The Convention Industry Council just released their November 2012 Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) list. Several MPI members received the certification, and we'd like to congratulate them all. Their names are listed below. By the way, if your name was left off the CIC-given list or your name is incorrect, please email me at jhensel@mpiweb.org, and I'll correct it. 

Please join us in saying congratulations everyone!

Kate Allen, CMP
Sheila G. Anderson, CMP
Colette Apke, CMP
Christie Arrington, CMP
Brandi Baker, CMP
Leah Barclay, CMP
Stephanie Bodanyi, CMP
Tonia L. Bohnen, CMP
Amanda L. Boller, CMP
Cynthia B. Brewer, CMP
Elizabeth Carden, CMP
Jennifer Chauvin, CMP
Amanda Cheney, CMP
Melinda Speck Corder, CMP
Karen L. Cornelius, CMP
Kendra Court, CMP
Lindsey d'Andrade, CMP
Kelly M. Defebo, CMP
Sarah Derrick, CMP
Emily DeYoung, CMP
James Driscoll, CMP
Marla Entrikin, CMP
Emily Ford, CMP
Michael Garrido, CMP
Melissa Gilbert, CMP
Kelly Ryan Gillig, CMP
Shira Gordon, CMP
Shannon N. Greco, CMP
Allison Halperin, CMP
Alexandra V. Harjung, CMP
Becky Hilton, CMP
Erin Hoban, CMP
Christina Hofmann, CMP
Terese Irwin, CMP
Christine M. Jacobson, CMP
Zoie Jansen, CMP
Claudia M. Kanaszyc, CMP
Lori Kane, CMP
Teresa Karcher, CMP
Jay Kennedy, CMP
Sheila King, CMP
Rachel Kovar, CMP
Rebecca Landry, CMP
Joanna F. Laub, CMP
Maria T. Lee, CMP
Amanda J. Luppino-Esposito, CMP
Barrie Lynch, CMP
Lauren Kay Malone, CMP
Sabine Margolis, CMP
Maja Leah Marshall, CMP
Anna Mattingly, CMP
Megan L. Mill, CMP
Donna Musselman, CMP
Angela Newburn, CMP
Maren Obermeyer, CMP
Mindi Parent, CMP
Linsey Poletti, CMP
Cheryl Pruden, CMP
Rebecca Renner, CMP
Bridget Robinson, CMP
Alysia Tata Roden, CMP
Veronica Gacek Rogers, CMP
Nichelle M. Santos, CMP
Nancy Sayers, CMP
Melanie Schlotterbeck, CMP
Danae Sheehan, CMP
Melanie Shrader, CMP
Tonya Sloan, CMP
James Smith Jr., CMP
Tiffany Smith, CMP
Lisa Susemichel, CMP
Erin Tate, CMP
Alice Tarkington, CMP
Julie Heather Tausch, CMP
Amy Thompson, CMP
Debra Venedam, CMP
Leah L. Williams, CMP
Stacey Wood, CMP

Congratulations to the 13 newest CMP recipients from Taiwan. A ceremony was held at the 2012 Asia MICE Forum—hosted by Taitra—on Sept. 28 to deliver the Congratulation Certificates provided by CIC and a cash award for each CMP from the sponsor, the Bureau of Foreign Trade.

The CMPs are very proud of themselves, and so are we. The ceremony was also a good opportunity for marketing the CMP program in Taiwan, and it encourages the industry people to become CMPs in the near future.

Below is a photo of some of the recipients at the ceremony.

A new awards program spearheaded by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) honors accomplished industry supporters and emerging leaders in the meetings and events community. Called the Pacesetter Awards, the program will pay tribute to individuals in the following categories, as achievements are brought to the CIC worthy of industry recognition:

• Community Service/Humanitarian
• Innovations & Best Practices
• Environmental Leadership/Corporate Social Responsibility
• Public Elected Official
• Young Professionals
• Lifetime Achievement
• Friend of the Industry

For this first Pacesetter Award presentation, CIC has chosen Amy Spatrisano—principal at MeetGreen and renowned sustainability expert—to receive the 2012 Environmental Leadership Pacesetter Award, and four Young Professional Pacesetters nominated from CIC member organizations to receive the 2012 awards.

