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Key Questions to Ask an Event Planner

Key Questions to ask when hiring a corporate event planner

If you are charged with hiring a professional event planner for your next corporate meeting, whether it be for a pharmaceutical investigator meeting or a company’s national sales meeting, the task may seem daunting, especially if this is new territory for you. What key factors should you consider when hiring a corporate event planner to execute your next meeting? What are the important questions to ask?

Every single day we are amazed by the variety and depth of questions that we are asked by our existing and potential new clients. Each of their unique perspectives help us to enhance the conversation about what Miller Tanner Associates can bring to the table throughout our partnership development.  Plus, it allows us to find potential new ways to expand our global service offerings to fit each client’s individual needs.

To help you better navigate this process, we’ve compiled a list of key questions to ask when hiring a corporate event planner.

However, before seeking out an event planning expert, we first suggest doing some initial homework that will help you and your event planner prepare for a successful event. We recommend having a general idea for these 5 areas in advance:

Key Questions to Answer Before Hiring an Event Planner

1). Timeline for planning

We recommend typically a 12-16 week lead time from client award to desired meeting date in order to accommodate all parties involved.

Proactively planning can also save the client on airfare with tickets purchased 14-21 days in advance too.  While Miller Tanner has hosted events, both face-to-face and virtual in as few as 10 days, the lead time is a very important consideration to ensure an event’s success as defined by attendance ratios. If an event is planned on short notice, location options and venues may be limited, often resulting in a premium for the venue space.

Additionally, if you schedule an event on short notice, key speakers’ schedules, and/or attendees’ schedules may not have the flexibility for their attendance. With this in mind, try to plan ahead at least 12 weeks as there is a direct correlation between advanced notice to invited parties and acceptance rates.

2). Number of attendees 

We plan meetings for as few as 10 and as many as 1000.  The size of your meeting attendance can have several implications.

For instance, many hotels in Europe are well suited to accommodate and host under 200 attendees at once in their meeting space.

For events over 300 persons, hotel options are limited for not only meeting room logistics, but actual hotel rooming under one roof.  Putting attendees up at multiple venues can be an added challenge for transfers between properties.

3). Locational preferences 

It is nice to have a destination in mind; however, our expertise is making recommendations for unique experiences while staying on budget.

There are some great airport properties to consider if your agenda is short and people won’t be leaving the venue.  However, many of our clients like to choose city central locations which offer within a short walking distance some cultural activities to get a “feel” of the city’s vibe like Amsterdam, Barcelona or Buenos Aires.

4). Budgetary considerations 

If travel budgets are limited, meetings can be conducted virtually.  Alternatively, if your attendance ratio is tracking lower than you desire, Miller Tanner can record the meeting and post on our proprietary On-Demand Trainer/Learning Management System for future training use to ensure 100% completion of required training. We have innovative approaches that can have a positive impact on your budget’s bottom line.

5). Program success

Most importantly, understand your program’s goals.

When working with our clients at Miller Tanner, knowing our clients’ goals enables our team to hear their needs to make recommendations based upon our prior experience to help shape their agenda to achieve them.  Understanding our clients’ preferences and how they define success upfront is key!

Key Questions to Ask When Hiring an Event Planner

1). General Capabilities and Support Provided

You’ll want to find out their general capabilities and how an event planner will support you during your face-to-face, virtual and/or hybrid meetings. You might consider asking:

  • What is the company’s area of expertise?
  • What is the process for deploying a meeting and what specific services will be provided?
  • What factors should I consider when determining a virtual or hybrid meeting versus a face-to-face meeting?

2). Operations Structure

Different meeting planners offer different operational structures. You’ll want to know upfront how an event planner’s organizational model works and if it’s a good fit for your event needs.

  • Will I have one contact person or be working with a team of planners throughout the planning process?
  • How many planners will be available on the day of the event?
  • What method of communication is preferred?

