Event management and production are similar yet distinct jobs involved in hosting a successful event. Ensuring these two positions work in tandem is a big part of hosts’ behind-the-scenes duties. Learn more about each of these jobs, how to manage them effectively, and how it all works to make your events the best they can be.
Event Management
The backbone of any in-person event, event management holds the responsibility of planning, organizing, and executing the event from start to finish. An effective event manager has exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that nothing is left to chance and that the event runs as smoothly as possible. Event managers have an extensive list of responsibilities, which include identifying the target audience of an event, formulating the event concept, coordinating the technical aspects, and ensuring that legalities and health safety obligations are met.
Event management is marked by strategic planning and high-level organization. The event manager’s tasks include planning the event, managing marketing activities, arranging for speakers or entertainers, hiring vendors and caterers, and scheduling timelines. They also need to anticipate potential problems and find solutions ahead of time.
The significance of event management in personifying in-person events must be considered. From the venue selection to the successfully executed event, the event manager looks after every minute detail. This process is necessary for the flawless running of the event, ensuring that the event objectives are met and that the attendees leave with a positive impression.
Event Production
The magic behind turning a concept into reality is event production. This role takes care of the technicalities of the event, making sure that every visual, audio, and lighting aspect runs smoothly. The event producer collaborates with the event manager to bring the event vision to life.
An event producer will be in charge of stage design, speaker rehearsals, show flow, audiovisual production, lighting, and special effects. They coordinate with a team of technicians, designers, and artists to create a visually captivating event that resonates with the audience.
Event production plays a significant role in creating memorable in-person events. It goes beyond just technical implementation; it is about creating an environment that excites the audience and complements the theme of the event. An event without adequate event production might as well be a failure since proper production is what sticks in someone’s mind and makes the event memorable for years to come.
Differences Between Event Management and Event Production
While the end goal of both event management and event production is to create a successful event, their focus and responsibilities set them apart. Event management is more about the overall organization and coordination of the event, focused on planning and executing. On the other hand, event production is centered on bringing the event’s concept to life, focusing on the technical aspects and in-event experience. Both roles collaborate and coordinate to ensure seamless maneuvering of all event aspects, contributing to the event’s overall success.
Why Event Management and Event Production are Important
Both event management and production must work in harmony to create an outstanding attendee experience. The meticulous planning and organization of the event manager, coupled with the creative and technical expertise of the event producer, can lead to an unforgettable event. Together, they ensure that every element of the event, from the first impression to the final curtain call, leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
Balance Event Management and Event Production for Great Results
While event management and event production are distinct, they are also interdependent and equally important for a successful event. Leverage both these skilled jobs for your in-person events for a seamless and memorable experience.
Contact us to learn more about how Miller Tanner Associates can assist you with your event management and production needs.
Disengagement ranks among the top reasons that employees leave their companies, exhibit a stall or decline in productivity, and become disenchanted and unmotivated in the workplace. Employers are suffering with a direct hit to their bottom line because of high turnover and low productivity. So what is the solution?
Employee incentive programs, sometimes called rewards programs, are designed to motivate employees through a reward structure. To be optimally effective, the right employee incentive program must be well-structured, work well with your current employees, and be impactful in the retention and recruitment of talent in the future.
Employee incentive programs have been proven to show an increase in both productivity and morale, making them more important than ever before. They are instrumental in increasing employee engagement and satisfaction and can positively impact productivity. There are many forms of incentive programs, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your staff and aligns with your company’s values.
Types of Employee Incentive Programs
When choosing an employee incentive program, first look at your current staff. What motivates them? Is it money or time off? Personal recognition or experiences? Programs are usually either performance-based incentives, recognition programs, or programs that enhance or increase benefits.
Once you determine which type of incentive program is the best fit, decide if the reward is to be monetary or non-monetary.
Monetary Incentives include bonuses, raises, stock options, profit sharing, etc.
Non-monetary Incentives may not offer direct monetary compensation but are valuable to employees. This can include personal time off, flex hours, and awards for recognition.
Some common employee incentive programs include:
Social Recognition Program. Many employees (and their peers) find that public recognition is more valuable than a monetary reward. Knowing that a peer has received recognition for performance can also be motivational to other team members.
Profit Sharing and Stock Options. Employees who play a part in a company’s success are often motivated to do more when rewarded with stock options or profit sharing.
