CAREER PATH Kristin K. Mirabal, CMP Director of Global Programs, Optical Society of America
Editor’s Note: In this issue, we introduce Career Path, where we profile meetings-industry professionals to learn what brought them to their current role and where they see themselves — and the industry — heading.
How did you get your start in the meetings industry?
As a political science/international studies ma- jor, my choices for “real-world” jobs were lim- ited. I applied for a position in the conference- management department at the University of Washington and was hired as a conference as- sistant. It was a work-study position, and I was limited to working only 18 hours per week. I had a wonderful boss, who turned into my mentor. I soon was hooked and working many hours be- yond what the university officially allowed. I was given more
responsibility and within two years was promot- ed to executive man- ager of a small nonprofit scientific society whose president was in the university’s biochemistry department. Not only did I manage their an- nual meeting, but also all of the society opera- tions, to include membership and a member newsletter.
I remained with the conference-manage- ment department for three years, and then decided to further my education outside of the hospitality industry. I pursued my mas- ter’s in Middle Eastern politics and while in school, started working for the Optical Society of America (OSA) — where I’ve remained for nearly 20 years, with a brief three-year break to work for another organization. It’s the fast-paced work, the people, and the reward of executing a successful event that has kept me interested and engaged these many years.
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What advice would you give someone just starting out? Keep engaged, attend industry events, and don’t burn any bridges. This is a very small in- dustry with very long memories, and the per- son you worked with at one venue who might have been a challenge may in the future be your biggest ally in another city or facility.
What do you like best about your job? My role within the industry has changed significantly since I started 20-plus years ago. I now work outside of our meetings and con- ventions department and in our global-devel- opment department, where I am the director of global programs. I most enjoy bringing together individuals within my own orga- nization and those of similar organizations to develop new programs that would be beneficial to both.
What is your biggest challenge?
Navigating the delicate balance of working with culturally diverse organizations and pre- senting opportunities in a way that is mutually beneficial to both organizations.
What do you see as the future of the meetings industry?
The future of the meetings industry lies in the hands of the participants. There always will be a need for face-to-face meetings, and I believe that no matter where a meeting may be held that the cultural diversity and global makeup of the participants must be considered. That is what is evolving. We must meet their needs — whether it be through technology, language translation, or destination accessibility. n
HUMAN INTEREST: “It’s the fast-paced work, the people, and the reward of execut- ing a successful event,” Kristin K. Mirabal, CMP, said, “that has kept me interested and engaged these many years.”