3). Media and Production Services

Additionally, it’s useful to understand how a meeting planning company leverages their in-house media and production team and the full array of services offered to enhance the attendee experience at each event. Does the media and production team include services such as:

  • Equipment/technician oversight?
  • Graphics, design, and support?
  • Technical direction of the event?
  • What will I be responsible for providing?

4). Compliance and Security Measures

Ensure that the company you are considering takes seriously the security of your valuable proprietary information and attendee data, make sure it is “best in class”.

  • Does the company you are considering offer compliance as a service?
  • Are standard operating systems in place and available for review?
  • Where is your meeting data stored and how safe is storage?

5). Financial Reporting Procedures

It’s wise to understand the full scope of a meeting planning company’s financial reporting services to ensure that they capture all the details for regulatory required reporting. Questions you might consider asking are:

  • How often will billing updates be provided?
  • Are final bills paid, documented, and provided as a single package?
  • How are Sunshine Act reports handled, if required?

6). Company Philosophy

Lastly, it’s important to consider an event planning company’s philosophy and determine if it is ultimately in sync with your company’s values and your event goals.

  • Will our company values align?
  • Do I feel like a VIP when interacting with your event planner?
  • How are the small details handled?

At Miller Tanner, our company’s philosophy is simple, “do the right thing and good things will come”. We believe that deep partnerships over the long-term yield the best results for both our clients and our team. We are interested in relationships that span decades, not just pieces of business.

We hope this blog post gives you more insight into the right questions to ask before hiring your next event coordinator. If you are interested in partnering with Miller Tanner Associates to plan your next event, then bring your ideas, and let’s talk about solutions to help you achieve your next meeting’s goals.  

Frequently Asked Questions

In effort to help readers to summarize the information found within this post, we’ve recapitulated the article in question and answer form.

What is the Importance of a Timeline for Event Planning?

With tickets bought 14 to 21 days prior to a conference or event, you can help save the attendee money on flights. The lead time is a critical factor in determining an event’s success as measured by attendance ratios. Additionally, when planning an event on short notice, location and venue choices may be restricted, resulting in a higher price for the venue space.

How Does the Number of Attendees Impact an Event’s Success?

Hotel choices for gatherings with more than 300 attendees are restricted, not just in terms of meeting room logistics, but also in terms of hotel accommodation under one roof. Transfers between properties may be made more difficult if participants are housed at several locations.

How Does Location Preference Affect My Conference?

If your agenda is short and no one will be leaving the venue, there are several excellent airport properties to consider. Many of our customers, however, choose city center areas that provide cultural activities within a short walking distance to acquire a “feel” for the city’s atmosphere and dining experiences.

Which Budget Considerations Should I Consider for My Conference?

Meetings may be held online if travel costs are restricted. Alternatively, if your attendance rate is falling short of your expectations, you can save it on an on-demand management system for future training, which guarantees that all necessary training is completed.

How Do Event Planners Ensure Program Success?

Knowing client’s goals enables an event planning team to understand specific needs to make recommendations based upon prior experience. This helps shape the agenda to achieve said goals. Understanding upfront client preferences and how each client defines success is key to a well organized event.

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#MeetMTA: Dan Conroy, Director of Technology Services

Meet Daniel Conroy, Miller Tanner's Director of Technology Services

The Miller Tanner difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that bring our corporate meetings and events to life for our clients.

Today, we want to introduce you to Dan Conroy, Director of Technology Services, residing in the New York Area. Dan is one of the newest members of our team, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce him to you!

Meet Dan Conroy

You recently joined the Miller Tanner team. When did you start and what did you do prior to coming to Miller Tanner?

I joined the Miller Tanner team in January 2016. For the last eight years, I was a management consultant focused on business technology for small to midsize companies — primarily in tri-state (NY metro) area.

Tell us about your current role – What do you do as ‘Director of Technology Services’?

It’s a dynamic role. I am responsible for the both the developmental and operational technology sides of the business. I love that MTA has real products under development and has real scale. We may not be a Global Fortune 500 Company (yet) but we face many of the same challenges. Those challenges and opportunities are what keeps the work fun and interesting.

