology, organizations can now present content in more engaging and dynamic formats,” added Brower.

With its specialized focus on life sciences study environments, ALEX^™offers a cost-effective LMS solution for ensuring consistent delivery of critical training content for both administrators and learners.

For more information about how ALEX^™can transform your organization’s learning experience or to schedule a demo, please visit www.millertanner.com or contact marketing@millertanner.com.

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MTA Global Workshop 2024 Awards

At Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) 2025 Annual Global Workshop, we recognize the distinguished associates who have gone above and beyond for our customers and for each other during 2024. We recognize these team members for five special awards presented at our Annual Workshop.

MTA Marnie Award – Selina Rogers, Manager of Financial Analytics
MTA Story of the Year Award – Jesse Torres, Solutions Architect, Technology Services
MTA Theme of the Year Award – Tanya Semenova, Global Experience Specialist – Events
MTA Saver Award – Taylor Tomlinson, Director, Proposals
MTA Gift of Service Award – Kimberly Fiscus, Sr. Global Experience Specialist – Events

MTA MARNIE AWARD: Selina Rogers, Manager of Financial Analytics

MTA’s Marnie Award, a special award given by CEO Marnie Miller Battistini, recognizes the person she believes has impacted MTA the most during the year. The Marnie Award recipient embodies the best of what MTA values and exemplifies. It’s a personal award seen from the CEO’s vantage point each year.

We are pleased to announce Manager of Financial Analytics Selina Rogers as the recipient of the 2024 Marnie Award!

Selina has truly transformed how MTA visualizes and understands event data, bringing to life insights we’ve only dreamed of before. From the moment she joined, Selina’s excitement, skill, and dedication have been nothing short of miraculous. Last year marked the launch of Epic Insights, but this year Selina has taken it even further by expanding beyond software into storytelling with data. Her analytical mind and ability to translate complex numbers into meaningful narratives have made a dramatic impact on key projects. Her work is a major factor setting MTA apart from other event planning companies, elevating our entire team’s capabilities.

Beyond her technical expertise, Selina’s calm leadership under pressure and willingness to take on diverse projects—such as helping lead and mentor on other projects, ensuring the team’s continued growth. She embodies MTA’s theme of connection by linking data with people in ways that inspire understanding and action. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and grateful for everything she brings to our organization.

MTA STORY OF THE YEAR AWARD: Jesse Torres, Solutions Architect, Technology Services

Miller Tanner Associates are storytellers. We tell stories through our events, through our products, and through the various acts of kindness the MTA global team performs each day. Every year, we ask the MTA team to share their stories of the past year’s challenges, successes, and accomplishments.

We are pleased to present the 2024 Story of the Year award to Jesse Torres, Solutions Architect. Jesse’s work on the travel importer stands out as a remarkable achievement, as an AI-driven application. Despite initial setbacks with the original platform, Jesse demonstrated impressive perseverance by rebuilding the solution from scratch on a new platform. This involved mastering multiple AI libraries and services to accurately analyze travel documents—identifying language, time zones, and traveler details—all while managing costs effectively to keep expenses down. His engineering expertise saved countless hours of manual work, freeing up the team to focus on more meaningful tasks.

Beyond its technical success, Jesse’s project opened unexpected doors for MTA as subject matter experts. The collaboration led to high-profile opportunities with BOX, resulting in an hour-long fireside chat featuring Jesse and colleagues, with prominent exposure on Box’s website seen by thousands. This combination of solid engineering skill and strategic visibility showcased Jesse’s contribution not only as a technical triumph but also as a thought leader in the event technology industry. Congratulations to Jesse for this outstanding accomplishment.

“CONNECT” – MTA THEME OF THE YEAR AWARD: Tanya Semenova, Global Experience Specialist – Events

Each year, MTA creates a theme for the year. We believe that a theme sets the tone, provides the direction, and allows the team to focus on a central theme for one calendar year. This year’s theme was “Connect”.

Congratulations to Global Experience Specialist – Events Tanya Semenova, recipient of MTA’s 2024 Theme of the Year Award – “Connect”.