Professional Development Programs. Motivate and engage employees by proving the company’s commitment to investing in their professional development and career promotion.
Referral Programs. Employees are rewarded for referring qualified candidates for employment.
Team Building Programs. Offer incentives, promote bonding and collaboration, and provide a fun and rewarding diversion.
Health and Wellness. Programs offer incentives to employees which, in turn, offer employers a healthier, happier workforce.
Incentive Travel. Sometimes, these trips are purely for celebration and relaxation, while other times they offer an opportunity for winners to discuss strategy and best practices with their organization’s executives.
Case Study of Successful Employee Incentive Program: Achievers’ Club in St. Martin & Venice
Miller Tanner Associates implemented an extraordinary employee incentive program through its Achievers’ Clubs in St. Martin and Venice, Italy. This initiative aimed to reward top-performing employees with an unforgettable experience, fostering engagement and motivation. In St. Martin, employees enjoyed unique team-building activities, luxury accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences. This carefully curated trip not only reinforced team dynamics but also encouraged professional growth and a sense of accomplishment, translating directly into heightened morale and retention rates within the organization.
Similarly, the Venice Achievers’ Club offered a blend of luxury and culture, with participants exploring iconic landmarks, indulging in fine dining, and attending bespoke team activities. The program’s success was measured by improved employee performance and satisfaction, as well as increased company loyalty. Miller Tanner’s attention to detail in both destinations created lasting impressions, highlighting the value of recognition and reward. This strategic approach to employee incentives proved to be an effective tool in driving long-term engagement, aligning individual success with organizational goals.
Best Practices for Implementing Employee Incentive Programs
When implementing your employee incentive program, keep the following in mind:
Define your goals. Align your company goals with your incentive program so that the overall objective is the same.
Define and keep to a planned budget.
Make your incentives personal.
Work to promote your program to your current employees and to prospective employees as well.
Measure the impact of your program. Start with a clear baseline and measure against that at given intervals.
The Impact of Effective Employee Incentive Programs on Organizational Success
With employee disengagement costing companies lost productivity, it is important to take steps now to promote an effective incentive program. Miller Tanner Associates is here to help. We’d love to talk to you about creating the best incentive program for your needs and show you ways to showcase your program. Contact us today to get started.
A workshop is a lengthier interactive meeting that combines a group of people with a common goal of solving a problem or working on a specific project. They are usually led by a trainer or facilitator who works with a planned series of activities, presentations, or facilitated hands-on interaction that will lead to the desired result.
Though led by a facilitator, workshops are designed for interaction between participants to yield the best results for the chosen problem or project. Longer than meetings, and more interactive than training sessions or seminars, workshops are designed to emphasize collaboration and active participation.
Definition and Purpose of Workshops
A workshop is a structured, interactive meeting that is focused on solving a problem, working on a project, or achieving a common goal through interaction, active participation, and collaboration. By building on the different strengths of workshop participants, workshops not only prompt creativity, they also foster connections between participants that, prior to the workshop, may not have existed.
Workshops not only promote participation, but they can also build a stronger, more creative team, by offering an effective way to collaborate. Workshop participants are encouraged to brainstorm, identify problems or solutions from their point of view, and collaborate on decision-making and solutions. This can be especially useful if the project is far-reaching or complex since several points of view can be offered. Encouraging participants to interact, allows them to see beyond their scope and solutions, learn from each other, and use that combined input to reach their goal.
Types of Workshops
Though all workshops consist of a facilitator, participants, and a goal, the type of workshop can have endless possibilities. A few ideas are:
Decision-Making Workshops. This type of workshop is designed to solve a problem by making a team decision. Since many participants may be specialists in one particular aspect, they may be immune to looking at the implications of their decision-making to others. A decision-making workshop allows participants to collaborate and find the optimal decision to reach their goals.
Ideation Workshops. This type of workshop allows a free-flowing exchange of ideas. Often, brainstorming allows participants to release their creativity and then guides them into selecting the best ideas to meet their collective goal. This type of workshop not only promotes participation but also fosters creativity and innovation.
Retrospective Workshops. These workshops are perhaps the icing on the workshop cake. Complex problems that require lengthy, intense workshop participation may culminate in a final workshop meeting that allows participants to look back on what has been accomplished and reflect on their growth and creativity.
