Sometimes I am not sure where the time goes. It seems like only yesterday I was writing about what 2018 will bring and here we are about to usher in 2019. Time does fly!

I encouraged you at the beginning of the year to make the most of your CMP. Personally, I did this by recertifying my CMP in the first quarter and checking it off my to-do list. I networked with CMPs throughout the year at different industry events. I engaged our community through leading the CMP Governance Commission. I (hopefully) led the commission to be more successful in the future, always hoping to leave things better.

When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on 25 August 2017 as a Category 4 hurricane, it became the first major hurricane to strike southern Texas since Celia in 1970. Causing about $125 billion USD in damage, Harvey ranks as the second-costliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland. The resulting floods inundated hundreds of thousands of homes, which displaced more than 30,000 people and prompted more than 17,000 rescues. With the mandatory evacuations, and with only 24-hour notice, the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston became a temporary shelter to 10,000 people for 22 days.

Combining active learning and experiential elements, this programme is designed to enable participants to implement their own sustainable events. Topics will include understanding the business value of sustainability for the events industry; practical solutions for improving your environmental performance in areas such as food and beverage, transportation and supply chain management; and effective methods for achieving corporate social responsibility goals. As part of the programme, the participants will customise a roadmap for their own sustainable event.

Upcoming Dates:

20-22 February 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand

28-30 March 2019 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco

The Events Industry Council thanks the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Premier Development Partner of the SEPC programme.

The IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award has been designed to celebrate event professionals driving sustainability forward through innovation, collaboration and idea sharing. The award recognises the meeting or project owner, and other stakeholders such as the planner, the venue and other key suppliers, rather than individual achievements by a single supplier or event.

For more information about the award, to see past winners and to apply, please visit our website. Start planning ahead, as applications are due 1 March at 17:00 EST/UTC-5.

The CMP-Healthcare (CMP-HC) subspecialty designation, developed in 2013, helps current CMPs advance their career with a specialised focus in healthcare meeting management. Five years later, we are interviewing current CMP-HCs to see how the credential has influenced their career this niche industry. Learn more about Mary-Ann Urbanovich, CMP-HC, MS below, to see if pursuing the CMP-HC could be right for you!

Cookie Walner, CMP, CMM, CAE, CEM, HMCC, was named the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) 2018 Volunteer of the Year. Walner is the global project manager at ConferenceDirect, and was honoured with the award at IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition earlier this month in New Orleans.

The award recognises IAEE members who have dedicated their time to the progress and fulfillment of the charge of a committee or task force on which they serve, according to IAEE.

IAEE also selected Events Industry Council’s Event Coordinator, Nataki Hemmings, CMP, for its 20 Under 30 award. This award recognises up-and-coming event professionals who have demonstrated outstanding initiative.

Didn’t make it to CMP Conclave this year? Not to worry - many sessions were recorded at this year''s Conclave and are available through the Event Industry Council''s On-Demand Learning Center.

You can review best practices from leading experts in your field, and continue your professional development year-round. Recorded sessions provide an excellent information recap and make great training. What''s even better is all the recordings are available to you for free if you were an attendee at the live event!

After you watch a session, Events Industry Council will upload confirmation of your additional CE credits to your account within 14 business days.

Barbara Connell, CMP, CAE, was named as the chief executive officer of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, of ASGE. Previously, Connell served as the organization’s chief operating officer. She will officially take her position starting 1 January 2019.

She will also begin her position as the Event Industry Council’s chair-elect of the CMP Governance Commission on that date.

Michelle Marie Adams, CMP, was named as the new director of sales for Ovation Travel Group’s Meetings & Events division. Previously she served as vice president of sales at EDPglobal DMCs, where she led direct sales for international destination management companies, or DMCs.

Sharon Naretto, CMP, was promoted to the director of catering and events services at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. Previously, she was the associate director of the department.

Chris James, CMP, is now an events manager with the NYC Department of Education. Before taking his new role, James worked as the education and meetings manager for the Commercial Finance Association.

Have you been quoted in an article? Do you have some exciting news to share?

Contact us at insights@eventscouncil.organd we can share it with the leading individuals and companies involved in the events industry!