Member Spotlight Michael Brill

Name: Michael Brill
Occupation: Managing Director-Independent Meeting Planner
Planner or Supplier: Planner
Member Since: 2007
Current Employer: MEDALS LLC 

How did you get your start in the industry?
Merck, Director-Global Medical Education

How many years have you been in the industry?
28

What is your favorite thing about our industry?
Working to put on a successful program via delegate experience and approval.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
Be persistent

What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?
1200 person, health care professional product launch meeting in London, using all Hilton Hotels for delegate stays and being first meeting to seat and feed >1000 in Hilton London Metropole.  Gala dinner took over the London Museum on Natural History.

If you were not in this industry, what would you be doing right now?
Accounting work

Where did you grow up?
Old Bridge, NJ

What is your favorite city to travel to and why?
Bangkok.  People are so kind and hotel service is impeccable for the price

What is your favorite book?
Jailbird

If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 items would you bring with you?
Internet, laptop and pizza

If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Christopher Columbus because he loved to travel and discover new places.

If you woke up tomorrow as an animal, what animal would you choose to be and why?
I would be an ocelot.  Had one as a pet as a child.  They are stunning beautiful creatures, but totally instinctive and sometimes cuddly.

If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live?
Right here in NJ, near friends, family and Rutgers, my alma mater.

Who would you like to be for a day?
Arnold Schwarzenegger.  What an incredible and diverse career.

If you could invite one famous or noted people (past or present) to dinner who would you choose?
Derrick Jeter

Which three words describe you best?
Adventurous, caring and trust-worthy

What is your all-time favorite movie?
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

Describe your perfect day off?
Walking the streets of Old Montreal and eating at Bonaparte’s for dinner.

What do you love about MPI NJ?
Education is important, but I truly love the networking events, meeting old and new friends and working together to make great, educational and fun-filled events.