Why is technology so important to Miller Tanner and our clients? In other words, how does technology play an integral role in the meetings and events we provide?

Technology is important to Miller Tanner and our clients for several reasons.

First and foremost, the technology is what enables Miller Tanner to have employees seamlessly linked around the globe servicing the needs of our clients; we have 65 full time staff on six continents. Next, the technology we currently have, and are continuing to enhance, enables our clients to see who has been invited to their meetings, their invitation status, as well as provide ad hoc reporting so our clients are empowered to keep their management informed. Additionally, our technology allows us to host Virtual Meetings on our proprietary system with very insightful reporting overlays.

Our Virtual Meetings can be combined with our Face-to-Face Meetings by linking them through our Hybrid Meeting option providing flexible solutions if a client has a scheduling conflict and needs to be two places at the same time.

Finally, our On-Demand Trainer, Learning Management System, allows our clients to capture their meeting content and re-purpose that content and provide it securely as needed to anyone around the globe.

What is the biggest technological challenge of conducting meetings across the globe every day?

In short, one of the biggest challenges, or variables, to conducting virtual meetings is the Internet connection. As ubiquitous as the Internet might be, it’s far from consistent. Virginia will present a different set of challenges than say, Venice. Another component that adds to the fun is working across global time zones. Since our days are very dynamic, the ability to pivot and think on your feet is paramount to keeping up with the challenges and being successful.

Is this your first time working for a virtual company? And if so, what is that like?

This is not my first time working for a virtual company. Virtual companies can be a bit more challenging when you start because it can be harder to connect with your team. However, good technology helps overcome that barrier.

How does technology play a role in making Miller Tanner work well as a virtual company?

Technology is the glue that links us as one organization. This company has been virtual since Inception, which in 1997 was on the cutting edge. The virtual part of the company enables us to hire the best talent regardless of where they sit in the world, and it’s my team’s job to support their connection needs.

What is your favorite piece of technology that you couldn’t live without?

I try not to get too attached to any one piece of technology or service — things change too quickly. I suppose if I had to pick one it would be my laptop. Or maybe Netflix.

What do you enjoy most about working at Miller Tanner?

The flexibility Miller Tanner provides for me is one of my favorite aspects. As a former business consultant, I sometimes missed the comradery of a team environment – teammates to discuss various ideas with, that sort of thing. I prefer smaller companies because you are empowered to do things that make an impact within the organization.

How does Miller Tanner create exceptional client experience through the use of technology? In other words, how does technology play a role in the client experience?

Our people really create the exceptional experiences and our technology supports them; Our business is about top level of service through connectedness.

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Virtual Meeting Tips

Tips for Virtual Meetings

Virtual Meeting Tips for Success

To ensure that your next virtual meeting is a successful one, the Virtual Events Team at Miller Tanner has compiled some useful best practices.

When planning the virtual meeting:

  • Be time-efficient. Streamline your meeting by compressing your agenda to fit within a 4-hour or less timeframe.
  • It’s preferred to use video conferencing but also provide an audio dial-in option as a back up for anyone that might have internet challenges. 
  • Have a backup plan in case of audio/video connection issues or other technical difficulties that might arise.

When you are the presenter:

