Blog

5 Ways We Wowed Our Client’s Leadership Conference in Dublin

5 Ways We Wowed Our Client in Dublin

At Miller Tanner, we love creating unique and memorable events for our clients.

For us, there’s no better feeling than planning and executing a meeting experience that gets attendees excited, makes our clients smile, and keeps people talking for months (or even years).

A great example of an event like that was a leadership conference we recently planned for a client in Dublin, Ireland.

Energizing Attendees and Celebrating The Client’s Heritage

Our client is headquartered in Dublin with thousands of employees all over the world.

The opportunity to gather the organization’s top leaders together for a conference in the company’s home city was quite a special occasion that needed to be recognized.

Through the conference, the client wanted to explore and emphasize what set them apart from the competition, celebrate their Irish heritage, and get everyone energized for the year ahead.

How We Created a Truly Memorable Conference Experience in Dublin

Here are five ways our team’s attention to detail and focus on exceptional customer service helped the client achieve their conference goals:

1. Meticulous planning.

The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin

Miller Tanner was involved from the beginning of the planning process and once we became aware of the client’s specific goals for the conference, we made sure to find ways to incorporate them into all aspects of the program.

We helped our client sculpt the content of the agenda to make sure they were highlighting what makes the company stand out and how they could be a difference-maker for their customers in the coming year.

We also knew that celebrating their Irish heritage was important, so we wanted to bring that into the program in any tasteful way we could.

A few ways we were able to highlight their heritage was through custom gifts, a unique Dublin tour, and even the appearance of our staff members (more on each of those below).

The client also helped set MTA up for success by selecting The Shelbourne Hotel, which is an absolutely amazing venue. It’s one of Dublin’s oldest and most famous hotels with a long and storied Irish history.

Not only is the actual property beautiful with old charm, but the staff are also first class and were always going above and beyond to help us with our event.

2. The arrival experience.

At Miller Tanner, we always try to go the extra mile to make sure the program is flawless and the guest experience is memorable.

There was some bad weather in Dublin on arrival day and it required some flights to reroute to Shannon Airport. We always track all flights to make sure we know when our guests are on time or delayed.

This time we knew that after flying overseas from the States and landing in a different airport than planned, it was probably not going to be a good experience for the guest.

We were able to be proactive and get shuttles to Shannon Airport to pick up all of our guests and get them to Dublin comfortably with snacks in hand.

You can’t always prevent problems like this one, but this time we were able to make the guest experience more enjoyable.

3. Staff appearance.

Our event team wore green scarves for easy ID

As a team, we wanted to make sure to stand out to attendees in case they needed our assistance.

Because we are not keen on staff uniforms, we are always trying to come up with a creative and elegant solution to stand out.

This time, our team decided to wear green scarves and green necklaces throughout the conference to have a touch of green when welcoming guests to Ireland.

The fact that the “green” also happened to be the client’s brand color was not exactly a coincidence either!

Our Team wore in green necklaces for easy ID

4. Nightly “room drops”

Nightly gifts included a Dublin gift box

As mentioned above, we created custom gifts to bring in the client’s Irish heritage and welcome all the leaders to Dublin. These gifts were dropped in attendees’ rooms each night as a surprise.

The first night was a “Taste of Ireland” gift left in the attendee’s room while they were at the welcome reception.

This gift included famous Dublin chocolates, renowned Dublin soaps and of course, a mini bottle of Irish whisky – all packaged together in a customized box with a ribbon.

The second evening’s gift was a combination of scarves and hats for the attendees to wear the following day during the surprise activity around the city.

The final gift was our favorite – it was an artisan gift made by a local Irish artist—a framed, cut-out map of Dublin. Each map was handmade for our attendees with beautiful detail.

Dublin room drop gift

All the gifts were a big hit and provided that extra touch at the end of each night. One attendee even joked: “Going back to my room is like Christmas morning to see what gift will be waiting for me!”

5. The pub crawl.

An amazing Irish pub crawl

The cultural pub crawl was unique because we created it specifically for our group. The group was a mix of Irish attendees and people from all over the world, so we needed to come up with an idea that wasn’t your usual tour.