Benefits of Participating in Workshops
Creating and implementing workshops benefits employers and participants. When executed properly, workshops can make problem-solving a positive experience, with benefits for all involved.
The benefits of participating in workshops are:
Participants may not only learn new skills, but they may also improve existing skills.
Workshops don’t just happen. They require preparation that includes a facilitator, planning, and a desired outcome. A facilitator can keep the group on topic while offering guidance toward the goal. Planning for the type of workshop you want to present is necessary in order for the participants to work together and feel included and respected. Knowing the desired outcome is necessary to keep the workshop moving in the right direction.
At Miller Tanner Associates, we know that workshops take work. We know that workshops are often built around complex problems or projects, and that can be overwhelming. We are experts in creating, designing, and facilitating workshops for small businesses as well as large, multi-location corporations. Contact us today so we can talk about how Miller Tanner Associates can help you.
A pharmaceutical company was seeking assistance planning a series of medical congress events.
The Challenge
What initially began as a straightforward proposal for congress event services quickly evolved into a transformative experience. After meeting with our customer, it became clear through discussions that their needs surpassed simple congress event management—they were seeking strategic guidance to elevate their events into a comprehensive Strategic Meetings Management Program (SMMP). Recognizing this need, MTA swiftly pivoted our approach.
Initially envisioned as a collection of resources including PowerPoint documents, forms, and flowcharts, the project took a transformative turn as it became evident that a centralized, dynamic platform was needed to streamline operations effectively.
Results
MTA began concepting a platform that would streamline the operations. This led to the development of a congress SMMP platform — a dedicated hub designed to revolutionize how we approach congress planning and execution.
To bring this vision to life, MTA’s Technology Team’s expertise defined technical requirements and visualization of operational processes, proving instrumental in shaping the platform’s functionalities.
Our Global Experiences Team skillfully orchestrated brainstorming sessions, aligning perspectives from MTA and our customer into a unified strategic vision for the SMMP to ensure that every aspect of the platform met the highest standards of excellence.
This congress SMMP platform was designed to serve as a centralized hub for innovation and collaboration across our customer’s congress projects. The hub was purpose-built for congress-related activities – going beyond collaborative workspaces, offering specialized tools, insights, and resources tailored specifically for congress projects. It served as the focal point for information, guidance, interconnection of resources, and a comprehensive approach to congress-specific events. The platform centralized resources, fostered seamless teamwork, and provided a comprehensive roadmap for success in global congress planning for our customer.
In summary, leveraging our expertise in technology, project management, strategic planning, and creative services, the Miller Tanner Associates Team designed an innovative platform to serve as a hub collaboration, providing specialized tools and resources tailored for congress projects. This platform development positions MTA Congress Services as a leader in innovative solutions for global congress planning.
Customer Feedback
“I want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to this team for all your work over the past few months. This evolved into a larger beast than we initially anticipated, and you all pivoted and took it in stride. Really appreciate the partnership and support in building this site, it will be a huge value add to our company and I am excited to roll it out in the new year.” – Customer
“I wasn’t part of the day-to-day but heard all about the effort from [my colleague]. I want to thank you all and acknowledge the great partnership that has been developed this year with the team. The organization has really benefited from the elevation of this work.” – Customer
Virtual training is simply training that is offered over the internet. It allows universal training, regardless of your employees’ locations. That is one of the reasons that it has become so popular. The other reason, of course, is that it is easy on the budget. No travel expenses, logistical challenges, or conference room rentals and meal planning. Virtual training is effective, economical, and versatile.
So why isn’t everybody using it? The main reason that virtual training has been unsuccessful in the past is that it can easily become boring, allows for too many distractions, or inhibits engagement.
By providing your virtual training with engaging content, enhancing the learning environment, and facilitating effective communication, you can combine employees with training that offers consistent and effective training at a fraction of the cost of traditional training sessions.
Engaging Virtual Training Content
If you have tried virtual training in the past and felt it was not providing what you need in a training program, it may be because employees did not find it engaging. if the training is boring, it becomes less effective and employees will not willingly engage. As a virtual trainer, you can not engage with your audience with eye-to-eye contact, and participants may begin to feel that they are receiving a lecture rather than training. To avoid this, at appropriate, regular interviews, stop for questions. Without making participants feel like they are being tested, ask what they think about the topic just covered or if they have had experience with the situation before.