  • Have the right equipment. To avoid the common pitfalls of virtual meetings related to audio and visuals, have the right equipment and network connection, such as a high-definition webcam, hard-wired internet connection, external microphone, lighting, or quality headset, and most importantly, know how to work this technology properly. Do not use cell or speakerphones because this can muffle your voice and pick up distracting background noises. 
  • Dress for success. Be mindful that what you choose your wear might interfere with your microphone (scarf, large earrings, etc.). Also, consider your color of clothing. For example, if you are using a green screen, avoid green and/or patterned clothing. Stick with basic solid colors.  
  • Practice and practice again. Rehearse so that you are well prepared to deliver your presentation. When you present live, have a glass of water nearby as well as your notes to use as a reference if needed.
  • Don’t forget to run through a technical rehearsal. Understand the technology and how it works. Prior to your event, rehearse slide navigation and all the features that allow you to engage with your audience. Understand the tools such as how to advance slides, manage chats, and push out pollings.
  • Review housekeeping information with attendees prior to the virtual meeting presentations to ensure that your attendees are comfortable submitting or asking questions and understand where to access all support documents.
  • Make your presentation engaging – this is key to a successful virtual experience. Virtual meetings should include a lot of discussions. Pose questions regularly to encourage chat and make it a priority to interact with participants throughout all your event sessions. Engage your audience with the virtual event platform features. Ask your audience questions in a wide variety of formats, such as multiple-choice, rating, text responses, polling, voting, breakout sessions, and even fun game challenges. With these methods of engagement, your audience will be more inclined to participate and interact with the presentation.
  • Screen share so that your attendees can follow along. Keep your presentations concise and on point.

When you are an attendee:

  • Test the technology ahead of time so that you aren’t joining your meeting late.
  • Use the chat window to ask questions and engage with the presenter.
  • Turn off any distractions and close any unnecessary screens.

When on camera (presenter and/or attendee): 

  • Check your lighting. Natural lighting is best with windows facing you to illuminate your face.
  • Give eye contact to your camera and look into it when speaking. Your camera should be placed at eye level.
  • Frame yourself in the camera view so that your head and top of your shoulders are prominent in the screen. Adjust your camera or your chair if you are too close or too far from the screen.
  • Be aware of your background. Less is more. Make sure your background is simple and uncluttered. You can use a green screen image to replace a messy background.
  • Minimize distractions. Close any open screens that might distract your attention from the virtual meeting. Remember you are on camera, so you always want to give your full attention to the speaker.
  • Raise your voice one notch higher so that you can be heard clearly through the external or internal microphone. This helps you feel more confident while speaking and helps keep a slower pace.
  • Mute your microphone when you are not speaking. And unmute only when you speak. This allows for there to be no noise distractions during presentations. 
  • If you need to step away from your desk for a moment or eat, etc., make sure that you turn off your camera and, of course, mute your microphone.

Implementing these tips and best practices into your next virtual meeting can greatly improve its effectiveness and enhance the overall experience for you as a speaker or as an attendee. Miller Tanner Associates can help assist you through these virtual meeting best practices and more to ensure an exceptional meeting from start to finish.

Download our Virtual Event Checklist

Download our VIrtual Event Checklist.
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The Importance of Internal Meetings

Why Internal Meetings Matter

8 Reasons Why Internal Meetings Matter

We asked the team of event pros at Miller Tanner Associates why internal meetings matter. Our team members share their perspectives on how internal meetings over in-office meetings can be beneficial to the overall health of an organization. 

1. Builds Team Morale

There is no better money spent than meeting face-to-face when it comes to being part of a team,  whether leading or supporting a company, department, or team. That’s why team meetings are of the utmost importance. 

In most companies, the cost is an issue when bringing people together so you have to make the most of the limited time.  However, it pays dividends for building team morale, allowing everyone to enjoy celebrating successes together, nurturing a virtual work environment, and driving comradery.  The team walks away feeling appreciated, heard, valued, and supported to name a few positive outcomes. 

Since we are a 100% virtual company, the entire group doesn’t always get the chance to engage with each other. Even when we do have a few moments between meetings and working on projects, it’s not enough time to really connect with another team member. The workshop gives us that opportunity. We disconnect from our computers and phones and focus on each other. We get to have conversations about our personal lives, laugh, do activities that bring us closer and just hang out. I think that’s incredibly beneficial for our company. – Meredeth Brower, Product Lead  

2. Creates a Sense of Purpose

Face-to-face meetings provide a perspective for the team at large as to what the company’s mission and goals are and it serves as an opportunity to share new company information and allow interaction. It’s a great time for employees to have facetime with the executives and to feel valued and celebrated.

