One Day With – Ruth Bennett, NYC & Company

Ruth Bennett joined Hills Balfour, Europe and Dubai’s leading travel and tourism marketing communications agency, in January 2016 working with NYC & Company and other agency accounts. With over eight years of experience working in the MICE industry, Ruth’s previous roles include several years spent working in-house at London & Partners, during which London played host city to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Ruth is an active member of several industry trade associations including board director of membership at MPI UK and, currently, a SITE GB committee member. In her role as Senior Manager, Ruth heads up NYC & Company’s European MICE efforts, which includes overseeing the organisation’s sales activity across the UK and wider European markets.  

What does your morning routine look like?

When I can make it out of bed early enough, I like to start the morning with a strong coffee and a 1Rebel spin class!

Where is your favourite place to grab breakfast on your way into the office?

The smoothie bar at 1Rebel.

What is the most random thing on your desk?

Almond butter – it goes with anything! 

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Think win win!

Who was your last email from?

My colleague Patricia Herrera, NYC & Company, Regional Director for Europe, Canada and LATAM, Convention Development, in NYC to discuss our upcoming client trip to New York City.  

What’s your ‘to-do’ list looking like today?

It starts with picking up calls and emails. A big part of my role is to ensure that clients have all the information and connections they require for their event pitch.

Next follows a team meeting to run through details of our upcoming fam trip to NYC. We incorporate a range of suppliers from airlines and hotels to the newest development in NYC, Hudson Yards. Therefore, it is our role to ensure that clients get the most out of their visit by engaging with relevant suppliers whilst in the city.

The rest of the day will be spent liaising with these suppliers about the upcoming visit and finalising the program with my colleague, Margherita Ducati, NYC & Company, Sales Coordinator, European MICE.

Where do you go to get away from it all and unwind?

Ibiza, to the Azura spa – they have the best massages.

Favourite destination you’ve ever visited?

Vietnam – I loved the food and people and Halong Bay is incredible.

What was the last book you read?

Alexander Hamilton, the biography.

What’s your favourite motivational song to start the day?

Show Me Love, by Robin S.