RHONDA MARKO, CMP, CMM, DMCP JOINS APEX COMMISSION

March 2005 - McLean, Virginia

Rhonda Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP, president & CEO of Destination Nashville, was recently appointed to the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Commission to represent the Transportation Management segment of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Marko replaces JoAnn Bedrosian-Ryan, manager of specialty group markets of United Airlines, who commendably served on the Commission since 2001.

The APEX Commission is responsible for general oversight of the APEX initiative and reports directly to the CIC Board of Directors. The nine Commissioners focus on the needs of the various segments of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry that they represent. They bring extensive leadership experience to the APEX initiative.

Marko brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the Commission. She is known for her unique approach to people and destination management, and for her vision for Destination Nashville to be a dynamic company that combines extraordinary creative ability with careful attention to detail. Her early career includes hotel convention services coupled with nine years with three of the country’s leading destination management companies.

In 1993, Rhonda earned the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, and in 2000, received the Certified Meeting Management (CMM) designation. In January 2002, Rhonda was among the first to receive the Destination Management Certified Professionals (DMCP) certification through the Association for Destination Management Executives.

Presently, Rhonda serves as President of the DMC Network and is on the Board of Directors of the Association for Destination Management Executives (ADME).

“We are very excited to have Rhonda as part of the APEX team,” says Mickey Schaefer, CAE, president of Mickey Schaefer & Associates and chair of the APEX Commission. “I am confident that she will provide great input and perspective for this segment of the industry.”

APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange), an initiative of the Convention Industry Council, is developing and implementing industry-wide accepted practices which will create and enhance efficiencies throughout the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

The Convention Industry Council’s 30 member organizations represent more than 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the exchange of information, develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry, and educates the public on its profound economic impact. In addition to the APEX initiative, the CIC is also responsible for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program. Other programs include Project Attrition, the Hall of Leaders, and the CIC Economic Impact Study.

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