These types of meetings also provide opportunities for employees to intermingle among departments or regions and it can help the morale and culture when a company puts their money back into their employees. It creates a great sense of purpose. 

3. Nurtures a Strong Company Culture 

It might be out of style to invest in company culture or its team, outside of salaries and benefits, but at Miller Tanner Associates (MTA) I believe that creating a strong company culture yields a strong, successful company. Company cultures are built on creating positive, memorable company experiences. After creating 25 annual events for the MTA team, I’ve seen the investment in the MTA team really pay off. – Marnie Miller Battistini, CEO

Miller Tanner sells the idea that gathering and shared experiences equals community and growth. What does it say to our customers if we didn’t practice what we preach?  The fact that MTA is a global company and we don’t always have the opportunity to see each other throughout the year is even more reason that we should come together and BE together. Being together, sharing a meal together, or just sitting next to someone while they train you on the newest software is so valuable.  It connects us, creates empathy in our roles and makes us a better team to do what we are brought to Miller Tanner to do.  There is more to each of us than just the job we do.  When we are together, those qualities shine and we can bring them back into our every day work. – Jenny Decker, CMP, Global Experience Manager

4. Offers Tangible and Intangible Experiences

The face-to-face experience offers tangible and intangible experiences.  Tangibles are generally captured by industry standards such as training ROI metrics, attendance ratios or other measurements.  Intangibles are captured by client cultures or the audience value system. 

Values are subjective and harder to measure but are just as valid an outcome as it goes toward addressing the human quotient of any business. 

Internal meetings foster shared commonality and communication in organizations.

5. Fosters Shared Commonality and Communication

First, the more you know about someone the better you can react to their thoughts, ideas, and moods.  It is easy to interact with someone when you have familiarity.  Internal meetings help provide that bridge. 

Additionally, sage advice says, the more you have in common with someone the easier it is to interact based on that common ground.  Shared experiences provide that opportunity to transcend the present moment and bond for the future or laugh over the past. 

To me, the MTA Workshop is an invaluable experience that allows our teams and departments to connect, grow and unite as we look towards the future of MTA. It is at the heart and soul of what we do at MTA – provide dynamic experiences. As a Global Company who primarily communicates virtually, the time shared together through experiences or collective conversations (or in this case, on a glacier) is what I most look forward to at the MTA workshop. I love learned about what other departments are working through or celebrating in addition to personally getting to spend time with new team members. – Janina Marsh, Global Experience Designer

6. Determines Goals and Strategy for Success

Internal meetings are critical to establish roles and responsibilities, outline company goals and objectives, identify and build a strategy for a path forward to success, streamline processes, and ensure the right stakeholders are involved in decision-making. 

Senior leaders and department heads should value input from their stakeholders and trusted employees, and want to learn from the team too – this is a step in the right direction. 

7. Provides Face-to-Face Time with Leadership

It’s an investment in a company and also a reboot to get everyone back on the same page and same goal. Time with executives is important for employees to feel seen and understand their value to the company.

If there are big changes, restructures, new missions, new goals – it is a great time to roll that out, in person, to allow questions and interaction. 

8. Actualizes the Company’s Message

Internal meetings are an opportunity to actualize the messaging and value system of a company.  For example, at the annual MTA Workshop, one of my agenda items is to show the team my thanks for their hard work and commitment to the MTA brand. It’s where I try to energize everyone for the year to come while recognizing past achievements.  Face-to-face meetings address the “humanity” of our workforce and move toward maintaining a strong team. – Marnie Miller Battistini, CEO

Do you need assistance with planning your next internal meeting? The Miller Tanner Team can help you create a more engaging, productive meeting for your internal teams. Contact us today

Frequently Asked Questions

In effort to help readers to summarize the information found within this post, we’ve recapitulated the article in question and answer form.

What are Some Ways to Build Team Morale?

When it comes to being a member of a team, whether leading or assisting a business, department, or coaching, there is no better money spent than meeting face-to-face. That is why team meetings are so crucial. When getting people together in most businesses, money is always a factor, so you have to make the most of the time you have.

