Member Spotlight Meghan Shott

Name: Meghan Shott
Occupation: Manager, Business Partners and Exhibits
Planner or Supplier: Planner
Member Since: 2019
Current Employer: New Jersey Association for Justice, Inc. 

How did you get your start in the industry?
My on-campus job while attending La Salle University was in the Events Department. That tied in nicely with my Communication major. I started off my career doing public relations for a non-profit in Philadelphia while supporting the events department there. I then transitioned to doing marketing and events for a B2B software company before I made the leap to focus my efforts solely on meeting planning.

How many years have you been in the industry?
I started my on-campus student worker position in the Events Department at La Salle University in September 2004 so 16+ years

What is your favorite thing about our industry?
I love that no event is exactly the same but you can use ideas and concepts across multiple industries, demographics, and types of events.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
“Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” I am a major perfectionist but I try to keep the end goal in mind and realize I can’t control everything.

What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?
We had a conference in California and we did a beer garden networking reception outside, complete with a lederhosen-clad German band, craft beers, pretzels and brats, and the sound of the ocean in the background. Such a fun evening event after a day of sessions!

If you were not in this industry, what would you be doing right now?
I’d likely still be doing public relations or marketing.

What is your favorite city to travel to and why?
Huntington Beach, CA. Everyone is so relaxed and happy there, the food is wonderful and the sunsets are beautiful.

If you woke up tomorrow as an animal, what animal would you be and why?
I would choose to be my dog. I’d still get to live in my house and hang out with my husband and kids, but I would also get all my meals prepared for me, be able to sleep whenever I wanted, and have no responsibility at all.

Describe your perfect day off?
I would normally include my children in my perfect day off, but because of the pandemic we’ve been home together every day since March 2020. Nowadays, I’d spend the morning alone down the shore in a beach chair with a book and the pile of magazines I haven’t had time to read lately. I’d take a nap unapologetically and then I’d have a nice seafood dinner and a cocktail with my husband and kids.

How long have you been a member of MPI?
1 year

What are you most excited about in joining MPI NJ?
I’m excited to be able to connect (albeit virtually right now) with people in the meeting planning industry. One of the things I’ve appreciated over the past year is the true feeling of collaboration with fellow event planners. I think we’ve all been more willing to run ideas by each other, and share our successes and failures so I’m hopeful that continues with fellow MPI NJ members.