Michael Pasternak- “The World’s Funniest Meeting Crasher”
Talk about a unique career…for more than 20 years Michael Pasternak has been ‘crashing” association and corporate meetings and banquets, wandering in completely unannounced! Posing as either the hotel“maintenance worker”, (turns out he’s got the wrong room on his work order), OR as the iconic “COLUMBO” looking for jumper cables, what follows (at a pre-arranged moment) is a hilarious, personalized program featuring fun comedic bits about key people and the organization he’s “crashing.”
What prompted you to become a member of MPI?
Having been invited over the years to “crash” many MPI functions around the country, it certainly made sense to become one of its vendors.
What do you hope to gain from becoming a member of MPI?
Although I have never had a problem picking up the phone and introducing my company to a speaker bureau or meeting planner, there’s something wonderful about meeting people face-to-face at an MPI event. Since all of my programs are “personalized,” this becomes a more “personalized” way of saying hello. I’ve already discovered that planners who belong to MPI are very open to hearing from service companies which are also MPI members.
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry and what lead you to your chosen profession?
Having a background as a writer and comedian, Scott Paper Towels hired me to get across their “technical” points to their sales force, but in a fun and memorable way. This became the template for my appearances at trade shows. I then adapted the program, this time personalizing it more around the key people that were actually attending the banquet. The “inside” humor proved to be a wonderful vehicle to bring everyone together as a team, and create a buzz long after the event was over.
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or favorite ways to spend your free time?
My wife and I have two young sons. Whether it’s baseball, basketball, soccer or flag football, what a thrill it is to see them playing organized sports, and to also have the opportunity to either manage or help out as a coach!
Lupe Tarin
Project Manager, LT Events
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry and what lead you to your chosen profession?
By chance ten years ago, while working for a manufacturing company, I was asked to fill in and support the corporate event staff and from that moment on, I was hooked. I say that it was what I always wanted to be when I grew up it but took me thirty years and some luck to figure it out. It must have been my initial desire to become an interior designer and create unique spaces that was a first clue to this career choice. The demands of planning multiple meetings and events at different stages at the same time were what satisfied my love for chaos and immediate gratification. Some people never get the chance to do what they love, I am grateful that I had that opportunity.
What prompted you to join MPI?
In preparing for the CMP exam, I lacked some of the required continuing education units and this was the best way for me to earn those credits. Joining MPI was initially, a means to the CEUs issued from many of the free webinars online. As a monthly visitor to the MPI website before becoming a member, I can say that the difference membership brings has been phenomenal. From the very first webinar, I notonly gained insight on how to better an upcoming meeting, but how to better my business planning as well. I only wish I had joined years ago.
What do you hope to gain from being a member of MPI?
I didn’t realize how hard I was working to keep up with industry trends until I joined MPI. Meeting planning is an ever-evolving industry that is affected by many factors, and in order to do my job at the standard that I expect from myself, I need MPI to continue to do that as efficiently as possible. From networking with others in the industry to the information available to planners, it’s vital if I expect to be successful.
What are some of your interests, hobbies, or favorite ways to spend your free time?
If you don’t find me in the bookstore reading every home interior magazine, business planning or self-help book on the shelves, I am at home master planning my next craft project. Anyone who knows me knows that trying to satisfy my disfunction for chaos is a constant work in progress.
David MacCormick CMP
Exposhows Inc., VP Sales
Pyrotechnic Event Management - Outdoor/Theatrical/SFX
Fireworks Displays/Special Events
What prompted you to join MPI?
MPI has been my key to understanding that a successful event hinges upon the interdependency of each individual meeting component. Interacting with leaders who live and practice our principles has been invaluable for insight and solutions on how to address and manage unfamiliar areas in meeting management.
What do you hope to gain from being a member of MPI?
I want to connect with forward-thinking MPI members who share a passion for creating guest perfect experiences, aware that the return client is a valuable, revenue-boosting commodity. Identifying aspects of fabulous events that can be reproduced and then performing those actions whenever necessary remains a personal focus. Contributions, ideas and recommendations we make now, will shape the path of those who follow, which is why it’s important to connect at MPI.
How long have you been involved in the meeting industry and what led you to the profession?
I’ve spent fifteen years in the meetings industry from full-blown pharma conferences to small local events. What I learned about treating guests well, especially from my parents who are dinner party experts, is what spurred me into this career path.
We can teach the smallest details of service but the concept of hospitality extends beyond mastering professional skills. There is nothing like bringing strangers into a space, making them feel they want to return again and ensuring we have done everything in our control to make them happy.
Interests/Hobbies/Favorite way to spend free time
I like the kitchen, exploring ethnic fusion and traditional cooking. Mandarin Chinese, kite surfing, rugby, golf and travel remain my most prevalent hobbies.
