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Helped organize Olympics
WSU conference planners earn elite designation
Monday, Mar. 12, 2012
PULLMAN, Wash. - Two members of WSU’s Conference Management team have achieved the prestigious certified meeting professional (CMP) designation.
 Emily Houg |
 Dana Colwell |
"The CMP is a rigorous program that trains meeting planners in all aspects of the business,” said Kelly Newell, Conference Management director. "The knowledge they’ve gained will benefit our entire team.”
Conference Management organizes 40-50 educational conferences and events a year. Five staff members are based in Pullman and five, including Colwell and Houg, in Puyallup.
Colwell has coordinated events ranging from 10 to 4,000 attendees, including the Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference.
"Emily and I learned many new facts, tactics and skills that we can use for our clients,” said Colwell, who joined Conference Management in 2006. "We’re also showing our clients that we not only promote their professional development, but invest in it ourselves.”
Houg also joined Conference Management in 2006. Before that, she helped organize the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and traveled the world as a project manager for many hotels.
"It has always been my goal to earn a CMP,” Houg said. "On a professional note, more potential clients are looking for conference managers with advanced credentials.”
Newell also said the CMP distinction will help WSU’s Conference Management unit stand out from the competition: "Having those little letters after your name brings a new level of respect in the industry.”
Contact:
Kelly Newell, WSU Conference Management, 509-335-4247, knewell@wsu.edu
Kelly Newell, WSU Conference Management, 509-335-4247, knewell@wsu.edu
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