Tanya has emerged as an exceptional and quietly powerful leader within our team over the past year. She has pioneered innovative approaches not only in MTA’s core operating model but also in complex event categories like congress/conference. Tanya quickly mastered connecting various third-party systems, streamlining the entire event infrastructure—from invites and registration to data and logistics management—to create seamless, best-in-class experiences for our customers. Her ability to rapidly find fresh, thoughtful solutions has ensured every event’s success, particularly with congresses.

Tanya transformed a previously underperforming system by embracing feedback and delivering outstanding service with remarkable speed and precision. Over the past year, she’s become an expert, providing white-glove service to our customers. The team praises her as a force of pure excellence with an intuitive understanding of customer needs. For these reasons, we are proud to award Tanya the MTA Theme of the Year – “Connect”.

MTA SAVER AWARD: Taylor Tomlinson, Director, Proposals

The MTA 2024 Saver Award recognizes the MTA team member for their exceptional ability to save time, effort and/or resources for our customers and the MTA Team.

Congratulations to Director – Proposals, Taylor Tomlinson, recipient of the MTA Saver Award. Taylor has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication over the past year in transforming MTA’s budgeting process through the successful implementation of CPQ solutions. Taking on a highly complex budget tool, Taylor worked closely with our partner to manage and automate quality control processes and establish standards that significantly reduced human error. Through clear communication and strong collaboration across departments, Taylor ensured that the new budgeting tool met the diverse needs of all user groups.

Beyond improving efficiency and accuracy, Taylor’s work integrated CPQ to automate project creation, saving substantial time and effort. The enhanced system now provides valuable insights into product-level usage that were previously unavailable. Additionally, she led a major enhancement earlier this year to improve the budgeting interface for customers in partnership with Global Experiences. Overall, her visionary leadership has not only modernized a critical business process but also delivered lasting benefits across multiple teams and functions.

MTA GIFT OF SERVICE AWARD: Kimberly Fiscus, Sr. Global Experience Specialist – Events

The Gift of Service Award recognizes associates who exemplify MTA’s core values by providing exceptional service to both customers and to their fellow team members.

Congratulations to Sr. Global Experience Specialist – Events Kimberly Fiscus, this year’s MTA Gift of Service Award recipient. She is widely recognized for her quiet strength, strategic mindset, and steady, deliberate approach to leadership. Her curiosity drives a deep understanding of complex challenges both professionally and personally. Known as a natural innovator, she consistently seeks smarter and more inclusive ways to share knowledge, build systems, and foster connections. Her ability to transform big ideas into actionable processes has had a clear and lasting impact on the team’s success.

Through her work—whether leading complex customer experiences or creating resources that empower others—she demonstrates precision, care, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She adapts gracefully, serves with humility, and leads with intention, setting the foundation for exceptional customer service. Colleagues have noted that Kimberly has made “MTA magic visible,” making her a truly deserving recipient of this year’s Gift of Service Award.

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Flawless by Design: How MTA Delivered at ATS Congress

With a growing agenda, global attendees, and evolving needs, MTA delivered flawless execution through smart tools and strategy.

The Event

A global life sciences customer participated in the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) Congress in San Francisco, CA. With both commercial and medical teams on-site, the customer hosted a robust slate of activities. This multi-layered presence required 6–8 months of meticulous planning across stakeholders, platforms, and vendors. From the outset, MTA was embedded as a strategic partner – ensuring alignment, readiness, and room for agility as congress needs evolved.

The Challenge

This global congress brought together internal stakeholders and HCPs from around the world. Due to varying international travel requirements, our team navigated time-sensitive attendee changes driven by external restrictions at the country level.

Adding to the complexity, the customer’s agenda expanded significantly in the weeks leading up to ATS due to evolving internal priorities. These additions were linked to broader developments in the product lifecycle and required rapid pivoting to accommodate critical, cross-functional activities without impacting previously confirmed plans.

Despite budget parameters and vendor-related pressures, MTA led with precision. Our approach: focus on what works – clean handoffs, scalable frameworks, and thoughtful use of tools to reduce friction and keep execution strong through the finish line.

