MPI MN Profiles Planner Lauren Denney

MPI Minnesota profiles Planner Lauren Denney, Event Specialist, MEA Energy Association.

Why did you join MPI?  
I joined MPI to make connections with other meeting planners in Minnesota and around the world. I also joined MPI to take advantage of all the professional development opportunities. 

How long have you been in the meetings/hospitality industry?  
I’ve been in the meeting industry for 7 years.

How did you decide to get involved in this business?  What influenced you?
I kind of fell into the meeting and event world when I worked at a hotel. I started assisting with the conference center and found that the combination of organization and creativity felt really exciting to me and like a perfect fit for my personality and gifts.                                                      
What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received about working with meetings? 
The most valuable advice given to me about working with meetings is a quote by Benjamin Franklin, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” 

What is one piece of advice about meeting planning you would share?  
When it comes to meetings, you can’t have an ego. During the event you will have to do what needs to be done for the event to be a success. Whether that’s picking up trash or crawling around on the ground plugging in AV, it’s all important for the success of the event. 

What is one thing about this industry that you love? 
I love the collaboration. Meeting planners are always sharing with each other and working with other industries and to produce successful meetings.

What is one thing about the industry would you like to see changed?  
I love the creativity in the meeting industry, but it’s not always encouraged or accepted. “That’s how it’s always been done” is not enough justification not to embrace new ideas and I’d love to see the industry work to stay as cutting edge as possible.

What do you do outside of work?  
While I’m not working, I love to be outside. Kayaking and having bonfires are two of my favorite ways to spend the warmer months. My husband and I also love going to live shows and we can’t wait for more venues to be open again. During these COVID times I have been doing a lot of crafting and it’s been really fun!