Though you are training through technology, humanize the experience by greeting each participant as they join the session, asking for feedback, and asking open-ended questions that require more than just yes or no answers. Use participants’ names to further personalize the experience.
Enhancing the Virtual Learning Environment
It can be easy to get distracted when participating in a virtual learning environment. Participants may be at their desks at work, at home, or in a hotel. With employees working remotely or with large companies with several locations, participants can face distractions such as work announcements and meetings, and interruptions from other technology such as their phone or other devices.
Though you may not have complete control over distractions, you can provide virtual learning that is engaging, educational, and, yes, even enjoyable. In addition to personalizing the training, keep the participants engaged by offering different modes of communication to enhance their learning experience. Try alternating between videos, slide presentations, and Q&A sessions. Offer information in a format that is conversational and easy to understand. Give examples. Tell a joke. Keep them listening.
Facilitating Effective Communication
Effective communication means that not only are your participants listening, they are also interacting, and you are listening. Depending on the size of your training session and the logistics, you may be able to promote discussions among groups within your larger training group. When respondents feel comfortable, they tend to ask questions and contribute opinions.
Often, by presenting scenarios, participants must use their training to find solutions to problems. Use examples to promote understanding. Ask questions to facilitate effective communication between yourself and the participants and among the participants.
Implementing Best Practices for Optimal Virtual Training Outcomes
Implementing best practices for optimal virtual training outcomes starts with the trainer. The facilitator or virtual training must work to engage the participants while keeping them focused and interested. They must be tech-savvy enough to work with different modes of media presentation and skilled in all phases of training and effective communication.
Miller Tanner Associates has created an innovative approach to virtual training that offers the optimal outcomes for your organization. With our years of experience, MTA knows the exact approach to finding what works and tailoring that program to fit your needs. Contact us today to find out how we can make your virtual training successful.
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 Global Experience Designer – Events Natalie Frohlich. Natalie’s role serves as the project manager for events to guarantee the successful execution of each and every experience.
Meet Natalie Frohlich, Global Experience Designer – Events
Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Relator, Empathy, Discipline, Intellection, Learner
Languages spoken: Ispeak Spanish and German as my native language, as well as Catalan, English, and a little bit of French and Italian.
Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?
I am a global experience designer for events. My main responsibilities are acting as the project manager and the main point of contact for our customers, coordinating between all stakeholders involved to ensure the successful execution of our events.
What did you do before joining MTA?
I have been working in the events sector for more than 8 years. I have worked for different agencies organizing all kinds of corporate events.
What’s the best part of your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is being on site, seeing an event take place successfully after all the effort and preparation always makes me very happy.
What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?
I was lucky that my first event was in San Diego. It was my first time visiting California and I consider it an ideal destination for events. Of course, the good weather always attracts participants.
What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?
I organized the launch of a new car model that lasted a whole month. It was a very intense event because of the duration and because literally everything happened, but to this day I remember it with a smile.
Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?
Whenever I travel I always try to spend some time as a local. For example, sitting in a town square or a park, I try to strike up a conversation with a local to find out more about the destination. The air tag is a must-have gadget because lost luggage is very frustrating when you’re anxious to reach your destination.
What’s the one must-have for every event?
Always have a plan B and be proactive as you never know when something might change from one moment to the next. And of course, comfortable shoes – you are going to cover a lot of kilometers.
What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?
From the very first moment, I was very surprised by the friendliness of the team. I have felt welcomed and supported at all times and, of course, I think that the team is the most important thing in a company. Being able to work in a pleasant atmosphere is key.
Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?
I consider the workshops to be very important as not all teams have the possibility to see other colleagues throughout the year. I was very privileged and I was very grateful to be able to attend the Workshop in Dublin directly after joining MTA and I got to know everyone beforehand.
What do you do for fun?
I love reading – I devour every book I get my hands on. I have a reading room at my place and it is my favourite corner of the house.
Tell us a little about your background. What do you enjoy most about where you currently live? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?
I was born and raised in Barcelona, but my father is German and my mother is Colombian, a curious family mix. For me, Barcelona is the best city in the world and I have always lived there. I consider that it is a city that has everything – beach, mountains, architecture, and leisure. Whenever I can, I escape to the Costa Brava, specifically to the village Calella de Palafrugell; it’s beautiful!