How Can I Create a Sense of Purpose within My Organization?

Face-to-face meetings provide everyone on the team a better understanding of the business’s purpose and objectives, as well as a chance to exchange fresh corporate information and better communicate. It’s a wonderful opportunity for workers to meet with leaders and feel appreciated and recognized.

How Can I Build a Stronger Company Culture?

Positive, memorable workplace experiences are the foundation of corporate cultures. A strong corporate culture leads to a strong, successful business.

How are Tangible & Intangible Experiences Created?

Face-to-face interactions provide both concrete and intangible benefits. Industry standards such as training ROI measures, attendance rates, and other measurements are often used to collect tangibles. Client cultures or the audience value system help to capture intangibles.

How Do I Determine Goals & Strategy for Success?

Internal meetings are essential for establishing roles and duties, defining corporate goals and objectives, identifying and developing a plan for success, streamlining procedures, and ensuring that the appropriate stakeholders are engaged in decision-making are all key.

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Celebrating 23 Years of Planning Event Experiences

We are jazzed to be celebrating 23 incredible years in the global meeting and event industry! Your partnerships have played an instrumental role in our success. Thank you for the opportunity to create memorable virtual and face-to-face events for you across the world.

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Virtual Event Mash-Up

Virtual events

We’ve curated a mash-up of some of our best blogs with tips for creating successful virtual events. Now more than ever virtual events are essential. Use these strategies from the Miller Tanner Team to improve and maximize your meeting’s capabilities.

Switching to Virtual Meeting Solutions

Even when the face-to-face can’t go on, your meeting still can. Businesses can easily switch to virtual options and not miss a beat when they have the right partner in place to guide them through the switch. More here.

4 Tips for Virtual Meeting Success

Virtual Meeting Tips

Virtual meetings are an ideal option for many companies needing to provide the latest information to attendees without the need to consider travel, hotel, and other logistics. Since the cost is a fraction of a face-to-face meeting, more and more companies are finding this option to be a valuable solution to educate and update attendees, especially within short time frames. Read more here.

Using Virtual Solutions to Relocate a Meeting

Relocated a face to face meeting

A lot goes into planning a meeting and yet even the best-laid plans can be derailed by the unpredictable. That was the case for one of our clients who had to consider canceling their event after the sudden emergence of a public health crisis. Read more here.

3 Reasons You Need a Virtual Meeting Planner

Reasons you need a planner for virtual events

Though you could conduct a virtual meeting using in-house resources, oftentimes many companies do not have access to the equipment and expertise required to produce a seamless virtual event. With virtual events, a well-executed deployment is essential; otherwise, you easily run the risk of a virtual event failure, wasting time and valuable resources in the process. Read more here.

Let Miller Tanner Associates set you up for a virtual success. Learn more about our virtual event solutions here.

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Miller Tanner Associates Virtual Event Solutions

VIrtual Event Planners

Pivot to Virtual

Virtual Events are the perfect solution when the unexpected happens.

Planning in advance and for the unexpected is a given for us at MTA. Even during the unexpected, you can still expect that your meeting’s message will be heard.

How? Short answer – through our virtual event services and VALTs™ (Virtual Assessment Learning and Training Source).

Miller Tanner are the virtual meetings experts


MTA has the expertise to produce interactive, engaging, laser-focused virtual events, that can be easily replicated to achieve your virtual event messaging goals.


Add in VALTs™ our proprietary tool that can replicate your message or provide training that is budget-friendly while simultaneously creating an audit-ready, permission-based training record that can be accessed in real-time.

VALTs: Virtual Assessment Learning and Training Source


Combined together, a virtual event with our customized VALTS™ product is a dynamic dual alternative solution for your meeting needs.

To learn more about our Virtual Solutions, contact us today or download our Virtual Event Solutions Guide!

