December 11, 2025
Don't miss our MPI D/FW Holiday Party, Silent Auction and Board Induction
Register Today!
Earning a professional certification promotes industry standards, practices and ethics, and establishes commitment as an industry leader. The MPI D/FW chapter has long honored its members who hold industry certifications with a special event – The CMP & CMM Recognition Event. It is at this event that we present one of our highest leadership awards to an outstanding meeting professional.
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s “Colleen Rickenbacker Leadership Award, a legacy award recognizing an MPI D/FW member for a career of outstanding leadership contributions, commitment to education and advocacy in the cause of professional certifications. Help us recognize the outstanding leaders of our chapter by clicking HERE to nominate them for this esteemed award. Nominations are due no later than TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2025.
- Is an MPI D/FW chapter member in good standing,
- Holds a current CMP or CMM designation or both,
- Has a history of service to the Chapter,
- Champions education as a pathway to success as indicted by their professional development activity, and by their encouragement of others as indicated by their role(s) as a leader, mentor or educator,
- Sets high ethical standards for themselves and others when in a leadership role,
- Serves as a role model and inspiration for others in the industry.
Click HERE to review eligible members.
Click HERE to complete the Nomination Form. Nominations are due no later than 5:00pm on December 23, 2025.
Past Award Recipients
| 2025 Cori Dossett, CMP Fellow, CEM, CITP | 2009 Hattie Hill, CMM |
| 2024 Charlene Edwards, CMP | 2008 Jim Monroe, CMP, CSeP |
| 2023 Gail Grogan, CMP, CMM | 2007 Steven G. Foster, CMP |
| 2021 Amanda Wells, CMP | 2006 Betty Garrett, CMP |
| 2020 Sherry DeLaGarza, CMP, CMM | 2005 Dana Rhoden, CMP, CMM |
| 2019 Tony Cummins, CMP, CMM | 2004 Sally Goldesberry, CMP, CMM |
| 2018 M.T. Hickman, CMP CPECP | 2003 Bill Boyd, CMP, CMM, CITE |
| 2017 Tamra Gaines, CMM | 2002 Mary Lynn Novelli, CMP |
| 2016 Dara Hall, CMP, CMM | 2001 Phillis Firebaugh, CMP |
| 2015 Peg Wolschon, CMP, CTA | 2000 Pat McCain, CMP |
| 2014 Wendy Foster, CMP | 1999 Colleen Rickenbacher, CMP, SCEP, CPC, CTA, CPECP |
All finalists will be recognized, and the award will be presented, at the Annual CMM & CMP Breakfast. In 2026, the breakfast will be held on March 11 at the gorgeous Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas. Help us recognize the outstanding leaders of our chapter by clicking HERE to nominate an industry colleague for this esteemed award.
Click HERE to review eligible members.
As this event is earlier in the year in 2026, our schedule is compressed.
Nominations due: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2025.
Qualifying nominees invited to formally apply for the CRLA Award: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2025.
Applications due: TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026.
Please direct any questions regarding nominations to the 2025 Colleen Rickenbacher Leadership Award recipient and 2026 Colleen Rickenbacher Leadership Award Chair - Cori Dossett, CMP Fellow, CEM, CITP, Conferences Designed, President, cori@conferencesdesigned.com.
Nominations are due no later than 5:00pm Central time, on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2025.
