When Dr. Jorge Bisteni-Bustani, director general
of B.P. Servimed, one of Mexico's largest professional
conference organizations, was growing up, it was assumed that
he would follow in the footsteps of his father, a prominent
cardiologist and researcher. At first, he did.
After graduating cum laude from Mexico's La Salle University in
1975, he went on to medical school. A requirement in Mexico is
to spend a year doing social service after graduating. He was
asked to teach electrocardio-graphy and eventually found his
way into the university's administration department.
A battle with Hodgkin's disease resulted in Bisteni-Bustani
deciding to stay in the administration field. He spent 16 years
working for La Salle University, serving the last six as dean
of the medical school. In 1990, he left the university and used
his skills as an administrator to serve at several medical
societies.
"One of the societies I worked with, the National Society of
Surgery, asked me to organize their Latin American Congress of
Surgery," says Bisteni-Bustani. "I didn't know a thing about
planning congresses."
He contacted the country's only meeting planning company at the
time but was told they didn't have the time to help.
"It was up to me to plan this 3,000-person congress," he says,
adding that he gathered an administrative staff, rented
computers, and got to work. "For me, the outcome of the
conference was a disaster but according to the association, it
was a complete success."
He considered it a disaster because he had some disgruntled
attendees. More than 1,000 signed up on-site and the
registration process got backed up.
"There were some who got angry because their badges weren't
ready in less than three minutes," he says. "When you're
registering hundreds at the same time that becomes difficult. I
didn't sleep for weeks."
Despite these challenges, the event was deemed a huge success
and the National Society of Surgery was thrilled with
Bisteni-Bustani's effort. Before he knew it, Bisteni-Bustani
was contacted by the leaders of six other medical associations
asking if he could help plan their congresses. A career was
born.
"This career just found me. It was like a train that I just
climbed onto," he says.
When he started, Bisteni-Bustani used slide projectors and fax
machines to receive registrations. Today, his company employs
65 people, including his son and daughter.
Bisteni-Bustani understands the importance of recognizing his
employees. Depending on the results of the conferences they
help plan, they can earn bonuses, trips, and even cars.
Planning successful congresses and conventions is just as
important to Bisteni-Bustani as demonstrating to the world that
Mexico remains a prime convention destination. On this front,
he realizes that in some ways, he has his work cut out for him.
"I know that the international image of Mexico is not very
good. We are working on that with the tourist board. Believe
me, it is not as bad as it looks," he says. "September 11th is
something that happened in New York but that doesn't mean the
city isn't safe. Our problems have been dramatized by the
news."
Bisteni-Bustani is a respected member of many meetings industry
associations. He is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), has
his Certification in Meeting Management, is the president of
PCO Meetings Mexico, a professional association, is a member of
the International Association of Professional Congress
Organizers, has been the president of the Mexico chapter of
Meeting Professionals International, president of the Alliance
of Meeting Management Consultants, and was a member of the
board of the Convention Industry Council (CIC). He is excited
about the healthcare meeting certification that is being
developed by the CIC, and expects to pursue this qualification.
Education and certification is a passion, and Bisteni-Bustani
wishes all in the industry shared his sentiments, competitors
included. Meeting planning, once an unknown field to
Bisteni-Bustani, is now a devotion. He takes an average of 90
flights a year and is on the road constantly. "My personal goal
is to keep my company a leader in the industry and to increase
the professionalism of the congress industry in Mexico," he
says.