
Timeline
About me
Founder & Owner I Meeting & Event Solutions I Contract Negotiation Specialist I Helping You Make Better Procurement Decisions I Vinyl Record Collector
Education

University of south carolina-columbia
-M.ed. higher education administration/student affairsActivities and Societies: Student Personnel Association (SPA), National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Assn. of College Unions-International (ACU-I) Graduate Assistant: Russell House University Union

Southern illinois university, edwardsville
-B.s. parks & recreation managementActivities and Societies: President, Student Union Board; Member, Assn. of College Unions-International (ACU-I), Who's Who Among Students in Colleges & Universities, National Honor Society, Mississippi River Festival Artist Host (2 years)
Experience

Adam's mark hotel dallas
Dec 1996 - Jun 2000Catering sales manager/local market directorResponsible for lead role within the catering department with supervisory responsibility for local catering managers and administrative assistants. Oversight of daily operating systems for department. Responsible for training and development of local catering staff. Produced 90-day catering forecast and other reports as required by senior management. Supervised upgrade/installation of Delphi account management system. Sales focus was Dallas corporate/social markets and convention group ICW accounts. Show less

Wynnwood hospitality at the dallas museum of art
Jun 2000 - Sept 2002Director of salesResponsible for leading sales team consisting of 3 sales managers and 2 administrative staff. Direct report to President. Duties included daily leadership and management of sales office; hire, train, motivate and evaluate staff; conduct weekly sales meetings; develop/update ongoing business plan; resolve customer service issues; evaluate leads and bookings; develop and administer contracts; manage department budget and forecast sales. Specific accomplishments:• Minimal turnover; stability within team based on positive working environment• Completely revamped contract process resulting in a significant increase in advance deposits• Established new credit/payment policies resulting in significantly lower accounts receivable• Established new system to price rental equipment resulting in more accurate, competitive quotes• Attained new DMA membership goal for first time in company history• Consistently maintained and stayed within budget goals for department • Oversight of 3.2M sales budget Show less

Starwood hotels & resorts worldwide, inc.
Jan 2003 - Jun 2005Catering sales/convention services managerIn 2003-2004, I maintained a dual role as a Catering Sales Manager & Convention Services Manager booking 85% of expected catering goal while maintaining full-time convention service responsibilities. I produced 104% of goal for calendar year 2004 after focusing full-time on catering sales. Completed extensive Starwood web-based training as well as in-class Advanced Sales Training and Hospitality Service Training. Sales deployment included local Corporate, Pharmaceuticals, Medical, Education, Government and Association markets. Show less

The meeting department
Jul 2005 - nowFounder & ownerTHE MEETiNG DEPARTMENT is a professional meeting planning company based in Dallas, TX providing expert hotel site selection and meeting management services. Owner-Director Tony Cummins is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry with an extensive background in hotel sales and operations. THE MEETING DEPARTMENT provides a variety of "no-cost" and fee-based services assisting corporations, associations and other non-profit organizations in the process of procurement and strategic meeting management. Show less

Richland college
Aug 2009 - Mar 2021Adjunct faculty: travel, exposition & meeting managementTeaching a required credit course covering legal issues and risk management for meeting professionals with emphasis on hotel group contract negotiation, tort risks, intellectual property protection, meeting & travel tax issues, indemnification & insurance, safety & security and dispute resolution. Teaching methods include lecture, webinar video, in-class guest and virtual presentations by leading industry attorneys, hoteliers and meeting planners.

Meeting professionals international dallas/fort worth chapter
Jul 2017 - nowPast presidentThe D/FW Chapter of Meeting Professionals International has over 600 members which is comprised of professional meeting planners from major corporations and associations, health, educational and governmental agencies as well as independent meeting and event planners. The chapter also includes suppliers who provide the services to support meetings, conferences, trade shows, conventions, training meetings, executive retreats, and incentive programs. MPI is the pivotal force in positioning meetings as a primary communication vehicle and a critical component of an organization’s success. Show less
Licenses & Certifications

Certificate in meeting management
Conferred by meeting professionals international. cmm is the global standard of excellence for senior planners focusing on strategic business management. less that 900 certificate holders in the world.Dec 2012
Certified meeting professional
Conferred by convention industry council. certifies knowledge proficiency in 27 areas of meeting and event management.Jan 1999- View certificate

Certified meeting professional (cmp)
Events industry councilJan 1999
Volunteer Experience
Past President, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jul 2017
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMVP, Leadership, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jan 2013
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMImmediate Past President, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jul 2016
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMPresident, MPI D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jul 2015
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMPresident-Elect, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jul 2014
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMVP, Education, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jan 2006
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMVP, Membership, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jan 2004
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMVP, Education, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jan 1999
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMMChair, Inaugural Chapter Website, D/FW Chapter
Issued by Meeting Professionals International on Jan 1998
Associated with Tony Cummins, CMP Fellow, CMM
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