The Miller Tanner difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our clients.
Today, we introduce you to Annalisa Battistini, our European-based global experience designer – events, who brings her attention to detail and excellent customer service to our Global Experiences Team.
Meet Annalisa Battistini, Global Experience Designer – Events
Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Empathy, Futuristic, Learner, Ideation, Connectedness
Languages spoken: Italian, English, French, and a little bit of Spanish.
What are your primary responsibilities?
As a global experience designer, my role is to be the main client’s contact throughout the planning of an either in-person or virtual event. I partner with my colleagues, as well as all our vendors, in order to offer assistance to our clients, to envision their event, always keeping an eye on budget and compliance. I also travel on-site and make sure our team takes great care of every attendee.
How long have you been with MTA? I was an on-site contractor for the first 4 years and then full-time since June 2015.
What did you do before joining MTA? Before joining MTA, I studied foreign languages and literatures at the University of Parma, Italy, and taught English as a second language in my hometown primary school for 3 years.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best parts of my job are the flexibility and the variety. I have the opportunity to travel on-site for events and meet extraordinary people from all around the world, which fills in the gaps of my constant desire to know and learn. Every event is a separate “game”; we all have to fulfill our roles to play it as a team.
What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?
It’s very hard to say. So far, I have been throughout Europe, and each European city has its own charm, which makes every event special. Budapest and Barcelona are certainly two of my favorite destinations because of their splendid architecture mixed with their extremely friendly people! But how could I leave out Prague? Or Amsterdam? Or Rome? The secret is to experience them all!
What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?
I think my most memorable event has been my first one, 13 years ago, in Rome. I am so glad I took that opportunity! I found friends, more than colleagues, and an incredibly interesting and multifaceted job. That was just the first of many other memorable experiences.
Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?
As we live in a technological era, I would recommend downloading the map of the city you are visiting on your phone, so that you can always know how to get back to the hotel, even with no internet connection. Many times, there are also public transportation maps, which are super useful if you don’t know the place. Last but not least, remember to always take a picture of your ID/passport.
Where are you originally from? What do you enjoy most about where you live? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?
I am originally from and currently reside in Monchio delle Corti, a little town close to Parma, Italy. What I enjoy the most about living here is that I have all my family and friends very close to me and this area is surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes. The area is called Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park which I recommend to whomever loves hiking, camping or just wants to enjoy great gastronomy.
What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?
MTA certainly stands out because of our team, composed of incredibly qualified, talented and motivated workers. I believe the credit for this is primarily ascribable to our CEO, Marnie, an incredible woman who surrounded herself with amazing human beings and has the great quality (along with many others) to keep the harmony among her team and the common goal of “experience excellence” for our customers.
Why do you think the MTA Workshop is important?
I like to think of the Workshop as our stop at the gas station! We work daily in a virtual environment, which has wonderful chances for flexibility but prevents us from seeing and speaking to our colleagues as often as we would like to. Attending the Workshop offers us the opportunity to “refill” ourselves with quality face-to-face time with our colleagues. Additionally, we have the opportunity to be trained in person, share our thoughts about our processes, have constructive conversations, and come up with awesome ideas on how to grow and get better. I always look forward to July because of the Workshop!
What do you do for fun?
I like to do many activities in my spare time such as playing volleyball, skiing, cooking, and walking in the woods with my dogs… but my favorite “hobby” for the last few years has been watching my boys (6 and 4 years old) grow and learn how to enjoy life – in the smallest things – every day!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would just add that I am so proud of being part of this amazing group! Thanks, MTA!
Visit www.millertanner.com to learn more about MTA and our associates. Get to know our associates by following us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes with our team.
