Employee Spotlight: Gail Sullivan Receives MPI Shining Star Award
At the recent Meeting Professional International Philadelphia Area Chapter’s All-Hands Meeting, M&IW’s Gail Sullivan, Sr. Event Sourcing Manager, received the Shining Star Award in recognition of outstanding volunteerism. Congratulations, Gail!
Get to Know Gail
A 20-year industry veteran, Gail serves as the chapter’s Director of Venue Procurement. In her role, she leads the committee responsible for securing venues for the chapter’s monthly programs, board retreats, and special events.
“It is an honor to be recognized by our Chapter Leadership for the dedication and work I put into leading the Venue Procurement Team,” said Gail.
A leader both in the industry and at M&IW, Gail shared more of her experience and her advice for those just starting out in meetings and events.
Congratulations on receiving the Shining Star Award! How long have you been volunteering with your chapter? What is your favorite part?
I have volunteered for many years as a CMP Study Group Leader, Director of Education Institute, and VP of Education. This year I stepped away from Education and decided to put my true skills to the test as the Director of Venue Procurement. This is a somewhat more challenging role, but it allows me to be more creative in finding solutions. We can’t always secure a complimentary venue (although that would be the dream!), so I work with the Director of Sponsorship to secure a sponsor that makes sense for the event. For example, for our September event, the education piece is a panel discussion with CVBs, so we were able to secure a CVB not only as part of the panel but also as a sponsor.
All that to say, my favorite part is the collaboration, being creative, and working with my team to find a solution to deliver the best events to our members.
What advice would you give someone hoping to join MPI or to start a career in meetings and events?
I am a firm believer in you get what you give. MPI can be a great resource and has the potential to help boost your career thanks to all the networking and opportunities available. Join a committee and be involved. Use MPI to enhance your skills, learn new ones, and share the current skills you excel at with others.
Tell us about your role with M&IW. What is your favorite part?
I started with M&IW in January 2022 as a Sr. Event Sourcing Manager. My favorite part is that every day is a new experience in Sourcing! Just like my work with my MPI Chapter, I get to be creative and collaborate with my amazing team daily. It’s a gratifying feeling when everything comes together. We celebrate along with our clients!
What is something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I am an introvert masquerading as an extrovert.