Venessa Garst is a graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Business Administration.   Having spent twenty years at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Venessa has a strong background in pharmaceutical meeting planning and operations.   While at Wyeth, Venessa took on roles in both operations and management.  Most recently, as an Account Manager, she contributed to the overall success of the Strategic Meetings Management (SMM) initiative by pioneering new cost cutting measures and ensuring compliance.  Venessa was heavily involved in developing the team to a fully outsourced SMM operation, producing over 900 meetings annually.  Venessa’s  years of experience and variety of roles give her a unique understanding of operations and on-site meeting management as well as a strong background in developing the strategic elements designed to leverage meeting spend, mitigate risk, and help develop company policy and procedures.

Presently, Venessa is working independently with various meeting planning companies and DMCs  providing planning and on-site meeting management.   She is also active in the Senior Planners Industry Network (SPIN) where she has volunteered as a panelist, contributing to discussion groups and sharing her expertise.  Venessa is also active with the local Philadelphia MPI chapter as a volunteer for the Fall Fundraising Committee. 

Activities enjoyed outside of meeting planning include caring for her two Boston Terrier rescue dogs.  She is also a self taught quilter and teaches the craft at area quilting shops.