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 our associate based in Hong Kong, Global Experience Designer – Events Hanii Kwok. As a global experience designer, Hanii works closely with the Global Experiences Team to carefully plan and deliver exceptional APAC events from start to finish.
Meet Hanii Kwok, Global Experience Designer – Events
Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Individualization, Analytical, Learner, Arranger, Ideation
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin and Cantonese
Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?
I’m a global experience designer focusing on the delivery of Asia-Pacific events.
What did you do before joining MTA?
I was a conference program producer for biopharma events and event logistics manager for a publishing company.
What’s the best part of your job?
I love seeing an event come together and getting a real buzz from working with everyone together as a team to make it happen.
What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?
Singapore – the hotel banqueting staff are always super helpful and efficient.
I love how all the processes have been designed to focus on enhancing customer experience, making it super easy to say to the customer, “Sure, can do!”
What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?
My most memorable event to date was in Hamburg, Germany. I visited the local Christmas market after the event; not many tourists visit that part of the city. It was truly a magical and fairytale experience!
Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?
I never go abroad without my own peppermint teabags, melatonin, Epsom salt, and hydration face masque.
What’s the one must-have for every event?
I always try my best to add something fun and memorable for the attendees at every event, wherever possible. Simple things like playing upbeat music during welcome dinner, taking a big group photo, or going somewhere fun for the off-site dinner.
What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?
I love how all the processes have been designed to focus on enhancing customer experience, making it super easy to say to the customer, “Sure, can do!”
Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?
I think it’s super important to spend some time getting to know the people I work with every day, especially colleagues who do not usually travel to events. It’s a lot easier to ask for favours when you know them personally.
What do you do for fun?
I love going to watch stand-up comedy – just never ever sit in the front row!!!
Tell us a little about your background.
I am Chinese with Taiwanese and Hong Kong heritage, grew up in Marylebone, London (before it was hip), and moved to Hong Kong after I got married.
Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?
Definitely go visit Marylebone High Street in London; then go feed the ducks in The Regent’s Park and take a selfie outside 221B Bakers Street.
At Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) 2024 Annual Global Workshop we recognize the distinguished associates who have gone above and beyond for our customers and each other during 2023. We celebrate the team with these five awards that are presented at our Global Workshop awards event:
MTA Gift of Service Award
MTA Saver Award
MTA Theme of the Year Award
MTA Story of the Year Award
MTA Marnie Award
MTA MARNIE AWARD: Julian Yew
Director of Engineering, Technology Services, Julian Yew pictured with CEO Marnie Miller Battistini
MTA’s Marnie Award is given by MTA’s CEO Marnie Miller Battistini to the person that she believes has impacted MTA the most during the year. The Marnie Award recipient/s embody 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 Director of Engineering, Technology Services, Julian Yew as the recipient of the 2023 Marnie Award! Julian has made remarkable progress over the past year as the leader within our Technology Services Team. He spearheaded several crucial projects, such as the registration rebuild, Attend native app development, data warehouse implementation, finance grid optimization, and many others. Julian’s dedication and expertise have played a pivotal role in achieving success for our entire team.
“Julian has impacted all of us and helped us with our work. His work has propelled us and I am so incredibly grateful,” shared CEO Marnie Battistini. “Julian has led MTA’s Software Development Team with an agile approach to software development that has proven not only successful but the direction the team has embraced. Because of Julian’s leadership, MTA has improved our customers’ and attendees’ event journeys while improving the MTA Team’s work. It’s amazing what Julian has been able to impact at MTA!”
MTA STORY OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Sarae Gdovin, Martin Woodard, Huajia Yu, Peace Obisesan, Carrie Hui, Jenny Decker and Conor Barry
Pictured left to right: Global Experience Designer Sarae Gdovin; Technology Operations Manager Martin Woodard; Global Experience Success Manager Huajia Yu; Global Experience Designer Peace Obisesan; CEO Marnie Miller Battistini; Global Experience Manager Carrie Hui; Global Experience Manager Jenny Decker; and Senior Director, Customer Experiences Conor Barry.
