Welcome the New CIC Meetings Manager, Marlene Goldman

Marlene Goldman comes to the Convention Industry Council with 20 years of experience as a meeting planner. Throughout her career, Marlene has planned and produced a wide range of meetings and events throughout the United States, Canada and several European countries for associations, for-profit companies and government agencies. As the meeting manager for CIC, she has the tremendous task of planning the CMP Conclave.

1. You come to CIC with extensive experience as a meeting planner. What will be your main focus over the course of your first year at CIC, and how do you think your previous experiences will help you accomplish those things?

One focus over the next year will be to work with the education committee to develop the educational program of the 2015 CMP Conclave. As the saying goes, "content is king," so the education committee has the critical task of ensuring the most important topics are addressed and the best speakers participate. It was great to see the tremendous success of the 2014 education committee, and I’m looking forward to another great program next year. Another focus will be working to enrich current program staples and to develop new elements that add increased value for future Conclave attendees. Drawing on what I’ve learned throughout my career, both the good and the not-as-good, I anticipate being able to apply those lessons to my work at CIC and explore how some of the more successful ideas from other events can be incorporated at Conclave.

2. You just planned and executed your first CMP Conclave, the only annual event exclusively for certified meeting professionals. How was that experience different from other events you've worked on?

Three things really stand-out. It was very exciting to see how engaged participants were with all elements of the program. The planning of the 2014 CMP Conclave brought together so many branches of the meeting and events community and everyone involved worked hard and contributed greatly to its success. And finally, everyone seemed genuinely excited to see each other. Conclave had all of the positive aspects of a large family reunion.

3. What’s a typical day like for you?

My typical day is probably a lot like the typical day of the planners who attended the CMP Conclave – we’re always looking for new avenues to increase the value proposition of our meetings and events. While it’s hard to delineate specific days, I can say in a typical week or month involves:

Receiving calls and emails from a wide range of vendors who want to introduce (and sell) their products and services. These need vetted to determine which should be explored further.
Keeping up with current technology trends and how they’re being adopted – or could be adopted – by the meeting and events industry.
Staying abreast of industry challenges and opportunities -- such as sustainability, room poaching and piracy, and political issues.

4. What can we look forward to for future Conclave events?

It is critical that the content of future Conclave events maintain and/or exceed the current level of excellence. Conclave should also continue to serve as a model for other meetings and events. Specifically, this involves taking risks while trying new approaches, incorporating technology and social media, and testing new ideas. I want to work closely with the education committee, CMPs, partners and other members of the CIC staff to keep future Conclaves energized, fresh and fun.

5. Share something with us about yourself we wouldn’t be able to guess by looking at you.

For the past 10 years, I’ve been making jewelry, both beading and silversmithing. I love putting on goggles and using a blow-torch. I host beading workshops for my friends and take great pride in the pieces they create. You wouldn’t guess this by looking at me, but all the good stuff I make, I give away as presents and only wear minimal jewelry myself.

Events Industry Council