Robyn Mietkiewicz, CMP, CMM
Robyn Mietkiewicz, CMP, CMM, is an industry leader and innovator. She is a frequent speaker at industry events, providing cutting edge education to the meetings and events industry. She continually contributes articles to several meeting industry trade publications on a wide range of topics from Strategic Meetings Management, Contract Strategy, Budget & Cost Savings Techniques, and more!
Robyn has earned the prestigious CMP and CMM certifications. She is a Past President of the MPI Orange County Chapter and has served as Chair of an MPI International Task Force. As President, she was responsible for overseeing a 19 member Board and 400 member Chapter. Robyn received the 2014 MPI RISE Award for Member of the Year and was also recognized by the CIC in 2013 with a Pacesetters Award. She continues to advance the meetings industry through industry volunteerism, serving on multiple Advisory Boards and consulting MPI Chapters on strategic initiatives. Robyn has joined the University of California, Irvine (UCI) faculty and will be developing their new meeting and event planning curriculum.
Education:
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts, Communications with an emphasis on Hospitality & Tourism
Certifications:
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Certification in Meeting Management (CMM)
Certified Facilitator, MPI
Yellow Belt, Lean Six Sigma
Competent Communicator, Toastmasters International
Advisory Boards:
Monterey County Advisory Board
Visit Mississippi Gulf Coast Advisory Board
Industry Involvement:
2020 Board of Directors, AIMP
2019 Board of Directors, AIMP
2018 Board of Directors, AIMP
2017 Nominating Committee, MPIOC
2016 Nominating Committee, MPIOC
2015 Chair, Educational Review Task Force, MPI
2015 Nominating Committee, MPIOC
2014 Professional Development Council, MPI
2013 RISE Awards Panel, MPI
2013 Advisory Council, MPIOC
2012 Knowledge Advisory Council, MPI
2012 Immediate Past-President, MPIOC
2011 President, MPIOC
2010 President-Elect, MPIOC
2009 VP Membership, MPIOC
2008 Director, Recruitment, MPIOC
2007 Director, Publications, MPIOC
2006 Education Conference Committee, MPIOC
2005 Monthly Meetings Committee, MPIOC
2004 Student Chair, MPIOC
Awards:
2020 Smart Women in Meetings Award "Entrepreneur"- Smart Meetings
2014 Rise Award - Member of the Year, MPI
2013 Pacesetters Award, EIC
2009 Outstanding Meeting Planner, MPIOC
2009 President’s Choice Award, MPIOC
2007 Shining Star Award, MPIOC
Email: robyn@innov8meetings.com
Cheryl Payne, CMM
Cheryl M. Payne, CMM, has been in the hospitality industry for nearly two decades. As a Strategic Partner at INNOV8 Meetings + Events she elevates her customer’s experience by providing unparalleled meeting management support services as well as knowledge on all aspects of Strategic Meetings Management.
She is a professional speaker/facilitator and provides cutting edge education to the meetings and events industry. She also contributes expert articles to several meeting industry trade publications on a wide range of topics ranging from Strategic Meetings Management, Contract Strategy, Budget & Cost Savings Techniques, and more!
Cheryl has earned the prestigious CMP and CMM certifications. She is a Past President of the MPI, Orange County Chapter and has served as Chair of the MPI International Apex Advisory Task Force. As President, she was responsible for overseeing a 19-member Board and 400+ member Chapter. Cheryl has received many industry awards and accolades such as: Connect 40/40 Highly Successful & Influential Industry Leaders and MPI Exceptional Leadership Award. She continues to advance the meetings industry through industry volunteerism, serving on multiple Advisory Boards and consulting industry programs on strategic initiatives.
She is also a professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) teaching in the Event Management - Extended Education program.
Education:
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts, Communications with an emphasis on Hospitality & Tourism
Certifications:
Certification in Meeting Management (CMM)
Competent Communicator, Toastmasters International
Advisory Boards:
San Francisco Travel Customer Advisory Board
Experience Scottsdale – Facilitator and Member of Customer Advisory Board
Industry Involvement:
2015 - Convention Industry Council (CIC) - APEX Advisory Task Force
2013 - CURRENT - Past President (MPIOC)
Chapter Membership Advisory Council, MPI International (Global Leadership)
2012 - 2013: Immediate Past President, MPIOC
Knowledge Advisory Council, MPI International (Global Leadership)
2011 - 2012: President
2010 - 2011: President-Elect
2009 - 2010: Director, Advisory Council
2008 - 2009: VP, Communications (MPIOC)
2007 - 2008: Director of Education (MPIOC)
2006 - 2007: Education Conference Committee
2005 - 2006: Monthly Meeting Committee
Professional Awards & 2019 – Nomination - Industry Leadership, MPI
Achievements:
2015 - Collaborate - 40/40 Highly Successful & Influential Industry Professional
2013 - Exceptional Industry Leadership Award (MPI)
2012 - Chairman's Award - (MPI International)
2012 - Exceptional Leadership Award (MPI International)
2009 - Outstanding Meeting Planner Award (MPIOC)
2007 - Earned CMP certification
2007 - Shining Star Award
2006 - 30/30 Up & Coming Industry Professionals featured in November Issue of Meeting Professional Magazine
Email: cheryl@innov8meetings.com
THE INNOV8 TEAM
Laura Bergersen, CMP
Brittney Cobb
Alyssa Cummings
Karen Kaufman, CMP
Laura Bergersen, CMP has been in the corporate events industry since the 1990’s. Starting as a frequent part of Disneyland’s Special Events team, she became an independent contractor in 2003 and formed her own company a year later. Her focus has been in technology distribution working for two of the largest fortune 500 companies in the industry. Laura found her passion in the meetings industry by creating fun and memorable experiences for her clients.