Spatrisano was one of the driving forces behind the development of the industry’s first sustainable meeting standards, the APEX/ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards, released earlier this year. As Chair of the APEX Green Meetings and Events Panel and later as a member of the ASTM E60.02 Committee, she oversaw the development of the standards, a four-year process that included expertise from 300 planners, suppliers and sustainability experts from within the industry, as well as the standards, engineering and materials science experts that make up the ASTM membership.

The 2012 Young Professionals Pacesetter Awards will be presented to the following individuals:

• Joe Capitanelli, regional marketing director, Global Spectrum, nominated by International Association of Venue Managers, for his leadership and influence to foster more involvement from local non-profits, city government, staff and volunteers in “Helping Hands for the Holidays.” The event seeks to provide food and services for those in need within St. Charles County, Missouri, and has grown from annual event serving 150 people in its first year to one of the largest charity events of its kind serving more than 1,200 meals,offering flu shots, winter coats, canned food, various health screenings, transportation and family activities to those in need.
• Krzysztof Celuch, manager, Poland Convention Bureau, nominated by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), for his role in the execution of the ICCA Forum for Young Professionals, and for his work in helping to organize the inaugural IMEX Challenge Poland, a biennial humanitarian event designed to promote the power of corporate social responsibility.
• Mary Catherine Tagg, DMCP, national sales manager, Destination King, nominated by Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI), who has risen to president of the Memphis Attractions Association, earned a Fellow of Leadership Academy Memphis and serves on numerous ADMEI committees and earned a Rising Star Award all within five years in the DMC industry.
• Sarah Vining, marketing manager, The National Conference Center, nominated by International Association of Conference Centers, serves the IACC Board as a non-voting associate to advise on emerging trends from the Millennial perspective and Chairs its Emerging Trends Committee. Sarah created “Meeting Discoveries,” a series of white papers on compelling industry topics.

Beginning in 2013, the Pacesetter Awards will be a part of and presented during the CIC Hall of Leaders gala, a program that was started in 1985 to represent the industry's highest honor and lifetime of achievements and contributions to the industry. This class of emerging professionals will be honored alongside Spatrisano at an invitation-only luncheon hosted by CIC on Oct. 8, 2012, in Las Vegas during IMEX America. In this inaugural year, individuals were selected only within these categories and in outward years those honored will be expanded to include Community Service/Humanitarian Pacesetter Award, Innovations and Best Practices Pacesetter Award, Public Elected Official Pacesetter Award and a Lifetime Achievement Pacesetter Award.

Congratulations to the following MPI members who recently passed the CMP examination in January. The Convention Industry Council held examinations in 15 locations throughout North America as well as Italy, Japan, Singapore and South Korea. Since its inception, the CMP designation has been earned by more than 14,000 individuals in 46 countries and territories worldwide. 

