Meet Alissa Hurley – The Toronto Chapter President

Alissa Hurley

We sat down with Alissa for her first interview as Toronto Chapter President.
 
LITE: What is your current job?
 
Alissa:  I am a Global Account Director for BCD Meetings and Events. In my role, I manage our relationship with a global pharmaceutical company that we service in 20 countries around the world. 
 
LITE: When did you join MPI Toronto?  
 
Alissa: I joined MPI over 20 years ago upon the advice of a hotel salesperson. It was early in my career, and she suggested that I join the Toronto chapter for the learning and networking opportunities. 
 
LITE:  Why did you first volunteer with the Chapter?
 
Alissa:  After joining MPI, I often heard that the way to get the most out of my membership was to volunteer. Collaborating with others through volunteering is how you really get to know other members and build relationships - both personal and professional.   
 
LITE:  What is the biggest value of your MPI membership?
 
Alissa:  For me, the biggest value has been the impact on my professional growth over the years. Professional education from both the chapter and global has been instrumental in my career development. I'm always learning from other members, then applying it to my work and sharing with my teams. 
 
LITE:  Any "unusual" facts about you that our readers might not expect?
 
Alissa:  That is a tough question - what one person may consider unusual may not be to someone else. First of all, I'm an introvert. There's a common assumption that if you work in meetings and events, that you are outgoing and an extrovert. However, that's not necessarily the case for many in our industry. Planning a meeting can be a very solitary endeavour and often introverts enjoy the “behind the scenes” aspect more than attending an event. The second unknown fact is that I'm also an Airbnb host. I'm on my second venture now, which is a house in Niagara near a beach. I enjoy taking what I've learned from the hospitality industry and applying it to create experiences for my guests. 
 
LITE:  What would you like your legacy to be as President?
 
Alissa:  We are at a very interesting stage for the chapter, post-COVID.  I'd like to have contributed to the renewal and growth of the chapter in a way that has us trying new things and new approaches to meet the new needs of our members. 
 
If you see Alissa at an MPI Event this year, make sure you say hello.