We were able to customize an experience that was fun for all to enjoy.

This tour involved traditional Irish music, tasting some of Dublin’s delicacies, exploring some Irish history, all while sipping on drinks at a few of the famous pubs around the city.

All told, this event—and the conference as a whole—was a smashing success.

We received rave reviews in person and after the meeting. Most importantly, we already started discussing details for next year!

Blog

Live, Virtual or Hybrid – Which Corporate Event Approach is Right for You?

Live, Virtual, or Hybrid Meetings: Which is Right For You?

The goal of any corporate event is to bring people together for a shared purpose. In our modern world, there are a few different ways a company can do that…

Live – All attendees are physically present

Virtual – People attend the event entirely online

Hybrid – Some people attend in person, others online

So how do you know which approach is the best for your corporate event?

That’s a question without a single or simple answer. It boils down to a number of different factors—including your event size, budget, timeline, and the geography of attendees.

Here’s a quick guide to help you determine which type of corporate event is right for you.

Unique Benefits of the Different Event Approaches

Each event approach provides its own unique benefits:

Live Events: The most effective form of communication

There is no other medium that expresses the nuances of communication better than face-to-face interactions.

Body language is a huge factor in communication. Postures, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements are best translated live.

When a BioPharma company is trying to get the best results with team buy-in or team building, a face-to-face meeting is the most effective approach.

Our clients, particularly in the healthcare space, have reported that face-to-face training remains one of the best ways to understand the complexities of the investigation plan/product, and in collaborating with the sponsor, CRO’s, and other sites.

Virtual Events: Faster turnaround at a lower cost

Clients often choose virtual events because resources such as time and money may be at a premium. Virtual events can be deployed quickly with a significant cost reduction.

Examples of clients who have utilized virtual meeting concepts include:

  • Critical protocol amendments occur
  • Implementing training quickly to sites participating in a study is key
  • Gathering advisory board members remotely to present critical data
  • Recruitment discussions with a small number of sites/countries

Hybrid Events: Flexibility to reach the greatest number of attendees

Hybrid events are the best of both worlds. Some of the participants are able to attend face-to-face while others are “brought in virtually”, thus adding to the benefit of the overall interaction.

Hybrid meetings can also be used as a method for cost reduction since you don’t have time and travel expenses for the entire attendee pool.

Allowing attendees to participate from wherever they sit in the world also offers flexibility and convenience for busy executives, physicians, and sales team members. 

Key Factors in Choosing the Right Type of Corporate Event

Clients select corporate meeting types they think will meet the goal of what they are trying to accomplish in the most efficient manner possible.

Meetings typically involve some form of education, training and learning for the audience so getting those key messages across is ultimately the goal. But there are a few other key factors that also come into play…

1. Time

How quickly you need to get your event up and running can have a big impact on the type of meeting you choose.

While time is always a factor, the value of face-to-face interaction at the beginning of a new study is thought to be more valuable.

For example, if a protocol amendment is required for a study that has several sites (say 75-100) then time is of the essence to disseminate that important information.

2. Budget

While face-to-face meetings offer the most effective form of communication, they also come with a higher cost. That can be a compelling reason for some companies to go virtual.

Typically virtual meetings are 1/10 of the cost than a face-to-face meeting. So where a live meeting will cost $2,200-3,000 per attendee, a virtual meeting will cost $220-300 per attendee.

Costs are variable with a hybrid meeting depending on the scope of the requirements. But there can be some cost-savings there too.

3. Technology

Past experiences with poor technology could be one reason a company avoids virtual events (even though virtual technology has made significant advancements in the last several years).

It is easy for companies to underestimate our process for managing virtual events. They value our in-person customer service at face-to-face meetings and are unsure how that transfers to virtual attendees.

Although the “unknown” element of technology can be something that causes many companies to shy away from virtual meetings – even though that trend is starting to change.

It All Comes Down to Meeting Priorities, Preferences, and Limitations

Benefits of Each Meeting Type Comparison Chart

We believe that open, honest dialogue with clients is still the best way to determine which of our event offerings will best meet their budgetary needs and meeting goals.

