MPI MN Profiles Planner Valerie Mendoza

MPI MN Profiles Planner Valerie Mendoza, Infrastructure Resources, LLC events manager.

Why did you join MPI? 

I have always been impressed by the caliber of people and educational opportunities provided by MPI, and joined to continue that experience, as I am recertifying my CMP.  I also joined to network with other event professionals, and to stay up to date on all the trends, technologies best practices, and methodologies.

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

Twenty years! Yahoo!

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

I got into the business by chance.  I was in college working for a small publication that wrote about financial opportunities in the Upper Midwest.  It ran out of funding (ironic!), so I lost my job.  At that point I had worked for a couple of different publications and both folded, so I wanted to find something with more stability.  I ended up applying for and receiving a job working with a medical association in St. Paul as a Meetings Specialist.  I had no idea what the job entailed, and I was extremely fortunate because It was a great organization to learn from, and I absolutely fell in love with the job and the industry.

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

To always treat the people that you work with respect.  This not only applies to your organization or team, but also to your meeting vendors, the facility, the unions, F&B staff, housekeeping, etc.  The success of your meeting depends on how you communicate with and treat people.  If you want people to go the extra mile for you, you need to be willing to give that in return. 

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

It can be a rollercoaster, and you have to be prepared for anything, but you will learn so much, meet great people, and have hysterical and/or life learning lessons handed to you on a regular basis.

What is one thing about this industry that you love?

The passion people have for it.

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

As we all know, the meetings industry has gone through a huge upheaval in the past year with the pandemic.  I have many friends and colleagues that have been furloughed or laid off.  While we can’t change the pandemic, I look forward to the days when tourism opens again, live meetings return, when people will be hired, and when CVBs, meeting venues, restaurants and other hospitality services can operate fully.

What are some of your favorite pastime activities?

Travel, art, cooking, reading, hanging out with family and friends, and contemplating life.  I also come from a long line of proud Scrabble nerds (yes, we have a Scrabble crown), and rabid baseball fans. Go Twins!