MPI MN Profiles Planner Mary Lauria

MPI MN Profiles Planner Mary Lauria, Monarch Events MSP president.

Why did you join MPI?   
I left my Corporate Marketing job in 2016 to start Monarch Events MSP. I joined MPI to meet other professionals in the industry, further my skills through the education offered and to keep up to date on what’s happening in the industry.

How long have you been in the meetings/hospitality industry?   
I’ve planned meetings and events my entire marketing career.  I’ve been focused on the meetings / hospitality industry for the last 4 year.  

How did you decide to get involved in this business?  What influenced you? 
Planning meeting and events has always been my passion. I reached a point in my career when I decided if I was going to do what I love every day, I’m going to have to strike out on my own. I’ve never looked back!

What’s the most valuable advice you’ve received about working with meetings?  Understand what your customer really wants – it may not always be obvious or what they say. To understand you need to really listen.  

What is one piece of advice about meeting planning you would share? 
Make sure you have every detail you can planned and implemented before you get on site. This allows you to work with all the “issues” that arise for the things you couldn’t foresee.   

What is one thing about this industry that you love?   
I love the moment that the planning for the meeting or event all comes together. The moment when you stand back, see everyone enjoying themselves and you know your job was well done. In my business I call this the “Monarch Moment”.

What is one thing about the industry would you like to see changed?   
Right now, I’d like to see the industry come back from the challenges it is facing during the Corona Virus pandemic.    

What do you do outside of work? 
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and puppy.   I enjoy traveling and reading a good book.