Shining Star - Michelle Robinson

We are excited to announce that our July Shining Star is Michelle Robinson! Michelle has been in the meeting planning + hospitality industry for 20 years. For the last 7 years, Michelle has been a Meeting Planner at Nestlé Purina PetCare Company! In fact, she was recently promoted to Senior Meeting Planner. When asked what is the story behind how she became a meeting planner, Michelle said, “I have an English degree and I longed to become an editor. I accepted a role as an editorial assistant locally. The role wasn’t as fulfilling as I thought it would be. In fact, I wasn’t happy at all. To “escape,” I went on a girls trip and one my sorority sisters on the trip happened to work for Maritz. She referred me and I became a Travel Director. The role of Travel Director thrust me into this amazing world of hospitality management that was previously unbeknownst to me. That was in July of 2000 and I have never looked back. After my Travel Director days, I was afforded a wealth of industry experience. I became a Travel Writer at Maritz, a Freelance Travel Director via Executive Travel Directors, a Global Sales Coordinator at Starwood, and I returned to Maritz as a Contract Program Manager where I planned meetings and events for Edward Jones and HP. It was then where I discovered my love of planning meetings/events. Later, I became a Meeting Planner at Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, focusing on the petcare or the Purina side of the business.”

When asked what she likes best about her job, Michelle said, “I equate meeting/event planning to a large, daunting puzzle. In the beginning, it can be confusing, a tad stressful and seemingly disconnected. However, once the pieces start to come together, it is gratifying! When I make what I do seem simplistic, I’ve done my job well.”

Michelle has been a member of the St. Louis MPI Chapter since December 2016. Locally, she serves on the Communications Committee where she recently joined the board as a Director of Media & Communications. Globally, Michelle has served on the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for 2 years and also participated as a hosted buyer in a Thought Leaders Summit. Michelle says, “The biggest benefit of my MPI membership is being a part of a network of industry professionals who understand my world. I also really enjoy the educational and networking opportunities.”

In offering words of wisdom to other industry professionals, Michelle said, “Stress is overrated!  Sure, we all have stressors, but a fellow Travel Director once told me to ask myself “Are we saving lives?” If the projector doesn’t work, it’s not ideal, but it’s also not life-threatening.  We have to put everything into perspective. This is the industry of imperfection. There will be fires, but we are master fire extinguishers. Let’s try not to dwell on the mistake; just fix it and move on.”

Michelle is a native St. Louisan who grew up in North City. She attended Senior Classical Academy at Soldan High School. In her spare time (pre-COVID19), Michelle loved attending sporting events (baseball, XFL, hockey). She is also a huge foodie and loves restaurants and festivals. “I also enjoy my book club (Divas Dialogue), traveling, and spending time with family and friends.”

Philanthropically, Michelle is active on the alumni level for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She’s an adhoc committee member for BUBAA at her alma mater Bradley University. Michelle is a “Big” with Big Brother Big Sister; and she works in children’s church once per month at Westside Missionary Baptist Church. Michelle recently agreed to join the Advisory Committee for her high school alma mater. Professionally, Michelle is currently in a leadership cohort, St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative.
 
Michelle - Thank you so much for your years of membership and for sharing your time and talents with MPI - locally and globally!