The Oregon Convention Center (OCC) is proud to announce that Stefanie Arnold has earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credentials. Adding the CMP designation to her title helps to maintain the center’s position as a top-tier convention destination. Arnold joins eight OCC staff members who previously earned their CMP certifications.
Launched by the Convention Industry Council in 1985 to enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals and advance uniform standards of practice, achieving CMP certification requires years of professional experience, education and mastery of a rigorous exam.
"Obtaining the CMP credential isn’t something that can be done on years of experience alone," said OCC Director of Event Services, Erin Jepson. "It takes someone with expertise in the field, a broad knowledge of what goes into planning meetings worldwide, and an open mind to learn new ways of doing things every day."
Arnold worked previously for University of Oregon Conference Services while she completed her undergraduate and masters studies. While there, she helped to plan multiple large educational conferences around the country and was specifically tasked with exhibit management and lead tracking. She began working as an event manager for the OCC in 2013, and was recently promoted to a Senior Event Manager position with the facility.
"As a Senior Event Manager, I will have a specific focus on improving our attendee experience in cooperation with our Guest Services department," said Arnold. "I’ll also be helping our staff with training and migration to the latest version of the EBMS business management software we use, and our new floor plan system."
"I’m so proud of Stefanie for taking this next step in her career," added Jepson. "It wasn’t easy and certainly didn’t come without hours and hours of preparation and long nights studying!”
"There is never a day I don’t feel challenged, whether it’s a complex event or by the sheer amount of work involved," said Arnold. "There is never a dull day at the OCC!"
The Oregon Convention Center is owned by Metro and managed by the Metro Exposition and Recreation Commission. OCC is a LEED Platinum certified facility hosting groups from around the world and bringing millions of dollars into the Portland and Oregon economy.