Member Spotlight Heather Eick

Name: Heather Eick
Occupation:  Corporate Meeting Planner
Planner or Supplier:  Planner
Current Employer: AbbVie Pharmaceuticals
Member Since: 2018

How did you get your start in the industry?
I truly began in the industry by working at the office of a high-end wedding photographer when I was a teenager.  Additionally, I assisted her on-site at weddings, which is where I realized I enjoyed events and the service of the hospitality industry.  I was able to land an internship going into my senior year of college at a medical communications and logistics company and the rest is history!

How many years have you been in the industry?
If we start from my internship, 16 years.

What is your favorite thing about our industry?
The service we provide and making people feel at home when they are on the road.  The little things make such a difference like having a puzzle in their room, their favorite soda on the beverage service, or simply greeting them in the lobby upon their arrival after a long flight.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?
“Let’s get to yes”.  One of our former executives used to preach this and I think it is so important to remember in everything you do.

What is the most memorable event you have planned or client experience you have had?
The most memorable event I have planned was during Hurricane Sandy.  I had 3 events going on almost simultaneously – before, during, and after the hurricane: 

Before the hurricane struck, I had to watch the weather channel religiously while simultaneously calling their airlines and being on hold for hours. Our clients abandoned us and we had to get hemophilia patients out of Atlanta and home. Luckily, we were able to and my colleague and I were able to gett the last flight back into Philadelphia before the hurricane hit overnight (flights into NJ were grounded by then).

During the hurricane, I had to get a team to Texas from NJ to execute a Speaker Training Meeting. We came up with all different solutions – drive to DC to catch a flight, rent a van and drive the staff to Texas, etc. They all eventually got to Texas by driving to out of area to airports.

Days after Hurricane Sandy hit, I had to plead with police officers to let me into Hoboken (where I reside) so I could unpack from my Atlanta trip and repack (in the dark!) so I could head to an FDA trial in Washington, D.C.

If you were not in this industry, what would you be doing right now?
Likely I would be working for a small business, doing whatever I needed to do to help them reach successful levels.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Florham Park, NJ.

What is your all-time favorite movie?
The Secret Life of Pets. It really makes you wonder what happens at your home (if you have a pet) when you leave and more importantly… if your pet has friends that hang out while you are gone!

Describe your perfect day off?
My perfect day off is having the self-discipline to not look at my work phone and head to a resort with a spa, pool and beach with my boyfriend, my sister, and my (new) baby niece (she’s the cutest!).

What do you love about MPI NJ?
I like the educational events MPI offers as well as connecting with people in the industry that live in the same area.