Lisa Alfano, CMP, New York Marriott Downtown
Karla Anzola, CMP, Rx Worldwide Meetings
Debra Arneson, CMP, Metropolitan Denver Dental Society
Trina Avalos, CMP, Farm Family Insurance Company
Dyana Baker, CMP, SunWize Technologies
Kaili Baker, CMP, Murfee Group
Richard Barnes, CMP, Swank Audio Visuals
Cristin Barr, CMP, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Danielle Barrall, CMP, University of California, Berkeley 
Christopher Beck, CMP, CFA Institue
Amber Begley, CMP, Universal Technology Corp
Lori Bennett, CMP, Conference Direct
Ann Burton, CMP, International Facility Management Association
January Cantrell, CMP, VALIC
Julie Cardinal, CMP, Medtronic
Dana Colwell, CMP, Washington State University
Kate Copeland, CMP, University of Connecticut
Cassidy Crain, CMP, 
Amy Darbyshire, CMP, CAPA Productions
Chelsea Dennison, CMP, Entrepreneur's Organization
Anissa DeVlaminck, CMP, MPHI
Tara DiLullo, CMP, Pershing, a BNY Mellon company
Carrie Donahue, CMP, National Council of University Research Administrators
Diana Drury, CMP, Sprint
Karin Eggert, CMP, Cross Country Education
Suzette Escobar, CMP, Stanford University
Robin Flees, CMP, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Angela Forcino, CMP, LaVie Administrative Services
Naomi Friedman, CMP, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
Jason Gannon, CMP, 
Andrea Giorno, CMP, Holiday Inn Center City
Michelle Glasgow, CMP, Hulsing Hotels- Crowne Plaza Asheville
Ana Gonzalez, CMP, Paradisus Palma Real Resort by Melia Internatial Hotels
Kelly Graham, CMP, University Conference Services, UAI Technology, Inc.
Shary Hahn, CMP, ACT Inc.
Eleanor Haley, CMP, Salix Pharmaceuticals
John Harris, CMP, Convention Management Associates
Rebecca Harrison, CMP, 2020 Exhibits
Tracey Henninger, CMP, Residence Inn by Marriott Memphis Downtown
Linda Holland, CMP 
David Johnson, CMP, Freeman
Kelly Johnson, CMP, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Mae Johnson, CMP, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Sonja Johnson, CMP, PBS
Peter Jones, CMP, The Event Solution
Lauren Joyner, CMP, Women Business Leaders of the US health Care Industry Foundation
Kristi Kendall, CMP, Russell Investments
Kati Kenyon, CMP, PLM World
Ann Kilian, CMP, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Christine Kline, CMP, Professional Beauty Association
Debra Kurtz, CMP, NH Hotels
Maya Kwasnycia, CMP, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Rachel Levy, CMP, Paradise Point Resort & Spa
Bonnie Lipinski, CMP, American Society of Safety Engineers
Crystal Love, CMP 
Kate Marcus, CMP, GreatCall Inc.
Sara Marrero, CMP, Advisor Group
Helen Marshall, CMP, League of California Cities
Cheryl McBain, CMP, JPDL DMC Ottawa
Janice McCallen, CMP, ServiceMaster Clean
Stephanie McCracken, CMP, Sprint
Jessica Mitchell, CMP 
Cherie Neal, CMP, Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & CC
Shannon Nelligan, CMP, American Bankruptcy Institute
Trisha Olach, CMP, Boyne Resorts
Amy O'Malley, CMP, Corporate Executive Board, Waterview Conference Center
Elaine Pelaia, CMP, IBM Corp.
Laina Pinella, CMP, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
Kristine Plourde, CMP, The Glenmede Trust Company
Annalisa Ponchia, CMP, European Society for Organ Transplantation
Julie Power, CMP, Presentation Services
Mary Price, CMP, Grossmont Union High School District
Melanie Ravalin, CMP, M.Y. Events
Justin Rhodes, CMP, Jones Lang LaSalle
Michelle Rivera, CMP, Cadent Medical Communications
Diane Rizer, CMP, GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Tonia Roberts, CMP, Streampoint
Heidi Rodger, CMP, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
Katie Rogers, CMP, EMDEON
Arlene Rubinstein, CMP, Real Property Law Section, State Bar of Michigan
Jacy Russell, CMP, Spear One Productions
Sandra Semling, CMP, Dynamic Events
Sarah Sharkey, CMP
Samantha Shaw, CMP, BBW International
Paula Skangos, CMP, Procter & Gamble
Jeanette Stensgaard, CMP 
Linda Still, CMP, State Auto Insurance Companies
Amy Stinger, CMP, Catholic Charities USA
Nicolette Thomas, CMP, Baker, Donelson,Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Emily Toledo, CMP, Georgia-Pacific
Robin Trzesniewski, CMP, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Heather Varney, CMP, Cole Real Estate Investments
Jennifer Vondran, CMP, UCLA Catering and Conference Services
Julie Walker, CMP, Choice Meetings
Brianna Wetherwax, CMP, Stetson University College of Law
Dawn Whitcomb, CMP, Calhoun County Visitors Bureau
Sarah Kathleen Whitlock, CMP, TCF Bank 
Nicole Wilbur, CMP 
Candace Wint, CMP, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Ashley Withers, CMP, TD Ameritrade
Joan Woodle, CMP, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Mary Becton, CMP, American Frozen Food Institute
Julie Begbie, CMP, National Judicial Institute
Melrose Berry, CMP, CH2M HILL
Karen Blanton, CMP, Norfolk Waterside Marriott
Brenda Boeck, CMP, ACI Worldwide
Angela Bojorquez, CMP, UC San Diego
Barbara Brennan, CMP 
Erika Brule, CMP 
Elaina Burgo, CMP Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Megan Burns, CMP 
Loredana Carbone, CMP, Concordia University
Christine Cherneski, CMP, Hilton Baltimore
Nicola Chiappa, CMP, Partnerre
Courtney Clements, CMP, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Clare Conway, CMP, Nth Generation Computing
Taryn Crowder, CMP, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA)
Shantelle Dedicke, CMP, Visit Cheyenne
Jessica Gerace, CMP, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority
Andrayana Getchell, CMP, The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc.
Shawna Gfroerer, CMP, Business Professionals of America
Herschel Goldscher, CMP, HelmsBriscoe
Jasna Goodwin, CMP, Amway Europe LTD
Alyce Gregoire, CMP, McKesson Health Solutions
Christina Hake, CMP, California Head Start Association
Alison Hall, CMP, Bridgepoint Education
Cynthia Hay, CMP, Washington State Hospital Association
Mesha Hegna, CMP, Harland Clarke
Joellyn Holland, CMP, Iron Mountain
Jane Ing, CMP, Bank of Canada
Andrea Ison, CMP, Entrepreneurs' Organization
Cynthia Kimbrell, CMP, Kimbrell, Inc.
Tanya Kinsman, CMP, American Dental Association
Nicole Kovacs, CMP, Hyatt Regency Austin
Mariles Krok, CMP, LA Inc., Los Angeles CVB
Erin Lambert, CMP, 300 Anaheim
Kimberly Lambert, CMP, Development Dimensions International, Inc. (DDI)
Shirley LaVergne, CMP, Nurse Oncology Education Program
Leslie Lloyd, CMP, Lockheed Martin
Elizabeth Luna, CMP, Meeting Professionals International
Carol Luttrell, CMP, FedEx
Lindsey Mace, CMP, CFA Institute
Kristen Malone, CMP, Commonwealth Financial Network
Rachel Manners, CMP 
Megan Masters, CMP RG & Associates
Liliana Mazzola, CMP, Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union
Tiffany Mendenhall, CMP, Texas Association of School Business Officials
Celina Mendieta, CMP, Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals
Melissa Milione, CMP, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Eric Miller, CMP, FedEx Services Inc
Taylor Montgomery, CMP, Stetson Law
Deena Murray, CMP, Global ProSources
Christian Orfali, CMP, Orfali Events
Karine Ouellet, CMP, KPMG
Sarah Prom, CMP, IEEE Computer Society
Veronica Sanchez, CMP, Hotel Melia Mexico Reforma
Natalie Shoff, CMP, Heinz North America
Kelly Snyder, CMP, Society of Gynecologic Oncology
Crystal Soucy, CMP, Connecticut State Dental Association
Jomy Tan, CMP, Delta Dental Plans Association
Michelle Thornton, CMP, DeVry University
Claudia Urrutia, CMP, Novotel
Michelle Wait, CMP, Maritz Travel Company
Laura Weddingfeld, CMP, Pinnacol Assurance
Jennifer Wierzbicki, CMP, KPMG
Julie Wong, CMP, The Event Concierge
Carolyn Yim, CMP, Larkspur Hotels and Restaurants