Download our Virtual Event Solutions Guide!
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5 Corporate Event Trends to Try

Event experience trends 2020

Bring these popular ideas to your next corporate event experience for an unforgettable experience.

1. Include Altruism, Wellness, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Tap into the emotional intelligence of your audience by bringing a more altruistic midset to your event. This is an important piece of everyday life for individuals so why not showcase at your event to inspire your attendees.

Some ways to do this:

  • Include zones where attendees can focus on wellness aspects like a yoga zone or massage chairs.
  • Schedule outdoor breaks that allow your attendees the opportunity to get outside, breathe fresh air, or take a brisk walk.
  • Focus on others with an onsite CSR project built right into your meeting.
  • Be mindful of work-life balance and incorporate concepts into your event.

2. Content is Key

With so much easy access to information 24-7, it’s vital that your event content is engaging in a way that isn’t just added white noise among the barrage of information.

“Keeping your audience engaged means more than simply entertaining them. To engage an audience isn’t just to hold their attention, but to hold their attention for a thoughtful purpose…stimulating the five senses can do wonders, as long as it serves to keep the audience focused on a thematic message,” reports Event Manager Blog.

3. Listen to Your Audience

How will you know that your content was engaging? Simply, by listening to your audience through their feedback. Post-event surveys allow you to evaluate the return on the experience (ROE) so that you can continue to improve your participants’ experiences at future events.

4. Add the Element of Surprise

By adding an element of surprise to your event, you keep your audience more engaged. This can also create a more memorable experience while adding to the WOW factor.

Some ways to do this:

  • Create an interactive mystery element, for example, escape rooms or a murder mystery dinner.
  • Provide unexpected gifting suite/baskets or even a handwritten note from team leaders.
  • Plan surprise entertainment or an outing around the host city.

5. Learn from Neuroscience

We can learn a lot about attendee behavior from emerging neuroscience data. What creates better social opportunities? How can we improve attendee knowledge retention? How can we boost engagement? These are all questions that neuroscience can provide clues for answering.

  • Plan breaks in your agenda, preferably every 20 minutes; it improves engagement, learning, and attendees’ overall wellbeing.
  • Build in time for your attendees to process the information being learned. This can be done through small groups, break-out sessions, or individual time spent writing down what they’ve learned.

Let the Miller Tanner Associates team guide you through the complicated task of planning an event experience that will yield measurable success.

Resource: Event Manager Blog

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Meet MTA: Melanie Riddick, Director of Accounting Operations

The Miller Tanner difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that bring our corporate meetings and events to life for our clients. Today, we introduce you to Melanie Riddick, Director of Accounting Operations. With a knack for details and her sharp interpersonal skills, Melanie brings her extensive knowledge in data management and customer relations to the MTA team.

Meet Melanie Riddick, Director of Accounting Operations

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

As Director of Accounting Operations, I manage the financial compliance of transparency reporting in adherence to state and federal legislation (Sunshine Act), global requirements (GDPR), and client contractual terms, conditions, and deadlines. This requires analyzing lots of data and details!  Our team also conducts a rigorous quality control cross-check on completed transparency reports to ensure we provide our clients with accurate data. Additionally, I oversee our team members who audit and process payments for event attendee reimbursement requests. This also involves managing our internal guidelines and processes to ensure they remain up-to-date and efficient. Finally, my role supports the full finance team with project management and system/process improvements to better serve both internal and external stakeholders.

What did you do before joining MTA?

I spent the last 10 years before coming to MTA working in the Nashville nonprofit community. Most of those roles involved donor development, data management, fundraising, and planning special events. Prior to that, I worked for a small custom cabinetry business for several years handling purchasing and inventory, fulfilling customer orders, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliations. 

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

By nature, I am detail-oriented and relationship-driven, so I thrive in roles that combine managing data and serving others. This job does exactly that! I am motivated by providing our clients with a high level of excellence, and I enjoy spending the time needed to dig into the financial data and compile it into comprehensive and easy-to-understand deliverables. I also enjoy the opportunities I have to interact with our vendors and event attendees. Most of all, I end each day grateful to be a part of MTA. Our team is composed of so many knowledgeable, talented, and personable individuals who are truly a joy to work with together!

