Michael Cavanaugh, CMP, DES | Convention Services Manager, Travel Portland

How many years have you been a CMP?

Four

Where did you grow up?

New Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

What did you want to (or think you’d) be when you grew up?

A chef or a lawyer.

What was your educational field of study (college major or whatever, as applicable), and, if notably different from what you do, your how/why/story?

I graduated from the University of Vermont in 2009 with a degree in Community Development and Applied Economics with a focus in Public Communication. At the time of choosing my major, I wanted to go into policy making, specifically policy surrounding food security, childhood hunger and LGBTQ rights. Like many college kids, I had to get a job to pay my rent and support my extracurricular activities, so I found a job as a banquet setup team member at a nearby resort. I spent the next two years working as a banquet server and eventually becoming the event coordinator for the resort. Through this work, I discovered a love for customer service and realized that producing memorable events for people had an impact.

What advice would you give, either to your younger self or to newer professionals now?

Never stop exploring. Whether it’s taking a college course in something you find interesting, pushing yourself to finish a difficult hike, or going out of your way to meet someone new, we grow as individuals by challenging ourselves. Never regret doing something that makes you think differently.

What advice would you give to anyone preparing to take the exam?

Have faith in yourself. I pushed my exam date back twice because I was so worried that I wasn’t prepared enough, and I was afraid of failure. As event professionals, we often expect excellence in others and perfection from ourselves. You don’t need to be perfect to pass the CMP exam. You just need to trust yourself.

When did you first hear about the CMP designation and what drew you to this certification?

When I moved to Portland in 2011, I started working at a larger convention hotel and noticed that many of my colleagues in the hospitality industry had this three-letter designation in their email signature. I was very lucky to have supportive leaders who encouraged me to apply for my CMP.

What inspires you the most when you think about the future of our industry or the impact of our industry?

The past year has taught me so much about how meaningful it is to meet in person. As someone who is somewhat of an introverted extrovert, I realized very quickly how much I thrive being around others – and I think many people feel the same way. You can’t have that meet-cute on a virtual platform like you do during an in-person event! It’s those happenstance moments where you stop by a colleague’s desk or run into an industry friend at an event that spurs creativity and innovation. I am also inspired by how this year taught us to think about accessibility in the meetings industry. We need to make sure that the content we are producing can be accessed by everyone. This past year has gifted us the possibilities to think about how we learn and connect in more inclusive ways.

How has earning the CMP designation impacted (or benefited) your career?

Earning my CMP has given me access to a network of new friends and professionals I may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

Favorite snack?

Blasphemy! That’s like having to pick your favorite pet or kid. I’m currently snacking on some Portland-made Pan’s mushroom jerky, which became my go-to during the pandemic. Yes, mushroom jerky! Don’t knock it ‘til you try it.

What is the biggest life lesson you have learned during the pandemic?

Take an hour each day to get outside and move. This is something I started to do in March 2020 and it’s the best thing I have ever done for myself.

What was the last book you read/listened to?

“Crying in H-Mart” by Michelle Zauner. I highly recommend it.

Who will be your dream keynote speaker at your event? Why?

Bill McKibben. We live on this amazing and beautiful planet and we need to start taking care of it. I think Bill has so much to teach us about climate change while keeping us hopeful about the future.

What are the benefits you like of hosting virtual events? What do you miss the most for in-person events? Or do you miss it at all?

The biggest benefit of virtual events is accessibility and being able to host or attend in your sweatpants. If anyone was on a call with me in the last 16 months, you can bet that I did not have a pair of chinos on with that dress shirt. In all seriousness, I had a conversation with a friend who has wanted to attend meditation retreats for the longest time but cannot fly. She said everything going virtual this year gave her access to experiences, events and new connections that she never thought possible. That’s the real benefit of virtual.

What is your favorite travel destination?

Vermont. My entire family is still on the east coast. We get together a few times a year at my parent’s house in Vermont, and it’s always the recharge that I need. Home is where the heart and the cheddar cheese are.

Do you have a favorite quote?

“We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.” ― Pema Chödrön