Today we’d like to introduce you to Magdalena Bonnelly
Hi Magdalena, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Poland. I came to US in 2001 right before 9/11 tragedy happened. Blissfully unaware of the impact the tragedy will have on immigration laws and homeland security, I applied for student visa status before 2001 ended, to start college education in January 2002.
I was incredibly thankful when I learned that my education would not be interrupted by mandatory waiting time, which would require me to return to Poland for a period of 6 months or so.
In January 2002, I started my education towards an associate’s degree at Richland College, majoring in Travel, Exposition, and Meetings Management. After graduating from Richland College, I continued my education at UNT in Denton. When I was presented with an exciting opportunity to join a hotel sales job in Grapevine, TX, I switched to online education and finished my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees online.
Richland College program and student membership at a professional organization, MPI – Meeting Professionals Internationals DFW Chapter, allowed me to network with local hotels and meeting planning companies. My career started back then and 20 years later, after a successful career as a sales executive in various hotels in DFW, I started my own firm.
Today I successfully help various organizations plan annual conferences, corporate events, retreats and other gatherings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Navigating immigration laws immediately post 9/11 was a tough road. I spent many sleepless nights worrying about my legal status in the United States, which would affect my ability to go to school.
My ambition to earn a Bachelor’s Degree was often delayed by circumstances outside of my control. It was a very frustrating process and I navigated through a maze of different visas, to make sure I didn’t lose legal status in US.
I spent the first 5-6 years in the United States not being able to go back to see my family in Poland, because of how strict immigration laws became after 9/11. Fortunately, I had an amazing family I was working part-time for, who helped me as much as they could. They made sure I stayed in school and that I had a roof over my head when I was facing a difficult housing situation.
Other struggles that I experienced were the result of being an attractive woman and navigating the world around me – a world that was sexist, patriarchal and abusive. I survived physical and sexual assault from someone I knew and loved. I was on the receiving end of many hostile and harassing situations at work.
Once I got my permanent resident status in 2006, I was able to start my corporate career and finally travel back to Poland to see my family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Event Strategies, LLC dba Procurement Strategy Group?
I started my business in August 2019. With my experience in hotel operations and sales, I decided to use my skill set to help companies plan meetings and conferences. 8 months later, the COVID pandemic caused a complete shutdown and in-person meetings came to a screeching halt.
With the help of a friend, I started a manufacturing business – we were producing acrylic barriers and shields for hotels, EPA, and Avis/Budget car rental locations. This allowed me to support my family through this difficult time.
When virtual and hybrid events became popular, I started back up in my event planning business. I quickly learned many tech stacks and started producing conferences online, all over the world. It was not unusual for me to wake up for 2AM start of virtual conference in Australia or Asia. When in-person events started to come back, my business picked up and I started to plan in-person conferences all over the world.
What makes my services unique are few things:
1. experience – after 20 years of hotels operations and sales, I have first hand knowledge of what is possible and what is not when I plan clients conference. It also helps me navigate hotel contracts, to benefit my clients’ goals and objectives.
2. methodical approach to planning – no matter where I start in the conference planning process, I know how to successfully take the conference to the finish line. Recently, I was hired 7 weeks before the first annual conference this one company wanted to put on. Their event planner left unexpectedly and I needed to jump in where the process was left off. My company finished the planning process and assisted this client on-site. We are currently planning 2025 and 2026 conferences.
3. event forensics – my signature service that also includes my product – website application I have built for my clients to use. It allows them to track all necessary budget items and expenses associated with the conference. Additionally, it tracks room block and f&b numbers year over year. Based on those numbers, myself and client can have strategic conversations with suppliers and negotiate best terms and conditions on products and services for conferences.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My whole story is a story of risk-taking. I took a risk when moving from Poland to the US. I took a risk starting school in a foreign country.
I took a major risk when starting my own company.
To me, risk comes with living.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.procurementstrategygroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/procurement_strategy_group
Image Credits
Magdalena Bonnelly
Remaining photos: Headshot: SpotMyPhotos at CONNECT conference, other: Longevity Summit by Vibrant Wellness.
