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CONTENTS
I. Rhonda Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP Joins APEX Commission
II. APEX Contracts Panel Leadership Transition
III. Upcoming Presentations @ Industry Events
IV. City Discussion Groups
V. CIC Update – Hall of Leaders Nominations Open
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I. RHONDA MARKO, CMP, CMM, DMCP JOINS APEX COMMISSION
Rhonda Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP, president & CEO of Destination Nashville, was recently appointed to the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Commission to represent the Transportation Management segment of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Marko replaces JoAnn Bedrosian-Ryan, manager of specialty group markets of United Airlines, who commendably served on the Commission since 2001.
The APEX Commission is responsible for general oversight of the APEX initiative and reports directly to the CIC Board of Directors. The nine Commissioners focus on the needs of the various segments of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry that they represent. They bring extensive leadership experience to the APEX initiative.
Marko brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the Commission. She is known for her unique approach to people and destination management, and for her vision for Destination Nashville to be a dynamic company that combines extraordinary creative ability with careful attention to detail. Her early career includes hotel convention services coupled with nine years with three of the country’s leading destination management companies.
In 1993, Rhonda earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, and in 2000, received the Certified Meeting Management (CMM) designation. In January 2002, Rhonda was among the first to receive the Destination Management Certified Professionals (DMCP) certification through the Association for Destination Management Executives.
Presently, Rhonda serves as President of the DMC Network and is on the Board of Directors of the Association for Destination Management Executives (ADME).
“We are very excited to have Rhonda as part of the APEX team,” says Mickey Schaefer, CAE, president of Mickey Schaefer & Associates and chair of the APEX Commission. “I am confident that she will provide great input and perspective for this segment of the industry.”
II. APEX CONTRACTS PANEL LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
Tyra W. Hilliard, Esq., CMP, attorney and assistant professor at the George Washington University in Washington, DC will chair the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Contracts Panel effective immediately. Hilliard succeeds Jonathan T. Howe, Esq., senior partner and president of Howe & Hutton, Ltd., who has led the panel since its inception in 2003.
The APEX Contracts Panel is one of seven volunteer panels working to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry through the development and implementation of industry wide accepted practices. Charged with reviewing all aspects of industry contracts, developing contract guidelines and acceptable contract language, the panel will also develop an outline to format industry contracts.
The panel began its work in 2003 under Howe’s leadership and is expected to release a preliminary report outlining its recommendations in 2005. Howe, the catalyst for starting the panel’s work, has been an essential part of APEX’s efforts, recently resigned as chair due to the increasing demands of his firm, Howe & Hutton.
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to such an important industry initiative,” said Howe. “Unfortunately I am unable to give APEX my full attention and therefore must withdraw as chair to allow for a chair who can give APEX the time and attention it deserves. I am engaged in a very complicated trial on behalf of a client that will last at least two months; it is important that the work of the panel continue. I am still most dedicated to helping move the work of the important initiative forward.”
“We are very fortunate to have had Jon work with us through the conceptual phase of the APEX initiative,” said Mary E. Power, president and CEO of the Convention Industry Council. “We are also very honored that Tyra Hilliard is ready and willing to step up to the challenge.”
In addition to teaching event and meeting management courses at The George Washington University (GWU), Tyra Hilliard, Esq., CMP also serves as the Executive Director of the International Institute of Tourism Studies at GWU. Ms. Hilliard is a frequent contributor to industry publications, does customized training in the area of legal and risk management for meeting and event managers, and facilitates educational programs at industry meetings. She was named “One of the 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry” by MeetingNews magazine in 2004. Prior to becoming an attorney, Tyra worked in the meetings industry as an association meeting planner, a catering manager, and a convention and visitors bureau sales manager. Her broad industry experience allows her to address the legal and business aspects of events from the hotel, planner, and legal perspectives. She received her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation in 2002.
“Tyra will be a wonderful addition to the Contracts Panel,” says Mickey Schaefer, CAE, Chair of the APEX Commission and vice president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. “I am confident that under her leadership, the panel will produce recommended accepted practices that meet the needs of the industry and create and enhance efficiencies in the contracting process.”
III. UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS @ INDUSTRY EVENTS
Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming industry events:
May 20, 2005
SGMP Annual Meeting - Sacramento, CA, USA
http://sgmp.org/
May 26, 2005
Springtime – Washington, DC, USA3
www.springtimeexpo.com/
June 9, 2005
Destinations Showcase – Chicago, IL, USA
www.destinationsshowcase.com
IV. CITY DISCUSSION GROUP UPDATE
City Discussion Groups (CDG) are a vital part of the development of accepted industry practices, providing an open forum through which industry members on the local level can participate and be heard. They are FREE or LOW-COST, local, educational programs open to any industry member! Check back often – new CDGs are scheduled often.
Currently scheduled meetings include:
May 10, 2005 – Toronto, ON, CANADA
May 14,02005 – Washington, DC, USA
To RSVP for these events, and see the status of other cities, visit www.conventionindustry.org/apex/CDG.htm
If you are interested in leading a CDG in your city, contact Crystal Coté at (703) 610-0278 or ccote@conventionindustry.org.
The Convention Industry Council's 30 member organizations represent more than 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the exchange of information, develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry, and educates the public on its profound economic impact. In addition to the APEX initiative, the CIC is also responsible for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program and others.
Hall of Leaders Nominations Open!
The Convention Industry Council is now accepting nominations for potential 2006 Hall of Leaders honorees. The 2006 Hall of Leaders Gala, which is held biennially to honor leaders within the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry will be held in Boston, Massachusetts on August 20, 2006 in conjunction with the American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) annual meeting.
CIC member organizations as well as the general industry community may nominate any individual who has made substantial contributions to the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry and whose efforts continue to shape the industry. Nominations will be accepted through May 8, 2005.
The official Hall of Leaders Nomination Process and Form can be accessed
directly at: http://www.conventionindustry.org/hol/hol_2006_nomination_procedures.htm
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