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has launched a research study to quantify the time and cost inefficiencies of existing methods of exchanging event specifications.

"In the planning process for every meeting or event there are many transfers of information--the event specifications, the BEOs, all the arrangements that need to take place," said Kimberly Meyer, founder and principal of Chicago-based Meetings Analytics and chair of the CIC's APEX Technology Advisory Council. "Despite all of our technical advances this is largely still a manual, paper, e-mail and even fax-based process, with a high level of input and rekeying. Even though they're widely accepted, these business processes are frequently inefficient and inaccurate. What this study will accomplish is to accurately quantify the cost. We think this is a multimillion-dollar problem annually." 

The Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies at the University of Central Florida will conduct the research, which will be funded by major hotel chains Gaylord, Hilton, Marriott and Starwood.

Researchers will gather data and conduct measurements inside the convention service departments of the participating hotels. The study will analyze processes from sales, through the planning cycle to the delivery of the final product. Researchers will examine a variety of meeting and event types and profiles, including private social functions, corporate events, association meetings and components of citywides.

"The results of this study will be of broad interest to the industry," Meyer said. "Whether your focus is more effective use of resources, improving customer satisfaction or implementing technology, you eventually end up at this process. This study may give entire the industry a new way to look at the problem and to work toward solutions."

Findings of the study are expected in the second quarter of 2011.