On Site: CMP & Visit Spokane Reception at Convening Leaders

More than 100 CMPs PCMA's Convening Leaders in Orlando took a quick time out to shift their focus to the future...and to look West!

On Monday, January 14, Visit Spokane and CIC hosted a Kickoff Reception for this summer's CMP Conclave. The Conclave, set to be held in Spokane, Washington, June 8-10, was the headlining topic of the hour-plus event. During the reception, one lucky CMP -- Theresa Holmes, CMP of the American Counseling Association -- won a prize package including free Conclave registration, free travel to and free accommodations in Spokane.

"We couldn't be happier about all the great folks who dropped by the reception," said Keith Backsen, Visit Spokane Vice President and Director of Sales. "This is a prestigious group of meeting planners who we were able to showcase Conclave's host city to."

The CMP Conclave is the industry's only exclusive meeting of Certified Meeting Professionals. During the Conclave, attendees work on continuing development of the CMP Exam, as well as providing feedback on current test materials and making recommendations for future curriculum. They also earn continuing education credits toward renewal of their CMP.

"But what is really important to us," said Backsen, "is that Spokane will be hosting the very people who make decisions on where to hold their meetings. They're going to see what makes Spokane such a great city for meetings." Backsen pointed out Spokane's venues -- an actual downtown convention center right on the beautiful Spokane River -- and the "enormously advantageous" price points that are "significantly lower than most of our competitors." Spokane's growing retail presence and booming culinary scene are also major highlights of Washington's second-largest city.

As preparations for Conclave continue, Visit Spokane is also working with the CIC on pre-Conclave opportunities for qualified planners to experience Spokane.

Pictured (left to right): Karen Gonzales, CMP, CMP Board Chair, Destination Marketing Association InternationalI; Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Convention Industry Council; Meg Harper, The Davenport Hotel Collection; Shannon Shannon, Visit Spokane; Kelsey Soukup, Spokane Convention Center; Theresa L. Holmes, CMP, American Counseling Association; Karen Staples, CMP, CASE, Visit Spokane; Lori Castro, Red Lion Hotels Corporation; Keith Backsen, CTA, Visit Spokane