Depending upon circumstances, we may suggest a video or audio capture of a live or virtual event and repurpose that into an On-Demand Trainer for future use (i.e. team expansion or teammate attrition). Consistency in training is paramount in this business.

Recently, we were able to reduce the number of virtual meetings from six to two in order to achieve our client’s goals in the most cost-effective manner possible.

Find out how Miller Tanner can help you accomplish your event goals and make the most of your budget, no matter when, where or why you’re meeting this year!

Get Help Planning Your Next Corporate Meeting

Contact Us

Blog

3 Key Ingredients for Planning Successful Corporate Events

3 Key Ingredients for Planning Successful Corporate Events

Whether you plan, manage, attend or participate in a corporate event, we all know what it feels like to be a part of a successful outcome.

We know what feels, sounds and looks good – and we know when it doesn’t. It can be hard to put into words what exactly is most important, most valuable, or most appreciated during an event and after.

After experiencing everything under the sun in the world of corporate events, we are uniquely qualified to determine and identify the characteristics that are most beneficial during the event planning and management process.

Factors for Successful Corporate Events

If you want to make sure your next event gives attendees an incredible experience, there are a few key factors that are critical to help drive success – especially if you are working with an event planner.

At Miller Tanner, we believe that every event requires the following three ingredients to ensure success. 

1. Communication is paramount.

 Asking the right questions upfront, understanding the client’s expectations to help define success and translating those desires into operational actions are the keys to our success.

For example, once a client hires Miller Tanner, we start by holding a joint kickoff meeting to introduce key staff members on both teams, solidify meeting goals, learn about preferences, and outline the next steps of the planning process.

Each and every client and event is unique. It takes a lot of communication to fully understand a client’s wants and needs. This understanding helps us create an event that reflects their vision.

Effective communication is also required throughout the entire planning process to ensure a successful event. Change happens; being flexible with solutions and other options ensures communication channels remain open and effective.

For instance, a number of factors can impact the timeline, such as protocol challenges, and site or attendee selection delays. And there are other times when we have significantly less time than would be considered ideal to plan an event – but this can’t stop you from having a great event!

Communicating about issues that arise, like adjustments to timeline, procedural updates, etc., is the key to establishing realistic expectations and determining success!

2. Partnership is vital.

For us, these first two points tend to run together, as communication is the primary key to an honest and mutually beneficial partnership.

Approaching each project with a clear understanding of the client’s needs allows us to confidently determine the best services, staff and resources to deliver an exceptional event and ensure our client’s desired outcome is reached.

Each event has an on-site lead that acts as the point of contact for our clients throughout the event. Behind the on-site lead is the project manager and designated support team that specializes in registration processes, collateral materials, visa and air acquisition and a variety of other specialists.

Additionally, we assign account directors to act as an additional point of contact for each client, which helps increase the consistency and excellence within the client partnership.

Walking the path with our clients is a natural part of what we do. Being an engaged partner is our goal to ensure our clients have choices when it comes to their events.

3. Innovation does matter.

Every event planning company is looking to use innovation to revolutionize participant experiences. This typically pertains to advancements made in technology or logistics, but we have constantly innovated our processes to reflect a highly relational, strength-centric planning and management service.

For instance, following every event, we administer client and attendee satisfaction surveys which measure our company’s meeting planning success. This direct feedback enables us to continuously improve our processes and look for further ways to be innovative when it comes to our meeting planning activities.

Our teams also conduct post-event evaluations with the client to discuss the successes and lessons learned to apply for their next event. We use this information to further identify trends that we escalate internally for resolution or discuss specific processes for reconsideration.

Working with an event planning team that places a priority on innovation will help you host a creative, engaging and successful event.

How to Create a Successful Event

Miller Tanner welcomes the opportunity to help you plan your next corporate event, and keeping these three tenets in mind will lead to a more successful event outcome.

Blog

6 Steps To Determine the Best Corporate Event Locations

6 Steps to Determining Your Next Corporate Event Location

If you’re trying to decide on a destination for your next corporate meeting or event, the options can be both exciting and overwhelming.

London or Los Angeles?

Brussels or Budapest?

Seoul or Singapore?

