People 7-1-1999

> Meetings & Conventions: People July 1999
July 1999
People

EDITED BY AMY DREW TEITLER

Diane Dalisera, CMP, is manager, conferences and meetings, for the International Life Sciences Institute based in Washington, D.C. Previously, she worked for a mortgage banking firm in Northern Virginia. She has been in the meetings industry for more than 10 years.

What was your first assignment at this job?
My arrival at ILSI was just before Christmas with the charge to begin making arrangements for a conference for 200 scientists. Details were sketchy, the timing was short, and I was new here. What a way to get started! Fortunately, it all came together and was a very successful meeting.

If you could pass off one meeting responsibility, what would it be?
Closing out the conference: paying bills, packing the office. This can be satisfying, especially when it has been a good meeting, but the sad part is saying goodbye to all those wonderful people with whom you've been working.

What aspect of your job is most satisfying?
Watching the weeks of preparation come together on site.

How do you like to spend the day after a big meeting?
To be honest, I like spending a day or two either alone or in an activity organized by someone else, where I don't have to make any decisions and I am the one who is pampered.

Describe the perfect attendee.
Someone who reads all the literature, is where he needs to be, is on time and dresses appropriately for the meeting room that is inevitably too hot or too cold.

What was the last book you read?
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes. I'm planning a trip to Italy right now.

I hear you met a big celebrity on a site inspection.
I was in South Africa, and I was heading out to a meeting when I noticed the hotel staff congregating in the lobby. The Australian rugby players, who were staying at the hotel, were forming a reception line. The GM and sales director told me Nelson Mandela was giving the welcome at a meeting and wanted to meet the rugby players. Apparently he's a big fan, and there was a competition between a few teams that week. I got in line and had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Mandela. He shook my hand. Of course, I was late for my appointment, but it was definitely worth it.

AMY DREW TEITLER

PLANNERS

COMCOR HIRES BERRYHILL AS PRODUCER
Sandra I. Berryhill has joined Fort Lauderdale's Comcor Event and Meeting Production Inc. as a producer. Previously, she worked as a promotions/events manager at GEMS Television, an international Spanish-language cable network in Miramar, Fla. She has 10 years experience.

LANDERS NAMED VP AT CONFERENCEDIRECT
Brian Landers, CMP, has been named vice president, Western region, for ConferenceDirect, a meetings solutions company in Los Angeles. Previously, Landers served as director of national sales for Hilton Hotels Corp. in Beverly Hills, Calif. He has been active in the industry for 12 years.

SUPPLIERS

If you would like notice of a career move considered for inclusion in this column, contact Amy Drew Teitler, Senior Editor, M&C, 500 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, N.J. 07094; fax: (201) 319-1796; e-mail: [email protected].