The Results

MTA’s team delivered flawlessly across every aspect of the event:

Proactive Preparedness: Anticipating potential last-minute changes, our team pre-printed badges, configured overflow plans, and implemented signage strategies to manage traffic and streamline guest navigation.
Strategic Staffing: Described as “perfect” by senior stakeholders, staffing was aligned to every touchpoint through detailed forecasting, delivering VIP-level support while remaining within budget.
Vendor & Venue Coordination: Strong relationships with congress organizers allowed for swift venue sourcing and approvals – critical to accommodating new activity layers within a narrow planning window.
Agility Through Collaboration: Working across shared platforms, we jointly identified and deployed the most effective tools for real-time documentation and communication. This enabled us to ideate and execute an entire suite of newly added activities – some finalized just weeks ahead of the congress.

And perhaps the best endorsement came from a highly experienced stakeholder who remarked:

“No one called me or asked me any questions, either in the week before or while you guys were onsite. And I think that speaks to the amazing execution that everybody did.”

Even well-planned programs present unexpected surprises behind the scenes. The stakeholder’s comment reflects the depth of trust our customers place in MTA to manage complexity seamlessly and deliver with confidence.

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Success Story: President’s Club Celebrates Achievement, Culture, and ‘Ohana in Hawaii

The Event

Celebration and recognition of the President’s Club and Chairman’s Club winners for approximately 32 attendees.

The Challenge

The goal of the incentive trip was to provide a unique experience at a remote Hawaiian destination that focused on celebration and relaxation. Working within a limited budget for this event, the MTA team leveraged in-house creative capabilities to achieve the overall goals of this destination event.

The Results

The MTA Team delivered a truly unforgettable 4-day President’s Club experience in Maui. Nestled along Maui’s northwest coast, this lush, tropical paradise set the perfect stage for four days of celebration, relaxation, and connection. From sweeping ocean views to vibrant sunsets and the warmth of Hawaiian hospitality, the destination itself played a starring role in the program’s success.

The top sales performers and their guests were treated to white-glove service and personalized touches from start to finish. From customized gifting and activities to a robust communication plan and a centralized hospitality hub, no detail was overlooked. Guests experienced immersive cultural storytelling, impactful experiential activations, and a heartfelt legacy gift.

Program highlights included:

Waves of Welcome dinner on the oceanfront lawn, complete with a live coconut-chopping activation and custom-branded details.
Personalized, room-dropped gifts included a beach cooler with various sundries and local Maui snacks thoughtfully selected to reflect the spirit of Maui, and an invitation to a personalized shopping experience on property.
Individually selected and curated activities, from indulgent luxury spa treatments, exhilarating zipline adventures through lush rainforests, to a personalized guided nature tour of Maui’s Honolua Ridgeline Walk of native landscapes.
A full group cultural evening at the iconic Old Lahaina Luau, where guests enjoyed traditional Hawaiian cuisine, storytelling, and hula under the stars.
A group catamaran snorkel sail exploring the pristine sights of the Hawaiian Coast.
Individually arranged dinner reservations at some of Maui’s most sought-after restaurants, giving guests the chance to explore the island’s culinary scene at their own pace.
A pop-up poolside cabana day offering refreshing sips, shade, and a casual way for guests to relax and connect.
A meaningful CSR give-back moment with the donation of a native breadfruit tree known locally as ‘ulu in the group’s honor.
A final evening awards dinner inspired by Anuenue, the Hawaiian word for RAINBOW, celebrated the vibrant spectrum of achievements with colorful details and heartfelt recognition.

awards — Colorful displays reflect the *Anuenue* theme.

Customer Feedback

“Thanks again for making our President’s Club trip special. You both make it look so easy and seamless, but I know there is a lot of hard work in the background that you do.”

“It was such a pleasure to meet you again this year. Your team did an excellent job for the second year in a row. Great time and an amazing place! Thank you!”

“You all made the trip phenomenal!”

Summary

This President’s Club trip was an extraordinary four-day experience where top-performing winners and guests embarked on a luxurious journey through one of Hawaii’s most iconic destinations. Each day combined a balance of planned excursions and free time to create the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. This President’s Club experience not only celebrated success but fostered deeper connections among winners, making it a memorable reward for top performers.