Operations is also a key focus for groups while on-site. After working for years as a Travel Director, Laura learned the importance of having the right number of people in the correct positions. By asking the right question of clients, accessing the hours to be worked for each event, she is able to put together a schedule that gets the job done and at the same time save the client money for staffing. She also believes that hours for events can be long and tiring, so by providing the right atmosphere for staff makes for better cohesiveness and productivity throughout the event.
In 2016 she left California to move back to Chicago, to be closer to her family. Since that time she has become involved in the MPI Chicago Chapter, theater and arts community, and is a frequent visitor to many of the museums where she takes her laptop to find new inspiration.
Education:
Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago IL
Bachelor of Arts of Continuing Professional Studies
Certifications:
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
CVENT Certification
Industry Involvement:
2009 Membership Committee, MPI Chicago
2018 Membership Committee, MPI Chicago
2015 Vice President Membership, MPISCC
2014 Vice President Communications, MPISCC
2012 Director of Advertising, Marketing & Publicity, MPISCC
2011 Chair of Fundraising & Strategic Sponsorship, MPISCC
2011 EdCon Committee, MPISCC
2010 Director of Special Events, MPISCC
2010 Education Committee, MPISCC
2010 Fundraising Committee, MPISCC
2009 Director of Special Education, MPISCC
2009 Coffee with MPISCC Committee, MPISCC
2009 Fundraising Committee MPISCC
2009 Sponsorship Committee, MPISCC
2009 Succession Planning Committee, MPISCC
2008 Installation Gala Committee, MPISCC
2008 Fundraiser Committee, MPISCC
2007 Installation Gala Committee, MPISCC
2007 Tradeshow Volunteer, MPISCC
Awards:
2008 Gary J. Rosenberg Scholarship Recipient
2008 Rising Star of the Year, MPISCC
2008 Rising Star of the Month, MPISCC
Email: laura@innov8meetings.com
Brittney Cobb, is a well rounded leader in the hospitality industry. She has over 15 years of experience ranging from hotel, casino, food & beverage, and special events. She is highly skilled in client management and customer relations, including contract-writing, budget creation, and event production. Brittney pays close attention to detail, providing a positive and personable touch to client interactions.
She is an exceptional problem solver and thrives in fast paced, multi-tasking environments. Serving as a producer and on-site coordinator for several events, she takes pride in seeing them emerge from start to finish and exceeding customer expectations. Brittney is an articulate communicator with vast experience in public speaking, including television broadcasts and commercials.
Brittney received the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award multiple years specifically for her service within the hospitality industry.
Education:
East Carolina University
Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management; Minor Business Administration
Awards:
2014 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Customer Service Award
2013 Las Vegas Young Professional Women’s Hall of Fame
2012 WCCN ATHENA Young Professional Award
2012 Pageantry Magazine Spirit Award
2011 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Customer Service Award
2010 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Customer Service Award
2009 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Customer Service Award
Email: brittney@innov8meetings.com
Alyssa Cummings, CGMP, is a strategic thinker, innovator and connector. She holds over 13 years of professional experience in the events and meetings industry. Alyssa started her career as a Catering Director and transitioned into a decade of planning domestic and international meetings for a U.S. Department of Energy, National Laboratory. In her roles, she developed expertise in planning and implementation, budget management, cost savings, contract negotiations and stakeholder relationships.
Alyssa has earned a CGMP certification and is active in pursuing innovative techniques for strategic event management. She is a problem solver and a thought leader.
Education:
Washington State University
Bachelor of Arts, Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations
Minor in Hospitality and Business Management
Certifications:
Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
Email: alyssa@innov8meetings.com
Karen Kaufman, CMP, maintains a big picture philosophy with a focus on the goals of her clients and critical eye on the details. She has all the qualities of a successful conference planner: thorough precise and expert knowledge, ingenuity in identifying and solving problems. She is communicative, and responsive to her clients. Through the years, Karen has established connections with an extensive network of trusted professionals and by working closely with diverse teams.
Karen executes exceptional meetings and events that achieve business objectives and exceed expectations—all with seeming ease and efficiency. Karen is also an experienced virtual meeting planner that can guide clients through best practices for conducting an effective virtual event. She can develop event strategies for obtaining your desired training and monetary outcomes.
Karen has earned the prestigious Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification. She is a past Vice President of the MPI Potomac Chapter. As Vice President, she was responsible for overseeing three board positions at the largest MPI chapter in the nation.
“Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” – Winston Churchill
Education:
Syracuse University Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Management
Certifications:
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Certified CMP Facilitator, MPI Potomac
Industry Involvement:
2005-2006 Strategic Alliances Committee Co-Chair
2006-2007 Strategic Events Board Director
2007-2008 VP of Education
2013-2014 Career Development Committee Co-Chair
2015-2016 Member Engagement/Recognition Committee Co-Chair
2017-2018 Member Retention Board Director
Email: karen@innov8meetings.com