Team Feature: Brendan Vasquez, Membership Coordinator, ILTA

1. What do you enjoy most about working at ILTA?
What I enjoy most about working at ILTA is the mission and the people we serve, along with the close-knit nature of our team. Despite being a small group, we accomplish so much together. Working here has provided me with valuable experience and opportunities that I don’t think I would find anywhere else.

2. What do you value most about the ILTA team and culture?
What I value most about the ILTA team and culture is how approachable, supportive, and respectful everyone is. People genuinely take the time to help one another, communicate openly, and create a welcoming environment where you feel trusted, encouraged, and supported to do your best work.

3. What’s your favorite ILTA Conference & Trade Show moment, and why does it stand out?
One of my favorite moments is seeing how cohesively our team operates the Conference & Trade Show. Having never attended or worked a conference before, it was incredibly rewarding to be part of the entire experience. Watching the exhibit halls transform into a mini city in just a matter of days and meeting our excited exhibitors as they prepared for the event are things I’ll always remember.

4. What is a meaningful connection or conversation you’ve had at an ILTA event?
As I continue to build connections at ILTA events, one conversation that stands out involved an attendee I assisted before and during the Conference & Trade Show. She was experiencing a registration issue; she had signed up for the full event but only planned to attend the complimentary Trade Show. While I worked to resolve it, our conversation naturally shifted to our day and weekend plans. When the event began, she sought me out at the registration desk to thank me, sharing how much she appreciated my patience and kindness and how grateful she was for the support I provided to both her and her colleague.

5. What’s one skill or habit that helps you stay effective during busy seasons?
Staying organized and planning ahead helps me stay effective during busy seasons. I break larger projects into manageable tasks, prioritize deadlines, and keep detailed checklists to stay on track. This approach helps me remain focused, adapt when priorities shift, and ensure nothing is missed, even during the most demanding periods.

6. Outside of work, what is an interest or hobby you enjoy most?
Detailing my car is one of my favorite hobbies outside of soccer. There’s something genuinely peaceful about the process, and it’s especially rewarding to take it out for a drive once everything is finished.

7. What’s a fun fact about you that colleagues may not know?
Besides playing soccer, I also enjoy playing badminton during the summer. It’s a fun way to stay active and unwind.