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eNewsletter - 2nd Quarter 2009

New Member Spotlight:  John Faille

By Leslie DiLeo
Director of Conferences, American Montessori Society

Like many of his colleagues in the conference industry, John Failla loves to play golf --and admits he is no pro.  "I'm not retired, yet," he offers with a big laugh, indicating that where there is leisure time, there is hope.

Vigor, focus and good humor are characteristics that have served John immensely--way beyond his golf game and throughout his successful career, beginning with Proctor & Gamble's sales management program after getting his degree in marketing at the University of Maryland.  It was at Proctor & Gamble that he learned the fundamentals of consumer products marketing and sales management. He continued on and gained a variety of management, publishing and event organization experience at Lebhar Friedman, VNU business media and Bill Communications.  Prior to starting Tesoro Events in 2007, John spent six years as Group President at VNU (Nielsen) Exhibitions where he was responsible for trade shows, publications and online services serving several markets.

A self-described "corporate refugee," now CEO of his Scarsdale-based company (Tesoro Events), John advises organizations on the role that virtual events can play to enhance current business and stimulate new business for the corporate and association markets and beyond.

He is passionate about webinars, webcasts and virtual tradeshows, predicting that within 24 months almost all conference organizers will have a virtual component to their events, in the same way that it's routine for them to have websites.  "Virtual events cannot replace face-to-face interaction among people," he says definitely. "But they offer opportunities for a company's messages and products to reach more people--especially during tough economic times."  

"Ten years ago, both publishers and retailers were extremely concerned about the impact that online publications and online sales would have on their business.  Now, it's clear that there's room for both--and in fact, the online component is an enhancement rather than competition."

One of his other passions is traveling: Europe and South America are two of his favorite destinations--particularly Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.  He and his family have spent a great deal of time in Italy as well.  "My wife's family owns a farm in the Friuli region in northeast Italy, near a town called Meduno.  My kids are now 16, 18 and 20, and it's been good for them to play and work a little on the farm, collecting eggs in the morning--that kind of thing."  

He laughs again. "It's important for them to know that all the world is not Scarsdale."   

In a world where you can start a farm on Facebook and build a kingdom in Second Life, it's good to know that John Failla, virtual event expert, is decidedly "real world."


You can contact John Failla
By email at: [email protected]
By phone at: 914.819.0693