Learn more about MTA’s corporate event planning services here.

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Meet MTA: Sarah Coffman, Key Account Manager, Congress

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today, we introduce you to Key Account Manager, Congress, Sarah Coffman. Sarah’s dedication to fostering strong relationships and her innovative approach to congress management make her an invaluable asset to our team, offering seamless coordination, creative solutions, and an unforgettable congress experience for our customers.

Meet Sarah Coffman, Key Account Manager, Congress

Strengths as defined by Clifton StrengthsFinder? Arranger, Connectedness, Intellection, Positivity, Strategic

Languages spoken:

Currently learning Spanish! And while I may not be fluent in another language just yet, I do speak “Congress” — which helps me connect with our customers, understand their unique goals, and collaborate seamlessly with our internal teams (also fluent in “Congress language”) to bring their congress vision into reality.

Tell us about your current role with MTA. What are your primary responsibilities?

In my role as a key account manager at MTA, I serve as the strategic bridge between our customers and internal teams, ensuring that every interaction is not just transactional but truly transformational. I focus on building and nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with our customers while continuously identifying opportunities to expand these partnerships.

What did you do before joining MTA?

I began my events career in high school catering, which sparked a lifelong passion for creating meaningful experiences. After earning my degree in event management, I worked in luxury hospitality before transitioning to life sciences. Over the years, I’ve managed global congress logistics, housing, and compliance, eventually moving into program management, where I aligned brand strategy with seamless execution to deliver impactful congresses across the globe.

What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job?

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is helping customers uncover the full potential of MTA’s congress capabilities. Many aren’t aware of just how much support we can provide – from logistics to engagement to data-driven strategy. I love being able to connect the dots for them, showing how we can streamline operations, reduce risk, and ultimately elevate the entire congress experience. Collaborating with our internal experts to tailor solutions that meet each client’s unique needs is incredibly rewarding.

What are some of the latest trends you are seeing with congress meetings and events?

In 2025, events, especially congresses, are increasingly guided by data-informed planning, where every element is tied to purpose and performance. Customers want measurable ROI, not just from HCP engagement and booth traffic, but also from ancillary events and internal spend. There’s a growing focus on qualifying business activities by their true impact, ensuring resources are allocated intentionally. With tools that support real-time logistics and attendee-level tracking, teams can refine strategy on the ground, avoid unnecessary spend, and tell a fuller story of congress value.

The best congresses aren’t built on flashy tactics – they’re built on strong fundamentals, executed flawlessly.

What are some key strategies for launching a successful congress meeting?

Success starts with mastering the basics. A deep understanding of congress registration and housing nuances can prevent costly missteps and help teams fully leverage sponsorship benefits. Precision in planning, timeline management, and vendor negotiation keeps logistics flowing smoothly and avoids unnecessary stress later. And having the right tools – whether for communication, event management, or real-time analytics – means teams stay aligned and proactive, not reactive. The best congresses aren’t built on flashy tactics – they’re built on strong fundamentals, executed flawlessly.

What’s one misconception from customers regarding congress events?

A common misconception is that greater impact requires greater spending. In reality, working with experienced congress partners allows teams to be more strategic and thoughtful. By cutting waste, optimizing sponsorship benefits, and streamlining execution, customers can invest intentionally in the areas that truly move the needle – often achieving stronger outcomes without overspending.

What is the one must-have for every event?

Simple. Great agency partners. In life sciences, where compliance, precision, and cross-functional alignment are critical, having the right partners makes all the difference. From proposal to reconciliation, it takes a team: account and customer success managers, project leads, delegate management experts, venue sourcing, and financial analysts – working behind the scenes to bring clarity, control, and strategic value to every congress. A great agency doesn’t just execute; they elevate the experience, ensuring every touchpoint supports the science and delivers meaningful impact.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

We don’t just plan meetings – we engineer outcomes. At MTA, we combine deep life sciences expertise with smart tech, agile, creative execution, and flawless logistics. Our proprietary tools give customers real-time visibility and a full picture of financial analytics, empowering smarter decisions and measurable outcomes. From compliance to congress strategy, we simplify the complex so our customers can focus on what really matters: driving impact.

