Rhonda L. Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP
WINNER OF "2009 ADME destination management professional of the year"
An avid supporter of continuing education, Rhonda Marko holds her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Meeting Manager (CMM) and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) designations. She shares with us her insights…“I was good in sales, but never as good as Robyn or Tanya. I was a good operations manager, but never as good as Rita or Ansley. My real gift was, and is, finding talented individuals for the Destination Nashville team, and then letting them do what they do best.” It is this simple vision that has led her team to be one of Special Events Magazine’s Top 25 DMCs for the past four years.
Rhonda’s career in hospitality began in convention services at the famed Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before the legendary Phil Lee, of California Leisure Consultants recognized her many gifts and talents and enticed her to join his team. Under the expert tutelage of Ilene Reinhart and Barb Smith, Rhonda learned the inner working of transportation, tours, special events and most of all, the complicated world of small business.
After four years with California Leisure Consultants and another two as Director of Sales with Brier-Kushner, a Nashville-based DMC came calling, hoping to lure this rising star, a big-city girl all her life, to the country music capital of the world. As is the case with even the brightest of stars, the light dimmed when things simply did not work out, so as the big city girl prepared to move back to the big city, a Nashville hospitality colleague suggested she start a new company and with this suggestion, handed Rhonda her first lead. With this first piece of business in hand, Rhonda hit the ground running, and never looked back. In 2008 Destination Nashville celebrated 14 years servicing the DMC needs of Nashville visitors and was ranked #13 on the Nashville Business Journal’s list of “25 Largest Women owned Businesses in Nashville.”
Today, Rhonda Marko is recognized in the meetings industry for her well known contributions to the DMC field. As she started Destination Nashville, she was unable to find computer software that accommodated the DMC-specific tasks that she needed to address. Taking matters into her own hands, Rhonda taught herself The Visual Basic programming language, and created her own signature DMC database, MarkoSoft, which she generously shares with fellow DMCs. Today over 25 DMCs use MarkoSoft, to which many credit the success of their own businesses.
As the Commissioner of Transportation and Special Events on the APEX Commission through the Convention Industry Council, Rhonda ensures DMCs have a voice at the meeting industry’s strategic table. She was integral in developing the DMC RFP that is part of the APEX Toolbox and PowerShop. Her DMC RFP can be found on Convention Industry Council website. Recognizing the need for DMCs to have the tools necessary and raise the level of professionalism throughout the industry, Rhonda designed and developed the “DMC Template Gallery” found on the ADME website.
Having served as ADME’s President Elect, Treasurer and Director, Rhonda is well equipped for her current job as ADME president. She has co-authored the chapters on Pricing, Marketing and Risk Management in the soon to be released second edition of the Guide to Destination Management.
One of the main objectives of her presidency is to establish a set of DMC Best Practices, covering a variety of topics from proprietary information to contract clauses and personnel issues. These Best Practices, culled from the combined efforts of a Task Force of seasoned DMCs from around the county, will serve as a doctrine for the industry. The results will give every ADME member immediately available, invaluable tools and guidelines for running their companies.
To further the education of not only DMCs but the entire meetings industry, Rhonda’s presentation talent is tapped regularly. She hosts the ADME webinar on pricing, and at the MPI WEC 2007 she co-presented “Demystifying DMC Pricing” with Susan Henderson. In November 2008 Rhonda speaks to the Tennessee Chapter of MPI on APEX.
Rhonda demonstrates her leadership not only within the industry but with her home team as well. When faced with a challenging client this past January, Rhonda maintained a presence at the event, insuring that not only were the client’s needs met, but also maintaining Destination Nashville’s company image. This relationship, forged under fire, proved to be so successful, that this same client followed Destination Nashville to the ultimate FAM, The GEP Summit. Truly a case of making the best out of a bad situation.
The true measure of leader is often best seen as a reflection in the eyes of those that serve beneath them. Under her auspices, five of her Destination Nashville staff members have received their DMCP and two received their CMPs. Rhonda has a successful company, filled with dedicated employees, and enjoys a flourishing DMC career with the approval and acceptance of her peers.
Rhonda L. Marko, CMP, CMM, DMCP Awards & Achievements
* 2008 ADME President
* APEX Commissioner of Transportation and Special Events – 2004 to Present
* Two Time Global Events Partners “Partner of the Year” 2008 & 1999
* “Top 25 Destination Management Companies” by Special Event Magazine – 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
* Ranked 13th on the Nashville business Journal’s list of “25 Largest Woman Owned Business in Nashville – 2007
* Ranked 15th on the Nashville business Journal’s list of “25 Largest Woman Owned Business in Nashville – 2006
* Certified Woman Owned Business through WBENC – 2004 to Present
* Named “Nashville’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council in 2007
* Certified Meeting Manager (CMM)
* Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP)
* DMC Network President 2005
* Co-author of chapters on Pricing, Marketing and Risk Management in the second edition of the “Guide to Destination Management,” ADME textbook
* Editor of the Convention Industry Council’s 8th edition Manual - Transportation Chapter
* Nashville “Future 50” Company in 1998
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