We, at 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 with the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) the stories we may not have heard that happened at MTA throughout the year. We ask them to brag about themselves, another associate or something that happened that needs to be shared. Then we share the stories at our annual Workshop.
We are pleased to present the 2023 Story of the Year Award to the following: Global Experience Designer Sarae Gdovin; Technology Operations Manager Martin Woodard; Global Experience Success Manager Huajia Yu; Global Experience Designer Peace Obisesan; Global Experience Manager Carrie Hui; Global Experience Manager Jenny Decker; and Senior Director, Customer Experiences Conor Barry.
MTA embarked on a remarkable journey to launch an electronic check-in system and digital signature solution for our customers. This workstream transformed our guest experience by leveraging cutting-edge technology resulting in a technology-centric event experience that benefited guests, customers, and the onsite event team, reinforcing the MTA commitment to connection and collaboration.
“I am immensely proud of what this team has achieved together. This success story is a testament to our collective hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit,” shared Director, Global Experiences Kristin Puryear who nominated the team for the award.
“This group proved MTA’s long-held belief that event technology should be used in the event space to not only improve the attendee event journey but also for the collection of accurate event data. Accurately capturing who attended our customers’ events with the ability to then accurately report on this information is the foundation to basic reporting which MTA builds upon in telling our customers’ event behavioral stories,” shared CEO Marnie Miller Battistini.
“PARTNERSHIP” MTA THEME OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Lauren Stagner and Johnny Leake
Pictured left to right: Global Experience Designer – Events Lauren Stagner; CEO Marnie Miller Battistini; and Global Experience Manager – Production Johnny Leake. Each winner receives a select Waterford Crystal piece, a personal token of appreciation from Marnie Battistini.
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.
Congratulations to Global Experience Designer Lauren Stagner and Global Experience Manager – Production Johnny Leake winners of MTA’s 2023 theme of the year – “Partnership”.
Lauren was recognized for her pivotal role in providing continuity between planning and on-site experience for a complex global event. Johnny was recognized for his flawless production delivery for this large-scale event and expert management of the breakout setups and speakers’ requests.
“This story is one of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds all while exemplifying every single MTA core value and showing more of the world just how powerful the MTA magic can be,” shared Director, Global Experiences Christina Serra who nominated Lauren and Johnny for this award.
“By partnering together, Lauren and Johnny combined their skills to create an exceptional event that was lauded by MTA’s customers and co-workers alike,” praised MTA CEO Marnie Miller Battistini.
MTA SAVER AWARDS: Melanie Riddick and Jon Shipman
Pictured left to right: Director of Accounting Operations Melanie Riddick, CEO Marnie Miller Battistini, and Senior Software Engineer Jon Shipman
The MTA 2023 Saver Award recognizes the MTA team members for their exceptional ability to save time, effort, and resources for our customers and the MTA team.
Congratulations to Director of Accounting Operations Melanie Riddick and Senior Software Engineer Jon Shipman!
Jon and Melanie were recognized for their work in improving efficiency and productivity. Melanie outlined an expense reimbursement challenge and Jon led the MTA Software Development Team in designing and implementing the technology solution.
At the awards show, MTA’s CEO Marnie Miller Battistini shared the story that resulted in improving the finance dashboard within MTA’s proprietary system, Event Planner in Control (EPIC).
Melanie’s team had outlined the expense reimbursement challenge and they were patiently waiting for the solution that Jon and his team resolved. “I was very impressed with how they worked together to create a solution that will save reimbursement processing time,” shared CEO Marnie Miller Battistini. “They worked to improve the communication flow, to better visualize the expenses, and developed automation making their jobs much easier. Bravo!”
MTA GIFT OF SERVICE AWARD: Logan White, Diana Reed, Kristin Puryear, and Heather Cheng
Pictured left to right: Manager, Customer Success Logan White; Director, Key Accounts and Customer Success Diana Reed; CEO Marnie Miller Battistini; Director, Global Experiences Kristin Puryear; and Senior Director, Business Experiences Heather Cheng
The Gift of Service Award recognizes associates who exemplify MTA’s core values by providing exceptional service to both customers and their fellow team members. We are pleased to announce the 2023 award recipients are:
Manager, Customer Success Logan White; Director, Key Accounts and Customer Success Diana Reed; Director, Global Experiences Kristin Puryear; and Senior Director, Business Experiences Heather Cheng.
