MPI MN Profiles Planner Brit Williams

MPI MN profiles planner Brit Williams, Sr. Strategic Meeting Planning Specialist, Medtronic.

Why did you join MPI? 
The opportunity to learn more about the industry, stay up to date, and be  part of the event community in Minnesota. 

How long have you been in the meetings/hospitality industry? 
Four years in the industry specifically but doing events for over a decade. 

How did you decide to get involved in this business?  What influenced you?
I had been working in Financial Services for 10 years and most of it was in a “Chief of Staff” role and at one point I realized that wasn’t necessarily the career path I was still excited about. So, I took the time to talk to my leader at the time about where my passions were. We decided that I could take on extra projects and do informational interviews to determine what that next step in my career could be.

After a year of exploring and doing more of the things I loved, I decided that I truly was passionate about events – I loved taking the big picture goal and working it all the way down to the smallest details to accomplish that. I loved being in the back of the event, running the show and ensuring that others were given the opportunity to do what they needed to do. I was able to get a role with a third party event planning company and quickly took on large, complex events – it was exciting to learn and grow and become more knowledgeable in the industry. 

What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received about working with meetings
Teamwork makes the dream work. Events are all about the team and working well with others. It’s being able to convey your thoughts and needs while also helping others so that, as a team, the whole event is successful. 

What is one piece of advice about meeting planning you would share? 
Nothing is as urgent as it seems – events are stressful and things are important, but please know that it will all get done. Get good at prioritizing and giving yourself some grace. 

What is one thing about this industry that you love?
The people, the comradely, the opportunity to connect. 

What is one thing about the industry would you like to see changed? 
I wouldn’t say “change” but more “continued focus/requirement” is that all events incorporate Green Meeting practices and a community impact focus. I would love to see it installed across the board that meetings become “Net Zero” in terms of our carbon footprint and as we go to other communities, we build in a way to support that community somehow. 

What do you do outside of work? 
I make granola bars and granola with manners! My side business is called Please & Thank You Granola Bars. Each of my products are gluten-free, some are dairy-free, all are made with whole ingredients and packaged with compostable materials. I have named each of my products after manners so that they can be a small seed in a big field of showing each other kindness and respect. 

Pardon Me as I take this granola bar, Sharing is Caring so I’ll give you one too. Yes, Please – I’ll have more granola! You’re Welcome for showing you how amazing these are. We certainly are living the Golden Rule. And for those nursing mamas, Mama May I have a bar?!

Grab these granola bars whenever you want, but make sure to use your manners, Please & Thank You!