The Partnerships Team: Allison Rigels Nilsen

As the 20th Partnerships in Clinical Trials approaches next April, we wanted to you get to know the staff behind the event. Every two weeks, a Partnerships Team Member will share some of their memories and experiences with the event. Today, we have Allison Rigels Nilsen, the Senior Marketing Manager of this year's event.

1) What do you do for Partnerships in Clinical Trials? How long have you been working on the Partnerships Event?
I am the Senior Marketing Manager for the Partnerships event and I have been working on the event for the past 4 years.

2) What is your favorite part of working on this event year after year?
Year after year the industry around us is changing and it’s exciting for me to see how this event has continued to grow. Our relationships with the speakers and partners have strengthened and become an integral part of the success of this event.

3) Which conference has stood out in your mind and why? Who has been your favorite speaker at Partnerships?
My favorite year was 2008 when it was held at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas. Attendance was at an all time high and everyone there just had positive things to say. That year Magic Johnson was one of the keynote speakers. His message was inspiring and hit home for many of the people in the room.

4) What’s your favorite food?
Pizza! I love trying new pizza places in New York. I even heard about a Pizza Tour in Brooklyn that I have to try!

5) What are you looking forward to the most for our 20th Anniversary?
For the 20th Anniversary celebration we have some surprises in store that I can’t give away.
You’ll just have to attend the event to see! I have enjoyed delving into the content development for the 2011 program in order to bring forth more advanced sessions as well as many new topics for the meeting. I am working closely with speakers to develop innovative interactive formats for our conference sessions. I am also excited for some of the "surprises" we are developing for our 20th Anniversary celebration, and for building a more active and engaged Partnerships community.