Case Study: Corporate Meeting Success with Petco Animal Supply Stores, Inc.

Corporate meetings exist to drive results and deliver employee outcomes. The planning timelines can be short but delivering impact is paramount. Partnering with an experienced meeting and event planner can make all the difference. 

Challenge/Opportunity

Petco’s Event, Meeting and Travel Management Department was in desperate need of some help. The Senior Manager of the department approached MJMeetings for some consulting and project support.

With a department that was down by two full-time staff due to turnover, a department head who was pregnant and anticipating maternity leave (going into and during their biggest meeting of the year), and a workload that was aggressive for any in-house meetings team, they needed an experienced professional who could give them a boost and provide support when they needed it most.

MJMeetings was brought in to support meetings and events already underway in the planning process through project assistance, to consult on upcoming events in the near future pipeline and to help guide a young, green team of fresh meeting planners.

Response/Solution

With guidance from the department head and working closely with the staff, MJMeetings worked as an extension of their staff on specific projects within existing meetings.

Project management of major meeting elements like menu and budget planning for their largest employee summit, planning and coordination of the rescue-pet fashion show during their gala fundraiser and management of gifts and individually selected activities for top performers at their beach incentive trip are just a few of the solutions provided.

MJMeetings was also able to provide guidance and mentoring of young meeting planners who had challenges in different ways working for such a large corporation with an aggressive workload. Coaching and mentoring them through each project and assignment was a highlight.

Outcome/Results

The client was pleased with the expertise that MJMeetings provided with little guidance and direction on projects. They appreciated our working style and being able to run with many balls-in-the-air while maintaining professionalism and a great attitude.

Observations from the Client – Megan Tate, Senior Manager, Finance & Events

“I’ve had the privilege of utilizing Missy Johnson’s meeting and event consulting services at Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. Missy is an admirable example of a top-notch meetings and events professional. Her exemplary reputation in the industry preceded her, and I have been pleased with her work on our meetings and events. Missy is professional, knowledgeable, experienced, and confident…all while being warm, fun and easy to work with. While working on our events, Missy easily transitions between working with and mentoring up and coming event professionals and earning the respect and confidence of senior executives. She seeks to understand the purpose and objectives of each project and frequently pursues feedback on her work to ensure she’s meeting and exceeding expectations. Missy is an outstanding meeting and event professional and I’m honored to write a recommendation for her.”