In response to challenges faced in managing timelines effectively, these team members worked to develop an innovative new tool to bridge the gap for crucial milestones, providing clarity, efficiency, and improved decision-making in the event planning process. This gift of service to our customers made a significant impact over the past year.
“With the implementation of this tool, MTA is poised to overcome longstanding challenges, streamline workflows, and achieve greater success in managing events effectively. This innovative solution exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in solving complex business challenges,” shared Senior Director, Customer Experiences Conor Barry, who nominated this team for this award.
“Logan, Diana, Kristin, and Heather looked at a challenge and using their collective strengths collaborated on developing a new MTA tool that made a substantial difference in managing event timelines,” shared MTA CEO Marnie Miller Battistini. “Their work not only positively impacted our customers’ event timelines but also impacted our internal team’s success. Inspirational!”
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 Accounting Associate Anne Weiland. Anne’s strengths and skill set are ideally suited as a valued member of the Finance Team.
Meet Anne Weiland, Accounting Associate
Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Relator, Harmony, Deliberative, Responsibility, Consistency
Tell us about your current role with MTA. What are your primary responsibilities?
My current part-time role with the Finance Team as an accounting associate keeps me busy entering new events into our system and reconciling/billing for virtual events.
How long have you been with MTA? I have been with MTA since mid-October, 2023.
What did you do before joining MTA?
My last job before MTA was medical staff for the Wild Animal Sanctuary. I was semi-retired for a couple of years before joining MTA.
What do you feel are the most fulfilling aspects of your job?
Working with other team members in the Finance Department is a very fulfilling part of my job. It is a very cohesive and helpful team and it really feels like we have each other’s back.
What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?
In the time I have been with MTA, I have seen how much everyone truly enjoys working with each other. I think the reason MTA stands out is the employees and their true commitment to the end result of a successful event, whether it be customer-facing or behind the scenes!
Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important?
I think the workshops are important to bring everyone together especially since MTA team members live all over the world!
Where do you live and what do you love most about your state/city?
I live in Denver, Colorado and the over 300 days of sunshine a year is what I love the most coming from Wisconsin many years ago! The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a must-see as well as pretty much anything in the mountains!
We’d like to spotlight a Miller Tanner Associates team member for her extraordinary act of kindness – one that qualifies as a special badge of honor. This week, Anne Weiland, an accounting associate at MTA, will become a kidney donor to someone she’s never met. This generous decision stems from a compassionate desire to transform someone’s life. As Anne embarks on this journey, her story is an inspiring reminder of the power of human generosity.
Last Thanksgiving, Anne took a serendipitous journey through the woods with fellow hikers, two of whom shared their personal stories as kidney donors. This left a meaningful impression which ultimately led Anne on another journey – down the path of donorship. She began researching more about kidney donation; and after talking to other donors and exploring the option further, she determined that she wanted to pursue the opportunity to donate to a non-designated recipient.
While most organ donations come from friends or family members, Anne felt moved to make a difference in the life of a non-designated recipient, highlighting the profound impact one individual can have on another’s survival and well-being. Another source of motivation for Anne was the chance to assist when she had previously been unable to do so in a different situation. “I had a brother and a sister who both passed away and [given their respective health circumstances] I wasn’t able to help. This was an opportunity where I could do something to help someone through organ donation.”
Although Anne’s surgery and her donor recipient’s transplant will take place on the same day, in the same hospital, on different floors, she isn’t sure if she’ll have the opportunity to meet the recipient in person. While a decision like this can have many emotions, Anne feels happy for her female recipient. “Imagine how her life will change,” she shared. On average, a kidney from a live donor can last 10 years longer than a kidney from a deceased donor, resulting in more promising outcomes for the donor recipient.
As of March 2024, there are over 89,000 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list. Each year, only around 400 individuals donate to non-designated recipients. If a person chooses to be one of these non-direct donors, the donor has the potential to initiate a chain. “Even if you aren’t a match for someone you know, donating to a non-designated recipient allows you to create a longer chain, possibly impacting more than just a single life,” shared Anne.
“If anyone is interested, I’d be happy to share and answer questions about how to become a donor. So many people are on dialysis or have kidney issues, and many people will never receive a kidney donation. If I can raise awareness through my experience, I’m happy to do it.”