Although there is not a specific formula for making that decision, there are definitely some key factors to consider that will help you choose a location that will serve your company and your attendees.

We have planned more than 2,200 events for our clients during the past 20 years, so we routinely work with clients to help them determine the best location for their next corporate meeting or event.

No two businesses or events are the same, but the factors for choosing a location are largely consistent for every client.

Top Considerations for Corporate Event Destinations

Here is a run down of the top considerations for choosing a corporate meeting location.

1. Weather.

No one can predict the weather. Rain clouds can roll in, heat waves can come swiftly, and cold fronts can force us to pack a slightly bigger bag.

But the geography of your meeting or event is crucial when considering the role that time of year, seasonal climates and average temperatures can play in delivering a great experience for your event attendees.

Do not underestimate the difference between experiencing Chicago in May versus February, or the difference between January in Sydney versus January in Seoul.

Plan ahead, and packing will get easier for you and your clients.

2. Language.

For many corporations and organizations that hold meetings or events on a global scale, language barriers are considered the largest barrier to success. If your event requires communicating effectively to a multilingual audience, it is of utmost importance that you choose a destination that will accommodate various languages, people and cultures.

For example, Singapore is home to four official languages, including English. So if your attendees include native Chinese speakers, but will be run by a staff made up of an English-speaking majority, your event planning team might consider a place like Singapore.

3. Culture.

What happens after the day’s meeting, training session or event is over?

Does your event need local catering, or varied nightlife options? Or, do you want to offer attendees a museum visit, a city tour or ticket to a show, game or concert?

Things like food and drink, sightseeing and attractions can go a long way in ensuring a great experience for your clients and participants. Do not overlook the cultural aspects of a destination when planning a successful event.

Think about the interests of your attendees and make sure you pick a location that delivers on the type of culture that will jive with their personalities and desires.

4. The Goals of Your Meeting.

A successful meeting cannot and will not take place if those attending do not absorb and comprehend the message. Every meeting or event is centered on a specific goal. It is imperative that your location helps you deliver on that.

It is increasingly important that your destination is chosen with your audience’s needs and desires in mind. For instance, building a group of participants with certain ages, genders, physical traits, cultural exposure, etc. is the first priority when planning for an investigator meeting for a clinical trial.

But, the goals and needs for a corporate sales meeting will be vastly different. It might be more important to think about the experience you can deliver to reward and thank your team for a job well done.

That’s why you must ask yourself – what are your company’s goals for this meeting? How do you account for your attendees’ needs while also ensuring your own success?

The answers will likely play a big role in determining where you host your event.

5. Cost and value.

Your budget can have a big impact on where you host your next corporate event.

The cost of travel, lodging and facility use varies greatly in certain parts of the globe – and even at different times of the year. So, if you’re looking to save money on your next event, you might choose to visit certain locations at off-peak times to get the most bang for your buck.

For instance, if you want to hold an event in Phoenix at some point in the next 18 months, there are certain times of year when it will be more cost effective to travel there.

On the other hand, if your event is in four months, but not tied to a specific geographic location, you can choose locations that are centrally located for your attendees or have lower hotel rates.

Budapest, for example, has been named the most affordable city for travel prices for the last two years by the Post Office Travel Money Survey. So, that might be an option for you to consider if you’re on a budget.

6. Preference.

Although this point is last on our list, for Miller Tanner, this point really comes first. Our clients’ preferences are always the most important factor in determining their event location.

That means, if our client has always wanted to visit Cape Town, we will work with her to make that happen.

The same is true for your event. Your preferences (or those of your boss), trump all the considerations around value, weather and the like.

You want to choose an event destination that will make you, your team or client happy.

That means if the planning process starts with a suggestion or wish for a certain location, that is the most important consideration. If a location is desired, the details have to fit that desire. If you can deliver on that single desire, the rest of the planning process will go that much smoother.

At least, that’s how we treat it at Miller Tanner.

Need help planning your event? Elevate your event with MTA’s expertise in crafting unforgettable in-person experiences. Contact us today to transform your vision into reality.

© 2025 Miller Tanner Associates. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy & Use of Personal Information Vendor Code of Conduct
Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) Alt Text