MPI Minnesota profiles Planner Pete Westerhaus

MPI Minnesota profiles Planner Pete Westerhaus, Survey and Ballot Systems account manager. 

Why did you join MPI?

I joined MPI to connect with meeting professionals around the world, to network with industry leaders, and to introduce my company’s solution for secure meeting voting.

How long have you been in the meetings/hospitality industry?

I’ve been involved in the meetings/hospitality industry for the past four years. Back when I was in college, I started a non-profit called Achieving Cures Together (ACT). For the past four years, ACT has held annual fundraisers along with other small social gatherings/meetings. Although I’m still involved with ACT and planning our events, my day job consists of working in the family business at Survey and Ballot Systems. We provide election services for organizations around the world and have a new platform for live, virtual meeting voting called DirectVoteLive. Hundreds of organizations have utilized this tool for their board meetings, AGMs and committee meetings.

How did you decide to get involved in this business? What influenced you?

This is a two-part answer for me since I have the opportunity to plan meetings for my non-profit and also sell a solution to meeting planners. When I started Achieving Cures Together, I didn’t really have a choice around event planning. I was the only staff member at the time and I had to learn quickly! I found myself disliking the planning phases of a meeting/event but absolutely loving the event itself. In my other role, where I’m selling to meeting planners, I’ve been around the family business for my entire life. Getting to work with my dad, uncle, cousin, and brother is truly a blessing and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received about working with meetings?

I’ve learned to collaborate and empower those around you when planning or executing your meeting/event. I never knew how much planning goes into a major meeting or event and over the years I tried to do everything myself. This normally was a disaster. Through those experiences, I’ve learned to stay organized and ask for help. It’s amazing what a team of motivated people can create.

What is one piece of advice about meeting planning you would share? 

Similar to question number 4, I would say to leverage the skills and talents of those around you. When you combine forces, it’s not only more enjoyable during the planning phases, but the outcome is often beyond what one person can accomplish.

What is one thing about this industry that you love?

I love the diverse people I get to meet and connect with. There are a lot of very talented and organized individuals in the meeting planning space and developing relationships with these people is special. This has also helped me grow as a person and as a businessman.

What is one thing about the industry would you like to see changed?

I’d like to see meeting industry continue to adopt revolutionary technology to improve meeting/event experiences. Clearly Covid has accelerated the use of technology in the meeting space but I’d like to see this technology continue to improve and be utilized.

What do you do outside of work?

When I’m not working you can find me either in the deer stand bow hunting, trying to save a bogey on the golf course, or powder skiing. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, eating chicken wings, and researching the stock market.