Family Values
In the 1970s, in Racine, Wisconsin, Dan Neider, along with his parents, Walter and Mildred, started a small travel agency: Neider Travelway, Inc. The company planned trips for local folks and dabbled in corporate travel. As word spread about Neider Travelway’s superior service, the little agency landed a couple of group incentive trips.
Dan liked that arm of the business, and he started dreaming: What could the future hold for his family’s company? Corporate group travel became a focus and, by the late 1980s, corporate meetings. The company changed its name to “Meetings by Design.” Oscar Mayer, Circuit City and Fort Howard Paper were its first full-group meetings clients. Meetings by Design did it all with just five full-time employees. From working late nights to toting luggage for arriving groups, if it made for successful meetings and created happy clients, Dan Neider did it. Happily.
By the mid-1990s, with Jean and Tina onboard, the company changed its name again to reflect its changing focus. New offices, multiple locations and an ever-expanding staff marked this era of expansion for the firm. One thing has never changed: The sterling reputation Dan Neider built for his company was and is its bedrock. As part of the organization’s focused growth and global expansion, Dan’s dream, led by his daughters, is now Meetings & Incentives Worldwide.
Women-Led, Client-Focused
Like their father Dan Neider, sister team Jean Johnson and Tina Madden have an energy and a vision that sparks the M&IW culture. They are committed to best practices, innovation and unparalleled customer service. Since Jean and Tina took the reins in 2010, M&IW has opened global offices, expanded the incentive and conference divisions, hired a dedicated team of rock-stars and leveraged the most effective and innovative event technologies. They’ve grown the family business from 30 employees and $20 million in revenues to more than 275 employees and growing, revenues of more than $120 million and a managed meeting and event spend of more than $250 million.
The goal—and the result—is the same as it has been since Dan and his parents started it all in 1967: Keep clients happy, exceed their goals and—always—be trusted with the next big challenge. Here’s to every next big challenge.
A Bright Future
Today, we are dedicated to the business of meetings, events, incentives and conferences. Every department, from global procurement through on-site operations, is comprised of dedicated, seasoned professionals with in-depth experience servicing all industries. Visionary leadership and a stellar staff continue to move the company forward in today’s high-tech, fast-paced travel world. Transforming your organization through live meetings and events is our purpose and also our promise to every client.
