Marnie Miller Battistini, the visionary founder and CEO of Miller Tanner Associates (MTA), stands at the helm of a globally recognized, WBENC-certified corporate event planning company. With a remarkable journey that spans six continents, Marnie has consistently delivered exceptional experiences for face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid meetings, surpassing customer expectations and setting new standards in the industry.
A seasoned entrepreneur, Marnie’s foray into the business world was inspired by a profound realization of her strengths – an innate ability for logistics and problem-solving. Recognizing the untapped potential in event planning, she founded MTA on May 1, 1997, marking the beginning of her evolutionary impact on the business landscape. Marnie’s leadership style is deeply rooted in her belief in the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She acknowledges that women, with their remarkable multitasking abilities, play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business. As women ascend to leadership roles, their influence deepens, contributing to the overall growth and innovation in the business world.
One of the significant milestones in Marnie’s career was the establishment of MTA’s Strategic Leadership Team (SLT). Faced with the challenges of being the sole decision-maker, Marnie created the SLT to gain diverse insights and perspectives crucial for making informed decisions. This strategic move has been pivotal in MTA’s growth, fostering collaboration and ensuring the organization stays resilient in the face of challenges. At the heart of MTA’s success is Marnie’s commitment to doing the right thing. This guiding principle, coupled with her adept problem-solving skills, has shaped her decision-making process. Her mantra, “Do the right thing, and good things will happen,” has been the cornerstone of every major business decision she has made.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the events industry, Marnie leverages technology and digital transformation to stay ahead. Since 2006, MTA has been developing proprietary software that provides transparency to customers, allowing them to see real-time event registrations and share on-site data through a dedicated app. MTA’s commitment to utilizing technology positions the company at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Marnie’s strategic approach to fostering collaboration within her organization involves creating annual themes that serve as powerful tools to focus, motivate, and inspire her global workforce. In 2023, the theme of “Partnership” strengthened MTA’s unity, defining and solidifying the concept of partnership for the entire team.
In the face of adversity, Marnie Miller Battistini showcased resilience and agility during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With MTA’s global business model disrupted, the pandemic forced a reevaluation of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP). Facing the reality that all regions were simultaneously impacted, MTA swiftly responded by repositioning its services to meet the rising demand for virtual events. Despite the challenges, MTA’s quick marketing response, including a website redesign within 8 working days, and the dedication of its global workforce, proved crucial to the company’s survival during those turbulent times.
Marnie’s journey is also shaped by the principles of mentorship and sponsorship. Living in an aspirational state, she inspires the MTA team to take creative risks and learn from each experience. Mentorship, for her, is about sharing stories and embracing lessons, emphasizing the importance of facing challenges with gratitude and seeking the positive in every situation. In the often lonely landscape of leadership, Marnie emphasizes the value of surrounding oneself with principled individuals and building resilient relationships to navigate the myriad challenges a company may encounter. Balancing risk-taking and innovation with stability and continuity is an ongoing challenge in business, and Marnie acknowledges that risks are inherent in decision-making. While risk is a constant factor, she rejects the notion of a perfect balance, recognizing that risk often takes precedence in strategic decisions. Fearlessness is crucial for innovation, and Marnie strives to ensure that fear does not drive strategy.
Recognizing the struggle for work-life integration, Marnie advocates for clear choices and encourages each MTA team member to understand their value. Flexible time off policies at MTA empower team members to make informed decisions about their time, fostering a culture of trust. Additionally, the company celebrates and emphasizes volunteer time, further promoting a healthy work-life integration that goes beyond conventional boundaries.
A testament to MTA’s commitment to social responsibility and collaboration is the successful partnership with a key customer in supporting the Paralympics. MTA not only invited a US Paralympic athlete to share her inspirational story at their annual Workshop but also engaged in a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, building and donating 20 wheelchairs to a local organization. This collaboration not only showcased MTA’s dedication to meaningful partnerships but also contributed to the larger narrative of business evolution through social impact.
Marnie Miller Battistini’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is reflected in her unique approach to talent acquisition and retention at MTA. Describing the search for exceptional individuals as finding “MTA unicorns,” she emphasizes the importance of the “Gift of Service,” an innate quality she believes cannot be taught. Managers at MTA lead by offering support, ensuring the success of all team members and fostering an inclusive work environment. Time emerges as a significant challenge in Marnie’s perspective on women in business today. Acknowledging the irreplaceable nature of time, she believes that wisely using this precious resource is the ultimate challenge. Learning from mistakes and avoiding time wastage has been a crucial lesson in her leadership journey.
When it comes to creating a more equitable and inclusive business environment, Marnie advocates for policies originating from a positive place. The key is to focus on strength and need rather than reacting to the outliers, addressing the concerns of the majority and progressively weeding out any exceptions.
Marnie’s leadership impact is measured not just in traditional business metrics but also in the “work happiness” level of the MTA team. While revenue and margin are essential, Marnie places equal importance on data that qualifies the team’s satisfaction and fulfillment. Prioritizing people over projects, she strives to be a supportive, dependable, and compassionate leader, acknowledging that work “happiness” is subjective and continually evolving.
Looking toward the future, Marnie envisions women’s voices taking center stage, propelling them into more leadership roles. Clear and crisp communication, according to her, is the key to ascending within any business ecosystem. As Marnie Miller Battistini continues to shape the narrative of women’s leadership in the business world, her forward-thinking approach and commitment to inclusivity leave an indelible mark on the path toward a more diverse, equitable, and innovative future.
As Marnie Miller Battistini’s journey unfolds, her story emerges as a testament to resilience, innovation, and transformative leadership. Leading with passion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Marnie leaves an indelible mark on the events industry, setting new standards for corporate event planning. Her influence extends beyond, shaping the future of business evolution and inspiring a generation of leaders to strive for excellence and embrace transformative approaches. Marnie Miller Battistini’s narrative is not just a chronicle of personal success but a beacon guiding the way for others in the dynamic landscape of the business world.