Left: Melanie ice-climbing in Iceland at MTA’s Workshop. Right: Melanie with the MTA Finance Team.

What do you do for fun?

My husband, Adam, and I LOVE to travel, and we get restless if we don’t have a trip to look forward to on the calendar. We’ve visited Italy, England, Czech Republic, Iceland, Jamaica, Aruba, Mexico, Greece, and many states in the U.S. together. I’m also a fan of theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios. We can’t travel all the time, so I love spending most of the time together as a family with our son, Connor. Sometimes that means a quiet night cooking dinner at home and watching a movie, and other times it means going out to a concert, sporting event or other fun activity. When I have time for just me, I love to run, hike, read fiction books, and go to brunch with friends.

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

What stands out is the ways we do what we do more efficiently and uniquely from our competitors. MTA is focused first and foremost on people – the clients we serve, the meeting attendees, and our fellow team members. Everyone at MTA is focused on listening to and meeting the needs of these groups of people. By combining this passion for people with the talents, skills, and resources available through the MTA team, we are able to provide our clients with a high level of excellent customer service and help them achieve their goals for each meeting.  

One of the other things I value about MTA is our culture of generosity and hospitality and how it is reflected in the opportunities we have to give back to our communities. Employees are provided time to spend volunteering, and we participate in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities  together at our annual workshop. We also assist our clients with implementing  their own CSRs at their events to provide their meeting attendees with an opportunity to serve others. 

Where do you live and what do you love most about your state/city?

While I love to travel and explore new places, I’m always happy to come home to Nashville, Tennessee! A lot of people have moved here over the last 10 years, and for good reason! We have several sports teams that are fun to see, and there is no shortage of terrific live music on any given day. Our restaurant scene has exploded, so I love checking out new spots and trying different kinds of food. I always tell visitors to spend time at the “honky-tonks” on Broadway to get a glimpse into the Nashville tourist scene. Even as natives, we enjoy it, and it’s family-friendly during the day! We also have a lot of great state parks and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee – I love spending time hiking and seeing so many unique landscapes within driving distance of home. 

What’s one of your favorite destinations in the world and why?

Adam and I spent several days in Positano on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and it is hands down one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. I loved being able to wander the quaint little streets and shops, hang out on the beach, and spend evenings having dinner overlooking the sea. The top priority on my travel bucket list is to plan a trip to travel throughout Germany, Switzerland, and Austria – I would love to explore the culture in those areas and know that the scenery will be absolutely stunning to see!

Blog

20 Ways to Create an Event that Your Attendees will Love

It’s February and love is in the air – even for events! Do you want to create an event experience that your attendees will love? Give your face-to-face meetings and events more TLC with these 20 tips from Miller Tanner Associates. Click on each tip for more information.

engage audience

Engage Your Audience

  1. Use technology for creative presentations like holograms, LED screens, video and more.
  2. Engage with Hybrid.
  3. Add more fun.
  4. Understand what your audience wants.
  5. Go paperless and digital.
memorable events

Make It Memorable

  1. Weave in a theme to transform your event from drab to fab.
  2. Celebrate achievements with a sales event, Incentive Travel or a Product Launch.
  3. Make internal meetings a priority.
  4. Add some extras like personalized gifting and cultural outings.
  5. Use team-building and CSR to unite your team.
  6. Go green!
  7. Emphasize work-life balance.
  8. Have fun and dream big!
get inspired

Get Inspired

  1. Get inspired! Check out Miller Tanner Associates on social media for inspirational ideas! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
  2. Discover a new and exciting event location.
  3. Read our success stories for more ideas!
  4. Plan your first incentive trip, even on a budget.
  5. Add the WOW factor.
  6. Be unique.
  7. Hire a professional planner like Miller Tanner Associates to plan an event that your attendees are sure to love.
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