Emeritus CMPs

Marsha Reynolds, CMP
Atlanta, GA

The CMP Designation has given me great pride throughout my twenty-five plus years as a professional meeting planner.

First of all, as a novice meeting planner in the early 1980’s, MPI was my only source of education in the industry. MPI gave me the knowledge, network and platform that enabled me to leave the corporate world and be a successful independent meeting planner.

Secondly, MPI’s goal back then was to get “Meeting Planning” recognized as a true profession. When they announced the CMP designation, I began working hard towards taking the exam. I am proud to say that my staff and I were the first in the State of Georgia to get our designation after the legendary Hayward Cox. We were the first corporation to have 4-5 CMPs. We were honored by many in our city, Atlanta, and several of the industry trade journals.

Earning the CMP Designation in August 1987 has given me the confidence and credentials to have a very lucrative career. I was a corporate meeting planner at a Fortune 500 high tech company for over 16 years. Having my CMP designation has helped me earn the respect of many people in the high tech industry…many of whom are my customers today. The CMP designation assures prospective customers, hoteliers and other suppliers they are dealing with an experienced professional in the hospitality industry.

In addition, the recertification program every five years gives this designation real credibility. Meeting Planners are extremely busy people, and it takes great discipline to continue all the criteria to maintain this important designation. As an independent planner and business owner, there are very few hours left in the day to do much else; however, MPI and its surrounding organizations have been a big part of my life. Running a business and still managing meetings sometimes does not allow me to participate in industry events as often as I would like. The Emeritus Status is a wonderful way to recognize those who have been a CMP for many years and contributed to our industry.

I have been an active member of MPI for over 25 years and held various chapter board positions and committee memberships off and on throughout the years. It is my goal to earn my CMM recognition in the next couple of years.

I would be honored and proud to be awarded the CMP – EMERITUS STATUS.