MPI Minnesota profiles Supplier Samantha Phillippe

MPI Minnesota profiles Supplier Samantha Phillippe, Sales Manager for MetroConnections. 

Tell us about your business and your current job.

MetroConnections is a third-party event and production management company. We work on a variety of different events from special events, to national sales meetings, to large industry conferences and trade shows. No matter what the size of the meeting or the need for support, metro can help! I work as a Sales Manager. My specialty is in attendee management, and area I worked as an account manager in for the past 5 years, but I really just work to find the right solutions and support for all of our clients big or small. 

What do you hope to gain from your MPI Membership?

Connections! I think the meeting and events industry is full of some pretty amazing people. I also believe that we are better as an industry together. I want to continue to broaden my network so that I can give better referrals, have better resources to reach out to for challenging situations, and in general have more connections in the industry because we are generally fun people to be around! 

If there was only one thing a potential customer could remember about your company, what would that be?

Level of service! We are always striving to make sure that our customers feel that they will be supported throughout their entire planning and execution process no matter what may come up. We pride ourselves on having many repeat customers who feel like we are part of their team and will take on any challenge that may come our way and see it through! 

What one piece of advice would you give to a new supplier joining the MPI network?

Take advantage of EVERYTHING. MPI is a group of super talented individuals that put on really great events. Do what you can to jump in and learn and network. There is so much opportunity to grow from education and relationship building and you should take advantage of as much as you can! 

What has been the best piece of advice you have been given, and how has it made a difference in your life - personally or professionally?

It’s not brain surgery. I think the nature of our industry is that it can be stressful. ‘Event Planner’ in some form or another seems to end up on every ‘Top 10 Most Stressful Jobs’ list. Meetings and events involve people and therefore become very personal for those that are planning them. Emergencies arise and it can often feel like it’s life or death…. But it’s not. I’m not saying that issues that arise aren’t a big deal, or shouldn’t be taken seriously, but I think gaining some perspective on the situation can go a long way in approaching it in a more collected way. My coworkers and I use this phrase to help us gain perspective and reframe our mindset when problems arise to help us tackle them from a more levelheaded place.  

What are some of your favorite pastime activities?

I love to be social, so I’m usually doing something out and about with friends or volunteering. Trivia and game nights are a favorite of my fiancé and I and I spend quite a bit of time working with the non-profit Bridging, Inc. I’m also a singer and love to sing in the car or in a choir!