Where are you from and where do you currently reside? What do you enjoy most about the area? Any recommended tourist spots?

I’m originally from Indiana and will always be a Midwesterner at heart, but now I proudly call San Antonio home. It’s a big city with a small-town feel – full of heart, amazing food, and warm hospitality. I also appreciate the mild winters… no more shoveling snow! If you’re ever in town, you have to stroll along the River Walk. It’s scenic, vibrant, and captures the welcoming spirit of San Antonio perfectly.

What do you do for fun?

I love spending quality time with my two children, family, and our “friends that are like family.” Staying active is a big part of my life – dancing and Pilates are my go-to workouts. I also enjoy hiking and making weekend trips to the South Texas beaches whenever I can.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I’m truly grateful to be part of a team that values collaboration, creativity, and excellence. There’s something really special about working alongside people who care deeply about what they do – and about each other. I’ve formed some amazing friendships here at MTA and look forward to celebrating many successes with this incredible group of people for many years to come!

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com.

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Meet MTA: Hannah Taylor, Financial Compliance Associate

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today, we introduce you to Financial Compliance Associate Hannah Taylor. Hannah ensures that post-event details, along with compliance and transparency reports, are meticulously processed and finalized for our customers.

Meet Hannah Taylor, Financial Compliance Associate

CliftonStrengths: Developer, Empathy, Adaptability, Relator, Positivity

Tell us about your current role with MTA. What are your primary responsibilities?

As a financial compliance specialist, I mainly process expense reimbursements for event attendees and complete post-event compliance and transparency reports.

What did you do before joining MTA?

Before joining MTA, I was an associate accountant for a medical device company.

What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job?

In my time at MTA, I’ve discovered countless aspects of my job that I truly enjoy. There are so many parts of my job that I love. I’m fortunate to be part of a fantastic team that is not only supportive and creative but also hard-working and enjoyable to work with. Plus, each day brings its unique challenges, as no reimbursement or transparency report is ever the same.

I truly appreciate how, as a company, we constantly seek improvements and efficiency in our processes. Managers and the leadership team wholeheartedly encourage everyone to think creatively and share their ideas. I’ve enjoyed working on numerous projects that not only satisfy my inner problem-solver but also allow me to collaborate with colleagues with whom I don’t typically work.

What are some ways that the Finance Team alleviates the burden when planning an event?

The Finance Team expertly creates a budget plan tailored to meet each customer’s needs and compiles a final budget portfolio complete with all necessary documentation. Specific to the Financial Compliance Team, customers and attendees can be assured that we process reimbursements quickly and accurately. We follow specific company, state, federal, and country guidelines pertaining to reimbursements and transparency. If challenges arise, we dive in and investigate, ensuring our services to customers and event attendees continue to align with our top-notch white-glove commitment.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

MTA truly is a full-service planning company. MTA genuinely cares about and prioritizes everyone they encounter, transforming each event into a memorable experience. By encouraging collaboration across departments, they ensure an enjoyable journey for customers, vendors, attendees, and staff. Plus, their innovative apps and software simplify the event process, making it easier for everyone involved.

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?

Nothing beats the face-to-face interactions that help strengthen our relationships with colleagues we see frequently, as well as those from MTA we don’t interact with as often.

What do you do for fun?

I love traveling and spending time with my husband and daughters. As a family, we enjoy being outside, whether it’s running around the yard with the dogs and turkeys or jumping off the dock at the lake. I also love to cook, bake, read, listen to music, and go to concerts.

Where do you live, and what do you love most about your state/city? Any must-see tourist spots?

I was born and raised north of Memphis, Tennessee. My favorite thing about Memphis is probably the zoo. Something is always being added or updated, so each time you go, it’s a new experience. We can spend an entire day there and still feel like we didn’t see everything.

Downtown Memphis has excellent restaurants. The Majestic Grille – a former movie theater – is one of my favorites. When the current owners converted the building to a restaurant, they preserved its vintage movie screen, so they continue to show classic films as diners enjoy their meals.

There are so many things to love about Tennessee, though: The food. The music. The people. The sports. (Go Vols!) Between Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, there’s something for everyone.

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com.